Horror moviesare always timely. With their ability to cross genres, make statements, and polarize all viewers, fans of the macabre will always come back for more. Which is why we wanted to get you excited about 2018’s upcoming nightmare machines. With 2018 already in high gear, it’s time to start thinking about the future. And what better way to do that than to sneak a peek the horror forecast for the year? Making this list even more special is that much of what we’re getting is brand new. Plus, the sequels and reboots seem unique in their own right.
Whether it isStrangers: Prey at NightorHellraiser: Judgement, neither of these iconic franchises have a “been there, done that feel.” If anything, these latest installments feel like fresh takes from the franchises from which they came. Heck, even the long awaited version ofSuspiriafeels…Well, so very 2018. All of this is a testament to the innate freshness of the horror genre.
Then you have films likeThe First PurgeandThe Predator. On the face of it, we should be very skeptical of these films. After all,The Purgefilms are, whether they realize it or not, making a very real statement about our world. AndThe Predator, that franchise has more baggage than Lufthansa. However, given the new takes on these iconic properties, there’s reason to be excited. So sit back and enjoy 14 horror movies to scare you in the new year. Sure, the most ardent horror fan might scoff at 2018’s ritualistic offerings. But for those that really love horror films, they understand that they will be getting an early dose of treats.
14Hellraiser: Judgement (February 13)
This is aHellraisermovie, so it shouldn’t be too hard to get any self-respecting horror fan to be pretty psyched about this one. The story follows two police officers who are hunting a serial killer. Soon they realize that what they are after might very well be supernatural in origin. Which inevitably leads them to the Cenobites. With the iconic Heather Langenkamp joiningHellraiser: Judgment, something tells us that this franchise could be back in a big way.
13Annihilation (February 23)
Ex Machinahelmer Alex Garland brings us this moody horror film that stars none other than Natalie Portman and Jennifer Jason Leigh.Annihilationmight be many things but pedestrian certainly isn’t one of them. This tale of a biologist on an expedition into an environmental nightmare transcends the horror genre by becoming a film that defies everything we know about our world. If ever the horror genre was going to be classed up,Annihilationseems to be the film to do it.
12The Strangers: Prey at Night (March 9)
The Strangersis so moody, so scary, and so perfect that a sequel has to be terrible, right?Prey at Nightfollows a family that are staying overnight in a mobile home park. While there, they are visited by three people that are hell bent on doing them harm. Okay, this doesn’t sound as solid as the first film. However, the first film probably didn’t read that well on paper either. Time will tell, but something tells us March 2018 is going to be remembered for being extra scary.
11Unsane (March 23)
Unsanestarts off as one movie and then soon becomes something else entirely. Directed by Steven Soderbergh, who is known for different kinds of films,Unsanehas aSplitvibe about it and that is a seriously good thing. It follows a woman who believes she sees her stalker everywhere. So she getscommitted to an institutionand ultimately has to confront the scariest thing she can imagine… herself. This seems like it is going to be seriously awesome.
10The Endless (March 23)
The Endlessis a very unique idea for a horror movie. These films usually showcase people leaving cults after a tumultuous escape.The Endlesssees two brothers come back to a cult they left and suddenly realize that maybe they never should’ve gone in the first place. Cults, beliefs, oddness…Sounds like the perfect March horror movie to us!
9A Quiet Place (April 6)
Of all the horror movies slated for release,A Quiet Placeseems like it might be the best. Heck,A Quiet Placeseems like it could win an Oscar. Directed by John KrasinskiThe Office,A Quiet Placeturns its lens on a family that lives away from everything and never makes a sound. Apparently, there is some crazy thing around them that willattack if any noise is made. Based on the trailer,A Quiet Placelooks AWESOME.
8Truth or Dare (April 13)
Why is it that the gameTruth or Daremakes for such ripe fodder for horror movies? Directed by Jeff WadlowKick-Ass 2, this film follows what happens when a game of truth or dare turns deadly. As you can guess there is a lot of cat and mouse, red herrings, and macguffins to make you truly wonder if the characters ever should have played at all. This film seems like it will stand out amidst the current horror offerings of 2018.
7The First Purge (July 4)
The Purgewas an amazing film that, like other great horror films, commented on the class system in our society. The sequels have continued this idea butThe Purge: The Islandis an origin story of sorts. It traces the very beginning of the whole purge system and how it came to be the event that it is. With marketing tools that are clearly a swipe at President Trump,The First Purgeis either going to break new ground for this franchise, or be seen as a cheap shot to our beleaguered administration. WhateverThe First Purgeis, we will be watching.
6The Nun (July 13)
When a nun mysteriously dies, Father Burke (Demián Bichir) heads to Rome to find out the cause of her death. By all accounts this film from director Corin Hardy seems like a fairly pedantic horror film. However, many a scary movie is presented that way on the surface, but when we dig a little deeper we uncover true horror. For those that doubt this remember a little film calledThe Exorcistbefore you dismissThe Nun!
5The Meg (August 10)
Okay, here isThe Megin a nutshell. Jason Statham, with an assist from Ruby Rose, is starring in a shark movie. Need we say Meg? Probably. Most of the movie takes place underwater, if that weren’t claustrophobic enough for you. And it will see Jason Statham fighting one of the biggest sharks ever committed to celluloid. Bruce the Great White fromJawshas got nothing on this guy. This is one movie that has been long in the making, and we can’t believe it’s almost here. Let’s hope the movie lives up to the hype.
