Top 12 Highly Anticipated Horror Movies of 2024
Prepare to be thrilled in 2024 as iconic horror franchises return with Alien: Romulus, Smile 2, and Terrifier 3 Alongside these highly anticipated sequels, brace yourself for spine-chilling new releases like Civil War, Imaginary, and The Toxic Avenger Get ready for a year of heart-pounding terror!
In the upcoming year of 2024, we are eagerly anticipating a lineup of horror movies that includes a new Toxic Avenger film, a prequel to A Quiet Day, and sequels to Alien, Smile, and Terrifier. Looking back on 2023, it has been a strong year for horror movies, with the unexpected success of Skinamarink in January and the impressive box office numbers from Terrifier 2 later in the year.
The Aussie horror film Talk to Me received excellent reviews this year, MEAGAN was a campy and enjoyable blast, and Thanksgiving breathed new life into the slasher genre.
Five Nights at Freddy’s was the year's biggest hit. Additionally, both Scream and Evil Dead sequels were well-received, demonstrating that these franchise greats still have plenty of life left in them.
12 horror movies to get excited about in 2024
So what have horror fans got to look forward to in 2024? Well, there’s a dozen below, ranging from a political drama to a sci-fi sequel to the return of a particular clown.
So without further delay, these are our picks, in chronological order – with trailers where available – and concluding with a movie that we’ve actually seen…
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Alvarez and co-written with longtime collaborator Rodo Sayaguez, is set to hit theaters on August 16, 2024, after originally being planned as a Hulu exclusive.
Civil War
Not much information is currently available about the sequel, except that it features Priscilla star Caillee Spainy and is set between the events of Alien and Aliens.
Alex Garland’s new politically charged thriller, set in a near-future America, depicts a high-stakes race to the White House in a country teetering on the brink. The film promises to take audiences to some very dark places. Mark your calendars for April 26, 2024, and get ready for the edge-of-your-seat experience.
Real-life couple Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons star, alongside Cailee Spaeny, Wagner Moura, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Nick Offerman.
Imaginary
Scheduled for release on March 8, 2024, John Krasinski's upcoming film "IF" is targeting families with its story about an imaginary friend. However, prior to that, Blumhouse will be releasing a horror version of a similar concept, directed by Jeff Wadlow, known for his work on "Truth or Dare" and "Fantasy Island." The official synopsis for this film is as follows:
Jessica reacquaints herself with her childhood home as she moves in with her family. In the basement, her youngest stepdaughter Alice forms a strange bond with a stuffed bear named Chauncey. Alice's innocent games with Chauncey take a dark turn, causing growing concern for Jessica. It soon becomes clear that Chauncey is not just an ordinary toy bear.
Nosferatu
Release Date: December 25, 2024.
Written and directed by Robert Eggers – of The Witch, The Lighthouse, and The Northman fame – Nosferatu is our most eagerly anticipated movie on this list.
The new iteration of F. W. Murnau’s 1922 vampire classic stars Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlock, supported by Willem Defoe, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, and Nicholas Hoult. According to Focus Features, the remake, titled Nosferaturu, tells a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
A Quiet Place: Day One
Release Date: June 28, 2024.
The Quiet Place franchise is expanding with a successful sequel Part 2 in 2020 and now a prequel showcasing the day of the alien invasion and its aftermath. Michael Sarnoski (Pig) has taken over as director from John Krasinski, with Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, and Djimon Honsou, reprising his role from Part II, leading the cast.
I Saw the TV Glow
Release Date: TBA.
This A24 feature showcases a mix of talent, including producer Emma Stone, actor Justice Smith, and appearances by both Fred Durst and Phoebe Bridgers. Writer-director Jane Schoenbrun's unique film, We're All Going to the World's Fair, made its debut at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. This new film is set to premiere at Sundance 2024, with the description yet to be revealed.
“Teenager Owen is simply trying to navigate life in the suburbs when his classmate brings him to a enigmatic late-night TV program — a glimpse of a mystical realm below their everyday world. In the ethereal light of the television, Owen's perception of reality starts to shatter.”
Horrorscope
Release Date: May 10, 2024.
