HORROR FILMS WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO IN 2021

Ok so half of these were listed on the 'Horror films we're looking forward to in 2020' article from the start of last year but thanks to you know what, they never saw the light of day. And whilst we can never predict what 2021 will bring, we are quite hopeful that we'll get to see some of these at least!

Escape Room 2

(Director: Adam Robitel)

No plot details available.

The follow-up to Adam Robitel's money-spinning Escape Room (the film made $150m from a budget of less than $10m) was due to be released late last year but got bumped to 2021. And whilst we don't know any plot details as yet - and no trailer has been released, we do know that both Taylor Russell and Logan Miller are to reprise their roles. If it's half as fun as the first film, then it'll be worth a watch.

Don't Breathe 2

(Director: Rodo Sayagues)

The Blind Man returns to terrorize more unsuspecting people.

Another sequel to look forward to! This one has been in the works for years and the film will mark the directorial debut of Rodo Sayagyes (who co-wrote the first movie). Expect lots of tension, violence and a summer release.

Ghostbusters: Afterlife

(Director: Jason Reitman)

When a single mom and her two kids arrive in a small town, they begin to discover their connection to the original Ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

Our appetites were whetted last year when the trailer was released but like so many others, it never received the 2020 release it was scheduled for. Ignoring the events of Paul Feig's Ghostbusters (2016), Afterlife is written and directed by Jason Reitman (son of the director of the original Ghostbusters) and will see the return of Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray and Sigourney Weaver. Aykroyd has said that the script 'takes the real DNA from the first two movies and transfers that directly to the third, the next generation.' We can't wait!

There's Someone Inside Your House

(Director: Patrick Brice)

The graduating class at Osborne High is being targeted by a masked assailant, intent on exposing the darkest secret of each victim, and only a group of misfit outsiders can stop the killings.

Ok, we'll be honest, we're going to get excited about ANY upcoming slasher movie but this is one we're ULTRA excited about. Firstly, it's produced by James Wan - which is always a good sign. Secondly, it's got a great young cast including Sydney Park and Theodore Pellerin. And lastly, it's based on the kick-ass novel of the same name by Stephanie Perkins. Fingers crossed it'll deliver a fresh new take on a rather dormant (but dearly missed) sub-genre.

A Quiet Place Part II

(Director: John Krasinki)

Following the events at home, the Abbott family now face the terrors of the outside world. Forced to venture into the unknown, they realise that the creatures that hunt by sound are not the only threats that lurk beyond the sand path.

One of the best films of 2018 was undoubtedly John Krasinki's A Quiet Place, a film that oozed tension due to it's high concept (but really simple) plot. It was due to be released just as the pandemic took hold but like so many others, got postponed. The trailer was released though and it looks bigger and more action packed that its predecessor.

Candyman

(Director: Nia DaCosta)

A "spiritual sequel" to the 1992 horror film 'Candyman' that returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began.

A new Candyman film is pretty exciting. And the fact that it's produced by Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) and is being directed by talented young Director Nia DaCosta only adds to the hype. Throw in the fact that Tony Todd is returning and we're all in on this one. Should be released in August, global pandemics permitting.

The Forever Purge

(Director: Everardo Gout)

Plot unknown. The fifth and final installment of 'The Purge' film series.

The Purge franchise started out on rocky territory with a flawed home invasion flick but has since gone on to spawn several sequels and a TV series, all of which mix social and political commentary with action and gore. Although the details on the fifth movie are light on the ground, we do know that it is the last in the series. You know, until it's rebooted in 2025 or something.

The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It

(Director: Michael Chaves)

Plot unknown. Third installment of the Conjuring franchise.

Another where the plot details are not official, it is thought it may revolve around the real life case of a man on trial for committing a murder who claimed that the devil made him do it (hence the title) What we do know is that Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson will reprise their roles and that we can expect the usual quiet quiet bang thrills that these films have served up over the last few years.

Halloween Kills

(Director: David Gordon Green)

The saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode continues in the next thrilling chapter of the Halloween series.

After a number of inadequate reboots, Blumhouse breathed new life into the Michael Myers saga with their impressive 'Halloween' in 2018. The third film in the trilogy has already been filmed too so at least we know that Myers is going to get a proper send off. If you can't get excited about the prospect of seeing Myers wreak havoc once again this October, there's something wrong with you.

Antlers

(Director: Scott Cooper)

A small-town Oregon teacher and her brother, the local sheriff, become entwined with a young student harboring a dangerous secret with frightening consequences.

Produced by Guillermo Del Toro's new mystery horror looks really quite dark – certainly more sinister than most of his other body of work. With Scott Cooper behind the camera too, this one looks like it could be a real treat.

Spiral: From the Book of Saw

(Director: Darren Lynn Bousman)

A sadistic mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw.

I know. Another Saw movie. When are they going to just give it up huh? Still, it's one of the most successful (and profitable) horror franchises ever to date and you just have to hope that Bousman wouldn't have revisited it if he didn't have some kind of fresh angle on things. Well based on the trailer, it actually looks pretty decent. And it's got Chris Rock in too!

The Queen of Black Magic

(Director: Kimo Stamboel)

Families were terrorized at the orphanage. Someone wants them dead, apparently with black magic that is very deadly. She has a grudge and she was also born because of the sins of the orphans who formed her into the Queen of Black Magic.

Two of Indonesia's masters of horror (Director Kimo Stamboel and writer Joko Anwar) will see their reimagining of the 1981 film of the same name released onto Shudder in January. The trailer is loaded with nightmarish imagery and gore and if it's anything like Impetigore (which Anwar wrote and directed), then it could be a lot of (gruesome) fun.

Wrong Turn

(Director: Mike P. Nelson)

Friends hiking the Appalachian Trail are confronted by 'The Foundation', a community of people who have lived in the mountains for hundreds of years.

Wheras The Purge started as a franchise that got better as it went on, the exact opposite can be said for the Wrong Turn franchise. After a really enjoyable first movie, each sequel was worse than the one before it. But now we get a chance to wipe the slate clean! Let's hope they return it to its backwoods survivalist roots and not the infuriating bullshit we all had to endure in the later movies. The trailer looks promising at least!

The Night House

(Director: David Bruckner)

A widow begins to uncover her recently deceased husband's disturbing secrets.

David Bruckner is one of the rising names in horror so it'll be fascinating to see his latest feature which was actually filmed about 18 months ago. It actually played at Sundance at the beginning of last year and received some great reviews. Rebecca Hall has been cast as the lead so there's another reason to get excited.

Godzilla vs Kong

(Director: Adam Wingard)

As the gigantic Kong meets the unstoppable Godzilla, the world watches to see which one of them will become King of the Monsters.

The fourth film in Legendary's Monsterverse franchise will see the mighty ape go up against the giant lizard in what is surely to be an action packed spectacle. Adam Wingard is directing too – a name familiar with genre fans for his work on You're Next and Blair Witch. Definitely one to see on the big screen.