Best horror movies of 2025 so far

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2025 has been a fantastic year for horror fans, with standout films like Sinners, Weapons, 28 Years Later, and The Long Walk leading the way. Here are our picks for the best scary movies released so far this year.

In 2025, horror movies became just as popular and successful as major action, sci-fi, and superhero films. They were comparable in both how good they were and how much money they made.

The latest Conjuring movie was a huge success, earning over $450 million globally. Alongside this, original stories like the western horror film Sinners and the suspenseful thriller Weapons were praised by both critics and viewers.

So, these are our favorite horror movies of the year so far, ranked in order from 15-to-1.

15. The Monkey

Directed by Osgood Perkins and starring Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, and Christian Convery, The Monkey will be released on February 21, 2025. The film centers around estranged twins who reconnect when a childhood wind-up monkey begins causing mysterious deaths. Critics are praising the pairing of Perkins (known for Longlegs) with this dark Stephen King story. The film delivers gruesome scares with a surprising amount of moral depth, and Theo James seems to thoroughly enjoy playing the cursed twins.

14. Black Phone 2

Directed by Scott Derrickson and starring Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, and Ethan Hawke, Black Phone 2 is scheduled for release on October 17, 2025. The film catches up with Finney four years after his encounter with the Grabber, and finds him facing new terrors at a summer camp haunted by a sinister history, ultimately leading to a showdown with his old enemy. This sequel successfully builds on the strengths of the first Black Phone film, delving deeper into the terrifying mythology surrounding the Grabber. It features striking visuals, particularly in its creative dream sequences, and benefits from compelling performances by Thames and McGraw as sympathetic protagonists, brilliantly contrasted by Hawke’s chilling portrayal of the villain.

13. Together

Directed by Michael Shanks and starring Dave Franco, Alison Brie, and Damon Herriman, “Together” is a body horror film releasing on July 30, 2025. The movie follows a couple whose relationship is struggling, and their romantic getaway takes a terrifying turn when they encounter a strange and unsettling force. It’s a darkly twisted yet surprisingly tender story that explores co-dependency, and benefits from the real-life chemistry between Franco and Brie, making it ideal for a unique date night.

12. Final Destination: Bloodlines

Okay, so I just saw this movie, and let me tell you, it was awesome! It’s directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, and stars Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, and Richard Harmon. It comes out May 16, 2025. Basically, it’s about a student who starts having visions that reveal a really old family curse, and she has to figure out how her ancestors messed with fate to try and stop it. What I really loved is that it feels like a classic Final Destination movie – tons of crazy, over-the-top deaths – but with a really interesting family connection that makes it even more intense. The way they set up the deaths is super creative, there are some clever nods to the older films, and honestly, it includes a really touching goodbye to a character we all love. It’s a fantastic way to bring the series back and it’s just a really fun movie overall!

11. Good Boy

Directed by Ben Leonberg and starring Shane Jensen, Arielle Friedman, and Larry Fessenden, Good Boy will be released on October 3, 2025. The film follows a devoted dog who detects something evil after his owner moves into an isolated, abandoned house, and will stop at nothing to keep them safe. What makes Good Boy special is its fresh perspective – telling a classic haunted house story through a dog’s eyes – creating a truly suspenseful and unforgettable experience. And Indy, the dog playing the lead role, delivers a standout horror performance!

10. Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro directs this new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth. The film, releasing on October 17, 2025, tells the story of a scientist who successfully creates a man from spare parts, only to find his creation turns against him. Critics are already praising del Toro’s personal and moving take on the classic gothic novel, highlighting its rich visuals, compelling characters, and emotional depth.

9. Presence

Directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, and Callina Liang, ‘Presence’ arrives on January 24, 2025. The film centers on a family unknowingly shadowed by a supernatural entity as they settle into their new home. What makes ‘Presence’ stand out is its unique perspective – the story unfolds through the eyes of the ghost itself. Unlike ‘Good Boy,’ which told a ghost story from a dog’s point of view, ‘Presence’ keeps the spirit’s motives a mystery until a thrilling climax.

