Jason’s Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2019

Happy New Year everyone, glad you made it another year.  2018 was a hell of a year for horror movies and we’ve talked about my favorite of the year, but now it’s time to look to the future.  There are a lot of big movies due out in 2019, so let’s see what my most anticipated horror films are.

Brightburn

As a huge comic book fan and someone who loved the series “Irredeemable” which followed a Superman type figure turned evil, I’m deeply excited to see “Brightburn.”  The idea of taking the Superman origin story and making Clark Kent into a young psychopath is incredible.  We already know killers like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees are nearly indestructible, but if you gave them Superman powers they would be absolutely ridiculous killing machines.  I can’t wait to see how “Brightburn” explores that idea.

It: Chapter Two

The first “It” was my favorite film of 2017 so of course I’m really excited for the follow-up chapter.  It also features an amazing cast of actors including James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, and Bill Hader with all of the original kids returning as well. For me, personally, this is the biggest movie of the year (after “Avengers: Endgame”).

Annabelle 3

Yes, the spin-off “Conjuring” movies have been incredibly hit and miss.  The most recent entry, “The Nun”, was a huge dud for me. However, “Annabelle: Creation” managed to be one of the best entries in the extended universe.  I’m hoping that the third entry can build on that success and keep the momentum going.  The fact that it’ll also feature the Warrens in a limited capacity is intriguing.  It seems like New Line is invested in this being a big entry in the extended universe.

Us

While not a sequel, this is another follow up to one of my favorite films of 2017.  Jordan Peele knocked it out of the park with his first film “Get Out” and managed to nab Oscar gold for his directorial debut (for a screenplay technically). So yeah, I’m excited for “Us.”  Can he duplicate his success?  Will he be able to live up to people’s lofty expectations? I certainly hope so and that first trailer for “Us” is pretty damn good.

Pet Sematary

This is the movie that I’m most cautiously optimistic for.  With a cast including Jason Clarke, John Lithgow, and Amy Seimetz it seems like “Pet Sematary” has some solid potential for being something unique.  The trailer also looked stark and remarkable.  So far I’m seeing a lot of good things out of this, so I’m eager to see how the final product turns out.

The New Mutants

One of my most anticipated movies of 2018 will now be one of my most most anticipated of 2019.  However, I have to admit I have some serious doubts based around all the rumors of reshoots and stories that they’re either trying to fix the movie or make it scarier.  It’s a truly bizarre situation and so I’m just eager to see how the finished product turns out.

3 From Hell

I haven’t always been a huge Rob Zombie fan, but I enjoyed the hell out of “Devil’s Rejects” and so I’m really curious to see how he will follow up that film with “3 From Hell.”  Given that I mostly don’t like his work, I don’t have high hopes that I will enjoy the final product, but I’m still eager to see this one because it has the potential to be the second film of his that I might enjoy.

Zombieland 2

Remember when we got a pilot for a “Zombieland” series on Amazon?  Man, that was super disappointing because it seemed like that was the future for the “Zombieland” property.  However, this year we finally learned that the gang was getting back together and we would be getting a proper sequel to the long awaited zombie hit.  Will it live up to the long brewing hype?  Hard to say, but I can’t wait to find out.

Captive State

Director Rupert Wyatt, who did a great job with “Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” returns with a compelling take on your typical alien invasion film.  Set years after the aliens have taken over, the film explores what it would be like to be living under alien rule as a rebel and as a collaborator.  The film has an interesting mix of young and older talent, so it should offer some pretty diverse perspectives.

In the Tall Grass

Netflix has had good success with Stephen King adaptations, so I’m hoping that trend continues with this adaptation of a King and Joe Hill story.  The film stars Patrick Wilson, who is typically a solid choice for horror movies, and is directed by Vincenzo Natali of “Cube” fame. There’s a lot of good talent in the mix here, but with its low profile it might wind up being a surprise hit.

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

I’m a huge Godzilla fan and while the first new Godzilla film wasn’t perfect, I loved it.  So a follow up to that film with three other iconic monsters like Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra.  I’m excited to see that clash and I think that director Michael Dougherty has the talent and skill to create something truly unique for the Godzilla franchise.  This is up there with “It: Chapter Two” as my most anticipated movie of 2019.