Top 20 Anticipated Horror Movies of 2023
#20: “V/H/S/85”
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Release Date: TBA 2023 The found footage genre isn’t as popular as it was ten years ago, but thankfully the medium is inexpensive enough to continually satisfy horror hounds. Cue streaming services like Shudder which has been distributing the last few entries in the long-running “V/H/S” franchise. One of the great things about these movies is that it allows both established and up-and-coming horror directors to produce frightening short films, and “V/H/S/85” has some of the most notable names yet. First, David Bruckner will be returning to the franchise after giving us the terrific “The Ritual” and “The Night House.” Then, “Sinister” and “Doctor Strange” director Scott Derrickson will be staying with the genre after last year’s “The Black Phone.”
#19: “Cuckoo”
Release Date: September 29, 2023 [US] Almost nothing is known plot-wise about this one, but it’s managed to accumulate some buzz in the horror community anyway. The film stars Hunter Schafer, who’s been slaying it on “Euphoria” for the last few years. This’ll mark her live-action big screen debut, ahead of her appearance in “The Hunger Games” prequel. Also in the film is Dan Stevens, who quietly looks to continue his solid foray into horror after “Apostle” and “The Rental.” Also showing up will be rising star Jessica Henwick, who we’re excited to see fully dive into the genre after the pseudo sci-fi / horror movie “Underwater.”
#18: “Enys Men”
Release Date: March 31, 2023 [US] Folk horror seems to be making something of a comeback in recent years, so look for “Enys Men” to continue that trend. Mark Jenkin’s feature has already been released in the UK after premiering at Cannes in 2022, and the reviews seem to match how good it already looks. The movie is shot to look like it was filmed when it’s set, 1973, which only gives us even more of a “Wicker Man” vibe. This one follows a woman studying a rare flower on an island off the coast of Cornwall, only to be besieged by strange goings on and nightmare imagery. This already looks like an enigma, and we can’t wait to solve it.
#17: “Dark Harvest”
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Release Date: TBA Okay, this one has us wondering when and if it’ll actually come out, but the premise is so spooky that we just had to put it on our Top 20. Originally scheduled for release in September 2021 and 2022, “Dark Harvest” is based on the novel of the same name by Norman Partridge. It’s set in a small midwestern town with a dark tradition; every year, young men must participate in the hunt for a pumpkin-headed creature named October Boy. The truth behind the ritual however may be far darker than it appears. Let’s just hope this one really does come out and is as good as it sounds.
#16: “Time Cut”
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Release Date: TBA Christopher Landon has been carving out a nice niche for himself on the comedy-horror scene, directing a few well-received slasher hybrids like the “Happy Death Day” movies and “Freaky.” While Landon will only be serving as a producer this time around, this one is also coming from his “Freaky” co-writer Michael Kennedy. If that pedigree doesn’t get you excited enough, this Netflix offering is being described as “Back to the Future” meets “Scream.” “Happy Death Day 2U” proved surprisingly effective at leaning more into the sci-fi elements, but not so much that it sacrifices the horror angle. We have no doubt that “Time Cut” can do the same.
#15: “Shelby Oaks”
Release Date: July 2023 [US] YouTube has only expanded the way fans can interact with their favorite movies, so it makes sense that avenue would lead to the silver screen directly. Prominent YouTube critic Chris Stuckmann is set to make his feature directorial debut with “Shelby Oaks,” which he also wrote. The story follows a woman named Mia who goes searching for her sister who went missing along with her paranormal investigation team. When Mia gets close to the truth, she learns that an imaginary demon from her childhood may not have been imaginary after all. Intriguing setup notwithstanding, this one has Stuckmann’s fanbase very excited, and we’re not ones to argue.
#14: “The Last Voyage of the Demeter”
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Release Date: August 11, 2023 [US] Bram Stoker’s “Dracula” has been adapted time and time again - including in the movie “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” - but one subplot of the novel that’s always seemed ripe for further exploration is the “Captain’s Log” segment. As you’ll recall, the original story sees Dracula set sail for England after hosting Jonathan Harker in his castle. Along the way, he feasts on nearly the entire crew of the Demeter, making for a ghostly site when it finally docks. A movie about a ship being haunted by a vampire is enough to get us intrigued, but this one comes from director André Øvredal, who’s already given us solid outings like “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” and “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark.”
