Horror Highlights of 2025: What's Out and Coming Soon
Wolf Man (January 17, 2025)
Directed by Leigh Whannell, this reboot follows a family man who becomes infected and transforms into a werewolf, threatening those he loves. Christopher Abbott delivers a powerful performance in a moody, visceral horror landscape cult‑crafted by Blumhouse. The film earned around $35 million at the box office.
Premise:
Wolf Man (2025) is a modern reimagining of the classic monster tale, directed by Leigh Whannell. The story follows Blake Lovell (Christopher Abbott), a struggling writer whose life unravels as he begins to experience terrifying transformations tied to his family’s dark legacy. His wife Charlotte (Julia Garner) and daughter Ginger are drawn into the horror as secrets surface and violence spreads through their small community. Blending suspense, family drama, and visceral horror, the film delivers a tense exploration of fear, inheritance, and survival.
Cast:
Christopher Abbott (First Man, A Most Violent Year)
Julia Garner (Ozark, The Assistant)
Matilda Firth (Mr Bates vs The Post Office)
Sam Jaeger (Shazam!, American Sniper)
Clown in a Cornfield (May 9, 2025)
This slasher adaptation of Adam Cesare’s novel premiered at SXSW before hitting theaters. Directed by Eli Craig and starring Katie Douglas, it received largely positive reviews for clever genre execution on a modest $1 million budget.
Premise:
A grieving teen, Quinn Maybrook, and her father relocate from Philadelphia to the economically devastated town of Kettle Springs, Missouri, hoping for a fresh start—but quickly become embroiled in a deadly horror when a monstrous version of the town’s former clown mascot, Frendo, begins stalking local teenagers. As Quinn befriends a group of misfit classmates already playing with Frendo’s rebellious image online, tensions escalate into a brutal, self-aware slasher nightmare. Blending nostalgic '80s horror vibes with sharp social commentary and dark humor, Clown in a Cornfield delivers tense thrills, creative gore, and a grounded performance from Katie Douglas.
Cast:
Kate Douglas (Ginny & Georgia, Believe Me: The Abduction of Lisa McVey)
Will Poulter (Midsommar, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
Julia Lester (Into the Woods, The Musical: The Series)
Cody Kostro (City on a Hill, The Accidental Wolf)
Until Dawn (April 25, 2025)
Based on the PlayStation video game, David F. Sandberg’s adaptation drops the audience into a brutal time-loop nightmare. Featuring twists, Wendigos, and a chilling reset mechanic, the film grossed over $50 million globally.
Premise:
After Clover and her friends journey to a remote valley to uncover the mysterious disappearance of her sister, they enter an abandoned visitor center—only to be hunted and killed by a masked killer, then instantly wake up to relive the same night. Trapped in a terrifying time loop, the group realizes their deaths restart the cycle, the killer changes each time, and they have a limited number of “extra lives.” With the dawn as their only hope, they must figure out how to survive until morning—or be doomed to endless horror.
Cast:
Ella Rubin (The Idea of You, The Chair)
Michael Cimino (Love, Victor, Senior Year)
Odessa A'zion (Hellraiser, Grand Army)
Peter Stormare (Fargo, John Wick: Chapter 2)
Upcoming Titles Worth Watching
Here's a curated look at the most-talked-about horror films set to hit theaters through the end of the year:
- Final Destination: Bloodlines – May 16, 2025
The sixth installment revives the iconic franchise after a 14-year hiatus. Featuring Kaitlyn Santa Juana and the late Tony Todd in his final performance as William Bludworth. - M3GAN 2.0 – June 27, 2025
The killer AI doll returns in a high-tech sequel starring Allison Williams and Ivanna Sakhno. Expect chilling new upgrades and uncanny thrills. - 28 Years Later – June 20, 2025
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland continue the 28 Days Later saga with a survival horror set decades after the outbreak. Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor‑Johnson lead the cast. - I Know What You Did Last Summer (Requel) – July 18, 2025
A modern reimagining of the slash‑classic, featuring Madelyn Cline and Chase Sui Wonders. Slasher nostalgia meets fresh teen terror. - Together – July 30, 2025
Body horror meets relationship drama in Michael Shanks’s debut. Alison Brie and Dave Franco play a couple physically fused by a supernatural force. Acclaimed as darkly comedic and emotionally unsettling. - Weapons – August 8, 2025
Zach Cregger’s inventive horror thriller centers on the mysterious disappearance of 17 children. Critics hail it as the standout horror film of the year. - Witchboard – August 15, 2025
A supernatural horror remake exploring spiritual communication; details are limited but anticipation is high. - The Conjuring: Last Rites – September 5, 2025
The final chapter in The Conjuring saga featuring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as the Warrens confronting their last case—a real 1986 haunting. Annabelle makes a surprise appearance. - Saw XI – September 26, 2025
The infamous Jigsaw legacy continues as Tobin Bell returns under Kevin Greutert's direction. gore and moral traps assured. - Him – September 19, 2025
Produced by Monkeypaw, this sports‑horror tale stars Marlon Wayans and Tyriq Withers, blending athleticism and supernatural tension. - The Black Phone 2 – October 17, 2025
Scott Derrickson reunites with Ethan Hawke for a sequel exploring more psychic terror. Mason Thames returns as Finney. - Predator: Badlands – November 7, 2025
An emotional sci‑fi horror from Dan Trachtenberg starring Elle Fanning set on an alien world where survival meets legacy hunting. - Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 – December 5, 2025
The next chapter in the haunted pizzeria saga, with Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard returning in a chilling mystery sequel. - The Anaconda – December 25, 2025
A horror-comedy reboot starring Paul Rudd (and reportedly Jack Black), mixing creature feature scares with holiday mischief.
Trends & Themes Shaping 2025 Horror
- Sequels and legacy revivals dominate: Final Destination, I Know What You Did Last Summer, 28 Years Later, Saw, and Conjuring all return to expand their universes.
- Body horror redefined: Films like Together, Weapons, and The Ugly Stepsister push physical transformation into metaphorical territory.
- Tech fears meet genre: M3GAN 2.0 dives deeper into AI terror; the rise of hostile technology looms.
- Adaptation surge: Until Dawn and The Monkey display the industry's love for game and King-inspired horror.
- Fusion genres are flourishing—drama, satire, romance, and sci-fi all infused with horror, reflecting genre fluidity.