The new horror movies of 2021 mean that there's never been a better time to be a horror fan. It's been a bumper year of scares thanks to last year's delays and the terrifying onslaught just keeps coming. Michael Myers has managed to resurrect himself once again for Halloween Kills in October and even Candyman is back in Nia DaCosta's new imagining arriving at the end of August. And you don't even need to head back to the cinema if you don't want to. Plenty of titles are coming straight to Netflix or horror streaming service Shudder so you can always make sure you're watching the latest new scary movies.
And if 2021 was a vintage year for terror, 2022 is shaping up nicely. Next year kicks off with the return of Ghostface in a new Scream from the directors of Ready or Not, and we have new Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Evil Dead movies on the way. But, of course, there are plenty of others that aren't just reimaginings or reboots of our favorite classics. James Wan's Malignant promises fresh new jump scares come September and Edgar Wright's Last Night in Soho promises psychedelic 60s madness. Here are the dates for your diary and some of the most exciting upcoming horror movies to look for in 2022 too.
Read more: Best Horror movies | Best Netflix horror movies | Movie release dates | Upcoming movies | New TV shows
Censor
Release date: August 20, 2021 (UK)
The horror genre has endured plenty of moral panics. Few are as well known in the UK as the so-called ‘Video Nasty’ era as tabloid panic over VHS movies in the 1980s resulted in outright bans and overt censorship. It’s here where Prano Bailey-Bond’s first feature film comes in as a woman called Enid Baines relishes her work as a strict film censor. She thinks she has everything worked out but death and violence come to her regardless. How could this happen when it’s the movies that cause violence….?
Bailey-Bond’s gory delve into 1980s Britain was driven by her passion for the era and the movies that came out at the time. “I’m obsessed with the video-nasty era, both because I love a lot of the films from that period and because the UK’s reaction to them was so extreme,” she told Cineuropa. “I find the whole thing totally fascinating. The job of a film censor is so unique, too: they have to examine movies with both a subjective and an objective viewpoint at once, and to think of them working during this climate of hysteria around horror films, being the moral line of judgement, only makes the job more complex and interesting.”
Read more: Prano Bailey-Bond on the making of Censor
The Night House
Release date: August 20, 2021
It’s always good news when a well-received horror movie from Sundance quickly makes its way into general circulation instead of just disappearing into limbo like so many. David Bruckner’s The Night House, a critical darling from last year’s festival, is sitting at 86% on Rotten Tomatoes and will hopefully stay in this July release date slot. Rebecca Hall stars as Beth, a widow who discovers that her recently deceased husband may not have been who she thought he was. In searching through his belongings, she finds all kinds of dark secrets she really could have done without discovering. And that’s when the noises in the house begin… Yes, we’ve heard things that go bump in the night before but given Bruckner’s impressively scary directing CV with ‘trip to the woods gone wrong’ The Ritual and both the Southbound and V/H/S anthologies, this looks like something to be very excited about.
Demonic
Release date: August 27, 2021
It’s been six years since we’ve had a fresh movie from District 9 director Neill Blomkamp but Demonic looks like he’s back with a truly unsettling bang. The official synopsis says that this is the story of a young woman who unleashes terrifying demons when “supernatural forces at the root of a decades old rift between mother and daughter are revealed.” But this is no regular haunted house flick. Blomkamp is mixing in his love of sci-fi by bringing in a technology that allows people to interact with their own demons while comatose. Hence all those wires in the trailer above.
And this is another lockdown horror movie. The pandemic meant that all of Blomkamp’s bigger projects were shut down so he decided to make something small and scary in 2020. "Living out here in this slightly more rural area I was thinking we should self-finance something so that we could make something cool,” he told EW.com. “For a long time, I've been really interested in films like Paranormal Activity, and lower budget stuff that is pretty terrifying, and so we just started working on this concept. It grew and it got bigger than films like Paranormal Activity but it was cut from the same cloth really. So that's what it is. We made use out of a lot of the locations out here and just shot it through the summer."
Candyman
Release date: August 27, 2021
You know the rules: say the name five times in a mirror and a Jordan Peele produced version of the almost mythical horror Candyman will appear in front of you. We're just going to have to wait a little longer for him to appear thanks to the pandemic. This 'spiritual sequel' to the 1992 original tour de force of a slasher is directed by Nia DaCosta and it'll be time to bee afraid, bee very afraid. As you'll see in the trailer above - complete with an inspired music choice - things are a little different this time around as Candyman lurks in reflections, but Yahya Abdul Mateen II is Anthony McCoy, the baby used as a lure back in the original movie. He's all grown up and back in the now gentrified Chicago neighbourhood where it all began.
