This year, there are two very different movies about imaginary friends coming to theaters. There’s the family-oriented John Krasinski film , which has cute CGI creatures interacting with the real world. And then there’s Blumhouse Productions’ Imaginary, about an evil teddy bear. The studio that brought horror fans the most meme-worthy doll of 2022 ()) are back to deliver another high-concept, low budget thriller designed to put butts in seats, turn a profit, and provide moviegoers with cheap thrills without excess hype or expectations.

Now in theaters

Just in time for Easter comes the new horror movie 'Immaculate.' Sydney Sweeny heads up this spiritual chiller about a devout woman, her immaculate conception, and the remote Italian convent that may not be what it seems. Fellow "The White Lotus" alums actress Simona Tabasco and producer David Bernad ("Jury Duty") also lend their talents to the project, alongside international Netflix darlings Alvaro Morte ("Money Heist") and Benedetta Porcaroli ("Baby"). The film marks Sweeny’s first foray into producing, and we’re excited to see what kind of 'Rosemary’s Baby' / 'Saint Maud' / 'The Omen'-style madness the star is about to deliver unto us.

Now in theaters

Found footage enthusiasts will delight in viewing the disturbing events that took place on October 31, 1977 in 'Late Night With the Devil.' Set during the live Halloween taping of a talk show, the film details the horrific chaos that unfurls when host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) encourages the survivor of a Satanic cult (Ingrid Torelli) to summon the demonic entity that haunts her. Fans of the “on air” sub genre (think 'WNUF Halloween Special' or the 'Inside No. 9' episode "Dead Line") will enjoy the movie’s pairing of cinema verité-style staging and subliminal messaging, while the increasingly rare R rating ensures viewers are about to see all hell break loose.

Now in theaters / Streaming on Shudder April 19, 2024

Horror fans will finally learn what caused the tragic events of 1976’s The Omen in this prequel that gives viewers a bedside seat to the birth of evil. Nell Tiger Free ("Game of Thrones," "Servant") stars as a young nun who seems destined to stumble upon a sinister conspiracy at her Roman convent. Supporting her is Ralph Ineson as Father Brennan in the years (we’re guessing) before his brutal end in that cemetery (if you know, you know); while the legendary Bill Nighy and Charles Dance are also on hand to freeze our blood with their signature chilly line delivery. This is director Arkasha Stevenson feature film debut, but with her background in wonderfully weird TV (Channel Zero, Brand New Cherry Flavor), we’re planning to put on our Sunday best to attend this Satanic service.

In theaters April 5, 2024

Hollywood’s hardest working movie star returns to the screen this spring with a post-apocalyptic creature feature set in the not-so-idyllic countryside. Nicolas Cage plays Paul, a man attempting to survive after a cataclysmic event destroys most life on earth. Living alongside Paul are his twin teenage sons – played by Jaeden Martell ('Knives Out', 'It') and Maxwell Jenkins ("Lost in Space") – who accidently draw a horrifying threat to their farmhouse refuge. Written by frequent Cage collaborator Michael Nixon (producer for 'The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent,' 'Willy’s Wonderland') and directed by Benjamin Brewer (lead visual effects artist for 'Everything Everywhere All At Once'), 'Arcadian' is shaping up to be a must-watch for horror fans, action enthusiasts, and Cage heads everywhere.

In theaters April 12, 2024

We can't wait to root for a kid vamp as she chews through some dumb dumb criminals who hold her for ransom, even if these shadowy underworld figured are played by people who are easily lovable in real life, including Melissa Barrera and the late Angus Cloud. Radio Silence, the director duo who arrived with their contribution to the 'V/H/S' anthology over a decade ago before rebooting 'Scream,' were heavily influenced by Dracula’s Daughter, which was a sequel to Bela Lugosi’s immortal Dracula. Something tells us – though this is totally unfounded – the directors and Universal might have franchise plans if Abigail reaches icon status.

In theaters April 19, 2024

Writer/director Jane Schoenbrun fascinates us. They yoinked their first film from the web, a horror doc about the Slenderman legend that was compiled entirely from YouTube videos, then ventured into the deep web with their second movie, ‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair.’ Emma Stone, who is quickly establishing herself as a producer with a taste for the experimental, backs Schoenbrun’s vision along with A24. There’s no set release date yet since the film is currently on the festival circuit.

