It’s nearly that time of year again when the summer months ignite the box office and herald in a slew of big summer releases. Only this year, the busy summer months are getting a head start, beginning with a packed May for horror releases.
This summer belongs to horror between streaming platforms, digital, VOD, and theatrical releases. It’s a densely packed slate, and this is only the tip of the iceberg for what’s ahead.
To help you prepare for a summer of screams, here’s what is coming soon…
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness – May 6 (Theaters)
Doctor Stephen Strange casts a forbidden spell that opens to door to the multiverse, where he traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities to face a dangerous new adversary. Director Sam Raimi’s sequel promises to “make fans of Evil Dead II very happy.”
The Sadness – May 12 (Shudder)
Director Rob Jabbaz’s feature debut deserves all the content warnings and then some. The plot sees a couple desperate to reunite amidst a city ravaged by an evolved virus that transforms the afflicted into bloodthirsty sadists. It’s extreme horror in the most stomach-churning ways (our review).
Firestarter – May 13 (Theaters/Peacock)
In the new adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, a young girl develops pyrokinetic abilities. She gets abducted by a secret government agency that wants to harness her powerful gift as a weapon. It’s directed by Keith Thomas (The Vigil) and stars Zac Efron and Michael Greyeyes.
The Innocents – May 13
Writer/Director Eskil Vogt’s coming-of-age horror drama follows four children discovering supernatural powers over the summer holiday. Their innocent play takes a dark turn, and strange things happen—emphasis on dark.
The Found Footage Phenomenon – May 19 (Shudder)
Shudder’s latest documentary tracks the origins of the found footage technique and how it transformed with technological changes throughout the last few decades. It features interviews with integral found footage directors whose films impacted the horror genre.
Men – May 20 (Theaters)
Harper (Jessie Buckley) retreats alone to the beautiful English countryside, hoping to have found a place to heal after a personal tragedy. But someone or something from the surrounding woods appears to be stalking her in Alex Garland’s shape-shifting folk horror movie.
DASHCAM – June 3 (Theaters and VOD)
Host director Rob Savage’s latest captures an abrasive musician’s (Annie Hardy) wild night as she steals her friend’s car and agrees to transport an older woman. She finds herself caught up in sinister forces that threaten everyone around her (our review).
Watcher – June 3 (Theaters)
Watcher stars Maika Monroe as a woman who moves to a new country with her fiancé and becomes tormented by the feeling that someone is following her. V/H/S/94 director Chloe Okuno channels Roman Polanski and Alfred Hitchcock for her moody, paranoid thriller (our review).
Jurassic World Dominion – June 10 (Theaters)
Two generations unite for the first time in what’s promised to be the epic conclusion to the Jurassic era. Four years after Isla Nublar was destroyed, dinosaurs now roam and hunt among humans. It’ll determine whether human beings will remain the planet’s apex predator once and for all. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are joined by Oscar®-winner Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, and Sam Neill.
Story Game – June 21 (Screambox)
A horror anthology that brings to life three legendary Japanese ghost stories. Three friends try to outwit and scare each other with scary stories while camping in Hawaii. But only one can win the Story Game.
The Black Phone – June 24 (Theaters)
Ethan Hawke as a sadistic killer known as “The Grabber” in The Black Phone, directed by Scott Derrickson.
A 13-year-old boy 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 (Sinister) brings the scares and a pair of remarkable lead performances in this adaptation of Joe Hill’s short story (our review).
Welcome to Hell (Bienvenidos Al Infierno) – July 12 (Screambox)
Lucía lives secluded in a remote cabin in the middle of a forest with her mute grandmother. She thinks she’s safe after escaping El Monje Negro, the dark and ruthless leader of a black metal band and father of her unborn child. Only El Monje Negro intends to sacrifice Lucia and the baby in a ritual.
Bed Rest – July 15 (Theaters)
Julie Rivers (Melissa Barrera) is pregnant again after years of attempting to start a family. Mandatory bed red causes her to unravel, prompting a battle as Julie must face past demons and questions of mental stability. Lori Evans Taylor directs the supernatural thriller.
She Will – July 15 (VOD)
She Will is the directorial debut of Charlotte Colbert and stars Alice Krige as Veronica Ghent, who, after a double mastectomy, goes to a healing retreat in rural Scotland. There she confronts past traumas as a mysterious force grants her the power to enact revenge (our review). Malcolm McDowell also stars.
Nope – July 22 (Theaters)
As is the trend, plot details remain shrouded in mystery for writer/director Jordan Peele’s third horror movie. Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out) reteams with Peele on the enigmatic film, with the cast also including Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead,” Mayhem) and Keke Palmer (“Scream”). Nope looks to be THE summer horror to watch here in 2022, involving aliens and more.
Pennywise: The Story of IT – July 26 (Screambox)
Co-directors John Campopiano (Unearthed & Untold: The Path to Pet Sematary) and Christopher Griffiths (Leviathan: The Story of Hellraiser) team to deliver an in-depth look into the creation of Stephen King’s iconic villain through dozens of interviews with cast and crew.
Bodies Bodies Bodies – August 5 (Theaters)
The latest A24 horror movie revolves around a party game turned deadly for a group of affluent 20-somethings trapped inside by a hurricane. It’s a biting social satire with a body count, starring Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Pete Davidson, Rachel Sennott, Myha’la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, and Lee Pace. Read our review here.
Resurrection – August 5 (VOD)
Margaret (Rebecca Hall) leads a successful and orderly life as a career woman and single parent. That careful balance is upended when an unwelcome shadow from her past, David (Tim Roth), returns, carrying the horrors of Margaret’s past with him. Writer/Director Andrew Semans delivers a gripping psychological thriller unafraid to get grim (our review).
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.
Prey – Summer (Hulu)
Director Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) helms the Predator sequel set in 1719. Amber Midthunder (“Legion”) stars as a Comanche woman who goes against gender norms and traditions to become a warrior. Release date for this one forthcoming, so stay tuned.
Which Summer Horror movies are you looking forward to most? Let us know!
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