Top 10 Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2025

As a horror movie enthusiast, I’ve handpicked ten horror films coming in 2025 that I’m personally excited about. The list includes big-budget projects with thrilling visuals as well as smaller, creative indie projects. Will they genuinely scare me? Let’s wait and see.

10. The Conjuring: Last Rites

Release Date: September 5, 2025

Finally! The Warrens are back for another adventure. My feelings about The Conjuring series are mixed—I love the expertly crafted scares but dread the increasingly predictable formula. This installment promises to be the “ultimate exorcism,” the grand finale of the series. It pretty much feels like a horror movie graduation ceremony. I just hope James Wan can ditch the overused scare tactics and give fans a proper sendoff.

9. Until Dawn

Release Date: April 25, 2025

This adaptation of the beloved video game has me both excited and skeptical. The game scared the hell out of me back in the day, but I’m unsure whether the movie can replicate the same tension. In the game, the “butterfly effect” kept every character’s fate hanging by a thread. What would be the hook in a movie adaptation? Will the audience be left guessing, “Who’s next?” Or will the plot just follow the “perfect ending” formula and turn into a cliché horror film?

8. Return to Silent Hill

Release Date: TBD

An adaptation of Silent Hill 2 is finally happening. As a die-hard fan of the series, I can’t help but feel a little nervous—how can you possibly recreate the psychological horror and oppressive atmosphere of the game? I’ll be crushed if the movie turns it into a straightforward monster fest. That said, Christophe Gans is back at the helm, which is a promising sign. At least the fog-shrouded town should feel familiar.

7. Death of a Unicorn

Release Date: TBD

The title is wild enough, and it is produced by A24. The plot? A father and daughter hit a unicorn with their car, triggering bizarre events. It sounds like an animal rights activist’s nightmare, but with A24 involved, I believe the visuals and atmosphere will be on point. I just hope it doesn’t devolve into some Fantastic Beasts-style chaos. Also, I’m looking forward to hearing Jenna Ortega ’s signature scream again—fingers crossed it’s in this one.

6. Ash

Release Date: March 21, 2025

Who doesn’t love a good space horror movie? The isolation of outer space combined with an unknown threat is always a recipe for chills. The trailer shows an astronaut seeing her crewmates being killed by something sinister onboard a spaceship. It’s unsettling enough to give me goosebumps. If it’s anywhere near Alien in quality, I’ll be thrilled; if it turns into a space version of A Nightmare on Elm Street, well… we’ll see.

5. 28 Years Later

Release Date: June 20, 2025

Danny Boyle finally remembered the “infected universe” isn’t finished. The third installment of the 28 Days Later series takes place 28 years after the virus outbreak. The film has one critical challenge: it must still make the “infected” genuinely terrifying. If, like me, you’re haunted by the image of sprinting zombies, this movie is worth the wait. My only concern? Might Cillian Murphy and Ralph Fiennes be a bit too old as the leads for all the running?

4. Wolf Man

Release Date: Already Released

Directed by Leigh Whannell , this one is already out, though I haven’t seen it yet. The buzz on Peliplat has been mixed, but Whannell’s previous works, such as The Invisible Man and Upgrade, have proven excellent. Plus, it’s common for the horror genre to struggle with ratings, so I think Wolf Man is still worth a watch.

3. The Ritual

Release Date: April 18, 2025

Inspired by the real-life 1920s “Emma Schmidt Exorcism,” this movie delves into a chilling tale of a woman seeking help from a monastery after decades of demonic possession. Two things make this movie irresistible: Al Pacino and that haunting poster.

2. M3GAN 2.0

Release Date: June 27, 2025

The killer AI doll is back! The first movie was a mix of horror and satire, creating a uniquely “cute but deadly” vibe. The sequel promises to further explore the dangers of technology going out of control. Let’s hope it strikes the right balance between parody and genuine scares, rather than devolving into M3GAN vs. AI Monsters.

1. The Monkey

Release Date: February 21, 2025

Adapted from a Stephen King short story, the film centers on a sinister toy monkey whose drumbeats spell death for its victims. Simple yet chilling concepts like this are my favorite. As long as the filmmakers don’t overcomplicate the story, I’m ready to buy my ticket for this little monkey’s reign of terror.

Some of these movies may become masterpieces of the year, while others could end up only as short videos on Tik Tok to gain traffic for bloggers. But as a die-hard horror fan, I’m willing to watch them all. After all, the magic of horror lies in its unpredictability—you never know when a movie will surprise you with a truly unforgettable scare.

Which one are you most excited about?

Catch you later for more movie musings!