10 Horror Directors To Watch After 2025’s Incredible Year

2025 was a fantastic year for horror movies, offering a great selection of both critically praised films and those loved by fans. Sinners quickly became an Oscar contender, cleverly blending a story set in the Jim Crow South with a vampire twist. At the same time, Weapons shocked viewers around the globe with its daring and unexpected premise.

Luckily, some fantastic horror movies are scheduled for release in 2026, and several talented directors are developing projects that could redefine the genre in the years to come. Here’s a look at the directors who are poised to make a big impact on horror films after 2025.

Christophe Gans

In 2026, director Christopher Gans is surprising everyone with a new project. He previously directed the 2006 horror film Silent Hill, adapted from the video game of the same name, which featured a town full of frightening mysteries. While the first movie wasn’t well-received and didn’t perform well at the box office, a sequel is now in the works.

Christophe Gans is a talented director, and he first showed his skill with his film Brotherhood of the Wolf, a thrilling fantasy horror that got genre fans eager for his next project. While Silent Hill had some impressive scenes, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Now, Gans is returning to the world he created with Return to Silent Hill, scheduled for release in January 2026.

The first Silent Hill movie was initially poorly received, but opinions have improved over time. However, the second film, Silent Hill: Revelation, wasn’t well-received. The original director, Gans, didn’t work on the sequel, but he’s returned for a third movie, and fans are hoping he can recapture the creative scares of the first one.

Brandon Cronenberg

Brandon Cronenberg doesn’t currently have a film scheduled for release in 2026, but he’s committed to a new science fiction movie that’s generating a lot of buzz among fans of sci-fi horror. Following in the footsteps of his father, the renowned body horror director David Cronenberg, Brandon quickly established himself with unsettling and visually striking films like Antiviral, Possessor, and Infinity Pool.

It’s been more than two years since his last film, Infinity Pool, and his fans are now curious about his new project. He spent some time developing a secret sci-fi horror video game with Blumhouse Games, but recently revealed he’s secured funding for another movie, expected in 2025.

Dragon is a science fiction movie he’s been developing since 2017. The story centers on a captain and her crew who hunt cosmic ‘dragons’ – creatures used to make a highly addictive drug that controls the population, a concept reminiscent of David Cronenberg’s work.

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Maggie Gyllenhaal, known for her dramatic roles and critically acclaimed 2021 directorial debut The Lost Daughter, is surprising fans with her next project: a remake of a classic horror film, scheduled for release in 2026.

Jake Gyllenhaal is directing a new movie called The Bride!, a reimagining of the classic horror film Bride of Frankenstein. This project follows closely after Guillermo del Toro’s recent Frankenstein adaptation, but Gyllenhaal’s take promises a different style and feel.

I’m really excited about The Bride! It seems like it’s going to be more than just a horror movie – it’s about how things change in society and this creature fighting for the right to be her own person, not just what her creators want. With Jessie Buckley and Christian Bale starring, I think director Jake Gyllenhaal might have created something truly special, and it could be one of the best horror films of 2026!

Nia DaCosta

Nia DaCosta is known for directing impressive films like the 2021 remake of Candyman and the 2023 movie The Marvels, which many felt didn’t get the attention it deserved. Her next project, coming in 2026, is 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple – a sequel to one of the most beloved horror series of the 2000s.

It’s surprising that 28 Years Later was released just seven months ago, considering how quickly this new film came out – fans are definitely noticing! But with Danny Boyle directing the first movie and Nia DaCosta taking the reins for this one, the fast production makes more sense.

Director Nia DaCosta impressed audiences with her work on Candyman, and her most recent film, the 2025 drama Hedda, suggests she’ll bring a fresh and exciting perspective to the 28 Years Later series. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is scheduled for release on January 14, 2026.

Sam Raimi

I’ve always been a huge fan of Sam Raimi – he’s truly one of the greats when it comes to horror movies. It’s been a while since he’s really focused on the genre, so I’m incredibly excited about his upcoming film in 2026! Most people know him for creating the Evil Dead series, and I just learned he’s got a new movie called Send Help coming out, which I can’t wait to see.

This film is a departure from Sam Raimi’s usual horror style, differing significantly from movies like Evil Dead, Drag Me to Hell, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The story centers on Rachel McAdams, who plays a woman struggling with a difficult life and finds herself stranded on a deserted island after a plane crash, along with her overbearing and cruel boss, played by Dylan O’Brien.

