Though the cinema has featured a fair share of horror films this year, there’s no doubt that 2015 is going to the greatest 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. Amityville
Release: 1st January 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.
2. The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death
Release: 13th February 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.
3. Poltergeist
Release: 13th February 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: 29th May 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”. Thus, the final chapter of the film will uncover the story behind the mysterious girl Allison from the final scene of “Insidious: Chapter 2″.
5. Annabelle
Release date: -
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 cursed doll Annabelle will be seen in “The Conjuring” spin-off. As this is a spin-off of “The Conjuring”, the film is neither a prequel nor sequel of “The Conjuring” and the cast has been renewed for the film. The official release date has not been announced yet but the plot will centre on Annabelle the doll and her previous owners before she was being kept in The Warren’s Occult Museum.
6. Goosebumps
Release: 7th August 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 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.
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.