Ever feel that delightful shiver crawl up your spine, the one that only a truly terrifying movie can deliver? Me too. If you’re anything like me, 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year for horror fans. We’re talking a tidal wave of sequels, fresh takes on classic monsters, and original nightmares conjured by some of the genre’s most exciting minds.
As someone who’s spent years dissecting horror flicks and tracking the genre’s evolution, I can tell you this lineup is truly something special. Get ready to mark your calendars; you’re going to need them.
1. What Horror Sequels and Franchises Can We Expect in 2026?
Brace yourself for a monstrous year! Several major horror franchises are set to continue their reign of terror. We’re getting Scream 7, promising more meta-horror mayhem, and Scary Movie 6, ready to skewer the latest trends with its signature brand of comedy. Then there’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, which will attempt to breathe new life into the zombie sub-genre. And of course, you can’t keep a good deadite down: Evil Dead Burn is on the horizon.
Other returning favorites include Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, and Insidious: The Bleeding World. It’s a mix of familiar faces and fresh scares that should keep horror fans on the edge of their seats.
2. New Takes on Classic Monsters: Which Reboots Are Coming?
Forget what you think you know; some iconic monsters are getting radical makeovers. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! offers a punky, modern riff on the Bride of Frankenstein. Lee Cronin, the director of Evil Dead Rise, is tackling The Mummy, promising a terrifying new vision of the ancient terror. And if you like your scares with a touch of historical accuracy, Robert Eggers, the mastermind behind Nosferatu, is delivering Werwulf, a painstakingly researched period tale.
3. Which Big-Name Directors Are Making Horror Movies in 2026?
Some of Hollywood’s most respected directors are diving headfirst into horror. Sam Raimi, the maestro of splatter, is bringing us Send Help, a desert-island survival story with a gruesome twist. M. Night Shyamalan, in a surprising collaboration with novelist Nicholas Sparks, is crafting Remain, a supernatural romance. Yes, you read that right. I’m curious to see what happens with this combo.
4. Who Are the Emerging Horror Directors to Watch?
Keep your eyes peeled for these rising stars. Osgood Perkins, known for his atmospheric horror, is directing The Young People, boasting an A-list cast led by Nicole Kidman. Then there’s Zach Cregger, the twisted mind behind Weapons, who’s putting his unique spin on Resident Evil. Also, Rob Savage, of *Boogeyman* fame, is coming out with *Other Mommy, *starring Jessica Chastain, and David Lowery’s intense-looking thriller Mother Mary, which stars Anne Hathaway as a pop star and Michaela Coel as her fashion-designer frenemy.
5. What Underrated Horror Films Should We Look Out For?
Beyond the blockbusters, there are some indie gems to get excited about. Keep an eye out for Obsession. Also, creepypasta fans will want to check out The Backrooms, bringing internet horror to the big screen. And for some pure, unadulterated terror, there’s They Will Kill You, starring Zazie Beetz.
Even the superhero world is getting a dose of horror, with DC’s Clayface, penned by Mike Flanagan, promising to take James Gunn’s new DC universe into some seriously weird, body-horror territory.
6. What Horror TV Shows Are Coming in 2026?
The small screen is bringing the scares, too. Friday the 13th is getting a prequel series on Peacock called Crystal Lake. Apple TV is delving into horror comedy with Widow’s Bay, and Mike Flanagan is back with a new series, Carrie, this time on Prime Video instead of Netflix.
7. Will Animal Attack Movies Make a Comeback?
It looks like we might be on the verge of an animal attack revival. While Anaconda may not have made a splash recently, 2026 is bringing us Primate (think Cujo, but with a chimpanzee), Whalefall (a scuba diver swallowed by a whale), and shark movies from Renny Harlin (Deep Water) and Tommy Wirkola (Shiver).
Tommy Wirkola also has Violent Night 2 coming this year, bringing back David Harbour as Santa Claus.
8. Who Should Horror Fans Follow on Social Media?
- @StephenKing on X: The master of horror himself. He’s always sharing his thoughts on adaptations of his work, as well as his recommendations.
- @jason_blum on X: The head of Blumhouse. Jason clearly loves horror, so you know he’ll be promoting Five Nights at Freddy’s 2.
- @Flanaganfilm on Instagram: Mike Flanagan provides behind-the-scenes glimpses into making some of the best horror in Hollywood.
- @axelle_carolyn on Instagram: Axelle Carolyn posts about the genre TV series she’s directed (Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Carrie).
9. Which Horror Production Companies Should We Watch?
Blumhouse: Blum’s horror company, now allied with James Wan’s Atomic Monster, is on a roll after a successful 2025. Can they keep the momentum going?
Jason Universe: After all the hype about rebooting Friday the 13th‘s masked killer, Jason Universe has been silent. Will Jason return to the big screen in 2026?
10. What’s a Longshot Horror Bet That Could Pay Off?
Keep an eye on Damian McCarthy’s Hokum. After freaking us out with 2024’s Oddity, it seems likely his witchy latest will push him firmly onto the horror A-list.
Will there be a new Friday the 13th movie in 2026?
It’s hard to say for sure, but with three Friday the 13ths in 2026, it would be a killer year to make such an announcement!
What is Blumhouse’s next big horror project?
While details are always under wraps, keep an eye on Jason Blum’s Twitter for hints and announcements.
Who is directing the new Mummy movie?
Lee Cronin, the director of Evil Dead Rise, is at the helm, promising a terrifying new vision of the ancient terror.
So, there you have it: a glimpse into the terrifyingly exciting world of horror in 2026. With so many sequels, reboots, and original stories on the horizon, it’s shaping up to be a banner year for fans of the genre. Which of these movies are you most excited to see, and what scares are you hoping to experience? Let me know in the comments below!