6 Most Exciting Horror Movies Still To Come in 2025 (#4 Could Be Genuinely Traumatizing)

The back half of 2025 is going to be great for horror film fans. Several of the year’s most anticipated releases are still on the way, from legendary filmmakers, contemporary horror darlings, and even a few directorial debuts. The buzz for these movies is already strong, with word of mouth spreading thanks to early screenings and spooky trailers. Lately, the horror landscape has been more diverse than ever, and this year’s slate is no exception.

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We’re counting down seven titles that are likely to have fans chomping at the bit for theater tickets as the year heads into its scariest season. The slate includes: Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions exploring genres like sports-horror, Guillermo del Toro finally realizing his lifelong dream of adapting Mary Shelly’s novel, and more scary outings that fans are watching closely.

6) Him

Directed by Justin Tipping and co-written with Skip Bronkie and Zack Akers, Him is a bold combo of the sports movie and psychological horror. The film follows Cam, a promising young football player, invited to train at the secluded compound of retired star quarterback Isaiah White, played by Marlon Wayans. Alongside Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, Jim Jefferies, Naomi Grossman, Guapdad 4000, and rapper Tierra Whack, the cast is unusually eclectic for the genre. With the project being produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and distributed by Universal Pictures, it’s getting the full studio marketing treatment.

What has horror fans buzzing is the perfect marriage of Peele’s trusted production co., the serious stab at a sports horror, and a logline that hints at obsession, fame, and mentorship turned sinister. Online reactions to the trailer have been extremely positive, with many fans excited to see it. As the top YouTube comment puts it: “This movie takes never meet your heroes to the next level.” Given how Peele’s past projects (Get Out, Us, Nope) often layer social commentary into his genre stories, many are expecting that same approach; however, it’s important to note that this is ultimately Tipping’s film, with Peele as producer only. Him is scheduled for release on September 19th, 2025, in the U.S.

5) Shelby Oaks

Shelby Oaks is the feature debut of writer-director Chris Stuckmann, known to many fans as a popular YouTube film critic. The movie is a mix of found footage and classic filmmaking, and stars Camille Sullivan as Mia Brennan, who investigates the disappearance of her sister and a group of paranormal investigators called the Paranormal Paranoids. The cast also includes Brendan Sexton III, Michael Beach, Robin Bartlett, and Keith David. What began as an independent Kickstarter project ended up raising millions, thanks to Stuckmann’s passionate fan base eager to see his first full-length effort.

That early support only grew when acclaimed distribution company Neon came aboard and funded reshoots, allowing the production to add more practical gore effects that had been left out due to budget limitations. In an interview with CinemaBlend, Stuckmann confirmed that these reshoots brought the Shelby Oaks closer to his original vision, which was inspired by the horror film Lake Mungo. The movie has already screened at festivals like Fantasia, and critics are praising both its atmosphere and Sullivan’s performance. With a release date set for October 3rd, the project has transitioned from grassroots support to full-scale theatrical release fanfare.

4) Good Boy

Ben Leonberg will also make his directorial debut with Good Boy, which he co-wrote with Alex Cannon. The cast includes Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, genre veteran Larry Fessenden, and Leonberg’s own dog Indy, who plays the titular role. Uniquely, the movie is told partly from the dog’s perspective, who perceives supernatural entities that humans cannot see. The unusual approach has set fan discourse ablaze online, drawing attention from both horror fans and individuals who’ve had paranormal encounters involving their pets, which is apparently quite common.

The film premiered at Austin’s SXSW in March, where it earned early critical acclaim. Large outlets, such as People, even covered the trailer, helping to boost interest before its wider release. Distribution rights were acquired by IFC Films and Shudder, both of which have decent track records, ensuring both theatrical and streaming audiences will get access. A rare concept that seems to be totally original, Good Boy is set to arrive in U.S. theaters on October 3rd, 2025, competing with Shelby Oaks at the box office.

3) Bone Lake

Directed by Mercedes Bryce Morgan and written by Joshua Friedlander, Bone Lake stars Maddie Hasson, Alex Roe, Andra Nechita, and Marco Pigossi. The film follows a couple who book a romantic getaway at an isolated lakeside mansion, only to find themselves sharing it with another mysterious couple. Seduction, deception, and psychological manipulation quickly escalate into the danger zone. The film was produced by Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon and picked up by Bleecker Street for U.S. distribution.

Bone Lake premiered at Fantastic Fest in September 2024 and later screened at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, where it won the bronze Audience Award. Early reviews have mentioned the story’s fun combo of folk horror and relationship drama, reminiscent of Asri Aster’s Midsommar, but with even more frights. With Bone Lake’s release also set for October 3rd, the film will be positioned against both Good Boy and Shelby Oaks, and any horror superfans may want to consider a triple feature at their local theater.

2) Keeper

Directed by fan-favorite Osgood Perkins, Keeper stars Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland as a couple whose anniversary trip to a remote cabin goes south. After the husband leaves unexpectedly, the wife (Maslany) finds herself alone in the cabin, where she encounters a menacing presence. The screenplay is by Nick Lepard, with cinematography from Jeremy Cox and music by Edo Van Breemen.

Perkins, whose previous films Longlegs and The Monkey were also distributed by Neon, reunites with the company for a third time. Love for Perkins’ past work has generated tons of anticipation among genre fans entranced by Perkins’ devastating and atmospheric horror style. That, combined with Maslany’s reputation for stellar performances, means the movie has quickly risen to the top of many most-anticipated lists, and Neon has centered Keeper as one of this year’s marquee horror films. It is scheduled for release on November 14, 2025.

1) Frankenstein

Filmmaking legend Guillermo del Toro is finally bringing his long-planned adaptation of Shelley’s Frankenstein to screen, with a script he penned himself. The cast includes Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein, as well as a fully stacked supporting roster which includes Jacob Elordi (as the monster), Mia Goth, Felix Kammerer, Lars Mikkelsen, David Bradley, Charles Dance, and Christoph Waltz. Del Toro has publicly described this project as a passion piece, aiming to capture the gothic tone and themes of the 1818 novel. The film is a Netflix production with a reported budget of $120 million.

Fans have responded strongly to the teaser, especially praising the visuals and the creature design, which many have said evokes a return to Del Toro’s signature style, as seen in classics like Pan’s Labyrinth. Del Toro has emphasized that Frankenstein was built with an old-school, practical approach. The director was quoted in Variety saying, “I want real sets. I don’t want digital. I don’t want AI. I want old-fashioned craftsmanship,” and has overseen the construction of physical sets, props, and environments himself. Christoph Waltz, who plays Henrich Harlander, also praised the choice to minimize CGI, claiming “CGI is for losers” during press appearances.

The film is set for a limited theatrical release on October 17th, followed by a streaming release on Netflix on November 7th. Given del Toro’s resume, the cast, and the scale of the production, Frankenstein is widely being called one of the most anticipated horror films of the year.

Which of these are you planning to see in theaters? Let us know your most anticipated in a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!