Thanks to a never-ending pandemic, the past two years threw the release slate into a state of flux that still hasn’t let up: constant shifts, postponements, and a rearranging calendar. The one constant, as usual, is that horror thrives no matter the scenario. What that means for 2022 is that while many of the planned offerings haven’t firmly landed on a release date, and many may change yet, it’ll still be a very stacked year for horror.
From new adaptations to franchise sequels, indie darlings, and much more, 2022 looks to be incredibly stacked when it comes to highly anticipated horror offerings.
We’re excited to check out these 34 horror titles in 2022, but perhaps even more excited knowing that this list is just the tip of the iceberg for what’s in store.
Scream – January 14
We don’t have to wait long for one of 2022’s most anticipated horror movies. The sequel/reboot picks up twenty-five years after the first film, and a new killer dons the Ghostface mask to target a new group of teens. It’ll unearth Woodsboro’s darkest secrets.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre – February 18
In this Fede Alvarez-produced sequel, a group of young friends accidentally disrupt Leatherface’s isolated existence, prompting him to pick up his chainsaw and slaughter anew. It’ll also renew Sally Hardesty’s quest for revenge, coming exclusively to Netflix.
Studio 666 – February 25
The Foo Fighters move into a mansion to complete their album, but frontman Dave Grohl must contend with supernatural forces first. This rock themed horror-comedy appears to channel the spirit of Evil Dead.
Unwelcome – March 17
A dark horror fairytale directed by Irish-born Jon Wright (Grabbers, Robot Overlords). It’ll follow a couple who retreats to the countryside only to learn of a mysterious presence living in their garden, the bloodthirsty Redcaps. The Redcaps will come when called to help souls in dire need of rescue, but it’s crucial to remember that there is always a dear price to pay for their aid.
X – March 18
Ti West’s X for A24; photo credit: Christopher Moss
Ti West’s return to horror is set in 1979, and sees a group of adult filmmakers in a fight for their lives against their elderly hosts. Mia Goth, Kid Cudi, Jenna Ortega, Owen Campbell, and Martin Henderson star.
Morbius – April 1
Sony’s latest Spider-Man spinoff centers on Michael Morbius, a scientist who, in trying to find a cure for a rare blood disease, accidentally transforms himself into a living vampire. Though disgusted by his bloodlust, he chooses to prey upon criminals he deems unworthy of life.
You Won’t Be Alone – April 1
In an isolated mountain village in 19th century Macedonia, a young girl gets kidnapped and transformed into a witch. Curious about life as a human, the young witch accidentally kills a peasant in the nearby village and then takes her victim’s shape to live life in her skin. She’ll learn what it means to be human.
The Northman – April 22
Up next from The Witch and The Lighthouse director Robert Eggers is an epic Viking revenge film. It’ll explore how far a Viking prince will go to avenge his father and stars Alexander Skarsgard, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicole Kidman, Ethan Hawke, Willem Dafoe, and Björk.
Hatching – April 29
Tinja, a 12-year-old gymnast desperate to please her mother, finds a strange egg and decides to keep it warm until it hatches. What emerges leads to violent consequences. Acquired by IFC Midnight last year, Hatching will make a premiere at Sundance ahead of its April release.
65 – May 13
Sam Raimi has joined forces with A Quiet Place writers Scott Beck and Bryan Woods for 65, an original sci-fi thriller starring Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman. Plot details remain under wraps, but Sony dated the Beck and Woods directed sci-fi thriller for theatrical release on May 13, 2022.
Jurassic World: Dominion – June 10
Plot details remain scarce for this sequel, but we can expect humans to find themselves at the bottom of the food chain now that dinosaurs have made their way mainland. The cast includes Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, Dichen Lachman, Mamoudou Athie, DeWanda Wise, and Scott Haze.
The Black Phone – June 24
A 13-year-old boy who finds himself locked up in his kidnapper’s basement receives unlikely help from past victims who call through a broken telephone. The latest by director Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill bring the scares and a pair of remarkable lead performances in this adaptation of Joe Hill’s short story.
Nope – July 22
As is the trend, plot details are shrouded in mystery for writer/director Jordan Peele’s third horror movie. Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) will be reteaming with Peele on the mysterious film, with the cast also including Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead,” Mayhem) and Keke Palmer (“Scream”).
Beast – August 19
This Universal survival thriller finds Idris Elba’s character on a trip to South Africa, only for him and his two teenage daughters to be hunted by a massive rogue lion intent on proving that the savanna has but one apex predator.
Dark Harvest – September 9
Set on Halloween 1963, Norman Partridge’s horror novel Dark Harvest is headed to the big screen, with David Slade (Hard Candy, 30 Days of Night, “Hannibal”) directing. Every fall, teen boys in a small Midwestern town participate in a hunt to catch Sawtooth Jack.
Salem’s Lot – September 9
James Wan is producing the new take on Stephen King’s vampire story Salem’s Lot for Warner Bros. and New Line, with Gary Dauberman (It, The Nun, Annabelle Comes Home) attached to write and direct the film. The plot sees an author return to his hometown, only to find it under the sway of a bloodthirsty vampire.