In theaters May 3, 2024

'Tarot' feels like a low stakes gamble at creating a new horror universe. Wrap a story around an enchanted object, gather a bunch of young people in a room to conjure up some form of evil, keep the spending controlled, and see if audiences buy it. It recently worked for 'Talk to Me,' and of course for 'Ouija,' a microbudgeted critical misfire that made over $100 million worldwide before Mike Flanagan made a prequel-sequel that rips. Director duo Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg are relatively green, and we admit the trailer inspires more laughs than nerves – what’s with the voices of the cursed cards? – but perhaps this just a good opportunity to turn off our brains, get an XL popcorn/soda combo, and talk back to the screen with a crowd.

In theaters May 5, 2024

We respect this franchise for not abiding by the rules. After the first film became a sleeper hit, the sequel peeled off in an entirely new direction after plans for a direct sequel were scrapped. Now comes this reboot that wants to be the first installment of a brand-new trilogy, and it too has no connection story-wise to the first two movies. It's also a new addition to the subgenre we like to call Airbnb Horror.

In theaters May 17, 2024

The “slow cinema” style is picking up momentum in the horror genre these days. In 2023, audiences shivered at ‘Skinamarink,’ a claustrophobic exercise at staring into the dark. Now, writer-director Chris Nash is taking the contemplative approach into the great outdoors with his one-of-a-kind slasher movie ‘In a Violent Nature.’ In the film, a murderous man named Johnny (Ry Barrett) is awakened by a group of unsuspecting travelers and embarks on a methodical rampage of destruction. So what’s the catch? This horror picture is shot entirely from the killer’s perspective. Or, rather, from just a few feet behind. With no score and minimal dialogue, the film intentionally draws you into its methodical rhythm, claims Nash. But don’t get too comfortable. Audiences coming out of the Sundance premiere agreed that ‘In a Violent Nature’ includes some of the goriest kills you’ll see this year.

In select theaters May 31, 2024

There is no separating the art from the artist in writer-director Robert Morgan’s feature film debut about an animator whose sprawling project takes on a treacherous life of its own. Equal parts hallucinatory mindbender and blood ‘n’ guts gross out, the movie earned Morgan a Best Director nod at 2023’s Fantastic Fest before securing an early 2024 theatrical release. But the true highlight of this unique horror story is the three stop-motion shorts within the 90-minute runtime that expand and deepen protagonist Ella’s (Aisling Franciosi) journey from meek assistant to untethered creative force.

Streaming on Shudder May 31, 2024

After 30 years and three sequels, cult-classic The Crow is getting a reboot, returning to its 1989 comic book roots to retell the tragic story of doomed lovers Eric Draven and fiancé Shelly Webster (FKA twigs) whose murders spark Draven's return from the dead to avenge their deaths. Bill Skarsgård (who you can also see the upcoming Boy Kills World and Nosferatu) steps into the role of Eric Draven made famous by Brandon Lee who tragically died during the making of the 1994 film.

In theaters June 7, 2024

Ishana Shyamalan grew up on her father’s sets, and we think about everything she might have absorbed as her thrived, survived, and reinvented himself within the studio system. She chose a relatively unknown novel to adapt for her first movie, one that promises some twists in the cabin in the woods trope, and we can’t look away from a cast that includes Olwen Fouéré (so evil in 'Mandy;' and mysterious in "Halo") and Georgina Campbell in her first plum role since the surprise horror hit, 'Barbarian.'

In theaters June 14, 2024

We loved 'A Quiet Place' and its sequel for dropping us into the middle of a world already reshaped by years under an alien invasion, but now that we're getting an origin story, we can't wait to find out how it all went down. Although the trailers so far have that chaotic, apocalyptic feel that we've seen in many alien invasion films, we have faith in the franchise that they'll deliver something unique. Michael Sarnoski takes over directing duties from John Krasinski in this prequel spinoff which stars Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou who reprises his role from 'A Quiet Place Part II.'

