21 Horror Movies That Will Scare Your Pants Off in 2019
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If 2018 was the year of the rom-com renaissance, 2019 is shaping up to reboot the horror genre. Sure, last year gave us the Jamie Lee Curtis helmed Halloween revival we truly deserved, but this year marks the return of Pet Sematary, the Chucky franchise, and the highly anticipated sequel to The Shining. On top of all that, Jordan Peele released another one of his original nightmares to scare the shit out of all of us.
Here, the 21 scary movies to add to your watch-with-your-hands-over-your-face list. Make sure to check back for updates, as this list will only include films that have released trailers.
Pledge
Three...less-than-popular friends are invited to pledge an elite fraternity. It doesn’t go well, guys.
This movie will make you laugh and totally freak you out at the same time, which makes it the perfect option for a group hang on Halloween night.
Release date: January 31
Velvet Buzzsaw
A bunch of art-world critics and curators are brutally mutilated by...art. “Fun” is not the typical word used to described a gruesome horror flick, but it definitely applies to this Jake Gyllenhaal–led romp.
Release date: February 1
The Prodigy
Personally, I feel like every small child has a bit of psychopath in them. If kids have a tendency to freak you out, you might want to skip this one about Taylor Schilling realizing her son is the next Ted Bundy...or possibly the actual Antichrist. One of the two.
Release date: February 8
Happy Death Day 2U
Remember that 2017 movie that was basically Groundhog Day but with lots of murder? No? Well, it was shockingly good, so here’s a sequel.
Release date: February 14
Us
Not sure I needed a whole horror film starring Lupita Nyong’o, Elisabeth Moss, and Black Panther’s Winston Duke to tell me that I’m my own worst enemy. A trip inside my room would prove that to anyone. But if Jordan Peele is offering, I’ll take it.
Release date: March 15
Captive State
If aliens invaded, would you comply with John Goodman’s orders or fight back? I’m not exactly proud of my answer, but here we are.
Release date: March 15
Pet Sematary
The movie based on the Stephen King novel that convinced me to only live in cities for the rest of my life is coming back! Also, if you find a grave site in your backyard...maybe just move out immediately?
Release date: April 5
The Curse of La Llorona
This scary tale, based off the urban legend of The Weeping Woman, follows the haunting of two young kids. Produced by James Wan, this movie makes the list for its possible connection to The Conjuring universe. In the trailer, you might notice Tony Amendola reprising his role of Father Perez from 2014’s Annabelle. Check it out if you were really into The Nun.
Release date: April 19
The Perfection
The campiest, most gruesome on this list, The Perfection follows two competitive cellists with violent tendencies. Think Black Swan meets Velvet Buzzsaw.
Release date: May 24
Brightburn
Elizabeth Banks is here to tell the story of a rural family that raises a lost alien boy...who definitely doesn’t grow up to be Superman.
Release date: May 27
Ma
Octavia Spencer lures unsuspecting teens to her basement with the promise of booze. Things don’t go well.
Release date: May 29
Child’s Play
Aubrey Plaza stars in the remake of the original killer-doll flick, Child’s Play. Sorry, Annabelle has nothing on Chucky.
Release date: June 21
Annabelle Comes Home
Welp, I definitely spoke too soon. The latest film in the Conjuring universe, Annabelle Comes Home reveals what happens when Ed and Lorraine Warren lose control of the evil doll they’ve kept locked up for years.
Elevator pitch: Annabelle and Chucky host a murder podcast.
Release date: June 26
47 Meters Down 2: The Next Chapter
Sharks! Heavy breathing! Reckless scuba diving (to me, all scuba diving is a bad idea)! At this point, you know what you’re going to get and whether or not 47 Meters Down 2: The Next Chapter is for you.
Release date: June 28
Midsommar
From the director of Hereditary, Midsommar looks like the dreamiest festival fantasy that slowly turns into a pagan cult nightmare.
Release date: July 3
Crawl
Afraid to visit your parents in Florida because of alligators—which are basically dinosaurs that have not gone extinct? No, just me?
Well, you will be now. In Crawl, a young woman trying to save her father from a category 5 hurricane gets trapped in the flood and must fend off all those gators you “aren’t afraid of.”
Release date: July 12
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Yes, your favorite horror anthology book as a child is now a movie. Yes, “The Red Spot” is just as horrifying to actually watch as you would imagine.
Release date: August 9
Ready or Not
A woman must survive her new in-laws’ traditional hunt after marrying the man of her dreams. Honestly, sounds like she should raise her standards a bit, but Seth Cohen—I mean, Adam Brody—is in it, so you know you want to watch.
Release date: August 21
It Chapter Two
Honestly, the scariest moment of the It sequel had nothing to do with the killer clown, Pennywise, but that doesn’t mean he (and this movie) wasn’t terrifying. I’m still having nightmares.
Release date: September 6
Haunt
A group of friends face their darkest fears in an “extreme” haunted house on Halloween. Basically, escape rooms are canceled.
Release date: September 13
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