The most wonderful time of the year is at hand: Halloween season has arrived. The signs are everywhere, from the cooling weather to pumpkin spice-flavored treats and beyond. But the biggest telltale sign of Halloween is arguably the overwhelming slate of horror releases packed into September and October to ensure maximum fright for the holiest of horror holidays.
That means it’s Fall Horror Preview time.
It’s no surprise that this year offers another densely packed slate for the Halloween season; and trust us, there’s more horror on the way. Expect plenty of surprise release announcements in store as more streaming services debut their seasonal releases, schedules, and beyond.
Here’s Bloody Disgusting’s Fall Horror Preview 2024 to help with your Halloween watchlists.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice – September 6 (Theaters)
The long-awaited sequel is nearly here, almost 40 years after the original classic arrived in theaters. A family tragedy brings three generations of the Deetz family home, where the Ghost with the Most is summoned, causing trouble in the realms of the living and the dead. Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Jenna Ortega, Catherine O’Hara, Justin Theroux, Willem Dafoe and Monica Bellucci star in director Tim Burton’s sequel to the comedy-horror classic.
The Front Room – September 6 (Theaters)
Brandy Norwood (I Still Know What You Did Last Summer) makes her return to horror with A24 movie The Front Room, directed by Max and Sam Eggers, brothers of Robert Eggers (The Witch, The Northman). The adaptation of Susan Hill’s short story follows a young, newly pregnant couple forced to take in an ailing stepmother who has long been estranged from the family.
The Demon Disorder – September 6 (Shudder)
SFX master Steven Boyle’s effects work has been seen in 2005’s King Kong, Love and Monsters, Bait, What We Do in the Shadows, The Matrix trilogy, and so much more. Now, Boyle is set to make his feature directorial debut with a film starring John Noble. A demonic family drama sees a brother dealing with the estrangement of his other brothers and potential possession.
Red Rooms – September 6 (Limited Theaters)
A serial killer obsession spirals out of control in this new psychological thriller from writer/director Pascal Plante, inspired by the fans who inexplicably flock to serial killers throughout modern history and further motivated by the current state of cybersecurity and tech crimes. The film is named after the highly disputed violent dark web spaces known as “red rooms” in online urban legends and stars Juliette Gariépy.
Creeping Death – September 10 (SCREAMBOX)
This SCREAMBOX Exclusive supernatural slasher from Matt Sampere adapts his short film of the same title. “Halloween was always Tim’s favorite holiday – until his mother was diagnosed with cancer. Now, all he wants is a quiet night in. That is quickly disrupted when his friends pay him an unwanted visit after stealing a mysterious sack from the doorstep of a local crazy. This sacrilegious act unleashes the Aos Si, a Celtic spirit that walks the earth on Halloween. They must band together and survive the night or make the ultimate offering… their lives.”
Believer – September 13 (Theaters, VOD)
In writer/director Sheldon Wilson’s cult sci-fi thriller, “A young writer is attacked by a notorious cult leader and mass murderer, a man who exerts inexplicable control over his followers. When she claims no memory of the attack, her family begins to question her motives.” Lauren Lee Smith, Ella Ballentine, Peter Mooney, Martin Roach, Ilan O’Driscoll, Jonathan Potts, and Kris Holden-Ried star.
Speak No Evil – September 13 (Theaters)
An American family is invited to spend the weekend at the idyllic country estate of a charming British family they befriended on vacation, but a holiday getaway quickly spirals into a harrowing nightmare. James Watkins (The Woman in Black, Eden Lake) directs this remake of the Danish horror nightmare, with Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate, Happiest Season) and James McAvoy (Split, Glass) starring in the fresh take on the horrifying events.
Subservience – September 13 (Digital and VOD)
Till Death (2021) director S.K. Dale and star Megan Fox reteam on a new thriller, this time with Fox playing a lifelike artificially intelligent android, Alice, who has the ability to take care of any family and home. When Alice suddenly becomes self-aware, she finds herself willing to kill for the affections of her owner.
Last Straw – September 20 (Theaters, VOD, Digital)
A night shift in a rural, roadside diner transforms into a harrowing, rage-fueled siege in Last Straw, the feature directorial debut by Alan Scott Neal. In the film, “A young waitress working the overnight shift alone at a rural, roadside diner finds herself in a fight for her life when she’s terrorized by a group of masked assailants. With no one to turn to, she will do everything she can to survive the night, even if it means striking back.”