8. The Ugly Stepsister

Directed by Emilie Blichfeldt and starring Lea Myren, Thea Sofie Loch Næss, and Ane Dahl Torp, this dark fairy tale arrives on April 18, 2025. The story follows a desperate teenager who will do anything to win the heart of her prince. While it’s not for everyone, we were captivated by this twisted take on Cinderella, which explores the damaging side of beauty standards and the extreme lengths people go to in pursuit of perfection, featuring some startling body modifications.

7. Companion

Directed by Drew Hancock and starring Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, and Lukas Gage, “Companion” is a clever and intense sci-fi horror film set during a cabin trip gone wrong. The story follows a group of friends whose weekend getaway turns terrifying when they realize one of them isn’t who they seem, forcing them to make difficult choices to survive. Critics praise the film’s sharp twists, shocking revelations, strong performances, and a particularly impactful ending. It’s scheduled for release on January 31, 2025.

6. Dangerous Animals

Directed by Sean Byrne and starring Hassie Harrison, Jai Courtney, and Josh Heuston, “Dangerous Animals” will be released on June 6, 2025. The film follows a surfer who is kidnapped by a ruthless predator who uses sharks to hunt her, but she’s determined to survive. What makes this movie stand out is its unique blend of serial killer thriller and aquatic horror, highlighted by a compelling performance from Jai Courtney. It also carries a strong message about conservation, and features a truly tough and resourceful heroine, making for a fast-paced and thrilling horror experience.

5. The Long Walk

Directed by Francis Lawrence and starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, and Garrett Wareing, The Long Walk is scheduled for release on September 12, 2025. The film centers around a nationwide contest where fifty teenage boys are forced to walk continuously at a pace of 3 mph or faster. If they slow down, they are executed, and the last one walking wins a fortune and has a wish granted. This bleak and satirical adaptation of a Stephen King story critiques reality television and the darker aspects of the American dream. The film humanizes its grim premise through the connection between the main characters, and its powerful ending is sure to stay with viewers.

4. Bring Her Back

Okay, so I just got a sneak peek at this new horror flick, Bring Her Back, directed by the guys who made Talk to Me, and it’s seriously creepy! The movie stars Billy Barratt and Sora Wong as step-siblings who end up with this… weird foster family, and things quickly go downhill. Let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. What really got me was the atmosphere – the directors create this constant sense of dread that just hangs over everything. And Sally Hawkins? Wow. She’s incredible as the foster mom, totally nailing the role of someone haunted by guilt and grief. If you liked Talk to Me, you need to check this out when it comes out on May 30, 2025. It’s good stuff!

3. 28 Years Later

Directed by Danny Boyle and starring Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes, “28 Years Later” is set decades after a devastating rage virus wiped out much of humanity. The film follows a father and son as they leave their safe island home and venture onto the mainland, facing horrors at every turn. From the team behind the original hit “28 Days Later,” this new installment explores themes of grief, loss, and family bonds while delivering terrifying thrills.

2. Weapons

Directed by Zach Cregger and starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich, ‘Weapons’ will be released on August 8, 2025. The film follows Justine, a teacher struggling with personal issues, and Archer, a father mourning the loss of his children, as they team up to investigate the disappearance of a class of schoolchildren. Critics are praising ‘Weapons’ as a genuinely scary and suspenseful film, building on the success of Cregger’s previous work, ‘Barbarian,’ and culminating in a satisfying and exciting conclusion.

1. Sinners

Directed by Ryan Coogler and starring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jack O’Connell, “Sinners” is set to release on April 18, 2025. The film follows twin brothers in 1930s Mississippi who attempt to leave their criminal past behind by opening a bar, but their plans are derailed when vampires turn it into a battleground. What makes “Sinners” special is Ryan Coogler’s skillful blend of genres—westerns, vampire lore, historical accuracy, and the Blues—creating a thrilling, scary, and potentially the best horror film of the year.

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2025-10-21 17:23