Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2019
There is never a shortage of horror films – there are some that are bad, but there is always a fair amount of ones that are good. Each year, films in this genre shock and provoke us with incredible social commentary, dark family dramas, the occasional good ol’ creepy creatures, and genuine scares. This genre shows us the great imaginative lengths we can go in storytelling and the slate of horror films in the new year doesn’t appear to be an exception. It looks to be another great year for horror fans!
In no particular order, here are some of our most anticipated horror films of 2019:
Us
Jordan Peele made a big impact with his 2016 directorial debut Get Out. Since then, Peele has been attached to producing several projects in the horror genre such as Lovecraft Country and a rebooted Twilight Zone series for CBS All-Access. Most recently, it was announced that Peele is producing a Candyman remake with Nia DaCosta taking on directing duties. In 2019, Peele makes his return to the director’s chair with Us, a film that will more than likely be just as provocative as Get Out. Not to mention the stellar cast includes Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Anna Diop.
The film is scheduled to be released March 25 by Universal Pictures.
Happy Death Day 2U
Blumhouse Productions’ 2017 slasher Happy Death Day, was a surprisingly good movie that was met with critical and box office praise. A sequel was quickly greenlit and given a great pun for a title. Set two years after the first film, Jessica Rothe’s Tree Gelbman has mysteriously entered another time loop, only this time her friends are involved and it’s up to her to find the killer to break the time loop…again! Much like the first film, it’s sure to be another fun and thrilling ride with great comedic beats.
The film is scheduled to be released February 14 by Universal Pictures.
IT: Chapter 2
Stephen King book adaptations have been making a strong comeback for the past few years, but none has had the as much impact, critical response or box office praise as Andy Muschietti’s 2017 IT. With its success, a sequel was announced right away with Muschietti returning. The Losers Club reunite one last time as adults to stop Pennywise from terrorizing the town of Derry once and for all. The cast is also, for lack of a better term, perfect, with each actor perfectly fitting with their child actor counterpart from the first film. It includes Jessica Chastain, Jame McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, and Pennywise himself, Bill Skarsgard.
The film is scheduled to be released September 6 by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Pet Sematary
As I mentioned before, Stephen King is making a comeback (not that he ever really left at all) with another classic being adapted; this time cute kids are up against killer pets. The film stars Jason Clarke as Dr. Louis Creed, who moves with his family to rural Maine. There they discover something sinister lurking in the woods. The trailer gives us vague hints as to the events of the film, which looks to be another thrilling addition to Stephen King’s film adaptations.
The film is scheduled to be released April 5 by Paramount Pictures.
In the Tall Grass
Even Netflix has gotten in on the Stephen King craze and they are adding to their growing collection and adaptation of In the Tall Grass. The adaptation of Stephen King and Joe Hill’s novella will star Ocean Master himself, Patrick Wilson. The plot follows a brother and sister as they drive through Kansas on a road trip. They hear calls for help coming from a field of tall grass. They stop to investigate only to get lost in the field.
Netflix has yet to schedule a release date, but it is expected to stream in 2019.
Child’s Play
Child’s Play is the eighth installment of the Chucky franchise and the remake of the 1988 film of the same name. The film “follows a mother named Karen (Aubrey Plaza) who gives her son Andy (Gabriel Bateman) a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its sinister nature.” The film also stars Brian Tyree Henry as Detective Mike Norris. It may not be high on anyone most anticipated horror films, but the casting and premise promises a fun and dark ride.
The film is scheduled to be released June 21 by Orion Pictures.
The Curse of La Llorona
The Curse of La Llorona has been marred by controversy already, but it is still a movie that many anticipate as it will join the mega-successful Conjuring franchise from James Wan. The controversy was about the lack of Mexican/Latin actors in lead roles considering how the film is based on Mexican folklore. The film follows Linda Cardellini as she investigates a series of disappearances that are also connected to her family’s history.
The film is scheduled to be released April 19 by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Zombieland 2
Not all horror movies need to scare us to the core, some can be fun like Zombieland 2. Fans have waited nearly 10 years for a sequel and they are finally getting it with the main cast returning and additional cast members Zoey Deutch and Avan Jogia joining the fray. The horror comedy will give us a fun time with zombie slayers Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita and Little Rock up against newly evolved zombies.
The film is scheduled to be released October 11 by Sony Pictures.
The New Mutants
Fox’s The New Mutants looks to be one of the very few comic book movies that could fit into the horror genre. The New Mutants is based off the comic of the same name and will follow the story Demon Bear. It follows a group of teenage mutants trapped in a hidden facility as they try to escape and fight for their lives. The first trailer gained positive reception with the film leaning heavily towards horror and led by rising scream queen Anya Taylor-Joy. It was initially set to release on April 13, 2018, but certain events prevented its release. Hopefully, we get to see it this year.
The film is scheduled to be released August 2 by 20th Century Fox.
Hellboy
Though many love and admire Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy and its sequel, director Neil Marshall’s version promises to be darker and somber in tone along the lines of the comics. The film starring David Harbour in the titular role, seems to be doing a great job filling the role for Ron Perlman. Every photo that has been released looks incredibly accurate and certainly has caught the attention of everyone who was skeptical at first. The film will have an R-rating that’ll help showcase the gore and horror.
The film is scheduled to be released April 12 by Lionsgate.
Hopefully, this list helps you prepare for the scares this coming year. Is there a horror film you anticipate that isn’t on the list? Comment below and be sure to share this article with your fellow horror fans.
