Most of us know what a Ouija board is because of horror movies. Though used for centuries to contact the dead, this ornately lettered and numbered spread was widely regarded as a cheeky parlor game until an appearance in William Castle’s 13 Ghosts. The talking board next popped up on TV shows like Lost in Space and The Waltons before entering the pop culture lexicon in 1973. William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist sees young Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) use a Ouija board to contact the infamous Captain Howdy and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now spirit boards frequently appear in supernatural horror films to relay messages from beyond the veil or imply an unseen spectral presence. But no film centers this divining tool like Kevin Tenney’s 1986 film Witchboard. This supernatural slasher stars Tawny Kitaen as a young would-be mother named Linda who contacts the spirit of a dead little boy but winds up possessed by a ghostly killer. 

The story begins with a raucous house party thrown in Linda’s subdivided mansion apartment. Her boyfriend Jim (Todd Allen) bristles at the presence of Brandon (Stephen Nichols), his childhood best friend and Linda’s ex-lover. Hoping to mend their fractured relationship, Linda attempts to break the tension by suggesting they play with Brandon’s Ouija board. She forms an instant liking for David, the phantom of a little boy who tragically died in a boating accident. Later, she attempts to contact David alone, but attracts the attention of another ghost. As Linda’s connection to the board grows stronger, she becomes a portal for Malfeitor (J.P. Luebsen), the spirit of an infamous ax murderer intent on possessing her human form. Determined to save the woman he loves, Jim must let go of his skepticism and join his former friend on a supernatural mission.

An amateur spiritualist, Brandon educates the party on Ouija board use. He insists the people who channel the shadows have clean systems—no drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes allowed—to avoid corrupting the spiritual message. He and Linda place the board on their knees and their fingers on the ornate planchette then begin asking a series of innocuous questions. But Brandon dismisses the first apparition to make contact, sussing out a duplicitous answer. He and David have a secret symbol, a figure eight, to protect Brandon against ghostly imposters. Unfortunately, this savvy shorthand proves to be a costly mistake. Occult practitioners warn Ouija board users to end their sessions immediately if a ghost begins signaling a figure eight. Not only could this imply the presence of an eternal entity rather than a once-human revenant, this swirling sign could also indicate a spirit trying to escape though the board. 

Jim and Brandon will eventually verify David’s existence, but by using this dangerous symbol in Linda’s home—the long-ago scene of Malfeitor’s violent death—they’ve unintentionally invited this malevolent ghost to create a predatory link between worlds. Brandon is also mistaken about the board’s etymology. It’s a common misconception that Ouija combines oui and ja, the French and German words for “hello,” however, the moniker actually stems from a spirit board session with medium Helen Peters Nosworthy in which she asked the board to name itself. Despite these inaccuracies, Brandon’s relationship to his talking board is both revelatory and refreshing. Rather than dismissing divination as a sinister hobby or dangerous act, he views the board as a powerful tool. Like a telephone or typewriter it is simply a method of communication. Any negative, positive, or dangerous messages belong to the phantoms, not the board itself.

Though Brandon’s hobbies harken back to the 19th century spiritualist movement, Tenney’s film is firmly rooted in 80s pop culture. When Witchboard premiered in 1986, its marquee star, Tawny Kitaen, already had a famous face. In addition to prominent modeling work, the striking redhead was gaining a reputation as a video vixen, having starred in popular music videos for Ratt and Whitesnake. She’d previously appeared as Tom Hanks’s bride to be in the 1984 film Bachelor Party and helmed the obscure erotic adventure film The Perils of Gwendoline in the Land of the Yik-Yak. This was to be her breakthrough role and would hopefully launch a successful acting career. Though Kitaen is charming as the naive Linda, a bright future in Hollywood was not meant to be. Plagued by addiction and tumultuous relationships, Kitaen would star in a handful of films before retreating from the public eye. She would return to screens in the mid-aughts for salacious appearances on The Surreal Life and Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew. Kitaen would tragically die of drug-related complications while awaiting prosecution for a DUI. She remains a dire example of 80s excess gone wrong and a cautionary tale for young Hollywood hopefuls 

But Witchboard freezes Kitaen at the peak of her vibrant power. A sweet and gorgeous college student, Linda earnestly tries to help Jim reconnect with his friend and brings out the best in both angry men while adding humanity to the treacherous role of a damsel in distress. Though some special effects have not aged well, particularly a sequence in which Linda is tossed around by invisible hands, Kitaen shines throughout the sometimes silly plot and adds sparkle to an otherwise nonsensical conclusion. After a road-trip with Brandon goes disastrously wrong, Jim returns to their shared apartment to find Linda fully possessed by Malfeitor. Though slightly ridiculous to see the statuesque beauty decked out in turn of the century menswear, Kitaen admittedly nails the look. Her lush, red hair whips around the demolished living room as she attempts to kill Jim with a fireman’s ax before strangling him with her bare hands. 

