2019 is shaping up to be a fantastic year for lovers of horror. There is an excellent mix of sequels, remakes, and new films to keep us entertained and in theaters all year long. From new horror versions of superhero flicks to big screen adaptations of beloved 90’s kid horror books, there is sure to be a horror movie suited to your tastes this year.
Below we will take a look at 10 of these films certainly on my watch list. I hope they will be on yours as well! Please note this list only includes theatrical releases. Netflix, Hulu, and other streaming sites have even more amazing films slated for 2019. Let us know in the comments which films you are most excited for.
Six strangers receive invitations to participate in the world’s most immersive and challenging escape room for the chance to win $10,000. They soon discover that there may be a more sinister intent with deadly consequences of their actions in each room.
Having seen this film the day after its release, I highly recommend it. Although the scenario gets more and more far fetched as the story progresses, the main characters are sympathetic and it proves to be a fun and exciting watch. It felt like a combination of Final Destination and Saw. It was a wonderful way to start a year filled with great films!
2017’s Happy Death Day followed college student Tree Gelbman as she relived the day of her death over and over again until she could identify and stop her murderer. In this sequel, Tree is thrown back into the original loop to learn why it all began, and this time around, the dangers are even more intense.
While the trailer does not make this film seem drastically different from its predecessor, Happy Death Day 2U does looks like it will deliver more of the original’s wit and fun action.
Jordan Peele blew us away with Get Out in 2017. Now he has returned with an all-new horror film, Us. The official description is: “A mother and father take their kids to their beach house, expecting to enjoy time with friends, but their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some visitors arrive uninvited”.
The nondescript title and vague description give little insight into what exactly to expect. The trailer provides a few more clues: perhaps evil doppelgängers, murder, and something with bunnies. This film looks like it will be another intense installment from a director who excels at foreshadowing, creating sympathetic characters, and exploring relevant societal issues.
We all know the conventions of the super hero genre – an extraordinary individual comes to earth and protects humanity. Brightburn propels this type of film into the horror genre by asking what if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?
It has been years since the J-Horror craze hit Hollywood with American remakes of Ju-on, Ringu, and other popular titles. Grudge is set to be a reboot of the American series. Little is known about the specific plot as of yet, but the official description is: “a house is cursed by a vengeful ghost that dooms those who enter it with a violent death”.
The original films focused on non-linear tales of betrayal and revenge. They showed how devastation and wrath can extend beyond the grave to infect anyone who crosses its path. The current screenwriter is Jeff Buhler, whose body of work includes Midnight Meat Train and Pet Semetary (remake). I hope he brings his signature creepy style to the film.
Originally planned for an April 2018 release, fans have been waiting for the first horror X-men installment for a long time. The movie focuses on five young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will. They must fight to escape their past sins and save themselves.
The film highlights some talented young actors and actresses in the horror/sci-fi/fantasy genres – including Anya-Taylor Joy, Maisie Williams, and Charlie Heaton. As this Marvel film is being handled by 20th Century Fox instead of Disney, we can remain hopeful that it can successfully create a dark and terrifying atmosphere that will not devolve into camp.
Based on the beloved children’s novels by Alvin Schwartz of the 90’s, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark will include a mix of urban legends and folklore with a new story as the framing device. Produced by Academy Award winner, Guillermo del Toro, viewers can expect a visual style that hearkens back to the book’s original artwork and a wonderful blend of fantasy and horror.
This sequel will encompass the second half of the novel by author Stephen King. Set twenty-seven years after the initial film, “The Losers Club” members return to Derry to once again confront the evil entity that infects the town. It features a new adult cast in addition to flashbacks featuring their younger counterparts. As much of the same cast and crew return for this sequel, audiences can expect another solid film filled with terrifying sequences.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? is another film that looks to appeal to children of the 90’s and likely now their children as well. The filmmakers have released little regarding its plot or cast, but the original television series was an anthology of horror tales aimed at children and teens. It centered on a group of teens who met weekly to share tales of horror and fantasy. I cannot wait to learn more about what we can expect from this film.
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