Best New Horror Movies Coming Out in 2023 Because Spooky Season Is All Year Long
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Last year's scary movies will be tough to beat — from the new Scream to Terrifier 2 and The Black Phone — there were plenty of thrills and chills to be had. But horror fans can rest easy in knowing that 2023 will be another hauntingly good year for the genre. From dark takes on classic children's stories to reboots of hit horror franchises from the '70s, this year will have you peeking out from under the covers for months to come.
For die-hard horror fanatics, scary movies aren't just for October, which is why we compiled a list of highly anticipated scary movies premiering all year long. Keep checking back here regularly, as we'll be updating it in real-time when new movies are announced and trailers drop on YouTube.
M3GAN
When it premieres: January 6, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: If you're a fan of the Child's Play movies or that creepy Black Mirror episode with Miley Cyrus and the doll, then this is the movie for you. What happens when a robotic, anthropomorphic doll becomes a little girl's new best friend? Nothing good.
MORE: 10 M3GAN Costume Ideas to Slay (and Serve Dance Moves) In This Halloween
The Pale Blue Eye
When it premieres: January 6, 2023 on Netflix
What it's about: This ominous movie follows a detective named Augustus Landor (Christian Bale) who is investigating the homicide of a West Point cadet. When he realizes the victim's fellow cadets won't help him solve the case, Augustus enlists the help of one cadet, a young man known as Edgar Allan Poe (Harry Melling) — yes, that Edgar Allan Poe.
FYI, Harry Melling is best-known for playing the vile Dudley Dursley in the Harry Potter movies, so getting to see him in a totally different type of role sounds like a real treat.
Sick
When it premieres: January 13, 2023 on Peacock
What it's about: Two friends decide to quarantine at a secluded lake house during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, they're not alone and soon find themselves being stalked by a sinister person.
Kevin Williamson, aka the writer of Scream, co-wrote this movie with Katelyn Crabb. The film stars Gideon Adlon, who played Becca on Netflix's canceled-too-soon series, The Society.
Snow Falls
When it premieres: January 17, 2023 On Demand
What it's about: Featuring Aaron Samuels from Mean Girls, aka actor Jonathan Bennett, this Colton Tran-directed horror film follows five friends who get snowed in at an isolated cabin over New Year's Eve and slowly start to go mad.
There's Something Wrong With the Children
When it premieres: January 17, 2023 on MGM+
What it's about: Two sets of couples go on a weekend trip with their kids, but the fun times don't last after the children disappear into the woods. When the kids are found, one of the adults believes something sinister and supernatural is going on with them.
Teen Wolf: The Movie
When it premieres: January 26, 2023 on Paramount+
What it's about: This movie revival of the hit MTV series that ended in 2017 reunites most of Teen Wolf's original cast.
A new evil emerging in Beacon Hills brings old friends and allies back together to fight a deadly enemy.
MORE: Everything We Know About Teen Wolf: The Movie
Infinity Pool
When it premieres: January 27, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: If you missed seeing Mia Goth play super creepy in films like X and its prequel, Pearl, then this sci-fi thriller is for you.
Featuring Mia and Big Little Lies star Alexander Skarsgård, this film follows a wealthy couple enjoying a vacation on an island resort. However, after an accident happens outside the resort grounds that turns their happy world upside, they must fight for survival.
The society's zero-tolerance policy for crime leaves them two options: be executed or pay an ungodly amount of money to watch yourself die.
Skinamarink
When it premieres: Streaming exclusively on Shudder February 2, 2023 (Release in theaters began January 13, 2023)
What it's about: In the middle of the night, two siblings awake and learn their father is missing and their house's doors and windows are gone. As the night progresses, the kids notice that more objects in their home begin vanishing, too.
If you think this is going to be like other horror movies you've seen, guess again.
Knock at the Cabin
When it premieres: February 3, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: A vacationing family of three minding their own business are soon taken hostage by a gang of four mysterious strangers. According to them, the family must make a choice to stop the apocalypse from happening.
This M. Night Shyamalan-directed movie that stars Harry Potter's Rupert Grint is based on Paul Tremblay's 2018 novel, The Cabin at the End of the World.
Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey
When it premieres: February 15, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet are NOT your friends in this slasher movie about the Hundred Acre Wood characters.
After Christopher Robin (Nikolai Leon) leaves his childhood friends to go to college, they feel abandoned and quickly turn murderous. Their rampage hits a new high, though, when Christopher eventually returns to the forest to introduce his old friends to his new wife.
Cocaine Bear
When it premieres: February 24, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: What's more terrifying than coming face-to-face with a bear? Coming face-to-face with a bear that's high on cocaine and "out of its mind."