In addition to this showstopping attack, Kitaen lends rock credibility to the film itself. Tenney seems to take inspiration from her music video past and incorporates scenes that could be pulled from the set of a rock video. Kitaen serenely strolls down moonlit halls and smoky corridors wearing a billowing robe of orange silk. These dream sequences barely further the plot, but add ’80s finesse to a standard horror story. Blending classic imagery and modern style, they create an aura of vulnerability as this beautiful young woman is irrevocably drawn towards a dark and dangerous entity. You can practically hear the electric guitar soar as she dreamily glides through the smoky darkness. 

Witchboard also features a signature song, the upbeat Bump in the Night by Steel Breeze, which accompanies the film’s most stylish kill. Distressed by Linda’s growing connection to the board, Brandon enlists the help of a professional medium. Far from the dowdy lace collars and flowing skirts of traditional spiritualists, Zarabeth (Kathleen Wilhoite) looks like a punk rock groupie. She styles her ripped jeans and black lace top with heavy neon makeup and a rainbow-dyed pixie cut waxed into unruly spikes. Though her humor wears thin, Zarabeth’s harsh look perfectly compliments Linda’s gentle voluptuousness. And she has the skills to back up her look. After sussing out the name Malfeitor, Zarabeth returns home to listen to music and fully research the ominous name. As Bump in the Night blares throughout the similarly harsh apartment decor, Zarabeth is confronted by an unseen entity that slashes her throat before tossing her unceremoniously out a second-floor window.

Despite these dazzling female performances, Witchboard belongs to its two male leads. Brandon is a confident ’80s villain with a fancy car, tailored suits, and a crop of perfectly wavy blond hair. But after a few condescending jabs at Jim’s expense, he reveals a softer, more serious side. Still in love with Linda, he vows to save her from this dangerous ghost even though it may drive her further into the arms of another man. He’s desperate to cut through Jim’s angry skepticism and convince him that something is terribly wrong—Linda is slowly becoming a portal that will enable Malfeitor to enter their world. It’s not until Linda is hospitalized that Jim allows himself to believe. The two quarreling rivals set off on a trip to Big Bear to identify the specter causing them harm. 

Though only one man will return, this trip helps them finally rekindle their friendship. In a late night hotel room heart to heart, Brandon admits his lingering feelings for Linda while Jim expresses his fear of commitment. Having finally put the past behind them, they vow to protect the women they both love. Unfortunately, this long-awaited reconciliation is not meant to last. On the dock where David supposedly died, Malfeitor mounts a physical attack, sending a pile of heavy barrels down onto their heads. Brandon climbs meekly out of the water and attends to Jim, unconscious on the dock, when the ghostly murderer attacks once again, burying an ax in the frightened man’s head. Jim awakens some time later to find his best friend’s body floating, face-down nearby. Distraught, he clings to Brandon’s corpse while wailing in the shallow water and no doubt lamenting all the time they wasted in anger. 

This touching moment feels like the film’s actual climax as the story’s most engaging relationship is permanently destroyed. Though ostensibly our heroes, Linda and Jim are a frustrating couple, and lack any real physical chemistry. But sparks fly when Brandon and Jim share the screen and their friendship becomes the story’s true heart. Though never romantic, we long for these two former confidants to release their grudges and work together to save Linda’s life. But we get just a few precious moments of this reconciliation before Brandon is unceremoniously tossed aside. Tenney rushes through a preposterous conclusion, seeming to realize that the movie’s fire has all-but gone out. We’re left to hope that the newly-married Jim and Linda will find a way to contact their dearly departed friend via sessions with a new Ouija board. 

The Witchboard remake was released in theaters this month. Read our review.

The post The Original ‘Witchboard’ Is a Supernatural Slasher With Campy Vibes and a Glam Rock Edge appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Spanish one-take revenge thriller One Night with Adela will be released on VOD on September 9 via Tribeca Films.

Laura Galán (Piggy) stars as the titular Adela, a disturbed street sweeper in Madrid working the night shift.

