This year, there are already more than a few promising horror movies on the docket, between the reboot of Poltergeist and the much-anticipated Insidious: Chapter 3, for which we just sat down with director Leigh Whannell [1]. And more are popping up with every new month. In the latest exciting news, we've gotten trailers for new films The Gallows [2] and M. Night Shyamalan's The Visit [3], plus a glimpse at Sinister 2 [4]! Since you loved gearing up for horror films that came out in 2014 [5], keep reading to see all the terrifying films on the horizon in 2015.
Before I Wake
- What it's about: In the movie's first trailer [6], a young couple takes in a little boy who hates to sleep. The real reason behind his self-imposed insomnia, though, is his sweet dreams — and his worst nightmares — come to life.
- Why you should be excited: Writer/director Mike Flanagan directed 2014's chiller, Oculus. This looks like another film with a refreshing and original concept.
- When it comes out: Sept. 25
Insidious: Chapter 3
- What it's about: This one (which you can watch multiple teasers for [7]) is actually a prequel that sheds light on the gifted psychic Elise Rainier. She hesitantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who's being terrorized by a malicious supernatural entity.
- Why you should be excited: In addition to the first two chapters, director Leigh Whannell has also worked on the Saw franchise, Dead Silence, and more.
- When it comes out: June 5
The Gallows
- What it's about: The film takes place 20 years after a horrific accident involving a small town's high school play. The current students attempt to resurrect the play to honor the tragedy, but soon discover they've made a terrible mistake.
- Why you should be excited: This film comes from the same producers that brought you Sinister, Oculus, and Insidious, so you know it's going to pull out the good kinds of scares.
- When it comes out: July 10
Poltergeist
- What it's about: This reboot of of the 1982 classic focuses on a family who moves into a new home. Not only do they discover that they've disturbed a ghostly presence, but they come to realize it's taken their daughter.
- Why you should be excited: Judging from the trailer and all the creepy photos [8], the remake features revamped special effects and even more terrifying sequences, which means it's going to be scarier than ever. And it was already scary in the first place.
- When it comes out: July 24
The Visit
- What it's about: Two children go to stay with their grandparents for the weekend, but they very quickly discover that not all is quite as it seems. Something seems to be very wrong with Grandma and Grandpa.
- Why you should be excited: M. Night Shymalan is behind this film! You know, the mastermind who freaked you out with The Sixth Sense, The Village, Signs, and so many more. This one's going to be freaky and smart.
- When it comes out: September (Day TBA)
Sinister 2
- What it's about: If you saw the first Sinister movie, you'll know pretty much what's going to happen. A mother and her twins move into a rural house, and they're pretty much doomed the second they step over the threshold.
- Why you should be excited: Though it wasn't quite a box office champion, Sinister was one of the more terrifying horror movies to hit theaters in the past few years. We have a feeling this one is going to be twice as horrifying.
- When it comes out: Aug. 21
Crimson Peak
- What it's about: In an attempt to escape the skeletons in her past, an aspiring author (Mia Wasikowska [9]) seeks shelter in a house with a mysterious outsider. As she tries to cope with a recent family tragedy, she slowly realizes the house is not just a structure, but a living, breathing being.
- Why you should be excited: With Guillermo del Toro at the helm and a star-studded cast [10] featuring Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain, it's hard to see where this could go wrong.
- When it comes out: Oct. 16
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension
- What it's about: While many details are still unknown, the trailer shows the return of horrifying demon entity "Toby," as well as yet another family that falls victim to him.
- Why you should be excited: Contrary to last year's spinoff, The Marked Ones, this installment officially continues the story that started it all. And it's in 3D, so you know they're pulling out all the stops.
- When it comes out: Oct. 23
Amityville: The Awakening
- What it's about: A single mother moves her three children into the infamous and deadly Amityville house, not knowing of its grisly roots. It's not long before the history begins to repeat itself.
- Why you should be excited: It might not be the most original idea, but from the looks of the trailer, it could be the most chilling installation of the Amityville franchise yet.
- When it comes out: TBA
Final Girl
- What it's about: A group of high-school senior boys have grown accustomed to picking a victim to hunt in the woods for fun. They call it "initiation." This time, though, they've picked the wrong girl.
- Why you should be excited: We can't help but get excited about an ass-kicking female character, and the idea itself seems fresh and well executed. The trailer [11] came out last year, and we've been looking forward to it ever since.
- When it comes out: TBA
31
- What it's about: Five people are kidnapped in the days leading up to Halloween [12] and held prisoner in a place called Murder World. To survive, they must play a game against a gang of murderous clowns.
- Why you should be excited: Rob Zombie is notorious for really going there, and he's said this movie will be his goriest yet.
- When it comes out: TBA
Unfriended
- What it's about: A group of friends receive a mysterious online message from their dead classmate, exactly a year after her suicide. They quickly realize it's much more than a sick prank.
- Why you should be excited: The film takes place entirely on a girl's computer screen, which is a sort of new, intriguing, and experimental genre that's emerged in recent years.
- When it came out: April 17
The Harvest
- What it's about: A young girl moves into a new house and befriends the young, sickly boy next door. She comes to learn that his parents are, in fact, keeping him prisoner, and her presence is not quite welcome.
- Why you should be excited: This one is giving us pretty serious flashbacks to Stephen King's Misery, which is undoubtedly a literary and cinematic classic. We're ready to freak out.
- When it came out: April 10
It Follows
- What it's about: After a seemingly innocent sexual experience, 19-year-old Jay falls victim to strange vision and the sudden, inescapable feeling that someone, or something, is following her.
- Why you should be excited: It Follows has been garnering major buzz thanks to rave reviews at smaller film festivals, and it currently has 100 percent on Rotten Tomatoes [13].
- When it came out: March 13
Muck
- What it's about: A group of friends narrowly escapes from an ancient, evil burial ground, only to find that what put them there is still after them. They stumble into an empty home, where they must fight, die, or go back the way they came.
- Why you should be excited: This film was actually crowdfunded on Kickstarter, which means it already has a dedicated fan base that believes in the idea and its potential.
- When it came out: March 13
The Lazarus Effect
- What it's about: A group of medical students develop a serum that raises the dead, but with horrifying consequences.
- Why you should be excited: This one's got some big names on the ticket, including Olivia Wilde [14] and Evan Peters. Plus, the trailer looks really great [15].
- When it came out: Feb. 27