2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for horror cinema, delivering spine-tingling sequels, ambitious reboots, and bold original franchises that will redefine the genre. From Neve Campbell’s return in Scream 7 to Lee Cronin’s reimagining of The Mummy, this year promises 50+ releases that’ll have you sleeping with the lights on. Here’s your definitive guide to the top 10 upcoming horror movies dominating 2026.
1. Scream 7 – February 27, 2026
Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) returns to the quiet town where she rebuilt her life, only to discover a new Ghostface killer targeting her daughter (Isabel May). Facing her darkest fears head-on, Sidney must confront the horrors of her past to end the bloodshed once and for all.
Kevin Williamson helms the seventh installment, bringing legacy gravitas while honoring the franchise’s DNA. Expect franchise course-correction, elevated kills, and meta-horror mastery that reignites the killer’s legacy.
2. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – January 16, 2026
The Rage Virus isn’t finished ravaging humanity. This sequel continues the post-apocalyptic saga in brutally darker directions, delivering harrowing survival horror and grim revelations that reshape the franchise’s mythology.
Expect the visceral intensity fans crave, with fresh mythology deepening the infected’s existential terror. Early January release positions this as the year’s first major dread-fest.
3. Return to Silent Hill – January 23, 2026
A mysterious letter calls James back to Silent Hill’s fog-shrouded streets searching for his lost love. He discovers a transformed town of terrifying figures—some familiar, some nightmarish—while questioning his own sanity in this long-awaited Silent Hill 2 adaptation.
After 15 years without a mainline Silent Hill film, this psychological horror masterpiece honors Konami’s revered game with atmospheric dread and psychological unraveling.
4. The Bride – March 6, 2026
Maggie Gyllenhaal writes, directs, and produces this gothic horror-romance set in 1930s Chicago. Frankenstein and Dr. Euphronius resurrect a murdered woman as the Bride—a radical monster story blending horror, social commentary, and dark romance.
Starring Jessie Buckley, Christian Bale, Penélope Cruz, and Jake Gyllenhaal, this ambitious reimagining promises audacious filmmaking that subverts horror tropes.
5. The Mummy – April 17, 2026
After his daughter mysteriously returns eight years later carrying an ancient Egyptian mummy’s spirit, a father faces a descent into monstrosity. Director Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise) resurrects the Universal monster, crafting cursed tombs, sandstorms, and undead vengeance in Blumhouse’s reimagining.
Expect Cronin’s signature gore and dread, with cyberwarfare mythology reimagined for modern audiences. The mummy becomes family tragedy disguised as supernatural terror.
6. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come – April 10, 2026
Samara Weaving returns as Grace in this bloody sequel to the 2019 surprise hit. New cast members Sarah Michelle Gellar and Elijah Wood join the deadly hide-and-seek game where the stakes are bloodier than ever.
The original’s perfect balance of dark humor and visceral kills returns with heightened carnage. This is prestige slasher filmmaking—smart, satirical, and savagely entertaining
7. Evil Dead Burn – July 24, 2026
Sébastien Vanicek directs this direct sequel to Evil Dead Rise, escalating gore, deadites, and chainsaw-powered chaos. The Evil Dead franchise’s consistently excellent track record continues with practical effects mastery.
Expect body horror that makes you squirm, demonic possession that twists families apart, and visceral set pieces that redefine franchise brutality.
8. Insidious 6: The Bleeding World – August 21, 2026
Lin Shaye returns as Elise Rainier to venture into the Further once more, battling supernatural forces in Jacob Chase’s directorial entry. Amelia Eve, Brandon Perea, and Maisie Richardson-Sellers join her descent into dimensional horror.
The Insidious universe expands with astral-plane mythology that deepens decades-old mysteries. Expect otherworldly terror and interdimensional dread.
9. Clayface – September 11, 2026
Mike Flanagan co-writes this horror-focused DC character film directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake). Clayface becomes a shapeshifting monster blurring villain and human, unfolding in dark Gotham City where metamorphosis becomes nightmare.
Finally, superhero horror arrives courtesy of Flanagan’s acclaimed vision. Expect psychological unraveling as identity becomes fluid and terrifying.
10. Scary Movie 6 – June 12, 2026
The franchise returns with Regina Hall and Anna Faris leading horror comedy’s glorious resurrection. Director Michael Tiddes brings satirical edge to contemporary scary movies, skewering 2020s horror tropes with comedic precision.
After a lukewarm 2013 entry, Scary Movie reclaims relevance. Expect absurdist humor, horror parody mastery, and R-rated mayhem that honors the franchise’s legacy.
2026 Horror Verdict: 9.5/10 – Best Year Yet
2026 delivers something rare: legacy franchises (Scream, Silent Hill, Evil Dead) alongside bold originals (The Bride, Clayface) and directorial debuts (Psycho Killer) that elevate the genre. Over 50 horror releases promise variety—psychological terrors, franchise spectacles, indie brilliance.
Whether you crave supernatural dread, slasher thrills, or dark comedy, 2026 has you covered. Start planning your horror marathon now—mark calendars, gather friends, and prepare to scream. The best horror year of the decade just arrived.