In theaters June 28, 2024

Horror fans were doubly blessed in 2022 when Ti West returned to the genre after 10 years away with two new horror movies. The ‘70s-set sexpolitation slasher 'X'introduced us to Maxine (Mia Goth), an adult film performer with big dreams, and Pearl (also Goth), an elderly woman with violent tendencies. Six months later West dropped 'Pearl,' a prequel that took audiences back to 1918 to explore the grisly origins of the first film’s antagonist. This year, the 'X' Trilogy will conclude with 'MaXXXine,' which follows Goth’s final girl as she makes her way to LA in search of a life she feels she deserves. We’re unsure what horrors await the unsuspecting Maxine in the city of angels, but along the way she’ll encounter an impressive supporting cast including Elizabeth Debicki, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, Lily Collins, and Halsey, among others.

In theaters July 5, 2024

Neon has become one of the top purveyors of “prestige” horror (whether you like that term or not), and 2024 is shaping up to be a great year for the studio, with 'Immaculate,' 'Cuckoo,' and Osgood Perkins’ 'Longlegs' on the roster. The teaser and trailer are absolutely terrifying while giving away nothing. Maika Monroe (who’s made some terrific horror films, including 'It Follows' and the underseen 'Watcher') stars as an FBI agent on the trail of a serial killer played by Nicolas Cage. Longlegs may be a breakout for director Perkins, who’s flown just a little under the radar with films like 'The Blackcoat’s Daughter' and 'I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House.' Fun fact: Perkins is the eldest son of Anthony Perkins, and he played the young Norman Bates in 'Psycho II.'

In theaters July 12, 2024

We may be in for a Shyamalan summer in 2024. Just two months after his daughter Ishana Shyamalan makes her feature film debut with 'The Watchers,' M. Night is expected to return to the big screen with his next thriller, 'Trap.' The film, which Shyamalan has cryptically stated “takes place at a concert,” stars Josh Hartnett and Hayley Mills, best known for her roles in mid-century classics like 'The Parent Trap' and 'Pollyanna.' This release marks the start of the auteur’s new agreement with Warner Bros, and we can’t wait to see what twisty turny terrors the partnership develops.

Expected Aug. 2, 2024

Hunter Schafer gets into Final Girl mode somewhere in the Alps at a resort run by a creeper played by Dan Stevens, who is underutilized in horror movies. Reviews say the plot gets bonks fast, and director Tilman Singer deepens his commitment to genre fans with extreme tastes after 'Luz' found a cult audience. Distributor NEON, who has backed 'Infinity Pool,' 'Titane,' and other nightmares, will release the movie in the US on May 3.

In theaters August 2, 2024

The ghost with the most is coming to haunt cinemas everywhere 35 years after the original film introduced audiences to Adam, Barbara, Lydia, and a gregarious ghoul with an unpronounceable name. Details about the sequel are just starting to make their way to the land of the living, including a surprising Beetlejuice backstory and a return of the song ‘Day-O.’ We can’t hide our excitement to see Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, and Michael Keaton reprise their roles, and we’re equally thrilled to see Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe, and Monica Bellucci join the fun.

In theaters Sept. 6, 2024

If you're thinking, didn't 'Speak No Evil' premiere in 2022 at Sundance and leave us with nightmares and a fear of making new friends? Well, yes, it did, but this is the Blumhouse remake with James McAvoy as the head of the unhinged household. (We've seen McAvoy in 'Split,' we know he can be terrifying!) We don't know if this version will make any deviations from the disturbing Danish original, but we're pretty sure we'll be yelling at Mackenzie Davis and Scoot McNairy to stop being polite and leave already.“

In theaters Sept. 13, 2024

We smiled when we learned writer-director Parker Finn was onboard to make a follow-up to his creeptastic 2022 feature film debut. Then we grinned after it was announced Kyle Gallner, Lukas Gage, and Rosemarie Dewitt had signed on for the sequel. But we really started beaming from ear to ear when Finn confirmed ‘Smile 2’ would be “something very unexpected and surprising for an audience with a lot of tricks of its sleeves.” We have no idea what that means, and we can’t wait.

Expected Oct. 18, 2024

As 'Terrifier 2' proved, there’s no such thing as too much in the minds of Art the Clown fans. That sequel clocked in at two hours and 18 minutes and grossed over $15 million at the box office on a budget of $250,000, so a sequel was inevitable. The latest sequel picks up after the gruesome rebirth of Art in 'Terrifier 2'’s mid-credits sequence, and features Victoria in a more prominent role, as director felt she was underutilized in the previous films. No, we’re not sure how she’s going to manage without a face (!), but hey, anything is possible in the 'Terrifier' universe. Be warned: 'Terrifier 4' is already in the works.