Tonight, she’ll take revenge on those who destroyed her life. A cocktail of drugs, sex, and deep-seated fury fuels her cruelty towards most who cross her path.

Known in its native Spanish as Una noche con Adela, the film marks the feature debut of writer-director Hugo Ruíz.

Spanish journalist Gemma Nierga, Jimmy Barnatán (The Day of the Beast), Raudel Raúl Martiato (“Toy Boy”), and Litus round out the cast.

One Night with Adela premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival.

The post ‘One Night with Adela’ – One-Take Thriller Gets Revenge Next Month appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

Craig David Dowsett, who played the titular killer in Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey, heads back into the woods for a creature of a different kind.

Dowsett makes his directorial debut on Bigfoot: Primal Fear, for which he also wrote the script and plays the legendary cryptid.

Fear has a new footprint in the trailer below, marking the first independent Bigfoot horror film shot in the UK.

A group camping trip in the woods turns into their worst nightmare as they soon realize they are not alone out there, and someone – or something – is hunting them. Every step could be their last as they try to escape their fate.

Alexander Garcia, Amber Doig-Thorne (Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey), Charlene Aldridge, and Josh Batsford star alongside Bigfoot experts Ryan Golembeske (“Expedition Bigfoot”) and D.J. Brewster (“Alaskan Killer Bigfoot”).

Bigfoot: Primal Fear recently wrapped production and is aiming to premiere later this year.

The post ‘Bigfoot: Primal Fear’ Trailer – ‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey’ Star Returns to the Woods for Cryptid Creature Feature appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

One of the most anticipated new horror movies this coming Fall is director Ben Leonberg’s Good Boy, which traps a canine protagonist inside a haunted house. The film’s official trailer became a huge topic of conversation on the internet last week, and IFC is responding to the buzz and social media chatter by expanding their original theatrical plans for this Good Boy.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Good Boy will “now receive a wide release from IFC.” The original plan, the site notes, was to bring the film only to limited/select theaters. This decision has come in the wake of Google searches for the film spiking – most are looking to make sure the canine lead survives the movie! – and the official trailer hitting almost 2 million views.

So does the dog survive? We’ve got the answer if you’re okay with the spoilers…

Good Boy releases in theaters nationwide from Independent Film Company on October 3!

In Good Boy, “A loyal dog moves to a rural family home with his owner Todd, only to discover supernatural forces lurking in the shadows. As dark entities threaten his human companion, the brave pup must fight to protect the one he loves most.”

Ben Leonberg makes his feature directorial debut from a script he co-wrote with Alex Cannon. The film stars Indy, Ben Leonberg’s real-life canine best friend, with the cast also including indie horror stalwart Larry Fessenden, Shane Jensen, and Arielle Friedman.

The post ‘Good Boy’ Getting an Expanded Theatrical Release After Massive Trailer Viewership appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.

The most wonderful time of the year has finally arrived: Halloween season is officially here! And that means it’s also time for Bloody Disgusting’s 2025 Fall Horror Preview, presented by Spirit Halloween!

The telltale signs are everywhere, from the weather to the return of haunted attractions, pumpkin spice-flavored treats, and beyond. Then, of course, there’s all the horror. This Halloween season brings an overwhelming slate of horror releases packed into September and October to ensure maximum fright for the holiest of horror holidays. The horror doesn’t stop there, either; we’re looking beyond Halloween and into the rest of 2025.

It’s no surprise that this year offers another densely packed slate for the Halloween season, and there’s likely more horror on the way. Expect plenty of surprise release announcements in store as more streaming services debut their seasonal releases, schedules, and beyond. In the meantime, this guide has a rundown of the biggest highlights, including exclusive new images.

Here are the horror movies you don’t want to miss in Fall 2025 and beyond!

The Toxic Avenger – August 29 (Theaters)

Have you heard the word? Toxie is back on the big screen and this time he’s Unrated. When janitor Winston Gooze is exposed to a catastrophic toxic accident, he’s transformed into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Primetime Emmy-winning actor Peter Dinklage stars as the Toxic Avenger in director Macon Blair’s new movie, along with Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, Taylour Paige, Jacob Tremblay, and Luisa Guerreiro. Get your tickets now!

