Fall means spooky season, so expect exciting new horror films to grace your screen. Read about a few of the most anticipated below.
The Conjuring: Last Rites
The epic finale of The Conjuring series has finally been completed. Titled The Conjuring: Last Rites, this installment is based on a story by James Wan and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, who also wrote The Conjuring 2 and The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It. The film tells the real-life haunting tale of the Smurl family, which the Warrens investigated in 1986. Executive Producer Peter Safran said this case has been considered a potential plotline since the franchise began in 2013.
The Smurl family led a mostly uneventful life in their duplex in West Pittston, Pennsylvania, until 1985, when a ceiling light fell and struck one of their daughters, leaving a large gash on her forehead. Over the next year and a half, the family encountered various frightening supernatural occurrences, including disembodied screams, unusual odors, and terrifying physical encounters. After they went public with their experiences, well-known paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren offered their assistance. They asserted that three spirits were being controlled by a demonic force intent on destroying the Smurl family.
With this engaging story and familiar favorites, Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren and Patrick Wilson as Ed Warren, Last Rites is certain to kick off the spooky season right. The film is set to be released on September 5.
HIM
Sports horror often doesn't get much spotlight, but this fall, it will with the release of HIM. The movie's trailer, released in April, tells the story of Cameron Cade (Tyriq Withers), an aspiring football player invited to train at a secluded compound with veteran quarterback Issiah White (Marlon Wayans). The trailer doesn't reveal much, but it suggests that to achieve greatness, one must be willing to sacrifice everything, possibly even quite literally.
HIM is inspired by a story created by Zack Akers and Skip Bronkie, and it is directed by Justin Tipping, known for Joe vs. Carole (2022). Additionally, it is produced by Jordan Peele. Like many other films associated with him, Peele's Monkeypaw Productions is keeping the details of this horror film under wraps. The film is set to be released on September 19.
The Black Phone 2
Following the success of the first Black Phone in 2022, there was a strong demand for a sequel. The film, which became a sleeper hit, grossed an impressive $161 million against its $18 million budget. The Black Phone is based on a short story by Joe Hill, the son of bestselling author Stephen King, who is known for titles such as the vampire horror novel NOS4A2.
The story follows Finny, a young boy living in Denver, Colorado, with his alcoholic father and younger sister. He is kidnapped by a serial killer known as "The Grabber," portrayed by Academy Award nominee Ethan Hawke. While trapped in the Grabber's basement, Finny discovers a mysterious black phone that connects him to the killer’s past victims, who whisper clues to help him escape and save his own life.
While the specifics of the plot are mostly kept under wraps, the trailer offers a glimpse of Mason Thames, the returning actor who portrayed Finny in the first movie. Now older, the teenage character receives a phone call from the Grabber, who, spoiler alert, he thought was long dead. "You of all people should know that dead is just a word," the Grabber taunts. Director Scott Derrickson has mentioned that the sequel focuses on a vengeful ghost rather than the ghost stories featured in the first film. With the setting taking place during a winter in the Rocky Mountains, this is sure to be a chilling experience. The film is set to be released on October 17.
Keeper
Osgood Perkins, the cult horror movie director, is set to release his next film, Keeper, which is sure to both confuse and delight audiences, much like his previous works, Longlegs (2024) and The Monkey (2025). In Keeper, Liz (played by Tatiana Maslany) and Malcom (played by Rossif Sutherland) embark on a romantic getaway to celebrate their anniversary. However, when Malcom needs to return to the city, Liz is left alone at the cabin and starts to realize that she is not as isolated as she thought. The cabin hides sinister secrets that begin to unravel as the story progresses.
The movie trailer reveals very little, primarily showcasing various women in different scenes and expressing a range of emotions. However, the marketing is intriguing, featuring blurry posters and a simple tagline: "I don't like you anymore." The teaser trailer, released just six days ago, also includes the line, "This place isn't right for me." It will be interesting to see what additional marketing strategies Perkins and his team will implement as the release date approaches. The film is set to be released on November 14.