Though the cinema has featured a fair share of horror films this year, there’s no doubt that 2015 is going to be a great horror movie year with a strong blend of horror franchises and conceptual horror films. Forget about heroic films, the gothic horror films and horror film sequels altogether will build a whole new horror empire next year.
If you’re ready to give yourself a good scare, check out these horror films you won’t want to miss in 2015!
1. The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death
- Release Date: 1st January 2015
- Cast: Helen McCrory, Jeremy Irvine, Oaklee Pendergast
There’s something about “The Woman in Black” that will trick you into thinking that it might not be scary as it sounds. The truth is, this film has one of the scariest endings we’ve ever seen and “the woman in black” stuck in our minds ever since we watched the film.
And now, “the woman in black” continues to find her next victims as the sequel follows the dark force that was once awakened by a group of school children who were evacuated from the World War II to the haunted Eel Marsh house. The sequel to “The Woman in Black” will be directed by Tom Harper and is written by Jon Croker.
2. Amityville: The Awakening
- Release: 13th February 2015
- Cast: Bella Thorne, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Cameron Monaghan, Taylor Spreitler
Nothing beats a good horror film especially when it’s based on true events and that’s exactly what “Amityville” is all about. The film is based on a book published by Jay Anson that documents the real-life paranormal experiences and tragic incidents of the Lutz family when they moved into a house in Amityville. There were suspicions over the truthfulness of the book but 11 films have been released due to the frightening stories as told in the book.
Now, “Amityville” is set to be rebooted and it tells the story of a single mother who moves her 3 children into the haunted house without knowing the house’s bloody history.
3. Poltergeist
- Release: 22nd May 2015
- Cast: Sam Rockwell, Jared Harris, Burke Rosemarie DeWitt Rosemarie DeWitt, Kennedi Clements
True horror flicks have been around for more than a decade and the 1982 film “Poltergeist” certainly makes it to the list. The film was nominated for 3 Academy Awards and is one of the most successful horror films ever made in the history. What makes this film so special is that there were so many “memorable” scenes that might haunt you for days and for some, even weeks! The remake of “Poltergeist” will see legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi and director Gil Kenan reimagining the classic tale about a struggling family whose suburban home was invaded by angry spirits that have abducted their youngest daughter.
4. Insidious: Chapter 3
- Release: 5th June 2015
- Cast: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell
This first 2 instalments of the “Insidious” franchise were filled with unexpected plot twists and endless jump-scares that made us sit through the entireties of the films with fear. With the cliffhanger ending of part 2 of the film, director Leigh Whannell tweeted that “Insidious: Chapter 3” will continue from part 2 of the story but “it’ll be a lot more like part 1 than part 2”. Previously, the first film followed the Lambert family who confronted the evil spirits to rescue their comatose child from a realm called “The Further”.
The new chapter of the film series will be a prequel instead, where they reveal how gifted psychic Elise Rainier (played by Lin Shaye) reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl (played by Stefanie Scott) who has been targeted by a dangerous supernatural entity.
5. Goosebumps
- Release: 16th October 2015
- Cast: Jack Black, Dylan Minnette, Odeya Rush, Amy Ryan
If you grew up reading the infamous children’s horror fiction novels by R.L Stine, then this film going to take you back down memory lane as it is based on R.L Stine’s “Goosebumps” series! However, this film will not be based on a specific book from the series as it’ll be filmed with a fresh new plot. The film follows a teenager Zach Cooper who teams up with his new neighbour Hannah and R.L Stine to capture the monsters that escaped from Stine’s “Goosebumps” series. The true intention of the film is not meant to frighten the gut out of you as it is mostly horror-comedy-centric aimed at the younger audience. So, it is safe to say this film is watchable even for the faint-hearted.
6. Sinister 2
- Release date: 21st August 2015
- Cast: Shannyn Sossamon, Tate Ellington, James Ransone, Nicholas King , Laila Haley
Despite being a low budget horror film, Scott Derrickson’s “Sinister” has done fairly well in the film history for earning more than $48 million on a $3 million budget. The film has surprised the critics and fans for its combination of creepiness using the footage found in the haunted house’s attic. However, the sequel no longer casts Ethan Hawke for the film as the sequel will tell a new story about a young mother and her twin sons who moved into a rural house that’s marked for death. The film will once again feature the demonic figure aka Mr Boogie, that goes on to become one of the most iconic characters in horror movies.
Ciaran Foy is set to direct the film while Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill will be penning the script. James Ransone is set to reprise his role in the sequel as a the local sheriff’s deputy, So-So.
7. Crimson Peak
- Release: 16th October 2015
- Cast: Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam, Mia Wasikowska
Despite the fact that many horror fans are quick to judge a gothic horror film as classic Gothic romance, “Crimson Peak” will see young author Edith Cushing discovering the horrifying truth behind her charming new husband. “Pan’s Labyrinth” director Guillermo tel Doro told Screen Rant that it’ll be in large part a return to his Spanish horror roots. He also warned fans to prepare themselves for the film as it is completely character-driven and rated R for its sexual and violent content.
UPDATE:
The Conjuring 2: The Enfield Poltergeist
Originally slated for release on 23rd October in 2015, the sequel has been moved to unspecified date in 2016.
- Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson
- Release date: 2016
The concept of possessed dolls seem to be the new “it” thing in today’s horror films as the latest horror flick, “Deliver Us From Evil“, has also used toys as elements of jump scares. With that being said, the sequel will continue to unfold the story behind the cursed doll Annabelle and the work of the paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will return to star as the Warrens couple. However, the sequel does not have a director yet.
Other horror movies to watch in 2015:
- Scouts vs Zombies – 20th February 2015
- Paranormal Activity 5- 13th March 2015
- The Vatican Tapes – 23rd July 2015
- Resident Evil: The Final Chapter – Estimated 2015
- Phantasm: Ravager – Estimated 2015
- Krampus – 4th December 2015
Note: This post was late updated on 13th November 2014.
