Sat Dec 13 03:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Horror in 2025: Surprises and Standouts Dominate the Year

Los Angeles, CA – While 2025 wasn’t a year defined by blockbuster horror hits, it was a year of fascinating surprises and unexpected gems that have redefined the landscape of the genre, according to film critic David Fear. Amidst a sea of sequels and middling releases, a handful of films emerged as true landmarks, showcasing the power of horror to deliver both deeply personal and sweeping, ambitious narratives.

While established studios like A24 and Neon continued to support auteur-driven projects with varying degrees of success, Shudder remained a reliable source for the bizarre and boundary-pushing corners of international horror. The year also saw a resurgence of interest in the works of Stephen King, particularly his more dystopian tales, with mixed reception for the “It”-related series, “Welcome to Derry.” Warner Bros. surprisingly dominated the horror landscape this year.

However, Fear emphasizes that the true highlights of 2025 came from unexpected places, with filmmakers pushing the boundaries of the genre to explore complex themes and deliver unforgettable experiences.

Here are some of the films that defined the year in horror (listed in alphabetical order):

  • Happy Grandparents: This Japanese horror debut from director Yûta Shimotsu is hailed as the best J-horror film in decades, featuring Kotone Furukawa.
  • Hit Reset: Drew Hancock delivers a rom-com nightmare, starring Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher, that blends romance with a dark, twisted premise.
  • Final Destination: Consequences: The warhorse series makes a surprising comeback after a 14-year hiatus, delivering its best entry since the original, filled with ridiculous, Rube Goldberg-level splatterfest sequences.
  • Frankenstein: Guillermo del Toro puts his own unique twist on Mary Shelley’s classic novel, focusing on the emotional and personal aspects of being an outcast. Oscar Isaac delivers as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi is impressive as the monster.
  • Indy: Ben Leonberg’s innovative take on the haunted house subgenre, told from the perspective of a golden retriever, proved to be a heartwarming and thrilling experience.
  • The Shrouds: David Cronenberg explores mortality and grief in this cryptic thriller starring Vincent Cassel, pushing the boundaries of body horror.
  • Sinners: Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan delivered with this ambitious film a historical lesson with fangs, exploring themes of race, capitalism, and cultural appropriation.
  • Twenty Nine Days Later: The core creative team behind one of the greatest zombie movies of all time reunites for a belated third chapter to the 28 Days Later… franchise — and kickstarts a whole new dawn of the raging dead
  • The Dog Days: Steven Soderbergh tackles the haunted house genre from the perspective of a ghost, exploring dysfunctional family dynamics.
  • The Vanishing of Lily Wu: Zach Cregger’s follow-up to “Barbarian” is a chilling psychological thriller about unexplained disappearances, showcasing powerful performances from Julia Garner, Cary Christopher, and Amy Madigan.

Fear also gave shout-outs to “Bring Her Back,” “Dangerous Animals,” “Drop,” “It Feeds,” “Rabbit Trap,” “Keeper,” “Together,” “The Ugly Stepsister,” and “The Woman in the Yard” for their contributions to the year in horror.

2025 may not have been a year of mainstream horror domination, but it was a year that showcased the genre’s versatility and potential to deliver profound and unforgettable cinematic experiences.

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