Never Let Go – September 20 (Theaters)
Halle Berry as Momma in Never Let Go. Credit: Liane Hentscher/ Courtesy of Lionsgate
Director Alexandre Aja (High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes, Piranha 3D, Crawl) teams with Academy Award® winner Halle Berry on an intense psychological horror movie set in a world overrun by evil. Berry stars as a mother of twins that must stay tethered at all times, until one of the boys questions whether the lurking evil is even real. It triggers a harrowing bid for survival. If you missed the trailer, which you can watch here, you might’ve missed some rather eerie snake imagery.
The Substance – September 20 (Theaters)
Director Coralie Fargeat (Revenge) is back this year with a brand new body horror movie. The Substance stars Demi Moore, Margaret Qualley, and Dennis Quaid and centers around a mysterious new beauty product promising a regenerative, youthful effect. Considering the insanely bloody finale of Revenge, we can likely expect a goopy, wild time with her latest.
Apartment 7A – September 27 (Paramount+)
Julia Garner as Terry Gionoffrio in Apartment 7A, streaming on Paramount+ 2024. Photo Credit: Gareth Gatrell/Paramount+.
Remember the young dancer, Terry Gionoffrio, that Rosemary Woodhouse befriends shortly after moving into the Bramford apartment building in Rosemary’s Baby? This is her story, a new prequel to Roman Polanski’s horror classic. Directed by Relic filmmaker Natalie Erika James, the film stars Julia Garner (Ozark, Wolf Man), Dianne Wiest (Mayor of Kingstown), Jim Sturgess (Across the Universe), and Kevin McNally (Pirates of the Caribbean film series).
Azrael – September 27 (Theaters)
The high concept action-horror film directed by E.L. Katz (Channel Zero, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Cheap Thrills) from an original script by Simon Barrett (The Guest, You’re Next, Godzilla x Kong) stars Samara Weaving. In a world in which no one speaks, a devout female-led community hunts down a young woman (Weaving) who has escaped her imprisonment. She’ll stop at nothing to avoid being sacrificed and survive.
Bagman – September 27 (Theaters)
Sam Claflin as Patrick McKee in Bagman. Photo Credit: Vladislav Lepoev
Up next from The Girl with All the Gifts and Outcast (2010) director Colm McCarthy is Lionsgate’s supernatural thriller Bagman, starring Sam Claflin (Last Night in Soho) and Antonia Thomas (“The Good Doctor”). A family finds themselves ensnared in a nightmare as they are hunted by a malevolent, mythical creature in this horror film penned by John Hulme.
Sleep – September 27 (Theaters)
The feature film debut of South Korean filmmaker, Jason Yu, tells the story of a newlywed couple expecting their first child. Parental anxieties and every day stresses triggers an unnerving sleepwalking habit in Hyun-su, and as it escalates into aggression, his wife, Soo-jin, begins to worry for their baby’s safety. Expect a new variation of possession horror here. Sleep marks one of the final on screen appearances by late actor Lee Sun-kyun (Parasite).
Carved – October 2024 (Hulu)
Carved is based on the 2018 short of the same name, written and directed by Justin Harding for Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween. It follows a heartbroken teenage playwright, her younger brother, and a group of survivors who become trapped in a historical reenactment village on Halloween night and must band together to survive a relentless attack by a sentient and vengeful pumpkin.
Mr. Crocket – October 2024 (Hulu)
Director Brandon Espy’s feature debut is based on his popular short featured in Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween series with Huluween . It stars Elvis Nolasco as a diabolical children’s TV show host and Jerrika Hinton as a mother who will stop at nothing to protect her son. The new slasher arrives just in time for Halloween.
Salem’s Lot – October 2024 (Max)
The long-awaited adaptation of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot from director Gary Dauberman (Annabelle Comes Home) is finally seeing release after a lengthy delay. The plot sees an author return to his hometown, only to find it under the sway of a bloodthirsty vampire. Originally set for theatrical release on September 9, 2022, the new take on the vampire classic gets a streaming release instead this Halloween season.