And the new version won't be shying away from the race elements so important in the original movie. “The original was a landmark film for black representation in the horror genre,” said Jordan Peele in a statement. “Alongside Night of the Living Dead Candyman was a major inspiration for me as filmmaker — and to have a bold new talent like Nia at the helm of this project is truly exciting. We are honoured to bring the next chapter in the Candyman canon to life and eager to provide new audiences with an entry point to Clive Barker’s legend.”
Nia DaCosta, director of the Tessa Thompson starring Little Woods released last year and co-writer as well as director here, has a passion for the genre. "I always loved horror when I was younger, I just loved all creepy films," she says in an interview with Vulture. "Candyman was one of those movies that scared the shit out of me. I remember it aligning so well with me being in middle school, although it came out a few years before I was in middle school. In the bathroom, people would either say “Bloody Mary” or “Candyman.” Today, I understand that it’s special because it has a black antagonist in a very white space, which is problematic, but at the time I was like, “Oh cool, we have black dudes, it’s terrifying. Virginia Madsen, and what, bees? Honey? What’s happening?” It was very much of that."
Malignant
Release date: September 10, 2021 (HBO Max & cinemas)
James Wan is a busy man. Somehow, despite his foray into the superheroics of Aquaman and executive producer credits on an intimidating number of horror movies, he’s managed to find time to shoot a new one of his own. Wan has been pretty secretive about the movie and only posted the above sword image with the release date on his Instagram.
Plot wise, there's not much to go on but a quick glimpse of the movie was featured in an HBO Max 2021 trailer. The brief clip saw Annabelle Wallis waking up in bed with a smashed wall behind her and a creature that's definitely not human rising up in the background. We also know it will have a solid R rating. As reported by Collider, Malignant has "Strong horror violence and gruesome images." We wouldn't want to think Wan has lost his touch...
Malignant was written by Wan and his fiance Ingrid Bisu and will star Supernatural’s Jake Abel as well as Annabelle Wallis. Wan fans might be aware that he has a comic book of the same name, but the director has already posted on Facebook that this movie has nothing to do with that series. “Umm, just a little clarification. The film I’m in the midst of shooting right now, Malignant, isn’t based off my comic book Malignant Man,” he said. “It’s definitely not a superhero film. Malignant is an original thriller NOT based off any existing IP.” Phew. Not that we're against those but.... horror.
Halloween Kills
Release date: October 15, 2021
The Shape is back. Because of course he is. And unfortunately we're going to have a wait an extra year to see him, thanks to the current global situation. The good news is that given how brilliant the most recent Jamie Lee Curtis movie was, we can only expect more good things. Now, a year after initially planned, the third in the trilogy, Halloween Ends will finish things on October 14, 2022. At least it’s not just Marvel that can make you wish your life away with a series of release dates, eh?
But an extra 365 day delay doesn't mean we can't talk about it. Halloween Kills looks like the ultimate reunion party for Halloween cast members over the years. Kyle Richards is back in her role as Lindsey Wallace, the little girl being babysat by Laurie in the original movie, Charles Cyphers returns as Sheriff Leigh Brackett, and even Nancy Stephens is set to reprise her role as Nurse Marion Chambers who was last seen in H20 but also featured in the first two original movies. Oh, and a certain residence is making a return too. When asked if the Myers house would be in. the movie, Blumhouse confirmed on Twitter that we'll be going back to where it all began. Let's just hope that Laurie Strode has plenty more ammunition.
Last Night in Soho
Release date: October 22, 2021
What’s that you say? Just a new horror movie from Edgar Wright? Yep, Mr Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz himself is releasing a new slice of scary and this time it stars The Queen’s Gambit’s Anya Taylor Joy (who is happily cropping up everywhere these days) and ex-Doctor Who Matt Smith. Following a passionate young wannabe fashion designer played by Thomasin McKenzie who can somehow travel back in time to the 1960s, Last Night in Soho is erring more on the psychological side of horror. This brightly coloured trip through time looks like it goes very much awry. It had been meant to release earlier in the year so hopefully it keeps this new Halloween release.
Antlers
Release date: October 29, 2021
No matter how many times you see it, watching Guillermo del Toro’s name flash up ominously at the start of a trailer is always gently reassuring. Not in an ‘it’s all going to be OK’ kind of way but more like the knowledge that what you are about to watch will be dark, scary, and probably hurt emotionally. This time, del Toro is in a producer role on a nightmarish family drama revolving around a young boy holding onto a deadly secret. Going by the trailer above, it’s that he’s being forced to catch animals to feed his father who might just be an actual monster.