The Conjuring: Last Rites – September 5 (Theaters)

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in the final chapter of the Conjuring franchise as we know it. Franchise veteran Michael Chaves returns to helm the fourth film in the main series. The Conjuring: Last Rites draws inspiration from the real life Smurl Family Haunting. Farmiga and Wilson star alongside Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, who portray Ed and Lorraine’s daughter Judy Warren and her boyfriend, Tony Spera, as well as Steve Coulter returning as Father Gordon, plus Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, John Brotherton and Shannon Kook.

Traumatika – September 12 (Theaters)

Rebekah Kennedy as “Abigail” in the horror film, TRAUMATIKA, a SabanFilms release. Photocourtesy of Saban Films

A young boy’s night terrors become reality when his mother begins showing signs of demonic possession. What he’s about to experience will haunt him for the rest of his life and claim countless lives across generations in the latest from director Pierre Tsigaridis, who co-wrote with Two Witches co-writer/producer Maxime Rancon. Rebekah Kennedy (Two Witches), Emily Goss (The House on Pine Street), Ranen Navat, AJ Bowen (You’re Next), Sean O’Bryan (“The Middle”), Susan Gayle Watts, and Sean Whalen (The People Under the Stairs) star in the demonic horror movie. Watch the trailer here.

The Long Walk – September 12 (Theaters)

Tut Nyuot as Baker, Ben Wang as Olson, Jordan Gonzalez as Harkness, Charlie Plummer as Barkovitch, Joshua Odjick as Parker, Cooper Hoffman as Garraty, David Jonsson as McVries in The Long Walk. Photo Credit: Murray Close

The R-rated adaptation of Stephen King’s 1979 novel centers on a grim annual contest in which 100 teens must journey, nonstop and under strict rules, until only one is left alive. Expect a bleak adaptation ahead. Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza), David Jonsson (Alien: Romulus), Garrett Wareing (“Manifest”), Tut Nyout (“Witcher: Blood Origin”), Charlie Plummer (The Clovehitch Killer), Ben Wang (Karate Kid: Legends), Roman Griffin Davis (Jojo Rabbit), Jordan Gonzalez (“Pretty Little Liars: Origin Sin”), Joshua Odjick (Welcome to Derry), Josh Hamilton (“Walking Dead”), Judy Greer (Halloween), and Mark Hamill (The Life of Chuck) star. Watch the trailer here.

Rabbit Trap – September 12 (Limited Theaters)

When a musician and her husband move to a remote house in Wales, the music they make disturbs local ancient folk magic, bringing a nameless child to their door who is intent on infiltrating their lives in the feature debut by writer/director Bryn Chainey. The psychological folk horror movie produced by SpectreVision (Mandy, Daniel Isn’t Real) stars Dev Patel (The Green Knight), Rosy McEwen (“The Alienist”), and Jade Croot (“The Serpent Queen”). Watch the trailer here.

The Jester 2 – September 15 & 16 (Fathom Entertainment Event)

The Jester creator Colin Krawchuk returns to write and direct for the sequel set on Halloween. In the film, teen magician Max finds herself locked in a brutal showdown with the Jester, a nightmarish and supernatural trickster with real dark magic and a killer act. As illusions turn lethal and every escape is a trap, Max must pull off the ultimate trick: staying alive. On this deadly night, the only escape is to beat the devil at its own game. The Jester 2 arrives in theaters nationwide for a two nights only on September 15-16, accompanied by an exclusive behind-the-scenes featurette.

Him – September 19 (Theaters)

Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers (I Know What You Did Last Summer) plays Cam, a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life, and identity, to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma. But when Cam’s recovery training accelerates underthe guidance of mentor Isaiah (Marlon Wayans), Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for. HIM is directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks) from an acclaimed Black List screenplay by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series Limetown) and by Justin Tipping. 

Night of the Reaper – September 19 (Shudder)

Superhost and Z director Brandon Christensen is back this Halloween season with Night of the Reaper. In the wake of the brutal murder of a teenaged babysitter, College Student Deena returns home for the weekend and is roped into a babysitting gig of her own. When the local sheriff is mailed a piece of evidence that proves the murder may not have been an isolated incident, he is led on a scavenger hunt to reveal the killer may be planning a sequel. Jessica Clement, Ryan Robbins, Summer H. Howell, and Keegan Connor star.

Chain Reactions – September 26 (Theaters)

Documentarian Alexandre O. Philippe (Memory: The Origins of Alien) charts The Texas Chain Saw Massacre‘s profound impact and lasting influence on five great artists – Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller- Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama – through early memories, sensory experiences, and childhood trauma. It’s a shakeup of the usual horror doc format, meant to shift the way you think about Tobe Hooper’s seminal classic.

