Plenty of big horror movie releases are on the schedule for 2025, including the return of popular franchises like Final Destination, Five Nights at Freddy's, I Know What You Did Last Summer, and more. But for those who also enjoy checking out smaller releases, this list is for you.
The definition of "indie" movies has become decidedly murky in the past few years. Given their popularity, it's hard to count studios like A24 or Neon as "independent," but technically, they are still independent production companies, so we've included some of their 2025 films here.
The Ugly Stepsister
- Written and directed by: Emilie Blichfeldt
- Starring: Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Ane Dahl Torp, Flo Fagerli, Isac Calmroth, & Malte Gårdinger
- Release date: TBA
This graphic Norwegian-language horror film is already getting tons of buzz fresh off its Sundance world premiere. A twisted reimagining of Cinderella, The Ugly Stepsister is a brutal body horror film that has already made at least one person vomit. Thanks to its barbaric beauty procedures, such as a scene showing a character sewing in her eyelashes and undergoing a barbaric rhinoplasty, the film is already making people vomit. Emilie Blichfeldt makes her directorial debut with this one, and it's showing a lot of promise, especially on the heels of last year's body horror hit, The Substance.
Hell of a Summer
- Written and directed by: Billy Bryk & Finn Wolfhard
- Starring: Michael Costigan, Jason Bateman, Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk, Jay Van Hoy, & Fred Hechinger
- Release date: April 18
Neon will distribute this feature directorial debut for Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard and his frequent collaborator Billy Byrk. The pair also co-wrote the script. Hell of a Summer is set in a traditional summer camp setting where a masked killer begins brutally picking off the teenage counselors one by one. At the center is Jason (Fred Hechinger), an older counselor who can't seem to let go of his glory days at Camp Pinewood and struggles to fit in among the teen counselors.
The Monkey
- Written and directed by: Osgood Perkins
- Starring: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Elijah Wood, Christian Convery, Colin O'Brien, Rohan Campbell, & Sarah Levy
- Release date: Feb. 21
Based on the short story of the same name by Stephen King, The Monkey is the next big release from Longlegs director Osgood Perkins. Neon will distribute again, which makes sense considering how successful Longlegs was for the company. The Monkey is a black comedy starring Theo James as twin brothers tasked with taking down a cursed toy monkey hellbent on wiping them out.
Opus
- Written and directed by: Mark Anthony Green
- Starring: Ayo Edebiri, John Malkovich, Juliette Lewis, Murray Bartlett, Amber Midthunder, Stephanie Suganami, Young Mazino, Tatanka Means, & Tony Hale
- Release date: Mar. 14
Ayo Edebiri stars in Opus, one of the few horror movies A24 is releasing in 2024. The Bear actress plays a young journalist who receives a rare invitation to the secluded compound of a legendary pop star who vanished from the public eye decades before. Inside the star's (John Malkovich) abode, she meets with other diehard fans and sycophants as they slowly realize what kind of insidious plan the legend has in store for them.
Ash
- Director: Flying Lotus
- Writer: Jonni Remmler
- Starring: Eiza González, Aaron Paul, Iko Uwais, Beulah Koale, Kate Elliott, & Flying Lotus
- Release date: Mar. 21
A sci-fi horror movie starring Eiza González and Aaron Paul, Ash is another XYZ Films production set to be distributed by Shudder and RLJE Films, meaning that it will be available on the popular horror streaming service at a later date. Gonzalez plays a woman who wakes up alone in space, horrified to learn that her entire crew has been killed and the only person she has to help her is a mysterious man who might not be trustworthy.
V/H/S/8
The seventh entry into the popular found-footage anthology series will continue this October with V/H/S/8. Like most of the other V/H/S movies, this one is going to get an exclusive Shudder release. No details have been shared about which filmmakers will be involved in this project, but the previous film featured segments from Kate Siegel, Mike Flanagan, Justin Long, and more.
Shelby Oaks
- Written and directed by: Chris Stuckmann
- Starring: Camille Sullivan, Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach, Robin Bartlett, Keith David, Charlie Talbert, Emily Bennett, & Sarah Durn
- Release date: Aug. 22
Speaking of Mike Flanagan, the popular horror director executive produced this supernatural horror title from director Chris Stuckmann. Shelby Oaks follows a young YouTuber named Riley known for visiting and filming supposedly haunted locations. But tragedy strikes on one of their latest trips to an abandoned town. Riley's friends are murdered, and she disappears, with their footage suggesting she might have been killed, too. Riley's sister takes it upon herself to try and solve the mystery over a decade later when she finds a mysterious tape that might reveal additional clues.
The Rule of Jenny Pen
- Written and directed by: James Ashcroft & Eli Kent
- Starring: Geoffrey Rush & John Lithgow
- Release date: Mar. 7
Another (eventual) Shudder release, The Rule of Jenny Pen stars John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush in a twisted story about a doll used as part of a disturbing game called "The Rule of Jenny Pen." After a judge (Rush) suffers a stroke that leaves him partially paralyzed, a resident (Lithgow) starts tormenting him with this creepy game.
The Ritual
- Written and directed by: David Midell & Enrico Natale
- Starring: Al Pacino, Dan Stevens, Ashley Greene, Abigail Cowen & Patricia Heaton
- Release date: Apr. 18
There hasn't been much promotion for this upcoming exorcism horror movie starring Dan Stevens and Al Pacino as troubled priests, but The Ritual will reportedly be released this April. Based on the true story of Emma Schmidt, a woman who underwent a series of exorcisms, Stevens and Pacino's characters must work together to save a possessed woman.
Clown in a Cornfield
- Director: Eli Craig
- Writers: Eli Craig, Adam Cesare, & Carter Blanchard
- Starring: Kevin Durand, Will Sasso, Katie Douglas, & Aaron Abrams
- Release date: May 9
Adam Cesare's fun, campy teen slasher novel is finally getting an adaptation this year. Set in the small fictional midwestern town of Kettle Springs, Clown in a Cornfield centers on a teen girl named Quinn struggling in the aftermath of her mother's death. Unfortunately for Quinn and her dad, they've unknowingly moved into a town plagued by a murderous clown named Frendo. Clown in a Cornfield will be released on Shudder after its theatrical run.