If you thought 2025 was a good year for scares, 2026 is ready to hold your beer. From the return of Sidney Prescott to a “punk-rock” Frankenstein retelling, the horror calendar for this year is packed with massive franchises and experimental nightmares.
Whether you are a fan of supernatural hauntings, bloody slashers, or psychological dread, here are the most anticipated horror movies of 2026 you need to bookmark.
1. Scream 7
- Release Date: February 27, 2026
- The Buzz: The ultimate “Back to Basics” entry. After some behind-the-scenes shifts, Neve Campbell is officially back as Sidney Prescott. Directed by the franchise’s original creator Kevin Williamson, this installment moves the focus to Sidney’s family life. When a new Ghostface targets her daughter (played by Isabel May), Sidney has to step out of the shadows one last time.
2. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple
- Release Date: January 16, 2026
- The Buzz: Following the massive success of last year’s 28 Years Later, director Nia DaCosta (Candyman) takes the reins for this sequel. Starring Ralph Fiennes and Jack O’Connell, The Bone Temple is expected to dive deeper into the post-apocalyptic evolution of the “Rage” virus. Early word suggests it’s a visceral, emotional journey that raises the stakes for the trilogy.
3. The Bride!
- Release Date: March 6, 2026
- The Buzz: This isn’t your grandmother’s Bride of Frankenstein. Directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, this “punk-rock” retelling stars Jessie Buckley as the Bride and Christian Bale as Frankenstein’s Monster. Set in 1930s Chicago, it’s being described as a wild, combustible romance involving murder, possession, and a radical social movement.
4. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come
- Release Date: April 10, 2026
- The Buzz: Samara Weaving returns as Grace, the baddest final girl in modern horror. After surviving a deadly game of hide-and-seek in the first film, Grace is back for more mayhem. The cast is absolutely stacked, including Kathryn Newton, Elijah Wood, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Expect high-octane action mixed with pitch-black comedy.
5. Send Help
- Release Date: January 30, 2026
- The Buzz: Horror legend Sam Raimi (Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell) returns to his roots. Starring Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien, the story follows two people who survive a plane crash on a deserted island—only to realize they aren’t alone. It’s a survival horror that promises the classic “Raimi-style” scares we’ve been missing.
6. Evil Dead Burn
- Release Date: July 24, 2026
- The Buzz: The Evil Dead franchise continues its winning streak with new director Sébastien Vaniček. Following the brutal tone of Evil Dead Rise, Burn is expected to be a “visceral, sensory experience.” The director has warned fans to expect a movie that leaves them “physically drained” by the time the credits roll.
2026 Horror Quick-Reference Guide
| Movie Title | Release Date | Key Cast |
|---|---|---|
| 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple | Jan 16, 2026 | Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell |
| Return to Silent Hill | Jan 23, 2026 | Jeremy Irvine |
| Send Help | Jan 30, 2026 | Rachel McAdams, Dylan O’Brien |
| Scream 7 | Feb 27, 2026 | Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox |
| The Bride! | March 6, 2026 | Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley |
| Ready or Not 2 | April 10, 2026 | Samara Weaving, Elijah Wood |
| Lee Cronin’s The Mummy | April 17, 2026 | May Calamawy |
| Evil Dead Burn | July 24, 2026 | Souheila Yacoub |
Which of these are you most excited for? Scream 7 or Evil Dead Burn? Let us know in the comments!