Based on a true story (yes, really!), this horror-comedy follows a bear who consumed a bunch of coke and goes on a drug-fueled killing spree.
Children of the Corn
When it premieres: March 3 (in theaters), March 21 (On Demand and digital)
What it's about: Creepy kids go on a killing spree in a small Nebraska town after the adults ruin the community's crops. However, one teen refuses to join the gang of killer kids, which quickly creates tension in the town.
Scream VI
When it premieres: March 10, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: A follow-up to the 2022 smash hit Scream, this sixth installment follows the four survivors who ditch the fictional town of Woodsboro to start a new life in New York City. Naturally, though, they can't escape Ghostface's clutches.
Wednesday star Jenna Ortega reprises her role as Tara, and Scream 4's Hayden Panettiere returns to the franchise as Kirby. Unfortunately, the saga's beloved "final girl," Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), will not return due to disagreements over salary.
The new teaser reveals that Ghostface has followed the survivors to Manhattan, as they ride a crowded subway car on Halloween night. With most everyone dressed in costume, it's almost easy to miss the masked villain — but then they strike.
The Pope's Exorcist
When it premieres: April 14, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: Russell Crowe stars as real-life figure Father Gabriele Amorth, a priest who performed more than 100,000 exorcisms before he passed away in 2016.
This film is inspired by his one of his cases about a possessed boy and the centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has tried to keep secret.
Renfield
When it premieres: April 14, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: Remember when the entire internet freaked out over those pics of Nicolas Cage walking around New Orleans dressed as Dracula? Well, it was for this movie. For those who don't know the original Dracula story by Bram Stoker (or haven't seen the 1931 Universal classic), Renfield is Dracula's henchman.
Renfield is a horror-comedy that follows the exploits of Renfield (Nicholas Hoult), who ditches his job working for Dracula (Nicolas Cage) after he falls in love with a traffic cop named Rebecca Quincy (Awkwafina).
Beau Is Afraid
When it premieres: April 21, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: If you prefer "elevated horror," aka "scary but with complex emotional and thematic underpinnings" like Jenna Ortega's character describes in the opening of Scream, then this is the movie for you.
Written and directed by Ari Aster, the same person who gave us Hereditary and Midsommar, his new film follows the life of a successful entrepreneur who has some serious mommy issues. How does that plot make for a scary movie? Check out the bonkers trailer below and see for yourself.
Evil Dead Rise
When it premieres: April 21, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: The fifth installment in the Evil Dead franchise, this movie is about two estranged sisters whose reunion is cut short when they're forced to battle sinister creatures known as Deadites.
Clock
When it premieres: April 28, 2023 on Hulu
What it's about: Glee's Dianna Agron stars in this movie about a woman who, pressured to have children, agrees to participate in a clinical trial to fix her seemingly broken biological clock.
The Boogeyman
When it premieres: June 2, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: Based on the short story of the same name by Stephen King, The Boogeyman is about two siblings who are reeling from the death of the mother. But when an ominous presence enters their lives, they beg their grieving father to take heed before something terrible happens.
Follow Her
When it premieres: June 2, 2023 in theaters and On Demand
What it's about: This indie thriller shows the true horrors of social media. Jess, a successful streamer who secretly films people and posts those clips online, is hired by Tom to finish a screenplay. The first red flag? They do so in a secluded cabin. The second red flag? Tom is definitely not what he seems. How far would you go for fame?
Devilreaux
When it premieres: June 9, 2023 in theaters and On Demand
What it's about: After a group of teenagers accidentally awaken a forbidden voodoo, they soon realize a series of murders from the 1800s are about to be avenged.
The film stars Tony Todd, aka the OG Candyman from the cult '90s movie, The Candyman.
Jagged Mind
When it premieres: June 15, 2023 on Hulu
What it's about: In this queer psychological horror thriller, Billie finds herself stuck in time loops, a situation that may be connected to her mysterious new girlfriend.
The Blackening
When it premieres: June 16, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: A group of friends look forward to a fun get-together over the Juneteenth weekend, but their reunion quickly takes a dark turn when one of their own is kidnapped. In order to save their friend, they must play a twisted game with a sadistic killer. This horror-comedy spoofs several slasher movie tropes, including ones that involve Black people in horror movies.
Run Rabbit Run
When it premieres: June 28, 2023 on Netflix
What it's about: Succession star Sarah Snook plays a fertility doctor whose beliefs get put to the test when her daughter starts acting strangely.
Insidious: The Red Door
When it premieres: July 7, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: Also called Insidious 5, the newest installment in the franchise takes place a decade after the first two movies — Insidious and Insidious: Chapter 2 — oldest son Dalton starts college and what he hopes is an idyllic life, only to be haunted by the demons from his past.
