The Big 2026 Horror Movie Preview: All Theatrical Releases
The year has barely begun, and we’re already knee deep in certified horror hits. Defying the idea that January is a cinematic dumping ground, Primate, We Bury the Dead, and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple arrived swinging and landed their blows.
With only a few weeks of 2026 behind us, now’s the time to look ahead. Below is a rundown of all the confirmed theatrical horror releases on the calendar for the rest of the year. Dates may shift, but one thing is clear: 2026 is shaping up to be stacked for horror on the big screen.
Check out our great big list of 2026 theatrical horror movies to keep an eye on:
Send Help – January 30
Sam Raimi returns to office with this outrageous-looking new horror-comedy-adventure hybrid starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien. Hitting theaters later this month, Raimi’s triumphant return to the hard-R rating with Send Help is easily one of our 2026 most-anticipated.
Iron Lung – January 30
Mark Fischbach’s (Markplier) stylish post-apocalyptic tale features a blood planet, ex-convicts, and the promise of another YouTuber making it big on the theatrical front (Talk 2 Me, anyone?).
The Strangers: Chapter 3 – February 6
Renny Harlin’s ambitious, though not well-received, trilogy caps when the third and final entry in his reboot of The Strangers bows this February theatrically.
Dracula: A Love Tale – February 6 (Limited)
Written and directed by Luc Besson and starring Caleb Landry Jones and Christoph Waltz, the film centers on a 15th century prince who turns his back on God after his wife’s death and becomes a vampire. Hundreds of years later in 19th century London, he spots a woman who looks just like his late wife and begins pursuing her, setting himself on a tragic path.
Twisted – February 6 (Limited)
Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman and starring Lauren LaVera and Djimon Hounsou, the film follows two millennials who scam buyers by flipping New York apartments they do not own. The con runs smoothly until they target the wrong apartment and cross paths with an owner whose dark secret turns the scheme against them.
The Mortuary Assistant – February 13 (Limited)
A highly anticipated adaptation of the hit DreadXP video game from Epic Pictures and Shudder, The Mortuary Assistant follows Rebecca Owens, a mortuary science graduate who takes a night job at River Fields Mortuary. What begins as a routine job soon turns sinister as she faces terrifying supernatural forces.
Psycho Killer – February 20 (Limited)
Written by Andrew Kevin Walker and starring Georgina Campbell, the film follows a police officer hunting a serial killer after her husband, a highway patrolman, becomes one of the victims.
Scream 7 – February 27
Sidney Prescott is back in the spotlight when Ghostface returns to theaters in Scream 7. Whether this retooled sequel can deliver the goods remains to be seen, though with several cast members from past entries confirmed to be returning, there’s a good chance there’s more here than the trailer lets on.
The Bride! – March 6
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of The Bride of Frankenstein boasts two extraordinary actors—Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale—and one of the year’s best trailers. Gothic horror fans, rejoice.
undertone – March 13
Ian Tuason’s undertone is already being described as the year’s scariest movie. This tale of audio terror follows a horror podcaster whose night unravels as she dives into increasingly unnerving recordings. No doubt, this will be 2026’s A24 horror movie to write home about.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come – March 27
Samara Weaving returns for more eat-the-rich shenanigans in this sequel to the 2019 hit. More blood. More action. More Sarah Michelle Gellar.
They Will Kill You – March 27
It’s Ready or Not, but… not? Kirill Sokolov’s film follows a newly-hired housekeeper who is offered up as a sacrifice in a high-rise full of homicidal goons. It’s familiar, but I’ll be damned if the kinetic trailer didn’t have me pumped.
The Mummy – April 17
Lee Cronin’s mix of “Seven and Poltergeist” hopes to revitalize this long-dormant Universal franchise for new audiences.
Deep Water – May 1 (Limited)
Renny Harlin returns to his Deep Blue Sea roots with this tale of international passengers left adrift in shark-infested waters. More shark horror is never a bad thing.
