Key Highlights
- Upcoming Releases: The horror genre will see a variety of films released throughout 2026.
- Notable Directors: Sam Raimi and other prominent filmmakers are returning with new projects.
- Diverse Themes: The lineup includes survival thrillers, adaptations, and original stories.
- Star Casts: Expect performances from well-known actors like Daisy Ridley and Zazie Beetz.
Horror movies are most popular around Halloween, but audiences have proven there is enough interest in the genre for them to come throughout the entire year. This will once again be true in 2026, as films designed to produce thrills, jump scares, and nightmares will infiltrate theaters and streamers from January through December.
There are plenty of exciting ones on the horizon, too. Horror maestro Sam Raimi makes a highly anticipated return to the genre he’s repeatedly delivered classics in. Modern standout filmmakers in Robert Eggers and Zach Cregger have new releases, albeit through very different avenues. Add in more sequels and creative originals, the 2026 horror movie lineup is filled with titles to look out for.
We Bury The Dead
- Release Date: January 2, 2026
Daisy Ridley trades in her Jedi lightsaber for an axe, as she’ll fight zombies, not the Sith, in the 2026 horror movie We Bury The Dead. The survival thriller follows her character after military experiments lead to the creation of zombies, with Ridley’s Ava searching for her husband. Early reviews point to it being a fresh entry in a familiar type of film.
Primate
- Release Date: January 9, 2026
After 2025 put a toy monkey at the center of a horror film, 2026’s Primate makes a chimpanzee its central villain. Directed by Johannes Roberts (47 Meters Down), it follows a chimp named Ben who terrorizes his adopted human family after being bitten by a rabid animal. Oscar winner Troy Kotsur is part of the cast.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
- Release Date: January 16, 2026
Just six months after the last entry, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple arrives to continue the zombie saga. Nia DaCosta takes over directing duties from Danny Boyle, while Ralph Fiennes returns as Dr. Kelson. The first reactions to 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple promise another excellent installment.
Return To Silent Hill
The popular horror video game is coming back to the big screen with Return To Silent Hill. It’s an adaptation of Silent Hill 2 and has the movie franchise’s original director, Christophe Gans, returning to helm the supernatural horror film.
Mother Of Flies
- Release Date: January 23, 2026
Shudder spent a good portion of 2025 taking Mother of Flies to various film festivals, but 2026 is when the film will finally become widely available. It follows a woman who wants to use witchcraft to heal her, leading her to find a mysterious witch in the woods. Mother of Flies comes from the creative team of Josh Adams, Zelda Adams, and Toby Poser.
Send Help
- Release Date: January 30, 2026
Sam Raimi makes his grand return to horror with a survival thriller starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. Send Help follows the two stars as their coworker characters become stranded on a deserted island, with them at odds for power and control of their fates.
The Strangers 3
- Release Date: February 6, 2026
The recent The Strangers reboot has its third and final installment arriving in 2026. The Strangers 3 once again stars Madelaine Petsch’s Maya and is directed by Renny Harlin. Lionsgate is hoping the threequel lands better than the previous two entries.
Psycho Killer
- Release Date: February 20, 2026
Recent scream queen Georgina Campbell (Barbarian) is back in the horror genre in 2026. She stars in the thriller Psycho Killer as a woman tracking down the person responsible for killing her husband, leading her to uncover a larger serial killer plot.
Scream 7
- Release Date: February 27, 2026
Ghostface’s franchise is returning once more in 2026 thanks to Scream 7. It’s directed by franchise veteran Kevin Williamson and brings Neve Campbell back as Sidney Prescott. Previously killed characters Dewey Riley (David Arquette), Stu Macher (Matthew Lillard), and Roman Bridger (Scott Foley) are all slated to return in mysterious fashion.
They Will Kill You
Zazie Beetz headlines a new horror thriller as a housekeeper who uncovers potential ties to a satanic cult. They Will Kill You also stars Tom Felton, Patricia Arquette, and Heather Graham.