Antlers is based on a short story by Channel Zero writer and creator Nick Antosca who is also on screenplay duties here. This means it definitely won’t pull any punches when it comes to scares. Wild Heart director Scott Cooper is at the helm too, making this an exciting monstrous addition to your slightly delayed 2021 horror calendar. Just maybe don’t take a hot dog into the cinema. Nachos all the way for this one…
Shepherd
Release date: November 5, 2021
Call this very Scottish writer biased but there just aren’t enough new horror movies set in the terrifying wilds of bonnie Scotland. You really don’t need to go to space for no one to hear you scream… Director Russell Owen clearly understands though and shot supernatural atmosphere-fest, Shepherd, on the Isle of Mull on Scotland’s west coast. “Shot in one of the most beautiful, remote and less filmed parts of Britain, using specifically designed location and studio sets, we created a 360 degree, immersive environment to really build a true authenticity in a heightened, nightmarish tale,” he told Deadline. “Shepherd allows its audience to decide for themselves the motivations behind (and the fate of) its protagonist by not giving its true foundations away.”
If that sounds vague, it’s meant to be and the trailer above doesn’t give too much away either. At its core, this is the story of a man who is isolated on an island after the suspicious death of his wife. But he finds more than just his own demons as he spends more time there. Shepherd stars Tom Hughes and the brilliant Kate Dickie whose turn in The Witch is seared into many a consciousness. This sounds perfect for a cold winter’s night. Bring on November.
Resident Evil: Welcome to Racoon City
Release date: September 9, 2021
What’s that you say? A new Resident Evil movie coming after a global pandemic? Well, quite, but let’s not let that put us off. Firstly, there’s no Milla Jovovich or Paul WS. Anderson in sight – stop cheering, it’s rude... This is a full reboot that’s erring closer to the iconic zombie game series’ survival horror origins. Directed by 47 Meters Down and Strangers: Prey at Night director Johanne Roberts, Sony’s reimagining has just finished filming amidst Covid restrictions and is slated for release in November.
Reassuringly, the team looks like it’s at pains to let fans know that the movie is very much taking its inspiration from the survival horror of the game. Special effects team AAFX Studio revealed an image on Instagram of a Resi zombie that looks far more like the infected shufflers of the original. “It’s gonna be super scary. It’s super, super scary,” Roberts told Screenrant last year. “And it’s just getting back to the roots of the game. I think, at the moment, I’m not really allowed to say much more than that. But it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
Scream 5
Release date: January 14, 2022
Would you like to play a game, Sidney? For the 5th time....? Yes, Ghostface fans rejoice, Scream 5 is official happening and modern Scream Queen Neve Campbell is returning as the long-suffering Sidney Prescott. Not only that but it's going to be a 2022 Woodsboro reunion as both Courtney Cox and David Arquette are returning as Gale Weathers and Dewey Riley. Even more exciting is that this is coming from directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett whose recent gory wedding party caper Ready or Not is just the right combination of horror and humour.
As reported by Bloody Disgusting, Neve Campbell sounds thrilled to be back. “After spending time speaking with Radio Silence, they have shown such love, respect and admiration for Wes Craven and all that he’s created in the Scream franchise. I am beyond excited to step back into the role of Sidney Prescott and return to Woodsboro.” Now we just need to wait. Does anyone know any good horror films? Or where to buy a voice changer....?
Hellraiser
Release date: TBC
Why should Michael Myers, Ghostface, Leatherface, and Candyman have all the fun of being back for the 20s? It’s only natural that Hellraiser’s Pinhead would be suffering from some serious FOMO. And you definitely wouldn’t like him when he’s angry. Well, angrier. The good news for him, but probably not us, is that Clive Barker’s monstrosity is returning from his descent into straight to video depravity. Director David Bruckner is bravely taking on a Hellraiser reboot. Known for terrifying trip to the woods monster movie The Ritual, Bruckner is currently working on a “reimagining” of the 10 movie strong franchise with The Dark Knight writer David S. Goyer.
In an exclusive interview with SFX magazine, Bruckner managed to tease a few juicy nuggets of information while trying to keep tight-lipped about his Hellraiser plans. "We can’t say anything about it yet," he said. "But it is something that we are actively working towards, and it is a joy and a dream for a filmmaker like myself to dive into that world. All I’ll say is that we are aiming to be as true as we can to the original material. [Clive Barker’s original story] 'The Hellbound Heart' is also a primary source of inspiration, as well as the original film. But then it is something of a small reimagining and we are currently working on it."