Bird Box Barcelona
When it premieres: July 14, 2023 on Netflix
What it's about: A follow-up to the 2018 Sandra Bullock movie, this film takes us to Spain for a new, terrifying adventure. Like in the first movie, an evil entity causes anyone who sees it to take their own life — forcing people to blindfold themselves if they ever need to go outside. This movie tells the survival story of one man and his daughter.
If you still haven't seen the OG Bird Box, stream it now.
Cobweb
When it premieres: July 21, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: When Peter hears a terrifying tapping sound coming from his bedroom wall, his parents tell him it's just his imagination. However, Peter soon realizes his parents may be hiding a dark, horrifying secret.
The film stars Lizzy Caplan of Mean Girls fame and Antony Starr from The Boys.
Haunted Mansion
When it premieres: July 28, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: This movie is great for people who aren't super into horror, but still like a little scare now and then. It's inspired by the classic Disney Parks ride of the same name.
Set in New Orleans, this film follows a single mom and her son who buy an affordable mansion (in this economy?!), but quickly realize their new home is haunted.
This movie is seemingly unconnected to the 2003 Disney movie, The Haunted Mansion, which starred Eddie Murphy. But, if you want to get into the spooky spirit early, you can watch that movie on Disney+ right now.
Talk to Me
When it premieres: July 28, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: This Australian horror film had its international premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2023.
Talk to Me is a supernatural movie about a group of friends who hold a séance using an embalmed hand (yes, really) and become addicted to the experience. Unsurprisingly, when you mess with the spirt world, it's eventually going to mess with you back.
Meg 2: The Trench
When it premieres: August 4, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: Many of the ragtag crew from the first Meg movie (those who survived, that is) are back for more monstrous adventures with everyone's favorite ginormous shark. Think Jurassic Park, but in the ocean.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
When it premieres: August 11, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: The year 2023 is a good one for fans of Count Dracula! First Renfield, and now this movie.
Based on a single chapter — "The Captain's Log" — from Bram Stoker's Dracula novel, The Last Voyage of the Demeter tells the story of a cargo ship's journey from Transylvania to London. During their travels, the crew of the Demeter are stalked by an evil entity onboard their ship that will kill anything in its path.
The Nun II
When it premieres: September 8, 2023 in theaters
What it's about: Taissa Farmiga reprises her role as Sister Irene from the first Nun movie. Joining her in this sequel is Euphoria star Storm Reid, who plays a nun-in-training.
Sister Irene managed to survive her encounter with the demon known as Valak in the first movie, but now Irene's friend, Maurice (Jonas Bloquet), is possessed by Valak.
A Haunting in Venice
When it premieres: September 15, 2023
What it's about: The third film in the Agatha Christie cinematic universe — the first two being Murder on the Orient Express and Death on the Nile — actor and director Kenneth Branagh is back as famous detective Hercule Poirot.
Based on the novel Hallowe'en Party, A Haunting in Venice follows Poirot, now retired from detective work, thrown back into the field when a murder happens during a séance he attends.
Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, and Jamie Dornan co-star in the spooky murder mystery.
It Lives Inside
When it premieres: September 22, 2023
What it's about: From the producers of Get Out, this new movie follows an Indian-American teen who is going through a lot right now. Due to struggling with her cultural identity and losing her best friend to a falling out, she inadvertently releases a demon that gets strength from her loneliness.
The Exorcist: Believer
When it premieres: October 13, 2023
What it's about: Fifty years after the original The Exorcist premiered in theaters, a new sequel is joining the franchise. This particular film will be a direct sequel to the 1973 classic, according to Bloody Disgusting.
In April 2023, the first trailer was released at CinemaCon (but not online yet, boo). Per The Hollywood Reporter that saw the trailer, the movie will follow two kids who are taken over by the Devil.
Five Nights at Freddy's
When it premieres: October 27, 2023
What it's about: Based on the beloved (and spooky!) video game series, a film adaptation will premiere simultaneously in theaters and on Peacock in October, according to producer Jason Blum.
The storyline follows a security guard who gets a job working the night shift at Freddy Fazbear's Pizza (which is a similar set up to Chuck E. Cheese). While working, the guard realizes the establishment's four animatronic mascots turn homicidal after midnight.
MORE: Everything We Know About the Five Nights at Freddy's Movie
Saw X
When it premieres: October 27, 2023
What it's about: This movie is a "midquel," as reported by Dexerto, set between the stories happening in the OG Saw and Saw II.
Stars Tobin Bell (Jigsaw/John Kramer) and Shawnee Smith (Amanda, Jigsaw's accomplice featured in Saw I-IV) are reprising their roles.
Plot details for the movie are being kept under wraps for now, but if Jigsaw himself is back, we're pumped!
MORE: Here Are All the Saw Movies in Order
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