Most Anticipated Horror Films of 2016

This is it. In just a few hours we will be officially done with 2015 and on our way to a brand new year.  And with a new year comes a whole slew of brand new horror films.  Some of them will be great, many will be okay, and a certain few will be really really bad.  But the exciting part is that right now they’re mostly unknown quantities.

Down below I’ve assembled a list of 2016 films that I think will either be potentially good or will, at least, be ones we talk about in great detail.  I present these films in no particular order so dive in and check them out.

Also be sure to let us know what film you’re looking forward to in 2016.

The VVitch

Director: Robert Eggers

Cast: Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Julian Richings

Release Date: February 26, 2016

Reason:  “The VVitch” (or simply “Witch” if you prefer) has been playing the festival circuit for a little while now so the film has already generated a good deal of buzz from critics and festival goers.  It seems like this one is going to be the horror critical darling of 2016 in the same way that “It Follows” was.   There’s a lot of hype propelling this one and I can’t wait to see what all the buzz is about.

Rings

Director: F. Javier Gutierrez

Cast: Johnny Galecki, Matilda Lutz, Aimee Teegarden

Release Date: April 1, 2016

Reason:  I had lukewarm feelings towards the American remakes of “The Ring”, but I’m excited to see how “The Ring” concept translates to a modern 2016 film.  Plus I think director F. Javier Gutierrez is a great choice and I think he can potentially bring something exciting and new to the table.  I may not have been a fan of the series, but I’m looking forward to this Japanese import getting a brand new start.

The Conjuring 2

Director: James Wan

Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Frances O’Connor

Release Date: June 10, 2016

Reason: I was a huge fan of the first “Conjuring”, so it makes sense that I’m eager to see James Wan revisit the Warrens and place them in a gothic English setting.  I know there’s no such thing as a guarantee in the world of film, but I feel pretty confident that “The Conjuring 2” will deliver on the things that I loved about the original one.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Director: Burr Steers

Cast: Lena Headey, Lily James, Matt Smith, Charles Dance

Release Date: February 5, 2016

Reason: “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” has been kicking around for a few years now, so it’s great to finally see this thing coming together and getting a release.  Now all that remains is to see if it was worth the wait.  It’s an absurd idea that could potentially lead to a unique cinematic experience or it could be completely trite.

Midnight Special

Director: Jeff Nichols

Cast: Joel Edgerton, Michael Shannon, Adam Driver

Release Date: March 18, 2016

Reason: This isn’t quite horror, but it could turn out to be something we talk a lot about around here.  “Midnight Special” is the new film from the acclaimed director of “Mud” and “Take Shelter” and looks to blend John Carpenter with Steven Spielberg.  If they can deliver on their promises then this could definitely be one to watch out for.

The Purge 3

Director: James DeMonaco

Cast: Frank Grillo

Release Date: July 1, 2016

Reason: I know I might be the lone fan of “The Purge” series here, but I was really entertained by the direction “Purge 2” took.  While I disliked the first “Purge”, I thought the second film was exactly what the first film should have been all along.  It’s not a perfect movie, but it seems like “The Purge” films are finally finding their footing and I’m hopeful that a third film will continue to build upon their progress.

The Strangers 2

Director: Laurent Briet

Cast: N/A

Release Date: December 2, 2016

Reason: I’m not a fan of the original “Strangers”, but that film has an incredibly dedicated fanbase.  And so I have to imagine that a sequel to that film has probably lit their hearts on fire.  While it’s not my most anticipated film,  I know there’s a good chunk of people who are anxiously awaiting December 2016.  And, for their sake, I hope it’s everything they want.

Get Out

Director: Jordan Peele

Cast: Allison Williams

Release Date: TBA

Reason: We don’t know much about “Get Out” yet, but there’s good reason to be excited.  This will mark Jordan Peele’s (of Key and Peele fame) directorial debut and it turns out Peele loves horror just as much as he does comedy.  So if he manages to bring the same passion and quality to this film that he does to his comedy works, we’ll be in for something special.

The Disappointments Room

Director: DJ Caruso

Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Lucas Till, Michaela Conlin

Release Date: March 25, 2016

Reason: Director DJ Caruso has had a few misfires in his career, but he’s also directed some great thrillers like “Disturbia” and “Eagle Eye.”  With “The Disappointments Room” he returns to a more supernatural/thriller setting that was co-written by Wentworth Miller who previously wrote “Stoker.” There’s good potential for this to be a well crafted thriller.  And if not, at the very least, it stars Kate Beckinsale. So it has that going for it.

Green Room

Director: Jeremy Saulnier

Cast: Patrick Stewart, Imogen Poots, Anton Yelchin

Release Date: April 15, 2016

Reason: This is another film that has already been playing in festivals and markets outside of the US, so we’ve heard a lot of good early buzz about this one.  This is also the follow up film to director Jeremy Saulnier’s previous highly praised film “Blue Ruin.” Add to that a fantastic cast of actors and you’ve got the making of a solid film.

Before I Wake

Director: Mike Flanagan

Cast: Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Annabeth Gish

Release Date: April 8, 2016

Reason: I was a big fan of “Oculus” so I’m eager to see how director Mike Flanagan follows up that film.  With “Before I wake” he reteams with his “Oculus” writer to tell a story about a boy whose dreams and nightmares become real.  Plus I’m a fan of Thomas Jane, so it’s always good to see him getting work.

A Man in the Dark

Director: Fede Alvarez

Cast: Stephen Lang, Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette

Release Date: August 26, 2016

Reason: Fede Alvarez, the man behind the recent “Evil Dead” film, returns to horror with a very different entry.  While his last film was steeped in the supernatural “A Man in the Dark” looks to be a more primal experience.  The film stars Stephen Lang as a blind man whose home is invaded by teens thinking they’ve found an easy score.  Unfortunately for them, they picked the wrong man to mess with.