The Strangers: Chapter 2 – September 26 (Theaters)

The Strangers are back and more relentless than ever in the second installment of director Renny Harlin‘s new trilogy. With nowhere to run and no one to trust, Maya (Madelaine Petsch) must survive another horrific chapter of terror. Gabriel Basso and Ema Horvath also star in The Strangers: Chapter 2. Alan R. Cohen & Alan Freedland wrote the sequel’s screenplay. Learn more about the Strangers’ wrath at viral marketing site VisitVenusOregon.com.

Alpha – October 2025 (Theaters)

French filmmaker Julia Ducournau (Raw, Titane) is back with a new genre bender. Alpha, a troubled 13-year-old lives with her single mom. Their world collapses the day she returns from school with a tattoo on her arm. Ducournau’s latest played at the Cannes film festival earlier this year and is said to bring a shift to the filmmaker’s use of body horror. Golshifteh Farahani (The Patience Stone) and Tahar Rahim (“The Serpent”) star in Alpha. Watch the teaser here.

Bone Lake – October 3 (Theaters)

A couple’s romantic vacation at a secluded lakeside estate is upended when they are forced to share the mansion with a mysterious and attractive couple. Their dream getaway spirals into a nightmarish maze of sex, lies, and manipulation, triggering a bloody battle for survival. Mercedes Bryce Morgan (Spoonful of Sugar) directs from a screenplay by Joshua Friedlander (Holly Slept Over). Marco Pigossi (“Gen V”), Maddie Hasson (Malignant), Alex Roe (Rings), Andra Nechita (“Fatal Attraction”), Eliane Reis, and Clayton Spencer star.

Coyotes – October 3 (Theaters)

Justin Long and Kate Bosworth in ‘House of Darkness’

Together isn’t the only horror comedy starring an off-screen couple arriving this year; the latest from director Colin Minihan (What Keeps You Alive, Grave Encounters) stars Justin Long (Barbarian, House of Darkness) and Kate Bosworth (Barbarian, House of Darkness). As for plot, the horror comedy follows a family trapped in their Hollywood Hills home who must fight for survival as a pack of savage coyotes closes in. Mila Harris (Mary), Brittany Allen (Dexter: Original Sin), Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters), and Norbert Leo Butz (A Complete Unknown) also star. 

Good Boy – October 3 (Theaters)

A dog’s sixth sense leads to terror when his owner relocates to a haunted house in Good Boy, the feature debut by director Ben Leonberg. Indy the dog finds himself on a new adventure with his human owner—and best friend—Todd, leaving city life for a long-vacant family home in the country. But poor Indy is vexed by an eerie presence straightaway. When Todd begins succumbing to the dark forces swirling around the house, Indy must battle a malevolence intent on dragging his beloved Todd into the afterlife. The film stars Indy, Leonberg’s real-life canine, as well as indie horror stalwart Larry Fessenden, Shane Jensen, and Arielle Friedman.

Shelby Oaks – October 3 (Theaters)

Who took Riley Brennan? YouTube film critic Chris Stuckmann makes his feature debut with Shelby Oaks, a traditional narrative that incorporates found footage elements. It centers on a woman searching for her missing sister, a paranormal investigator, who disappeared over a decade ago. Camille Sullivan (Hunter Hunter), Brendan Sexton III (Don’t Breathe 2), Michael Beach (If Beale Street Could Talk), Robin Bartlett (Shutter Island), Keith David (The Thing), Charlie Talbert (The Big Short), Emily Bennett (Alone With You) and Sarah Durn (Where the Crawdads Sing) star. Watch the red band trailer here.

V/H/S/Halloween – October 3 (Shudder)

The eighth installment in the found footage anthology franchise themes itself around the best holiday of the year. While plot details are under wraps, the new class of directors include Bryan M. Ferguson (Pumpkin Guts), Casper Kelly (Too Many Cooks), Micheline Pitt-Norman & R.H. Norman (Grummy), Alex Ross Perry (Her Smell), Paco Plaza (REC), and Anna Zlokovic (Appendage).

Beast of War – October 10 (Theaters, Digital & VOD)

Mark Coles Smith as “Leo” and Joel Nankervis as “Will” in the thriller film BEASTOF WAR. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

Up next from Sting and  Wyrmwood writer/director Kiah Roache-Turner is a shark attack survival movie set in World War II. It centers on a group of Australian soldiers attempting to survive on a makeshift raft after their warship is capsized. In the dark below, the ultimate apex predator — a great white shark — hunts in the wreckage and is drawn to the smell of fresh blood in the water. The horror movie stars Joel Nankervis, Mark Coles Smith, Sam Delich, Lee Tiger Halley, Sam Parsonson, Maximillian Johnson, Tristan McKinnon, and Aswan Reid.

