With COVID-19 wreaking havoc on 2020’s movie schedule, it is worth thinking ahead to what audiences have to look forward to in the world of horror come 2021.
The horror that has been released throughout 2020 has seen some serious highs and lows. January offered a handful of middling films like Gretel & Hansel, The Grudge, and The Turning. The Invisible Man marked a turning point, offering a movie that not only revamped 2020’s horror offerings, but the Dark Universe on the whole. Unfortunately, it also marked the end of Spring moviegoing, coming out mere weeks before quarantine took over.
With so many movies pushed back due to coronavirus, the entire horror movie release timeline has had to shift. With quarantine hopefully lifted by the end of summer, autumn 2020 is looking to be an intensely competitive month in the world of horror. 2021 already had several horror films on the docket before rescheduling added onto it. Some films that were slated to release in Spring 2020 have been put on infinite delay, but are likely to join the list of 2021 releases. All this considered, here’s a round-up of all the horror due to release in 2021.
Escape Room 2: January 1, 2021
A sequel to thriller horror success Escape Room, Escape Room 2 already had its schedule pushed back from an original summer 2020 release date, for reasons unrelated to coronavirus. Little has been released about its plot, but the original’s cliff-hanger certainly left a good jumping-off point for a follow-up movie. The same director-writer duo is back to explore this relatively simple premise that makes for good popcorn horror.
Morbius: March 19, 2021
Originally meant to be a summer blockbuster, Morbius found its release date pushed back due to coronavirus-related restrictions. Starring Jared Leto as Michael Morbius, the film blends elements of the superhero genre with a good dose of horror. It comes off the success of 2018’s Venom. Although critically panned, Venom was beloved by audiences, proving the staying power of a Spiderman-related movie universe. Morbius seeks to capitalize on that, bringing the story of the biochemist turned vampire to the silver screen.
Paranormal Activity 7: March 19, 2021
Paranormal Activity 7 has had its release date set in 2021 since 2019. No Paranormal Activity film has quite been able to replicate the critical success of the original movie, but strong box office numbers has lent the franchise the strength to grow. With each movie, the budget of the Paranormal Activity films has only grown, while box office numbers (though still strong) have started to dwindle. Paranormal Activity 7 may offer the revitalization the franchise desperately needs to maintain audience faith in its ability to produce quality horror.
Dark Harvest: September 24, 2021
Director David Slade, of Hard Candy and Thirty Days Of Night Fame, offers a Halloween-themed movie for autumn 2021. Adapting Norman Partridge’s novel of the same name, Dark Harvest looks to mark an appropriately spooky start to the cobwebs and pumpkins season. If it remains true to its source material, which the author described as “a love letter to Halloween,” it could offer that slightly corny supernatural punch that defines any good harvest film.
Halloween Ends: October 15, 2021
2018 revived the Halloween franchise, marking the start of a new trilogy of slasher films. With Jamie Lee Curtis returning to reprise the role of Laurie, it offered familiar scares without seeming repetitive. By summer 2019, Halloween had two sequels announced. The first, Halloween Kills, is set to release in October 2020. Assuming there are no further changes to movie scheduling after the summer, the third and final installment in the franchise, Halloween Ends, is set to hit theatres late 2021.
Antebellum: Delayed Indefinitely, Possible 2021 Release Date
Horror thriller Antebellum was originally set to release in Spring 2020. It was one of a rash of horror films that have been taken off the docket with no specific release date clarified. There is much speculation about when Antebellum might finally make its way into the public eye. With a horror-heavy second half of 2020, it is likely the film’s theatrical release will be pushed to 2021, or it could release via streaming platform. With Janelle Monáe playing the lead and a compelling trailer, many horror fans are keeping a keen eye out for Antebellum’s release date, whenever it finally gets announced.
Run: Delayed Indefinitely, Possible 2021 Release Date
The mother-daughter horror Run has already had its start date pushed back a few times. Originally slated for January 2020, it was pushed to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend until coronavirus restrictions completely removed its start date. It is one of three Lionsgate horror movies that has been delayed until “further clarity” about the movie theatre situation. Perhaps the studio will choose to keep the relevant Mother’s Day weekend release date, pushing Run into the same release in 2021.
Spiral: From The Book Of Saw: Delayed Indefinitely, Possible 2021 Release Date
Spiral: From The Book Of Saw had franchise fans excited after the trailer demonstrated the new tone Chris Rock’s adaptation would be taking. Its original release for October 2020 actually got moved up to May 2020. The studio didn’t want it going head-to-head with Halloween Kills. With the May release date now impossible due to restrictions, it is unsure when the ninth installment of the Saw franchise will be seeing the light of day. However, with coronavirus rescheduling only making fall 2020 an even more competitive month for horror, it is likely that Spiral: From The Book Of Saw will be pushed back to 2021.
The Woman In the Window: Delayed Indefinitely, Possible 2021 Release Date
The Woman In The Window looked promising for fans of domestic horror like The Others and Panic Room. Amy Adams has more than proven her skill in portraying characters in tense situations, offering a sympathetic but intense Camille in miniseries Sharp Objects. However, like many other movies, it has had its intended May release date pushed back indefinitely. With multiple blockbuster horror films grappling for the latter half of 2020, it is likely this psychological thriller will wait for 2021 to release.
Run Sweetheart Run: Delayed Indefinitely, Possible 2021 Release Date
Run Sweetheart Run made its way to the Sundance Festival in early 2020. It was slated to hit theaters for the general audience in May, but had to cancel indefinitely due to coronavirus concerns. The psychological thriller has so far met mostly positive critical reviews. Based on its reception, Run Sweetheart Run seems like its blend of intense “cat-and-mouse” horror and an undercurrent of feminist ideals will make for a fun and fulfilling watch.
Last Night In Soho: Delayed Indefinitely, Possible 2021 Release Date
Originally slated for fall of 2020, Last Night In Soho lost its spot due to coronavirus reshuffling. Bigger budget movies turned early fall into a far more competitive market, meaning it is likely that Edgar Wright’s mind-bending horror flick will be pushed into 2021. Described by actress Anya Taylor-Joy as a disturbing “acid trip”, Last Night In Soho is something many can look forward to as 2021 rolls around with a new, readjusted movie release schedule.
