[Editorial] Most Anticipated Horror Films of 2022

Horror in 2021 had plenty to offer everyone, from fiercely independent films to new, big franchise entries that all had an impact on audiences. Obviously, 2021 was far from a normal cinema-going year and at present, 2022 looks set to follow that pattern. However, that isn’t to say that there isn’t an opportunity to get excited about what the year has to offer. Without further ado, here are a selection of films the Ghouls want to put on your radar.

Any release dates given are correct at the time of publishing.

And before we get started, don’t forget to check out all of the articles by the contributors to this piece and follow them on their social channels for more of their work on other places!

• Kim Morrison: Articles | Twitter 

• Iona Smith: Articles | Twitter

• Ariel Powers-Schaub: Articles | Twitter

• Rebecca McCallum: Articles | Twitter

• Liz Bishop: Articles | Twitter

• Caitlyn Downs: Articles | Twitter

Scream

In cinemas from 14th January 2022

Director (s): Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett

Writer (s): James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick

Synopsis: Twenty-five years after the original series of murders in Woodsboro, a new killer emerges, and Sidney Prescott must return to uncover the truth.

Kim: Despite the confusing name, I am delighted we have another Scream movie on the way. The first two films were on repeat for me as a teenager, so I'm excited to take it back to the slashers of my youth.

Iona: 5cream, still can’t believe they didn’t use this on the promos! As a die-hard Sidney fan I can’t wait for this newest rendition in the franchise, even if it has declined in quality as the movies go along. I’m just praying that the writers finally bring Stu back from the “dead” as the big reveal (mainly because I adore Matthew Lillard and it’s been a long time coming)!

Ariel: Hardcore fan of the franchise, I can't wait to see where they take it next.

Rebecca: I feel as though this franchise always comes back strong and I am interested to see where they take Sydney next.

Liz: I should imagine every horror fan has this one on their list - the return of the trio is honestly going to be the highlight of my year, no matter what the film is like. I am really stoked to see Jack Quaid as he is amazing in The Boys, and I'm a fangirl for Kyle Gallner so that has me over the moon!

Caitlyn: I’m interested to see how they blend the original and new casts. Ready or Not was great, so I have high hopes for this.

Read Emma Platt’s editorials on the evolution of Gale Weathers and Sidney Prescott.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

On Netflix from 18th February 2022

Director (s): David Blue Garcia

Writer (s): Chris Thomas Devlin, Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues

Synopsis: After nearly 50 years of hiding, Leatherface returns to terrorize a group of idealistic young friends who accidentally disrupt his carefully shielded world in a remote Texas town.

Kim: The last couple of entries in the TCM universe have been a delight (I will fight you on this), so I can't wait to see what this new direct sequel is going to give us. Old man Leatherface and the return of Sally? What more could you want?!

Ariel: Will it be awesome? Will it suck? Who knows, but I will probably love it either way because I can't get enough of the TCM universe in my life.

Rebecca: Because I am an unashamed fan girl of TCM 74 and obviously a glutton for punishment getting excited for another 'spiritual sequel'! Seriously though, I’m keeping everything crossed that this one hits the mark in blending the successful elements of the original with hopefully some cool new ingredients.

Read Rebecca’s Sally Hardesty editorial.

Halloween Ends

In cinemas from 14th October 2022

Director (s): David Gordon Green

Writer (s): Chris Bernier and David Gordon Green

Synopsis: The saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode comes to a spine-chilling climax in this final installment of the franchise.

Kim: Halloween Kills definitely felt like the middle part of a story, so I cannot wait to see how this trilogy ends. There were a lot of cool ideas introduced in the second movie, and I'm hoping the ending will be worth the wait.

Rebecca: I am hoping for more Laurie in the spirit of 2018 where she absolutely softened my heart and rocked my world. I also just love sitting in the cinema waiting for the theme music to start – it is nostalgia heaven for me.

Caitlyn: While I didn’t care for a lot of Halloween Kills (an oversaturation of ideas with a lack of cohesion for the most part) the promise of more Laurie Strode still puts this on my list. For me, Laurie is the focal point for everything I enjoy about the film so I’m keen to see how her story evolves.

Read Jenn’s Halloween Kills editorial.

The Black Phone

June 2022

Director (s): Scott Derrickson

Writer (s): Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill and Joe Hill (based on the short story by)

Synopsis: After being abducted by a child killer and locked in a soundproof basement, a 13-year-old boy starts receiving calls on a disconnected phone from the killer's previous victims.

Kim: Considering Sinister is one of the scariest movies I have ever seen, I'm delighted to see Ethan Hawke and director Scott Derrickson team up again. It's also based on a short story by the wonderful Joe Hill, so I'm expecting nightmares all round.

Ariel: Based on the short story by Joe Hill, which I found legit scary, I can't wait to see how this is translated to the screen.

Rebecca: Because I have no idea what it’s about and that is rare these days.

Zoë: Sinister is one seriously underrated film, it’s both disturbing and fucking terrifying. And The Exorcism of Emily Rose is a film I’ve seen thousands of times but still get freaked out by. I feel like I’ve been waiting AGES for Derickson to do something else so this has got me super super excited.

Nope

July 2022

Director (s): Jordan Peele

Writer (s): Jordan Peele

Synopsis: Plot unknown

Iona: I think the most appealing thing about this film is how little is known about it. The fact that it’s a Jordan Peele film gives me hope though as I’m a big fan of his work, plus Steven Yeun is one of my favourite actors so here’s hoping it’ll be a hit!