Hold Your Breath – October 3 (Hulu)
Sarah Paulson, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Amiah Miller and Annaleigh Ashford lead the cast of the Hulu horror-thriller from directors Karrie Crouse and William Joines. “The film takes place amid the horrific dust storms of 1930s Oklahoma, watching as a woman (Paulson) is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family.”
House of Spoils – October 3 (Prime Video)
The Blumhouse horror movie follows “an ambitious chef (Ariana DeBose) as she opens a restaurant on a remote estate where she battles kitchen chaos, crushing self doubts… and a haunting presence who threatens to sabotage her at every turn.” Barbie Ferreira co-stars in the film, written and directed by Bridget Savage Cole & Danielle Krudy.
Frankie Freako – October 4 (Select Theaters)
Director Steven Kostanski (The Void, Psycho Goreman) is back with another genre rewind to the ’90s, this time to pay tribute to the puppet horror of yesteryear. After calling a late-night party hotline that promises out-of-this-world fun, uptight yuppie Conor Sweeney must battle the pint-sized forces of evil unleashed through his phone line, led by a maniacal rock n’ roll goblin.
It’s What’s Inside – October 4 (Netflix)
It’s What’s Inside. David Thompson as Forbes in It’s What’s Inside. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix
The feature directorial debut of writer/director Greg Jardin aims to bring the fun this Halloween season with a twisty sci-fi romp. Chaos ensues at a lavish weekend pre-wedding party when an old friend arrives with a mysterious suitcase and proposes a unique party game. The gathering descends into an existential nightmare that awakens long-hidden secrets, desires, and grudges.
The Platform 2 – October 4 (Netflix)
Director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia’s 2020 film The Platform introduced a vertical prison system, where inmates are assigned to a level and forced to ration food from a platform that moves between the floors. Inmates on high floors eat better than those below, and one man tries to effect change so everyone gets enough. A mysterious figure has managed to establish a new law in the sequel, and we can likely expect things to get violence and grim.
Things Will Be Different – October 4 (Theaters, VOD)
Writer/Director/Editor Michael Felker’s feature directorial debut introduces a twisty sci-fi thriller produced by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead (Spring, The Endless). Adam David Thompson and Riley Dandy star as estranged siblings who, after a robbery, escape to a rural safe house hidden in time and discover they’re not the only occupants. Family bonds get tested as time distorts.
V/H/S/Beyond – October 4 (Shudder)
The V/H/S franchise returns to Shudder with the seventh installment of the series, this one drawing inspiration from sci-fi horror. Expect six blood curdling tapes of terror, with an exciting lineup of filmmakers that includes Justin Long, Mike Flanagan, Kate Siegel and more.
Daddy’s Head – October 11 (Shudder)
Director Benjamin Barfoot’s horror movie follows a boy and his young, recently widowed stepmother who find themselves in fear for their lives after they are visited by a strange and unexplainable creature – something that appears to mimic a horrifying version of the boy’s recently deceased father. Based on the image above, the creature might be one of the more unnerving designs to come along in a while.
Mads – October 11 (Shudder)
A new Shudder original from writer/director David Moreau. In the film, “Eighteen year old Romain has just graduated and makes a stop at his dealer’s place to try a new pill. As he heads off to a party, he sees an injured woman on the side of the road and decides to help her, but when she gets in his car, she suddenly smashes her own head against the dashboard, bleeding out until she dies. Is this a bad trip? Or is it something else? One thing is for sure, it’s only the beginning of the night.”
Terrifier 3 – October 11 (Theaters)
Only writer/director Damien Leone and Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) could get horror fans excited about Christmas in October. The horror icon is back in theaters just in time for Halloween, set to unleash another round of chaos on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County as they peacefully drift off to sleep on Christmas Eve. Returning cast includes Lauren LaVera (Sienna), Samantha Scaffidi (Victoria Heyes), Elliot Fullam (Jonathan Shaw) and AEW superstar Chris Jericho (Burke), with Daniel Roebuck set to debut as Santa Claus.
Die Alone – October 18 (Theaters, VOD, Digital)
Lowell Dean, the director behind horror-comedies WolfCop, Another WolfCop, and the upcoming Dark Match, is back this Halloween with Die Alone. Frank Grillo and Carrie-Anne Moss star in the film that sees a young man with amnesia team up with an eccentric survivalist to find his missing girlfriend in a world overrun by creatures.