Skull
Release date: TBC 2022
The Predator series has sadly stumbled along of late. Knowing the potential of our favourite heat detecting aliens means that every recent outing has been increasingly disappointing. But that might all change with a new prequel in the works from 10 Cloverfield Lane director Dan Trachtenberg. A Collider interview with producers John Davis and John Fox revealed that Skull is almost finished filming. And this isn’t a case of ‘X attractive people have to fend off deadly attacks in the 21st century’. Skull is a prequel and a full origin story about the Predator’s first jaunt to earth. It follows a Comanche woman, played by Amber Midthunder, breaking gender norms to become a warrior and fight back.
"It goes back to what made the original Predator movie work,” says Davis. “It's the ingenuity of a human being who won't give up, who's able to observe and interpret, basically being able to beat a stronger, more powerful, well-armed force.” And Davis was vague as to whether this will be full on horror or less brutal in tone. “It all depends on how you end up cutting it, right? It was conceived as an R-rated movie,” he says. “It could easily end up PG-13. I guess I'm going to find out what it has to be or what it is when it's all cut together.”
Evil Dead Rise
Release date: TBC 2022
Just when you thought another classic horror series couldn’t resurrect with a jump scare hand through grave soil, along comes Evil Dead Rise. Excitingly, this isn’t a sequel to Fede Alvarez’ terrifying reboot back in 2013 but actually a follow up to the first three classic movies, with original Deadite creator and director Sam Raimi on executive producer duties. Bruce Campbell isn’t returning as Ash but he is involved as an exec producer, and he and Raimi personally selected filmmaker Lee Cronin as the director of this new slice of the splattery franchise.
Cronin debuted with the atmospheric The Hole in the Ground in 2019 and started proudly shooting Evil Dead Rise in New Zealand in June. That’s his shot from Twitter above. “The Evil Dead movies filled my brain with terror and awe when I first saw them at 9 years old,” Cronin told Variety. “I am excited and humbled to be resurrecting the most iconic of evil forces for both the fans and a whole new generation.” No pressure, Lee, it better be groovy…
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Release date: TBC 2022
Just when you thought there weren’t enough horror heavy hitters returning, Leatherface joins Candyman and Michael Myers for a gory old school reunion. It might be called just Texas Chainsaw Massacre but this is actually a sequel to the original 1974 classic. And before you dismiss anything that isn’t Tobe Hooper’s original, Fede Alvarez is on production duties who you might remember as the director of the brilliant brutal revisit of The Evil Dead back in 2013. So this could easily be something very special.
Speaking to the Bloody Disgusting podcast, Alvarez revealed “It is a direct sequel, and it is the same character. It is old man Leatherface. Everything is classic, old school gags. A lot of the approach that we had with Evil Dead – never VFX, to do everything on camera. It’s a very old school approach to filmmaking. Vintage lenses… it’s very similar to the original film.” It’s also been revealed that while original final girl actress Marilyn Burns sadly passed in 2014, her character, Sally Hardesty will return to take on this older Leatherface. Revenge is so sweet.... And probably deadly.
The LaLaurie Mansion Series
Release date: TBC 2022
Whether it’s a good thing or not, we now live in a world where entire franchises are announced before even the first movie has been released. The writers of the first two The Conjuring movies, Chad and Carey Hayes, have teamed up again and revealed an entire series of horror movies revolving around the infamous LaLaurie Mansion in New Orleans. Once home to none other than Nic Cage, who allegedly only lasted one night of horrific screams and bumps in the night, this grim abode is said to be one of the most haunted locations in the world. The good news is that if you’ve done your horror homework and watched American Horror Story Coven, you’ll already know its most villainous resident.
Played by Kathy Bates in AHS, Madame LaLaurie was both a New Orleans socialite and horrific 19th century serial killer, responsible for the horrific torture, mutilation and murder of a number of Black slaves. Her secret was only revealed when a fire broke out at her mansion and firefighters discovered some of her barely alive victims in diabolical states.
Not content with just one movie, the Hayes brothers are going to tell multiple stories of the mansion throughout history, from its horrific beginnings, all the way to modern day. Plus, they’re considering writing some of it from inside the house. “We love writing films in which we get to tell true stories – incorporating moments that people can look up and discover did in fact happen,” they announced in a press release. “With the LaLaurie House we get to do exactly that… there is a wealth of documentation of a very dark and frightening past of true events. Not to mention that after spending some time there, what we personally experienced was truly unnerving. We haven’t been this excited about a project since The Conjuring!”
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