With a new year upon us, new and exciting horror films are gearing up for release. 2025 brought us mega-hits like Sinners and Weapons, as well as many other impressive horror films from big and small names. If these upcoming titles are any indication, 2026 will be just as, if not more, packed for fans of the sinister and macabre.
Hokum, dir. Damian McCarthy
After winning an audience award at SXSW with his critically acclaimed film Oddity (2024), Damian McCarthy is further cementing himself as a new voice in horror with his upcoming film Hokum. Following a horror novelist (Adam Scott) mourning the death of his parents and potentially facing a witch at the Irish inn he is residing in, the film will feature McCarthy’s folk-horror imagery and themes, which are so evident in Oddity, and added to that film’s success. The teaser trailer alone invokes a folk-horror dread that only McCarthy could bring to the table.
Obsession, dir. Curry Barker
Premiering at TIFF 2025 and being won by Focus Features in a 24-hour bidding war involving NEON and A24, Curry Barker’s unnerving theatrical debut, Obsession, has quickly become one of the most anticipated original horror films of the year. With a twisted “Monkey’s Paw” premise where a young man wishes for his crush to fall in love with him, the film delves into the dark side of requited love and whether or not the main character got exactly what he wanted out of his wish. The film elicited a visceral reaction from me and many others at TIFF this past September, and I anxiously await its wide release.
Evil Dead Burn, dir. Sébastien Vačinek
Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert are continuing their streak of uplifting smaller horror filmmakers with the next installment of the iconic Evil Dead franchise, Evil Dead Burn. While Evil Dead Rise (2023) felt slightly too much like a “greatest hits” of the franchise, the films still take hefty risks with both the gore and the stories they tell through the Deadites. In the case of Evil Dead Burn, not many specifics are known, but Kandarian demon shenanigans are likely to be unleashed, with a final survivor coming out on top. What particularly intrigues many about Burn is a French interview with director Vačinek, where he said he aims to make a film that is “nasty…that hurts…from which you come away tested.” If any part of this is true upon the film’s release on July 24, it will likely be another iconic film in a franchise with virtually no bad films.
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, dir. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
2019’s Ready or Not burst onto the modern horror scene with a creative and funny take on a “Most Dangerous Game–style” premise, and a sequel titled Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is finally on the way. Starring Samara Weaving once again as Grace Le Domas, as well as Kathryn Newton (previously in Radio Silence’s Abigail (2024)) as Grace’s younger sister, who is pulled into the sick games of the elite. Radio Silence’s bold use of black comedy in slashers returns with an incredible cast, including David Cronenberg, Kevin Durand, and Sarah Michelle-Gellar, and if the trailer is anything to go by, this could be one of the most impressive modern horror sequels of the decade.
Werwulf, dir. Robert Eggers
Following up his stellar take on vampires with Nosferatu (2024), Robert Eggers is continuing to tackle classic monsters with his new film Werwulf. Not much is known about the film’s plot other than the central focus being werewolves and a cast of Eggers’ best collaborators, including Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, and Lily Rose-Depp, fresh off of her star-making performance in Nosferatu. Fans of Eggers’ work can likely expect the gothic period-horror evident throughout the majority of his filmography, and expect the werewolf updated in grotesque ways similar to his take on vampires and witches.
Resident Evil, dir. Zach Cregger
Zach Cregger made a name for himself in the horror sphere very quickly with his debut Barbarian (2022) and cemented that name in modern cinema with his follow-up, Weapons (2025). Cregger’s next project? A film based on one of the most iconic survival horror game franchises of all time. Resident Evil is confirmed to not adapt any of the games specifically, but rather explore an original character (played by Austin Abrams) in the world of the games, running into zombies and other horrifying creatures along the way. Many are skeptical since many different voices have attempted to adapt the Resident Evil games for the past 25 years, but others have faith due to Cregger’s impeccable track record and clear love for the games. If done right, Resident Evil may finally have a universally loved adaptation from an exciting new voice in horror.
List Courtesy of Nadia Arain
Feature Image Still from ‘Ready or Not 2’ Credit to Searchlight Pictures via Polygon