Hokum – May 1
Neon finally recognized what we’ve all known since Caveat – Damien Mc Carthy has the goods. Hokum stars Adam Scott as a horror writer whose return home sets him on a collision course with a property infested with witches.
Obsession – May 15
We called Curry Barker’s Obsession “the next-gen horror masterpiece we weren’t prepared for” in our 5-star review. A young man’s novelty-shop plea for love has terrifying consequences for all involved. To say more would ruin the fun.
Passenger – May 29
Directed by André Øvredal, the film follows a young couple whose van life trip takes a dark turn after they witness a fatal accident. Not long after, they find themselves hunted by a relentless demonic presence that follows them wherever they go.
Scary Movie 6 – June 12
Anna Faris, Regina Hall, and the Wayans return for Scary Movie 6. Plot details are being kept under wraps. Scream and I Know What You Did Last Summer reboots are rumoured to be spoofed.
Evil Dead Burn – July 24
Sébastien Vanicek (Infested) takes over the Evil Dead mantle with the next entry poised to release this summer. Plot details are scarce, but something tells me it’s going to be an incendiary delight.
Flowervale Street – August 14
David Robert Mitchell (It Follows) has Anne Hathaway and Ewan McGregor attached to this tale of dinosaur terror. Not much is known otherwise, but it’s undoubtedly one of my most anticipated films of 2026.
Insidious: The Bleeding World – August 21
Lin Shaye returns with another delve into the further in this sixth entry in the Insidious franchise, one Shaye promises likely isn’t the last.
Clayface – September 11
Comic fans rejoice. James Watkins’ (Speak No Evil) adaptation of iconic villain Clayface and his horrific antics in Gotham City hits theaters this September.
Resident Evil – September 18
After the one-two punch of Barbarian and Weapons, filmmaker Zack Cregger is going the IP route with his stab at a Resident Evil movie. Whether it’s more in line with the original series, Welcome to Raccoon City, or something else entirely remains to be seen, but if there’s anyone I trust with this property, it’s Cregger.
Other Mommy – October 9
Adapted from Josh Malerman’s absolutely terrifying novel Incidents Around the House, Other Mommy sees a couple on the brink pushed even further when their young daughter starts communicating with the titular “other mommy” living in her closet.
Whalefall – October 16
Daniel Kraus’ Whalefall is one of the best novels of the century, so I’m pumped to see what Brian Duffield does with this adaptation about a diver who is, well.. swallowed by a whale.
Remain – October 23
It’s M. Night Shyamalan, baby. This time, he’s partnering with Jake Gyllenhaal and Nicholas Sparks in a story about a grieving widow and the mysterious woman who makes him question life and loss. As a certified Trap stan, I’m in.
Violent Night 2 – December 4
If you liked seeing David Harbour violently murder intruders as Santa Claus, Violent Night 2 is that… but more. This time, Santa is pitted against a vicious crime lord and his goons in a New Jersey shopping mall.
Werwulf – December 25
We can just expect Robert Eggers to give us some period horror every other Christmas, no? This time, a mysterious creature stalks the countryside of medieval Britain. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Willem Dafoe, and Lily-Rose Depp all return from Nosferatu for what’s certain to be another certified, Gothic winner.
The Backrooms – Unlisted 2026
Based on the internet series and co-written and directed by Kane Parsons for A24, and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Mark Duplass, the film presents a series of eerie found footage stories revealed through mysterious recordings.
While that’s what we can confirm on the theatrical front, there’s still plenty more to look forward to. Last year’s Sundance hit The Virgin of the Quarry Lake is poised to release this year, and the hype for found-footage flick Dooba Dooba is through the roof.
And Alpha, a dark drama from Julia Ducournau, arrives in March. For all things indie and streaming, be sure to stay tuned to Dread Central, where we’ll be keeping you posted on the latest and greatest the genre scene has to offer.
Categorized: Lists