Deathstalker – October 10 (Theaters)

Director Steven Kostanski (Frankie Freako, PG: Psycho Goreman) reboots Roger Corman’s cult favorite with a newly reimagined installment of the cult sword and sorcery series. The Kingdom of Abraxeon is under siege from The Dreadites, a mysterious horde of warriors, whose sudden appearance are rumoured to foretell the return of Nekromemnon, an ancient sorcerer long thought dead. Deathstalker unknowingly recovers an enchanted amulet, igniting a perilous quest of good and evil. Daniel Bernhardt (John Wick, Nobody, Barry) stars as the warrior Deathstalker, with Patton Oswalt (Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire) voicing benevolent wizard Doodad.

Vicious – October 10 (Paramount+, Digital)

When Polly receives a mysterious box from an unexpected late-night visitor, it comes with a simple instruction: place three things inside: something you need, something you hate, and something you love. What begins as a strange ritual quickly unravels into a waking nightmare in the latest from director Bryan Bertino (The Dark and the Wicked, The Strangers). Dakota Fanning stars with Kathryn Hunter, Mary McCormack, Rachel Blanchard, Devyn Nekoda, Klea Scott, and Emily Mitchell.

Black Phone 2 – October 17 (Theaters)

Photo credit: Universal Pictures

Four years ago, 13-year-old Finn (Mason Thames) killed his abductor and escaped, becoming the sole survivor of The Grabber (Ethan Hawke). But evil never truly stays buried and the phone is ringing for Finn once more. The Grabber seeks vengeance from beyond the grave by menacing Finn’s younger sister, Gwen (Madeleine McGraw).  The siblings must face a killer who’s grown even more dangerous after death. Scott Derrickson returns to direct from a script he co-wrote with C. Robert Cargill. Joe Hill, author of the short story on which the 2021 film was based, executive produces.

Frankenstein – October 17 (Limited Theaters)

Jacob Elordi as The Creature in Frankenstein. Photo credit: Ken Woroner/Netflix © 2025.

The patron saint of monsters, Guillermo del Toro, gives his spin on Mary Shelley’s literary classic this Fall for Netflix. “Monsters have become my personal belief system,” the visionary recently said of his adaptation, one that aims less to scare and more to dig into the emotional aspect of Shelley’s famous tale. We can expect a breathtaking feature ahead. Oscar Isaac (Dune) stars in Del Toro’s movie as mad scientist Victor Frankenstein, with Jacob Elordi (Saltburn) as Frankenstein’s monster, Mia Goth (MaXXXine) as Elizabeth Lavenza, and Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds) as Dr. Pretorius. Watch the teaser now. and look for the film to debut on Netflix on November 7.

Dream Eater – October 24 (Theaters) 

A found footage chiller from Eli Roth’s new company The Horror Section. It follows Mallory (Mallory Drumm), a documentary filmmaker, who heads to a remote cabin in the mountains with her boyfriend Alex (Alex Lee Williams) to document his violent parasomnia. As his condition worsens, Mallory suspects something more sinister may be at play. As the nightmares escalate, so do the scares, right through the final frame. Dream Eater is co-written and co-directed by Jay Drakulic, Mallory Drumm, and Alex Lee Williams and starring Williams and Drumm.

Mortal Kombat II – October 24 (Theaters)

No, this sequel to the 2021 video game adaptation isn’t horror. But it is as violent and bloody as a horror movie, featuring otherworldly and sometimes inhuman characters as they brawl to the death. Director Simon McQuoid returns to helm the follow up, from a screenplay by Jeremy Slater. This time, Earthrealm’s champions and newcomer Johnny Cage are enlisted in a lethal tournament to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn. Karl Urban stars as Johnny Cage, alongside Adeline Rudolph, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Tati Gabrielle, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, with Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano as Lord Raiden, Joe Taslim as Bi-Han, and Hiroyuki Sanada as Hanzo Hasashi and Scorpion.