Ariel: I am here for literally anything Jordan Peele wants to show us.

Caitlyn: I have loved Get Out, Us and Jordan Peele’s take on the Twilight Zone. Peele’s ability to blend horror and comedy while not compromising on either makes his work incredibly refreshing and exciting.

Hocus Pocus 2

Release month not yet announced

Director (s): Anne Fletcher

Writer (s): Jen D'Angelo

Synopsis: Three young women accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world.

Kim: Hocus Pocus has been a staple spooky movie since I was a kid, so I'm over the moon to dive back into the world of the Sanderson Sisters and desperately wish I lived in Salem.

Iona: I know it’s not really a “horror” film, but the original Hocus Pocus was one of my favourite Halloween films as a child. I’m really looking forward to the nostalgia hit that this sequel will hopefully give me.

Don’t Worry Darling 

September 2022

Director (s): Olivia Wilde

Writer (s): Katie Silberman, Carey Van Dyke and Shane Van Dyke

Synopsis: A 1950's housewife living with her husband in a utopian experimental community begins to worry that his glamorous company may be hiding disturbing secrets.

Liz: Olivia Wilde's directorial debut Booksmart was an instant favourite for me, so the fact that she is now directing a thriller/horror with my favourite actress of all time Florence Pugh is SO exciting to me. The teaser trailer that dropped gave me all over goosebumps - can't wait to see more!

Rebecca: Florence Pugh - enough said.

Salem’s Lot

September 2022

Director (s): Gary Dauberman

Writer (s): Gary Dauberman

Synopsis: A writer travels to a town where the people become vampires.

Iona: As a long time Stephen King fan I love any and all adaptations of his books to the big and small screens, no matter how terrible. But with the recent successes of IT (Chapter 1 and 2), Pet Semetary, and Gerald’s Game, I’m looking forward to a new version of Salem’s Lot; here’s to bringing back actually scary vampires!

Zoë: I used to absolutely hate remakes but there have been so many amazing ones lately, and some really great Stephen King visions have been brought to life in stunning detail. Salem’s Lot was a vampire film that genuinely scared the shit out of me when I was younger so I’m super stoked to see what’s coming with this reimagining! 

Prey

Release month not yet announced

Director (s): Dan Trachtenberg

Writer (s): Patrick Aison

Synopsis: The origin story of the Predator in the world of the Comanche Nation 300 years ago. Naru, a skilled female warrior, fights to protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth.

Iona: Being advertised as the “origin story of Predator” didn’t give me much hope for this film, but looking further into what has been released in the plot synopsis, I’m quite intrigued. The lead protagonist is a Comanche Nation warrior called Naru who goes against the Predator in a battle of wits and weapons; I’m just relieved it’s not another white male saviour in an action horror to be honest.

Nightmare Alley

In cinemas from January 21st 2022

Director (s): Guillermo del Toro

Writer (s): Guillermo del Toro, Kim Morgan and William Lindsay Gresham (based on the novel by)

Synopsis: An ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is.

Liz: I am a HUGE Guillermo Del Toro fan - his films are always so visually stunning and unique in their storytelling. The cast is amazing too - maybe Queen Toni Collette will finally get that Oscar she deserves?!

Something In the Dirt

World Premiere at Sundance 2022

Director (s): Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead

Writer (s): Justin Benson 

Synopsis: When neighbours John and Levi witness supernatural events in their Los Angeles apartment building, they realize documenting the paranormal could inject some fame and fortune into their wasted lives. An ever-deeper, darker rabbit hole, their friendship frays as they uncover the dangers of the phenomena, the city and each other.

Caitlyn: Your tolerance for pandemic projects may make all the difference on this one. For me, Benson and Moorhead are two of the most exciting talents working in film and have always worked well under constraints. Now signed up for Marvel TV show Moon Knight with Oscar Isaac it seemed unlikely we would get more of their stripped-back, human-led sci-fi, but happily, there seems to be more to unearth this year.

Zoë: YESSSSSSS! I am a stan for Justin and Aaron and will literally sell my soul for whatever they do. Resolution was a film that for years I was screaming about and no-one listened so seeing their popularity rise with The Endless really made me happy. Two of my fav directors so I cannot wait to see what they bring to us this time!

We’re All Going to the World’s Fair

Festival runs throughout 2021 and wider release in January 2022

Director (s): Jane Schoenbrun

Writer (s): Jane Schoenbrun

Synopsis: Alone in her attic bedroom, teenager Casey becomes immersed in an online role-playing horror game, wherein she begins to document the changes that may or may not be happening to her.

Ariel: I saw this film this year, through Horrible Imaginings Film Fest, and it's getting a release in January 2022. It's unique and engaging and really captivating, and I can't wait for more people to see it so we can talk about it.

Read Ariel’s review.

Midnight

Festival runs throughout 2021 and on Blu-ray from Eureka! in March 2022

Director (s): Oh-Seung Kwon

Writer (s): Oh-Seung Kwon

Synopsis: A deaf mother and daughter interrupt a serial psychopath as he attempts to claim his next victim, only to find his wrath redirected toward them instead.

Liz: I was lucky enough to catch Midnight as part of Fantasia Festival this year and absolutely loved it. It's a Korean serial-killer thriller with perhaps the most captivating (and beautiful) antagonist I've seen in a long time. It's a film that will have you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Read Liz’ review of Midnight.

These are just a few films that some of the team are looking forward to, but obviously, we’d welcome more tips. Let us know what else we should be putting on our watchlists!

To let us know your fav films of 2022 head over to Twitter and respond to us in the comments

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