I’m getting a really interesting vibe from this new film. It seems to touch on similar ground as Drag Me to Hell, but it feels more grounded and focused on a woman getting her well-deserved revenge. Of course, knowing Sam Raimi is directing, I’m expecting a wild ride with plenty of unexpected twists! Honestly, it’s just awesome to see Raimi back doing horror again – he’s a master of the genre.

Robert Eggers

Robert Eggers is known for creating some of today’s most striking and divisive horror movies. His first film, The Witch, was a critically acclaimed and genuinely frightening story. He followed that up with The Lighthouse, a visually stunning black and white film that some found confusing due to its focus on symbolism over a straightforward plot, but it still earned respect from many critics.

Robert Eggers’ film The Northman sparked a lot of different opinions, but it offered a strikingly realistic portrayal of medieval life. However, many consider his 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu to be his best work yet, featuring stunning visuals that stand out in the horror genre.

Horror movie lovers are hoping the director will bring the same creative visual style to his 2026 horror film, Werewulf, which is scheduled for release on Christmas Day. The movie is a fresh take on the werewolf story, continuing his trend of reimagining classic horror themes with his own unique vision.

Radio Silence

I’ve been following Radio Silence for a while now – they really cut their teeth in the horror world, starting with a memorable segment in the V/H/S anthology, and getting a boost from Eli Roth with Devil’s Due. But 2019 is when they truly delivered. Ready or Not is a flat-out masterpiece – a brilliantly dark and funny horror-comedy about a bride who discovers her new in-laws have a rather…extreme wedding night tradition: they plan to kill and sacrifice her!

The filmmaking team first gained recognition with V/H/S, then successfully revitalized the Scream series by introducing new stars like Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega. Now, they’re returning to their acclaimed work with Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, scheduled for release in 2026.

It’s great to see Samara Weaving return as the main character, and she’s joined by Kathryn Newton, who previously worked with the filmmakers on Abigail. The film also features a strong supporting cast including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Kevin Durand, and Elijah Wood, making it a promising new horror movie from some talented directors.

Danny & Michael Philippou

Danny and Michael Philippou, known as YouTubers, directed the horror film Talk to Me, which became a major hit. Released in 2022, the movie follows a group of friends who discover a mysterious severed hand that lets them communicate with spirits. Unfortunately, this connection opens the door to something evil.

After their success with the first horror film, the duo followed it up with Bring Her Back, which also received good reviews and did well in theaters. Having scored two hits in the horror genre, fans are eager to see what they’ll do next. While they don’t have anything planned for 2026, the brothers have suggested they’re already working on a new project.

The real thrill comes from the fact that this new project is a second Talk to Me movie. The filmmakers have already filmed a prequel, and a sequel is also in the works. Although release dates for both films haven’t been announced yet, these brothers are definitely ones to watch in the world of horror.

Zach Cregger

Zach Cregger is quickly becoming a leading figure in horror movies, and 2025 was a standout year for him. While he previously gained recognition as a comedian with the Whitest Kids U’ Know, he’s now a successful director. He first gained attention with the 2022 film Barbarian, followed by the release of Weapons in 2025.

After the huge popularity of Weapons, fans were thrilled to hear Cregger was planning a new Resident Evil movie. Thankfully, he started working on it right away, and it’s scheduled to come out on September 18, 2026.

Cregger intends the film to closely mirror the video games, particularly in its storyline, aiming for a familiar narrative experience for players. Many believe it has the potential to be one of the best horror films of 2026, and a standout adaptation of a video game.

Ryan Coogler

In 2025, Ryan Coogler was considered the top horror director thanks to his film, Sinners, a historical vampire movie. This recognition wasn’t unexpected, as Coogler had already established himself as a talented filmmaker with successful movies like Creed and Black Panther. Featuring Michael B. Jordan, Sinners quickly became one of the year’s most acclaimed films.

What made Sinners stand out was that it came from Ryan Coogler’s own imagination, rather than being adapted from existing stories. Though it was his first attempt at horror, fans are hoping he’ll make more films in the genre someday, but that’s uncertain. Even with just one horror film under his belt, Coogler has already proven himself to be a top director in the field.

Ryan Coogler is currently exploring the possibility of making Black Panther 3. He’s also working on a new X-Files TV show, which will give him a chance to create thrilling horror experiences for television. Horror fans will likely enjoy what Coogler has planned for the small screen.

2025-12-29 21:45