Queens of the Dead – October 24 (Theaters)

Tina Romero, the daughter of late horror master George A. Romero (Night of the Living Dead), makes her own mark on the zombie genre with Queens of the Dead. A zombie apocalypse breaks out in Brooklyn on the night of a giant warehouse party, where an eclectic group of drag queens, club kids, and frenemies must put aside their drama and use their unique skills to fight against the brain-thirsty, scrolling undead. Katy O’Brian, Jaquel Spivey, Tomas Matos, Nina West,  Quincy Dunn-Baker, Jack Haven, Cheyenne Jackson, Dominique Jackson, and Margaret Cho star.

Stitch Head – October 29 (Theaters)

Animated family film Stitch Head, described as “Frankenstein meets Monsters, Inc.,” is based on the first story in author Guy Bass’s book series. It follows the story of a small, forgotten creature living in a long-abandoned castle. Awoken by a Mad Professor, Stitch Head is tasked with protecting the professor’s other wildly inventive creations from the suspicious townspeople of Grubbers Nubbin. Directed by and adapted for the screen by Steve Hudson, the voice cast includes Asa Butterfield (Flux Gourmet, Choose or Die), Joel Fry (In the Earth, Cruella), Alison Steadman (“Inside No. 9“), Rob Brydon (Barbie), Fern Brady, Tia Bannon, and Jamali Maddix.

Bugonia – October 31 (Theaters)

Jesse Plemons stars as Teddy Gatz in director Yorgos Lanthimos’ BUGONIA, a Focus Features release.
Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features © 2025 All Rights Reserved.

Poor Things director Yorgos Lanthimos reunites with star Emma Stone on a reimagining of 2003’s Korean genre-bender Save the Green Planet!, an off-beat, black comedy-sci-fi feature written and directed by Jang Joon-Hwan. Bugonia follows two conspiracy-obsessed young men kidnap the high-powered CEO of a major company, convinced she is an alien intent on destroying Planet Earth. Jesse Plemons (Civil War, Antlers), Aidan Delbis, Stavros Halkias (Let’s Start a Cult), and Alicia Silverstone (The Lodge) also star in Bugonia. Lanthimos directs from a screenplay by Will Tracy (The Menu). Bugonia gets a limited theatrical release on October 24 before expanding wide on Halloween.

Hallow Road – Fall 2025 (Theaters)

Photo credit: Julie Vrabelova

Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and Matthew Rhys (“The Americans”) star as two parents who receive a distressing late-night call from their teenage daughter, who has just accidentally hit a pedestrian. They jump in their car, racing to get there before anyone else stumbles across the scene, but they soon realize they may not be alone. Bafta-winning director Babak Anvari helms the Halloween-set psychological thriller penned by William Gillies. Megan McDonnell (“Normal People”) co-stars. While no date has been announced yet, this Halloween thriller seems perfectly primed to arrive in October.

Predator: Badlands – November 7 (Theaters)

Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) in 20th Century Studios’ PREDATOR: BADLANDS film. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

The newest entry in the Predator franchise is set on a remote planet where a young Predator, outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Elle Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary. The warrior has chosen the most dangerous game on the most dangerous planet possible. Fanning stars alongside Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Yautja warrior Dek. Dan Trachtenberg (Prey, 10 Cloverfield Lane) directs from a script he co-wrote with Patrick Aison (Prey). Watch the trailer now.

Keeper – November 14 (Theaters)

Director Osgood Perkins is back with his second horror movie of the year. Keeper follows a couple as they escape for a romantic anniversary weekend at a secluded cabin. When Malcolm suddenly returns to the city, Liz finds herself isolated and in the presence of an unspeakable evil that unveils the cabin’s horrifying secrets. Tatiana Maslany (The Monkey, “Orphan Black”) and Rossif Sutherland (Possessor) star. Nick Lepard (Dangerous Animals) wrote the script. Watch the mysterious teaser now.

The Running Man – November 14 (Theaters)

Glen Powell stars in Paramount Pictures’ “THE RUNNING MAN.”

Edgar Wright’s (Shaun of the Dead, Last Night in Soho) new movie adapts Stephen King’s 1982 novel, published under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. Said to be a more faithful adaptation, it centers on a top-rated deadly competition show where contestants, known as Runners, must survive 30 days while being hunted by professional assassins, with every move broadcast to a bloodthirsty public and each day bringing a greater cash reward. Glen Powell stars as contestant Ben Richards. Josh Brolin (Weapons), Colman Domingo (Candyman), and Katy O’Brian (Love Lies Bleeding) also star in the film, alongside Daniel Ezra, Karl Glusman, Lee Pace, Jayme Lawson, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy, David Zayas, and Sean Hayes.