Smile 2 – October 18 (Theaters)
Lukas Gage stars in Paramount Pictures Presents A Temple Hill Production A Parker Finn FIlm “SMILE 2”
Writer/Director Parker Finn’s contagious curse takes aim at a new victim in the upcoming big screen sequel. In Smile 2, “About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.”
Don’t Move – October 25 (Netflix)
Up next from producer Sam Raimi‘s Raimi Productions and Hammerstone Studios (Barbarian) is Don’t Move. Adam Schindler and Brian Netto (Quibi’s series “50 States of Fright”) directed the film, wherein “A grieving woman hoping to find solace deep in an isolated forest encounters a stranger who injects her with a paralytic agent. As the agent gradually takes over her body, she must run, hide, and fight for her life before her entire nervous system shuts down.”
Venom: The Last Dance – October 25 (Theaters)
Tom Hardy is back as Venom in Sony’s third installment in the smash hit Venom film franchise this Halloween season, with the antihero and his symbiote being hunted by both worlds. No, it’s not horror, but this sequel seems to go even bigger on the creatures in the final bow for this campy comic book trilogy. Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans, Peggy Lu, Alanna Ubach and Stephen Graham also star. The film is directed by Kelly Marcel from a screenplay she wrote.
Your Monster – October 25 (Theaters)
Melissa Barrera (Abigail, Scream VI) stars as soft-spoken actress Laura Franco, who finds her voice again when she meets a gruff but charming monster living in her closet. Caroline Lindy’s feature debut gives a comedic, musical spin on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast.
Black Cab – November 8 (Shudder)
Nick Frost stars in this horror movie from director Bruce Goodison. In the film, “When Anne and Patrick hail a black cab after a night out their driver is chatty, jovial even, but they are in no mood to talk. In fact, the couple is barely on speaking terms. That is, until they realize the driver has no intention of taking them home. Locked in the cab with no means of escape, the driver transports the couple to a stretch of deserted and supposedly haunted road. But what is his purpose? Is he mad or just plain evil? And why has he selected Anne and Patrick as his victims?”
Meanwhile on Earth – November 8 (Theaters)
Writer/Director Jérémy Clapin, whose 2019 animated debut I Lost My Body earned an Academy Award nomination, makes the jump to live-action with the sci-fi thriller Meanwhile on Earth. A women reconnects with her astronaut brother after his disappearance, but their happy reunion is short lived when she discovers dark forces at play.
Heretic – November 15 (Theaters)
Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place, 65) write and direct the latest A24 horror movie, which sees two young missionaries trapped and forced to test their faith when they knock on the wrong door. Hugh Grant (D&D: Honor Among Thieves), Chloe East (The Fabelmans) and Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets”) lead the cast. Grant’s sinister villain promises in the trailer, “You will witness a miracle.”
Rita – November 22 (Shudder)
The writer/director behind the 2019 Golden Globe-nominated La Llorona, Jayro Bustamante, is back with another historical-based genre fable. Based on the true story behind one of Guatemala’s most harrowing tragedies — the orphanage fire of 2017, which took the lives of 41 girls — Rita shines a light on the brave orphans whose fight for survival inspired a nationwide outcry for justice and reform.
Werewolves – December 6 (Theaters)
Frank Grillo stars in this action horror movie from Steven C. Miller, described as The Purge with werewolves. In Werewolves, “a Supermoon event triggers a latent gene in every human on the planet, turning anyone who entered the moonlight into a werewolf for that one night. Chaos ensued and close to a billion people died. Now, a year later, the Supermoon is back.”
Y2K – December 6 (Theaters)
The millennium bug that induced widespread fear over the possibility of a worldwide infrastructure crash once 2000 arrived becomes infectious fodder for a teen comedy infused with horror and nostalgia. Comedian and actor Kyle Mooney, who co-wrote the script with writer/producer Evan Winter, makes his directorial debut here. Playing like Maximum Overdrive for millennials, Weta Workshop brings great practical effects to this apocalyptic comedy-horror movie.
Kraven the Hunter – December 13 (Theaters)
Sony returns to their own Marvel universe with the upcoming Kraven the Hunter, which is rated “R” for “strong bloody violence.” Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as one of Marvel’s most notorious villains, with Marvel promising a visceral origin story. Here’s hoping it lives up to those promises.