New and Upcoming Horror Movies and Shows

Here's a question we have about this prequel series set in the scariest town in the Stephen King multiverse: Who would have played Pennywise if Bill Skarsgård didn't finally agree to haunt the sewers once again as the shapeshifting, dancing clown? Filming on the series had commenced before Skarsgård’s return was announced by HBO and Andy and Barbara Muschietti, who hope the origin series is as well received as It Chapter One and, of course, the original miniseries that stills haunts us 90s kids. Heading back to the 1960s alongside Skarsgård in his first post-Nosferatu role will be Jovan Adepo, Taylour Paige, James Remar, and regular visits from Madeleine Stowe.

Streaming on HBO Max

Verifiable scream queen Maika Monroe is taking a turn to the dark side in this remake of a wild early-90s thriller. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Raúl Castillo star as a couple whose new nanny may have ulterior motives. But who is the villain and who is the victim in this domestic horror story? Don’t expect a straight remake of the original. Director Michelle Garza Cervera (Huesera: The Bone Woman) claims she’s built “a whole different kind of thriller.” — Adrienne C.

Streaming on Hulu

Definitely the most high-profile offering in the slate, Black Phone 2 makes its world premiere at the festival. Scott Derrickson is back in the director's chair, with Ethan Hawke (somehow) returning as the Grabber, and Mason Thames back as our hero, hot off the blockbuster success of How to Train Your Dragon. — James G.

In theaters

The V/H/S franchise just keeps going, and why shouldn't it? The marriage of two great horror sub-genres (found footage + anthology) has resulted in an endless trove of video delights, and this eighth installment might be the best in the series. Seriously. And if you’re really into the sub-genre, take a look at this Watchlist hand-picked by the directors of V/H/S/Halloween. — James G.

Streaming on Shudder

Who the hell knows what to expect from Osgood Perkin’s next flick. The emerging master of horror has been on a roll pumping out two box office hits in as many years. But while Longlegs was vibey and The Monkey was insane, we suspect Perkins is headed in yet another direction with his sixth feature film. Billed as “A Dark Trip,” Keeper appears to lean into the director’s passion for surrealism as actress Tatiana Maslany deals with her demons — both literal and metaphorical — in a secluded cabin in the woods.— Adrienne

In theaters Nov. 14, 2025

If you’re unsure what to make of this new Nicolas Cage horror movie, you’re not alone. Writer-director Lotfy Nathan based his feature on the "Infancy Gospel of Thomas,” which details Jesus’ childhood in Egypt. But unlike the more popular biblical tales, this apocryphal text tells more disturbing stories of a young Jesus as her attempts to harness his powers with wondrous and terrible results. Noah Jupe and FKA Twigs play the other members of the Carpenter’s family, and while we’re still not sure how seriously this movie plans to take itself, we’re definitely interested to see where religious horror is headed in 2025 A.D. — Adrienne

In theaters Nov. 14, 2025

Season 1 of this freaky found footage saga broke records as the most-watched original Shudder show and the strongest November release yet for the horror streamer. The story of serial killer Josef (Mark Duplass) started more than 10 years ago with the release of the deliciously demented indie Creep and has only risen in popularity as new fans discover Josef, Peachfuzz, and their many documentarian friends. Said creator Mark Duplass about Season 2, “We made the first season of ‘The Creep Tapes’ completely independently, so we were able to truly and unabashedly get our freak on. The fact that so many of you watched it that Shudder not only asked us for more but asked us to go even further this time around? That’s just … really, really unsettling. And terrifically exciting.” — Adrienne

Season 2 premieres On Shudder Nov. 24, 2025

The real ones know the history of this holiday horror franchise, but let’s take a beat for the uninitiated. Back in 1984, a group of psychos (complimentary) made a low-budget film about a troubled man who dons a Santa suit and starts slashing. Thanks to pearl-clutching mom’s groups, the grindhouse-style picture wasn’t much of a hit, but the concept still spawned four sequels and an eventual remake that traded Kris Kringle’s ax to for a flamethrower. But everything old is new again, and this Christmas audiences will get a naughty new reboot forty years after the original. We’re excited to see Rohan Campbell step into such a killer role for the first time since Halloween Ends (and looks surprisingly like original Billy actor Robert Brian Wilson). — Adrienne

In theaters Dec. 12, 2025

We're in for rough times on the mainland. The Bone Temple's script seems like it might wrap around from Dr. Kelson's past and put him on a collision course with Spike, who has been inducted into Jimmy Crystal's seriously frightening and acrobatic gang, in the present. We know Cillian Murphy's Jim will appear at the end of the movie to set up the proposed third installment of the trilogy, though Danny Boyle has indicated we'll only get act three if audiences take their places around the bone temple.

In theaters Jan. 16, 2026