Anya-Taylor Joy as Margot and Nicholas Hoult as Tyler in 'The Menu'
(Searchlight Pictures)

6 Upcoming Horror Movies That Look Terrifying (And We Can’t Wait)

Let's slash our way through

If this year has given us anything to chew on, it’s horror content with range! From the return of slasher franchises like Scream or Texas Chainsaw Massacre (which sparked the most controversy) to original horror like Fresh (2022), Barbarian (2022), or The Black Phone (2022). How many more horror movies are coming out before the end of year to early January? What do we have to look forward to?

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From the looks of it, there’s going to be something for everybody. No matter what subgenre you adore the most, there’ll definitely be something to devour from November–early 2023. Here are some upcoming horror movies that may scare you.

The Menu (2022)

Release date: November 18th

Plot: “A young couple travels to a remote island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.”

– Searchlight Pictures

Talk about a stacked cast and a very interesting premise that apparently dives into classism. Given the film falls into horror-comedy territory, we’re in for a real ride and some laughs. Any horror movie involving food can go to certain places (you know what I’m talking about), so we’ll see if this film goes there. What I do know for certain is that Anya Taylor-Joy is so good at horror. And I’ll never stop thinking about Tony from Skins (UK) when I see Nicholas Hoult.

Bones and All (2022)

Release date: November 18th

Plot: “The film follows cannibalistic lovers Maren and Lee as they embark on a road trip across America.”

– Metro Goldwyn-Mayer

Cannibals? Road trips? An absurd love story? Sign me up! It’s hard not to love the exploration of themes that are controversial. Like cannibalism for instance! Apparently, the film is based on a book of the same name. Book adaptations can be really hit or miss but judging by the trailer and the fact that Luca Guadagnino directed the film—we’re in for a lot of shocking bloody moments. Plus, the cast looks pretty fucking great!

Play Dead (2022)

imogen in PLL: Original Sin
(HBO Max)

Release date: December 1st

Plot: “Criminology student Chloe fakes her own death to break into a morgue, in order to retrieve a piece of evidence that ties her younger brother to a crime gone wrong. Once inside, she quickly learns that the fearsome Coroner uses the morgue as a front for a sick and twisted business. As a frightening game of cat and mouse ensues, Isabel will discover that the scariest thing about the morgue is not the dead, but the living.”

– IMDB

Bailee Madison is on a roll with her presence in horror! She was a big highlight of The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018) and is a main cast member in the hit teen slasher series, Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin. Apparently, this film is rather disturbing (Bailee Madison’s sister got freaked out when she saw it) and the premise is pretty original.

Note: The photo is of Bailee Madison’s character, Imogen from PLL: Original Sin.

Christmas Bloody Christmas (2022)

Release date: December 9th

Plot: Tori just wants to get drunk and party on Christmas Eve, but she’s forced into a battle for survival when a robotic Santa Claus at a nearby toy store begins a killing spree in her small town.

– Shudder

Slasher lovers can rejoice with this upcoming flick! We’re being given a killer robotic Santa, what more is there to ask for? The movie looks so bloody and batshit that it’s guaranteed to be a good time in some capacity. After all, we’re allowed to enjoy fun horror movies that don’t have a lot of depth to them. And it’s being released by Shudder (which is one of the best streaming services out there).

Scream 6 (2023)

mindy meeks-martin in Scream 5
(Paramount Pictures)

Release date: March 10th

Plot: “Four survivors of the original Ghostface killings attempt leave Woodsboro behind for a fresh start.”

– Paramount Pictures

After the success of Scream 5 (2022) it didn’t take long for the news of Scream 6 to be dropped. Which is going to be set in New York and marks the return of fan favorite, Kirby (Hayden Panettiere). The surviving members from the killing spree in 5 will also be returning. Unfortunately, our final girl fave Neve Campbell won’t be returning to this entry. Which is a shame and a totally different conversation altogether. Regardless, we’ll be getting Ghostface in NY and they’ll spend more time there than Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. 

M3GAN (2023)

Release date: January 6th

Read more about the film here because hey, it keeps me from repeating myself! Also, enjoy some memes while you’re at it.

Movies that were previously on the list:

  • NOPE (2022)
  • Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
  • They/Them (2022) – Seems wise to proceed with caution regarding this film
  • Sissy (2022)
  • Halloween Ends (2022)
  • Hellraiser (2022)

(featured image: Searchlight Pictures)


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Author
Image of Vanessa Maki
Vanessa Maki
Vanessa Maki (she/her) is a queer Blerd and contributing writer for The Mary Sue. She first started writing for digital magazines in 2018 and her articles have appeared in Pink Advocate (defunct), The Gay Gaze (defunct), Dread Central and more. She primarily writes about movies, TV, and anime. Efforts to make her stop loving complex/villainous characters or horror as a genre will be futile.