Top 10 Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2025

It would mark the end of an era, and what an incredible era it has been. Since its debut in 2013, “The Conjuring” Universe has become the highest-grossing horror franchise in history, spawning eight films and counting. The upcoming ninth installment, “The Conjuring: Last Rites” will conclude the main series, although several spin-offs and their sequels are still in development. While plot details remain under wraps, the film will see the return of Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren, tackling yet another chilling case of paranormal activity. Directed by Michael Chaves[a] and co-written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, who both worked on 2021’s “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” this finale seems to be in capable hands.

It’s been over a decade since the last “Final Destination” hit theaters, so naturally, anticipation for the return of the franchise is through the roof. The sixth installment, “Final Destination: Bloodlines” brings back the unseen yet relentless antagonist, Death itself, but with a twist that promises to shake up the usual formula. This time, the story centers around a young woman whose grandmother cheated Death decades earlier, leaving her and her family in the path of its inevitable wrath. It is set to feature a fresh cast of characters, while serving as a farewell to late series veteran Tony Todd in his iconic role as William Bludworth. As always, we look forward to seeing just how creatively this movie will, well, kill it.

Filmmaker Osgood Perkins made a strong impression with his 2024 horror thriller “Longlegs,” establishing himself as a rising star in the genre. With such momentum, Perkins seems to be wasting no time, as his next project, “The Monkey,” is due for release in February 2025. The film stars Theo James in dual roles as twin brothers Hal and Bill, who face off against a cursed toy monkey once owned by their father. It is not only directed by the confident horror auteur, but also based on a Stephen King short story, and produced by James Wan[b], a modern master of the genre. This collaboration brings together three generations of horror, and promises to deliver a chillingly unforgettable experience for audiences worldwide.

One of the most original horror films that hit screens in 2022 was the low-budget Australian gem “Talk to Me.” Despite being made for under $5 million, the film earned rave reviews for its impressive practical effects, stellar performances and genuinely terrifying scares. By the end of its theatrical run, it had grossed over 20 times its budget, a success that practically guaranteed a sequel. Scheduled for release sometime in 2025, the follow-up, “Talk 2 Me,” will once again be directed by twin filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou[c], with a screenplay by Danny and Bill Hinzman, the writers behind the first film. By all indications, this will be another project that will give moviegoers a lot to talk about.

With the rise of artificial intelligence and humanoid robots, it was only a matter of time before horror filmmakers jumped in with their own twisted take. 2022’s “M3GAN” brought our worst fears to life, introducing an AI robot that gains self-awareness and becomes a deadly machine. If you thought the murderous, viral dancing Android was done for, think again, “M3GAN 2.0” is coming in 2025 with an upgraded version. The sequel will once again be written by Akela Cooper[d] and directed by Gerard Johnstone, with Allison Williams and Violet McGraw reprising their roles. While plot details are scant, producer James Wan has expressed confidence in the story’s direction. Here’s hoping the new update is just as terrifying, if not more!

2021’s “The Black Phone” was an unexpected box-office success. The horror film follows a young boy abducted by a serial killer, who uses a phone in his basement to communicate with the ghosts of the killer’s past victims and plot his escape. Although it seemed like a one-and-done story, the film’s commercial success led producers to greenlight a sequel, which will arrive just in time for Halloween 2025. It’s unclear what direction the plot will go, but director Scott Derrickson has teased that Joe Hill, Stephen King’s son and the author of the short story the film was based on, pitched a terrific idea for the sequel. Given the Kings’ reputation for crafting compelling horror, we can expect something truly unforgettable.

With 2020’s “The Invisible Man,” horror filmmaker Leigh Whannell[e] proved that he is truly capable of breathing new life into a classic tale to deliver a spine-tingling experience for fans. Now, he hopes to do the same with 2025’s “Wolf Man.” A reboot of the 1941 gothic horror film “The Wolf Man,” it will star Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner as a couple whose lives take a terrifying turn after they are attacked by a werewolf. Having spent over a decade in development hell, the film is set to land in January 2025, promising to kick off the year with a chilling start. With body horrors making a comeback in Hollywood, anticipation is high for Whannell’s unique take on the genre.

Before the release of its tenth installment in 2023, the “Saw” franchise had begun to lose its edge, with many of the preceding films receiving largely negative reviews. However, “Saw X” was widely praised as a return to form, with some even ranking it higher than the first film. Following its success, a sequel was quickly announced, set for release in September 2025. Not much is known about the plot for now, but Tobin Bell will reprise his role as Jigsaw, and Kevin Greutert, the director of “Saw X,” will also be returning. Will this new installment continue the storyline of the tenth film, or follow up on the lukewarm 2021 entry “Spiral”? We’ll just have to wait and see.

In 2002, a then-unknown Cillian[g] Murphy starred in “28 Days Later” as a bicycle courier who wakes from a coma to find a world ravaged by a virus that turns people into killers. The film became an unexpected hit, and is widely credited with reviving the zombie genre. Now, over two decades later, Murphy is returning to the franchise in the aptly titled sequel, “28 Years Later.” Even more, the installment will also feature the return of director Danny Boyle and screenwriter Alex Garland. The film is set to deliver a dystopian summer experience when it hits theatres in June 2025. Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long for more, as a follow-up, helmed by “Candyman” director Nia DaCosta[h], is already in development.

If there’s one story acclaimed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro has long dreamed of adapting for the big screen, it would be “Frankenstein.” After years of languishing in development hell, the project was eventually fast-tracked in 2023 when del Toro signed a multi-year production deal with Netflix. This adaptation of Mary Shelley’s legendary horror novel will feature Oscar Isaac as the titular doctor and Jacob Elordi as his monstrous creation, with supporting performances from Christoph Waltz, Mia Goth and Lars Mikkelsen. In November 2024, fans got their first glimpse into this world, with an image of Frankenstein’s laboratory shared by Vanity Fair. If the dark, gothic aesthetic is any indication, we’re in for a richly Miltonian reimagining of the timeless classic.