Less than a full month into the New Year, we already have a running list of over 50 horror movies that we cannot wait to see in 2024, and one thing we noticed when looking over that list is that a lot of horror franchises are making big returns in the coming eleven months.
From the spectral spirits of the Ghostbusters franchise to the masked maniacs who call themselves The Strangers, this year is going to be home to several new installments in iconic horror franchises. Here are 10 horror franchises being reanimated in 2024.
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire – March 22
The firehouse freezes over in director Gil Kenan’s new installment in the classic franchise, which brings back the original Ghostbusters and the brand new characters from Ghostbusters: Afterlife for a chilly sequel that returns the franchise to its most iconic location: NYC.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – March 29
The fifth installment in Legendary’s Monsterverse should get a nice box office boost from the ongoing success of Toho’s Godzilla Minus One, and this time around the King of the Monsters and the King of Kong are teaming up to face a common enemy. Let them fight unite!
The First Omen – April 5
It’s been 18 years since The Omen franchise was last seen on the big screen, but that box office dry spell is broken this year with The First Omen. This one’s a prequel to the original classic, presumably giving us a front row seat to the birth of evil incarnate.
The Strangers: Chapter 1 – May 17
The Man in the Mask, Dollface and Pinup Girl are back in 2024 with the new release of The Strangers: Chapter 1, the first installment in a new reboot trilogy from director Renny Harlin. This one is set at a secluded Airbnb, with the sequels possibly coming this year as well.
A Quiet Place: Day One – June 28
After two installments in the Quiet Place saga, this summer’s A Quiet Place: Day One will be the first spinoff tale set in the universe. In other words, it’s not centered on the Abbott family, and it’s expected to be a prequel tale seemingly set in NYC. Lupita Nyong’o leads the cast.
Untitled Alien Event Movie – August 16
It’s likely that the marketing campaign for director Fede Alvarez’s untitled Alien movie will be kicking off soon, and all we know at the moment is that it’s set to return the franchise to its smaller scale 1979 roots. The untitled movie is reportedly set between the first two films.
Beetlejuice 2 – September 6
Tim Burton is back, Michael Keaton is back, Winona Ryder is back, and Jenna Ortega is Lydia’s daughter in the long-long-long-awaited sequel to Beetlejuice from Tim Burton that’s likely to be a smash hit at the box office. Stay tuned for that first trailer, coming soon!
Saw XI – September 27
Last year’s Saw X brought Jigsaw and Amanda back and successfully revived the franchise, so it’s no surprise that Saw XI is already in the works. We expect Jigsaw will return once more in the eleventh movie, which could very well serve as a direct sequel to Saw X.
Smile 2 – October 18
Parker Finn’s box office hit Smile becomes a franchise with Smile 2 this Halloween, with Finn returning to write and direct and Lukas Gage and Naomi Scott on board to star. Not much is known about the sequel at this time, but it’s expected to go bigger than the first film.
Terrifier 3 – October 25
A true modern horror icon, Art the Clown is back in Terrifier 3 this Halloween, though don’t let the release date fool you: the new sequel is a Christmas movie! Lauren LaVera will return as badass final girl Sienna, and Art will surely decorate the halls with chunks of bodies.
Wolf Man – October 25
Following in the wake of his bold new take on The Invisible Man, Leigh Whannell returns to the Universal Monsters arena with Wolf Man, a fresh spin on the classic werewolf tale that’s being led by Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner. With Whannell in charge, we’re in good hands.
Nosferatu – December 25
The genre’s Christmas gift to all fans this year is Nosferatu, a new version of the original classic that’s being directed by Robert Eggers. Bill Skarsgård stars as iconic vampire Count Orlok, and the film is set in 19th century Germany. Expect a classic horror feast for the senses.
MaXXXine – ?
Ti West and Mia Goth are back this year with A24’s MaXXXine, a sequel to X and Pearl that will continue the twisted adventures of Goth’s “final girl” character from X. The final film in the trilogy is set in the 1980s, once again giving this franchise a whole new twist.
Salem’s Lot – ?
Director Gary Dauberman’s re-adaptation of the classic Stephen King horror novel has been pushed off the release calendar completely, leaving us to wonder what the hell is going on with this one. But we hear it’s expected this year, likely going to straight to Max. Stay tuned.
Friday the 13th – ?
Another project without a release date, Jason Voorhees and Mrs. Voorhees will FINALLY return in “Crystal Lake,” a television series from A24, Peacock and “Hannibal” creator Bryan Fuller that might be coming this year. It’s said to be a prequel tale for the Voorhees family.
The Toxic Avenger – ?
One of the most bizarre horror movies of the year is likely to be director Macon Blair’s new twist on Troma classic The Toxic Avenger, with Peter Dinklage starring alongside Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood. And don’t worry. It’s rated “R” for violence and extreme gore.
Witchboard – ?
The last horror franchise return on our radar this year (so far) is Witchboard, with the 1986 horror movie getting a remake from director Chuck Russell (Dream Warriors, The Blob). Madison Iseman stars, and you can check out a first-look image above.
The post These 17 Horror Movie Franchises Are Coming Back to Life in 2024 appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.