Troll 2 – December 1 (Netflix)

The stakes are higher and the danger deadlier in this Netflix sequel. When a dangerous new troll is awakened, unleashing devastation across Norway, beloved adventurers Nora, Andreas and Captain Kris are thrust into their most perilous mission yet. To stop the creature’s ruthless rampage, they must enlist new allies and delve into the country’s ancient history, searching for answers. Original director Roar Uthaug (Tomb Raider, The Wave), writer Espen Aukan, and producers Espen Horn and Kristian Strand Sinkerud of Motion Blur are back at the helm, along with returning stars Ine Marie Wilmann, Kim Falck, and Mads Sjøgård Pettersen.

Dust Bunny – December 5 (Theaters)

Mads Mikkelsen in the Wicked Fairy Tale/Horror film,DUST BUNNY,a Roadside Attractionsfilm. Photo courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

“Hannibal” creator Bryan Fuller and star Mads Mikkelsen are reteaming for a throwback to the family horror films of the 1980s. Dust Bunny will tell the story of an eight-year-old girl who enlists the help of her intriguing neighbor to kill the monster under her bed that she believes ate her family. David Dastmalchian and Sigourney Weaver also star in the mysterious new horror movie described as a wicked fairy tale arriving this holiday season.

Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 – December 5 (Theaters)

Former security guard Mike (Josh Hutcherson) and police officer Vanessa (Elizabeth Lail) have kept the truth from Mike’s 11-year-old sister, Abby (Piper Rubio), concerning the fate of her animatronic friends one year after their fateful encounter. But when Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, it will set into motion a terrifying series of events, unleashing a long forgotten horror. Based on Scott Cawthon’s blockbuster horror game series, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 is again directed by acclaimed returning filmmaker Emma Tammi (The Wind, Blood Moon). Freddy Carter (Shadow and Bone, Pennyworth), Wayne Knight (Jurassic Park, Seinfeld), Mckenna Grace (Ghostbusters franchise, Annabelle Comes Home) and horror icon Skeet Ulrich (Scream, Riverdale) join the cast.

Silent Night, Deadly Night – December 12 (Theaters)

Rohan Campbell (Halloween Ends) is playing Billy in Mike P. Nelson‘s slasher reboot. When Billy witnesses his parents’ grisly murder on Christmas Eve at the hands of Santa, it ignites a lifelong mission to spread holiday fear. Every Christmas, he dons the jolly red suit and delivers a blood-soaked massacre to feed his twisted sense of justice. This Christmas Eve, Billy wants to know: Have you been naughty? Ruby Modine (Happy Death Day) also stars as Pamela alongside Mark Acheson, David Lawrence Brown, and David Tomlinson.

The Plague – December 24 (Limited Theaters)

At an all-boys water polo camp, a socially anxious twelve-year-old is pulled into a cruel tradition targeting an outcast with an illness they call ‘The Plague.’ But as the lines between game and reality blur, he fears the joke might be hiding something real in writer/director Charlie Polinger‘s feature debut. It stars Joel Edgerton (The Green Knight, The Gift), who also produces, alongside newcomers Everett Blunck, Kayo Martin, and Kenny Rasmussen.

Anaconda – December 25 (Theaters)

Jack Black and Paul Rudd in Anaconda cast announcement video

Tom Gormican (The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent) directs a comedic reboot of the ’90s horror movie, from a script co-written with Kevin Etten. In this update, a group of friends facing mid-life crises are remaking their favorite movie from their youth. They head to the rainforest, only to find themselves in a fight for their lives against natural disasters, giant snakes, and violent criminals. Paul Rudd (Death of a Unicorn), Jack Black, Thandiwe Newton (“Westworld”), Steve Zahn (“Silo,” Joy Ride), Brazilian actor Selton Mello, Ione Skye (Say Anything, Haunt), and Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) star. Watch the cast announcement video now.

The Housemaid – December 25 (Theaters)

Ghostbusters and A Simple Favor director Paul Feig is back this Christmas with a twisty psychological thriller based on Freida McFadden’s bestselling novel. Sydney Sweeney stars as Millie, a struggling young woman looking for a fresh start. When she accepts a job as a housemaid for a wealthy couple, Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew (Drop’s Brandon Sklenar), she discovers their secrets may be far more dangerous than her own. Rebecca Sonnenshine (“The Boys”) adapts McFadden’s psychological thriller novel, which has two sequel novels, for the big screen.

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