Adapted from Nicholas Adams' 1992 novel, Horrorscope tells the tale of a group of college friends who, after having their horoscopes read, start dying in ways that reflect their fortunes. Can they alter the course of their destinies, or are they doomed to fulfill what is written in the stars?
Anna Halberg and Spenser Cohen write and direct, while Jacob Batalon – who plays Ned Leeds in the Spider-Man movies – stars.
Presence
The release date for a new horror movie made in secret by Steven Soderbergh is yet to be announced. The logline for the film is "A family discovers they are not alone when they move into a new house." The movie was announced this month and is set to premiere at Sundance next month.
David Koepp (Jurassic Park, Mission: Impossible, Stir of Echoes) writes, while Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, and Chris Sullivan star.
Speak No Evil
The Danish film "Speak No Evil" originally released in 2022, gained a reputation as one of the most unsettling movies. The psychological thriller follows a Danish couple visiting another Dutch couple they met on holiday. The less you know about their trip, the better. The film is set to be released on August 9, 2024.
Smile 2
This American remake is being overseen by Blumhouse, featuring James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davies, and Scoot McNairy in the starring roles. But be warned: this film is not for the faint-hearted or easily offended.
The sequel of Smile, starring Aladdin actress Naomi Scott, was greenlit shortly after its debut at Fantastic Fest in 2022, where it received widespread acclaim. The film went on to gross over $200 million worldwide. Its release date is set for October 18, 2024.
Parker Finn, the writer and director of the new movie, previously expressed via THR his thoughts on a potential sequel: "There is still a lot of interesting stuff to explore in the world of Smile. There certainly are stones that I left unturned by design. And then there are other things that I, at one point or another, wanted to put in the movie, but they didn’t end up in the movie for whatever reason. Those things are still exciting to me, but if there’s more to be done with Smile, I would never want to just repeat myself or retread the same ground. I’d want to make sure that there’s a new, exciting, fresh way into it that the audience isn’t anticipating. I also want to find some new ways to scare them and unnerve them. But as far as how it may connect to the first one, if we were to do it, I’d want that to be surprising as well."
Terrifier 3
Release Date: October 25, 2023.
With only a budget of $250,000, Terrifier 2 managed to earn an impressive $15 million at the worldwide box office, ensuring that Art the Clown will be making a return in Terrifier 3. In an in-depth interview with Deadline, it was revealed that the sequel will start filming in February with a budget of nearly $2 million. The story will pick up where the last film left off, in an asylum, with most of the action taking place on Christmas Eve.
The Toxic Avenger
As for violence, filmmaker Damien Leone states: “I aim to continually push boundaries while still maintaining a level of accessibility. I don’t want to alienate the audience with excessive gore, but I believe there's room to introduce elements not typically seen in traditional horror or slasher films. This movie features scenes that push those boundaries even further.”
Release Date: To be announced.
The Toxic Avengers, written and directed by Macon Blair, is a high-budget, celebrity-packed remake of the Troma cult classic. It tells the story of a meek janitor who gains superhuman abilities after being exposed to toxic waste.
The film made its debut at Fantastic Fest in September and was reviewed by Dexerto as, "The Toxic Avenger gives the superhero genre a much-needed shake-up. The film playfully deconstructs comic book movie conventions while also paying homage to them. The central storyline is compelling, the eco-message is significant, and the battle between good and evil is enthralling. Toxie's journey is strangely moving." For additional horror content, visit this link, or explore our list of the top 30 frightening films.
Editor's P/S
As a horror movie enthusiast, I am eagerly anticipating the upcoming lineup of horror movies in 2024. The return of iconic franchises like Alien, Smile, and Terrifier has me excited to see how these stories will continue to unfold. The addition of new and original horror concepts, such as Civil War and Imaginary, adds even more variety and intrigue to the year's offerings. I can't wait to experience the thrills and chills that these movies have in store.
In particular, I am most looking forward to Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Alvarez. The Alien franchise has a special place in my heart, and I am eager to see what new horrors await in this upcoming installment. The prequel to A Quiet Place also has me intrigued, as I am curious to learn more about the events leading up to the alien invasion. With so many exciting horror movies on the horizon, 2024 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for fans of the genre.
