2023 is shaping up to be a stellar year for horror movies, but some offerings come with more hype than others. 2022 was a massive success for the horror genre. Not only did established franchises like Scream and Halloween make a killing at the box office with new sequels, but indie hits like Barbarian and Terrifier 2 also managed to exceed expectations with both critics and audiences. As cinemas reopened in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the horror genre as a whole proved a huge winner, with sleeper hits like Smile scaring up hundreds of millions of dollars in box office receipts.

While it will be tough for 2023’s slate to beat the best horror movies of 2022, there are many highly-hyped titles arriving in the coming months. From the twisty Scream sequel Scream 6 to a much-anticipated reboot of the Evil Dead series, there is something for everyone in 2023’s horror lineup. Even outside of classic franchises returning to cinema screens, there are also numerous reboots of beloved 2000s horror properties, as well as the obligatory smattering of Stephen King adaptations. There are even not one, but two variations on Bram Stoker’s iconic Dracula on their way in 2023.

11. The Nun 2


While director Corin Hardy’s The Hallow was a superb indie horror movie, his 2018 follow-up The Nun was one of the lesser installments in the ever-expanding The Conjuring cinematic universe. The tale of an abbey haunted by the eponymous demonic threat, The Nun ranked as one of the weaker entries in New Line's The Conjuring movie franchise thanks to its predictable plot. In fairness, however, The Nun’s lackluster story was ameliorated somewhat by a compelling central performance from Taissa Farmiga. Hopefully, The Nun 2 have a little more fun with its campy premise than its taciturn predecessor did, and the return of Farmiga at least ensures that the sequel will have a strong lead.

10. Saw 10


The phrase “once bitten, twice shy” has rarely been more appropriate than it is for the Saw franchise. While 2004’s sleeper hit was a tight, tense psychological thriller, surprisingly inspired by 1979’s original Mad Max, the subsequent slew of lesser Saw sequels traded clever twists and sharp social commentary for increasingly cartoony traps and convoluted plotting. As such, hype for Saw 10 comes with tempered expectations, especially since directing duties will go to Kevin Greutert of Saw VI fame. Admittedly, however, the presence of original Jigsaw Tobin Bell on the cast list is promising, and the release of any new Saw movie still commands attention due to the original's reputation.

9. The Last Voyage of the Demeter


The first of 2023’s two Dracula retellings, The Last Voyage of the Demeter takes a single chapter from the novel and expands its story into a full-length feature film. Horror aficionados will recognize the titular vessel as the ship Dracula stows aboard on his way to London. What makes this one of the most exciting new 2023 horror movies is the return of director André Øvredal, who has not released a new movie since 2019’s Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. However, since anyone familiar with Dracula already knows how this story ends, The Last Voyage of the Demeter may struggle as one of two Dracula movies in 2023.

8. The Strangers


2008’s The Strangers is a home invasion thriller that became a cult classic thanks to the movie’s relentlessly bleak tone and daring ambiguity. As such, when it was announced that director Renny Harlin would be releasing a new reboot trilogy, those familiar with The Strangers might have rightfully felt a little confused. A lot of what made The Strangers so successful was the movie’s refusal to offer any backstory for its villains or an explanation for their actions. This highly anticipated horror movie risks losing the original's memorable ambiguity, since those aspects will almost certainly have to be fleshed out further in a new trilogy of The Strangers movies.