In theaters Oct. 25, 2024

Marvel vet Mahershala Ali ascends to his first title character role in the MCU, and the franchise’s second R-rated movie after 'Deadpool & Wolverine.' It is, of course, hard to watch even one of our most talented actors take over as the daywalker – the casting coup of the century for the aging franchise with diminishing box-office returns would have been to find a way for Wesley Snipes to return. But we know Ali will kill it and everything, so instead we’re trying to figure out, just like everyone else, who Mia Goth will play in the movie. The new face of horror just might play Lillith Drake, Dracula’s daughter who is more powerful than most vamps.

In theaters Nov. 7, 2024

It seems like Dracula and vampires are taken over the release calendar that used to be dominated by superhero movies. 'Abigail' is coming in April. There’s a 'Salem’s Lot' remake coming to streaming in 2025. Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are making a top secret thing. Luc Besson has a more sympathetic take on Dracula in production. But if there’s any reason to remake 'Nosferatu,' we’re happy the project was at least trusted to Robert Eggers, the most obsessively detailed director since David Fincher. Eggers reteams with Willem Dafoe, who broke a section of the internet when we learned he was returning to the tale he immortalized in 'Shadow of the Vampire.' We’ll forever wonder what the version of the movie with Anna Taylor-Joy would have been like – she dropped out of the production to make 'Furiosa,' with Lily-Rose Depp taking the role as she quickly puts "The Idol" behind her. Dafoe has said the reels he’s watched are visually like nothing he’s seen before – real fires, real rats, and more. To be honest: this is the only movie we really want for Christmas this year.

In theaters Dec. 25, 2024

We’ll forgive you if you don’t hold your breath over the latest 'Salem’s Lot' release news. The remake from writer-director has been trapped in a spin cycle of shifting premiere dates that reaches back to 2021 when the film first went into production. Even the master of horror himself, took to social media back in November 2023 to lament what he called a “shelved” film. And yet, it looks like this new take on the vampire tale will finally break free of its vault sometime in 2024 when it makes a streaming-only premiere on Max.

Streaming on Max in 2024

It’s been ten years since E.L. Katz changed our brain chemistry forever with his feature debut 'Cheap Thrills,' and this year the director is returning to the screen with a film that seems even more psychologically damaging (complimentary). Scream queen Samara Weaving ('Ready or Not') stars in 'Azrael,' which appears to be set in a future decades (centuries?) after a biblical rapture where hungry demons roam the earth alongside blood-crazed spiritual psychos. Writer Simon Barrett ('You’re Next,' 'The Guest') is responsible for scripting this abomination that plays out without a single line of dialogue thanks to an off-screen religious epiphany that moved the murderous society to renounce “the sin of speech.”

Expected in 2024

Is 'Oddity' the 'Talk to Me' of 2024? This Irish horror features a creepy wooden mannequin and is drawing comparisons to the Philippou brothers’ breakout hit from last year. But aside from being a relic-based horror film, the similarities pretty much end there. Director Damian Mc Carthy ('Caveat') has crafted a fun and spooky supernatural thriller about a blind medium who uses the wooden man to solve the mystery of her twin sister’s death. At the world premiere at SXSW, 'Oddity' had the audience jumping, screaming, and sometimes laughing as McCarthy’s assured direction kept everyone on their toes. Definitely a theater-worthy experience.

Expected in 2024

In our hearts, the only thing left for 'Scream' to pull off is a way to bring Casey Becker back to life. If you aren't aware of all the behind-the-scenes drama that's gone down between 'Scream 6' and the development of its sequel, from strike-related delays to losing both of the franchise's newly minted franchise stars — Melissa Barrera for her outspoken political views, and Jenna Ortega over a salary dispute — the decision-makers shelled out for Neve Campbell's beloved Sydney Prescott to come out of hiding after her salary-related fracas caused us to miss out on her 'Scream 6' return. It's unclear at this time if the script will bleed out of the events of the last movie, but the current storyline lends itself to a direct sequel. Kevin Williamson, the creator and writer who somehow never directed one of the movies until now, takes over for the Radio Silence duo who successfully revived the franchise. We're expecting a 2026 release date to coincide with 30 Years of Ghostface.