Don’t Worry Darling – September 23
Florence Pugh stars as a 1950s housewife living with her husband in an experimental, utopian community. She begins to worry it may harbor dark secrets. Olivia Wilde directs this psychological thriller.
Halloween Ends – October 14
The David Gordon Green directed trilogy comes to a close. The third entry serves as the climax to the Michael Myers and Laurie Strode saga. But Halloween never really ends…
Violent Night – December 2
From Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola (Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters, Dead Snow franchise) comes Violent Night, a holiday horror tale starring David Harbour (“Stranger Things”).
Prey – Summer 2022
Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) directed this prequel set 300 years ago. It’ll chronicle the Predator’s first journey to Earth and follow an unlikely warrior. Prey is scheduled to release on Hulu in Summer 2022.
Hocus Pocus 2 – Fall 2022
The Sanderson Sisters are back! Now it is up to three high-school students to figure out how to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before midnight on All Hallow’s Eve. This sequel is slated for release in the Fall on Disney+.
Bones and All – TBD
David Kajganich and Luca Guadagnino’s (Suspiria) latest adapts Camille DeAngelis’ novel, a cannibal story. Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell play star-crossed young lovers surviving on the margins of society, who meet and join together for a thousand-mile odyssey which takes them through the back roads, hidden passages, and trap doors of Ronald Reagan’s America.
Evil Dead Rise – TBD
Beth pays an overdue visit to her older sister Ellie, who is raising three kids on her own in a cramped L.A. apartment. The sisters’ reunion is cut short by the discovery of a mysterious book deep in the bowels of Ellie’s building, giving rise to flesh-possessing demons and thrusting Beth into a battle for survival as she is faced with the most nightmarish version of motherhood imaginable. Directed by Lee Cronin, the fifth entry in the franchise is expected to release on HBO Max next year.
Firestarter – TBD
From Universal, Blumhouse and director Keith Thomas (The Vigil), a brand new big screen take onStephen King‘s Firestarter is on the way, and the official MPA rating has arrived. That means a release date for this one is imminent, so it’s a safe bet it’ll be out sometime this year.
The Grandmother – TBD
Susana (Almudena Amor) returns home to Madrid to find long-term care for her grandmother, Pilar (Vera Valdez). But what should be just a few days ends up becoming a genuine nightmare after Susana notices Pilar start to act strangely. The latest from REC director Paco Plaza will hopefully land a stateside distributor for release sometime in 2022.
The Haunted Mansion – TBD
Justin Simien (Dear White People, Bad Hair) is directing a new live-action movie based on the popular Disney attraction. It follows a mother and her son who come across a mansion that is more than it seems while being orbited by various characters key to undressing the spooky mystery.
Hellraiser – TBD
David Bruckner is helming what’s described as “loyal, yet evolved re-imagining of Clive Barker’s 1987 horror classic,” with Jamie Clayton as the new Pinhead. This one will head exclusively to Hulu.
Infinity Pool – TBD
“The Stand”
Brandon Cronenberg’s follow-up to Possessor will star Alexander Skarsgård. James and Em are young, rich, in love, and on vacation. Their all-inclusive resort boasts island tours and gleaming beaches. But outside of the hotel gates awaits something much more dangerous and seductive, beyond the edge of paradise. It’ll be released by NEON, and with principal photography wrapped, it feels likely that we’ll see it sometime next year.
The Innocents – TBD
A group of children becomes drawn together by mysterious shared abilities, testing the limits of their newfound powers in the forests and playgrounds surrounding their brutalist apartment complex. As the children’s loyalties shift and small cruelties escalate, their innocent play takes a dark turn towards the malevolent, and strange things begin to happen. It’ll be a dark superhero twist from the sounds of it, with distribution by IFC Midnight.
The Munsters – TBD
A brand-new movie directed by Rob Zombie based on the classic television series. Jeff Daniel Phillips is playing Herman Munster, and Sheri Moon Zombie is playing Lily Munster in Zombie’s movie, with Daniel Roebuck co-starring as Grandpa Munster. It’s expected to head to Peacock as an exclusive.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism – TBD
Producer Christopher Landon and director Damon Thomas’ adaptation of Grady Hendrix’s novel is set in 1988 and sees a friendship tested by possession. Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade, Texas Chainsaw Massacre) stars. Production commenced in April this year, which means it’s very likely to arrive sometime in 2022.
Something in the Dirt – TBD
When neighbors John and Levi witness supernatural events in their Los Angeles apartment building, they realize documenting the paranormal could inject some fame and fortune into their wasted lives. The latest by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead is set to premiere at Sundance, which means a release date should follow.
Time Cut – TBD
Freaky
The writer and director of slasher-comedy Freaky are reuniting for a young adult horror movie titled Time Cut, with Christopher Landon producing and Michael Kennedy writing the script alongside Sono Patel (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”). Hannah MacPherson (“Into the Dark”) is directing Time Cut, recently described as “Back to the Future meets Scream.” With filming wrapped last summer, it feels safe to bet on a 2022 release.
Wendell & Wild – TBD
Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele star as hellishly funny demons to a teen named Kat. The stop-motion animated Netflix is helmed by The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Henry Selick. Look for it on Netflix next year.