#13: “The Pope’s Exorcist”
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Release Date: April 7, 2023 [US] We’re not sure we need to sell you on this one beyond the title, but we’ll try. True to its name, “The Pope’s Exorcist” will tell the story of an exorcist who worked within the Vatican. Not just any exorcist, though, but the real-life Father Gabriele Amorth, who’s said to have performed thousands upon thousands of exorcisms over his decades-long career. Russell Crowe will be playing Amorth himself, whereas Julius Avery is behind the director’s chair. We don’t know if this one will be a campy good time like Avery’s other horror-adjacent offering, “Overlord,” but at least we know it’s in capable hands.
#12: “The Deliverance”
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Release Date: TBA We’ve already highlighted works from prominent directors in the genre, but it’s not every day you get a horror movie from a critically acclaimed filmmaker like Lee Daniels. This one, supposedly based on a true story, reunites Daniels with his “United States vs. Billie Holiday” star Andra Day, who plays a mother whose children become possessed. Daniels will also once again work with “Precious” Oscar-winner Mo’Nique, who will reportedly be playing a social worker, which is kinda ironic if you’ve seen the aforementioned film. Seriously, this Netflix movie has a stacked cast, as it also includes Aunjanue Ellis, Omar Epps and Glenn freaking Close. We’re willing to bet this “Deliverance” will be much more fun to watch than the other “Deliverance.”
#11: Untitled “The Strangers” Film
Release Date: TBA 2008’s “The Strangers,” while not a critical darling, has become a cult favorite. It remains an incredibly unnerving home invasion movie whose plausibility can make anyone fearful of isolation. We finally got a sequel a decade later with “Prey at Night,” but fans have still been jonesing for more “Strangers.” Well, say no more, as Lionsgate has commissioned not one, not two, but three more “Strangers” movies to be filmed back-to-back-to-back. They’re all helmed by veteran filmmaker Renny Harlin, with the first expected sometime in 2023. This time out, a young couple moving across the country will be terrorized at a remote Airbnb, bringing things back to terrifying basics.
#10: “Insidious: Fear the Dark”
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Release Date: July 7, 2023 [US] While not as big as “The Conjuring,” the “Insidious” movies also made quite a name for themselves on the paranormal horror scene in the 2010s. It’s been five years since the last installment, and ten since the Lambert family was majorly featured. Indeed, Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne and Ty Simpkins will be returning for this one, with Wilson himself making his directorial debut behind the camera. Obviously this time out, the young Dalton will be college age, and the film will revolve around his Further-dwelling demons following him and his father Josh to university. We already kinda fear the dark, so we’re sure “Insidious” will only make it that much more pronounced.
#9: “The Boogeyman”
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Release Date: June 2, 2023 [US] Great, just what we need to help us sleep even better this summer. And yes, that was complete sarcasm. Stephen King has given the world enough nightmares to last generations, so you gotta know his take on the Boogeyman will be something extra. Adapted from King’s short story, this one follows a man and his two daughters grieving from the recent death of the family matriarch. In comes the original thing that goes bump in the night to scare them straight. Originally slated for Hulu, this one has instead been shifted for theaters, the prime viewing atmosphere. As if we needed any more faith in this one, it’s been penned by the writers of “A Quiet Place.” So there.
#8: “The Nun 2”
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Release Date: September 8, 2023 [US] James Wan is already having a big 2023 on the producorial side of things. In addition to “M3GAN” and “Insidious,” he’s also got one more offering later on this list. But few movies get our skin crawling like those in “The Conjuring” Universe. Helmed by Michael Chaves, who previously handled the universe’s “Curse of La Llorona” and “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” “The Nun 2” sees modern horror icon Valak return to cause more mischief. Also returning is lead actor Taissa Farmiga, who continues to follow in her sister Vera’s footsteps in the universe at large.
#7: “Renfield”
Release Date: April 7, 2023 [US] Nicolas Cage may not actually be a vampire in real life - maybe - but he was definitely meant to play one. He played one in “Vampire’s Kiss” - sorta - but now he’s playing the mother of all bloodsuckers himself: Dracula. This horror comedy update on the mythos stars Nicholas Hoult as the titular servant to the Count, long-looking to break free from his master’s thrall. Along the way, he’ll encounter characters played by the likes of Awkwafina and Ben Schwartz, proving that this reimagining will have quite the funny bone. We had no idea we needed this, but boy do we need this.
