2025 isn't even close to being over yet, but the excitement never stops when it comes to horror. We’re already looking ahead to 2026, and the new year is shaping up to be a terrifying one with a slate of highly anticipated horror films set to hit theaters.
If you're as excited as we are about the new horror content coming next year, you won't want to miss these 13 upcoming horror movies. From chilling sequels to fresh concepts, 2026 doesn't look like it will disappoint!
SOULM8TE
- Director and writer: Kate Dolan
- Cast: Lily Sullivan, David Rysdahl, Claudia Doumit, Oliver Cooper
- Release date: Jan. 2, 2026
Described as a sci-fi erotic horror film, SOULM8TE comes from Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster. It's a spinoff to the hit sci-fi horror flick M3GAN, and will explore a new storyline with a fresh cast of characters. Kate Dolan, who is best known for directing a couple of episodes of the mystery thriller series The Tourist, wrote the script and directs. The film follows a widower grappling with the recent death of his wife. In an attempt to cope, he acquires an android designed to replace her. However, things take a dark turn when the seemingly harmless android becomes a deadly threat.
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
- Director: Nia DaCosta
- Writer: Alex Garland
- Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jack O'Connell, Emma Laird
- Release date: Jan. 16, 2026
After 28 Years Later hits theaters in June 2025, fans don't have to worry if there will be a sequel because it's already been confirmed and will be released next year. Titled 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, it's the fourth movie in the 28 Days Later film series and the second film in a new trilogy of sequels. While plot details are being kept under wraps at the moment, the story is expected to continue to follow the remaining survivors of the Rage Virus as they navigate a post-apocalyptic world. A follow-up to Bone Temple, the last film in the 28 Years Later trilogy, is currently in development.
Send Help
- Director: Sam Raimi
- Writers: Mark Swift and Damian Shannon
- Cast: Rachel McAdams, Chris Pang, Dylan O'Brien, Dennis Haysbert
- Release date: Jan. 30, 2026
Rachel McAdams is known for starring in romance films and comedies, but we'll soon see her take on a much different role. She's set to star in Sam Raimi's survival horror film Send Help along with Dylan O'Brien, which is slated to be released in 2026. The two amazingly talented actors play as colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes. In order to survive, they must put aside any past issues or conflicts they had with each other and band together. But that's easier said than done...
Scream 7
- Director: Kevin Williamson
- Writer: Guy Busick
- Cast: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Mason Gooding, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Roger L. Jackson, Isabel May, Joel McHale, David Arquette
- Release date: Feb. 27, 2026
After much anticipation, fans will finally witness the return of the iconic Scream franchise in its seventh installment next year. Serving as a direct sequel to Scream VI, this latest chapter is believed to primarily focus on the beloved character Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell). And, naturally, we can expect the masked killer Ghostface to make a chilling comeback. Another round of brutal killings? It's highly likely! Besides Sidney, fans can expect to see more familiar faces, as several key characters from previous films are set to return.
Sadly, Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega will not be reprising their roles as sisters Sam and Tara Carpenter from Scream and Scream VI in Scream 7. But you can expect to see the return of Mason Gooding and Jasmin Savoy Brown, playing fraternal twins Chad and Mindy Meeks-Martin.
The Bride!
- Director and writer: Maggie Gyllenhaal
- Cast: Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz, Peter Sarsgaard, Julianne Hough, John Magaro, Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal
- Release date: March 6, 2026
The Bride! is a monster horror film from Maggie Gyllenhaal. Additionally, it's described as a fresh take on the iconic horror movie, Bride of Frankenstein. Set in 1930s Chicago, this horror film follows a lonely Frankenstein as he searches for love. He turns to Dr. Euphronius for help in creating a companion, leading the mad scientist to resurrect a recently murdered young woman, who becomes Frankenstein's bride. However, the resurrection not only ends up igniting a romance but also sparks a powerful social movement during this time period.
Clayface
- Writer: Mike Flanagan
- Release date: Sept. 11, 2026
Clayface, the shape-shifting supervillain who has consistently been a major enemy of Batman, is getting his own movie from DC Studios, which is said to be a horror thriller. It will tell Clayface's origin story, but he isn't expected to be presented as the traditional villain we all know him as. Production on the body horror will reportedly start sometime this summer, according to producer Peter Safran. No director or actors have been attached to the project yet. It's scheduled to be released in theaters in fall 2026.
Here's what Clayface will be about via The Hollywood Reporter's newsletter:
"Clayface is a Hollywood horror story, using the most popular incarnation of the villain – a B-movie actor who injects himself with a substance to keep himself relevant only to find out that he can reshape his face and form, becoming a walking piece of clay."
Here are seven more horror films that we can't wait to watch in 2026:
- Untitled The Exorcist reboot - March 13, 2026
- The Mummy - April 17, 2026
- Scary Movie 6 - June 12, 2026
- Untitled Insidious sequel - Aug. 21, 2026
- Untitled Resident Evil film - Sept. 18, 2026
- Untitled Jordan Peele film - Oct. 23, 2026
- Werwulf - Dec. 25, 2026