#6: “Haunted Mansion”
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Release Date: August 11, 2023 [US] While nostalgic viewing for some, 2003’s “The Haunted Mansion” isn’t nearly as good as the other movie based on a Disney park ride that came out that year. Impossible comparisons aside, the Mouse House looks to give the attraction a movie to really scream about twenty years later with this new adaptation. A more family-friendly version of the classic haunted house narrative, this one will see a single mom, played by Rosario Dawson, enlist a handful of kooky characters to exorcise their newly acquired mansion. The supporting cast alone has us psyched, from LaKeith Stanfield, to Owen Wilson, to Tiffany Haddish, Danny DeVito, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jared Leto, Winona Ryder, and Dan Levy, just to name a lot.
#5: “Saw X”
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Release Date: October 27, 2023 [US] Few horror franchises make it to ten installments without being relegated to the home market along the way. In the spirit of “Jason X” and “Fast X,” “Saw X” will celebrate the milestone in a big way, though unlike those franchises, this one probably won’t go to outer space. After the franchise pivoted in 2021 with “Spiral,” this one looks to be getting back to basics, and getting back its biggest star, Jigsaw. Tobin Bell returns to play the horror icon, despite the character being dead for some seventeen years now. Also returning is director Kevin Greutert, who helmed the sixth and seventh installments. Will “Saw X” be the one to finally reignite the series? Only time will tell.
#4: “Salem’s Lot”
Release Date: TBA The questionable post-production of this one kept it from getting a full entry on our last list, but if it’s as good as it already is in our heads, this could be the Stephen King adaptation we’ve been waiting for. “Salem’s Lot” had two prior release dates for September 2022 in April 2023 - losing the latter to our number two entry - but is currently waiting in limbo. Whatever’s going on behind-the-scenes, Warner Bros. should know we’re anxiously awaiting this one. It comes from writer-director Gary Dauberman, who penned multiple “Conjuring” spin-offs in addition to helming “Annabelle Comes Home.” Suffice it to say, whenever this one comes out, you can bet we’ll be buying a ticket.
#3: “Beau Is Afraid”
Release Date: April 28, 2023 [US] Will audiences be afraid of this surrealist comedy horror film? Maybe not, but it is coming from the director who gave us two of the most unnerving movies of the 2010s, Ari Aster. Originally titled “Disappointment Blvd,” this follow-up to Aster’s “Hereditary” and “Midsommar” stars Joaquin Phoenix, seemingly as multiple versions of a man named Beau, whose journey home takes a strange supernatural turn. Further solidifying the comedy angle of this one is a cast that includes the likes of Nathan Lane, Richard Kind, Patti LuPone, Amy Ryan and Parker Posey. “Beau Is Afraid” looks wild, and knowing Aster, it’ll definitely be memorable.
#2: “Evil Dead Rise”
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Release Date: April 21, 2023 [US] The fact that this is only the fifth “Evil Dead” film is a crime, but we’ll take what we can get after waiting a whole decade since the last one. Originally slated to come out on HBO Max, “Evil Dead Rise” was delayed slightly to prep for a full theatrical release, which can only be a good sign. In a change of scenery, this “Evil Dead” will be trading the isolated cabin setting for a cramped LA apartment complex. Coupled with the change of scenery, the premise too has us intrigued, as it’ll follow a young woman who seeks to aid her possessed sister and save the latter’s kids. Let’s just hope we don’t have to wait another ten years for “Evil Dead 6.”
#1: Untitled “The Exorcist” Film
Release Date: October 13, 2023 [US] Many people often forget that the groundbreaking original has a whole slew of sequels, with this being the sixth installment - or fifth, depending on who you ask. While the franchise has had more downs than ups, there’s reason to get excited for this one. For starters, it comes just in time to celebrate the fifty-year anniversary of the original. Second, it’s being helmed by David Gordon Green, who recently gave us the new trilogy of “Halloween” movies. While the last two of those had their issues, Green looks to apply much the same formula here, developing again a new trilogy to follow up the first. Here’s hoping he and returning star Ellen Burstyn have even better success.
