Ready for a year of straight slasher flicks, horror anthologies, paranormal entities, home invasions, and more? 2013 is due to cover just about every corner of the horror genre – including remakes, adaptations, and even a few original ideas, too.
There’s dozens of prospective nightmare-inducing productions on the way (or already in theaters), but we’ve narrowed it down to the 10 that pack the most promising source material, stellar teams of talent, innovative core concepts and/or the potential for unprecedented carnage.
Check out our 10 Most Anticipated Horror Movies of 2013.
Release Date: April 5, 2013
Cast: Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, Elizabeth Blackmore
It’s a remake of Sam Raimi’s 1981 cult classic; how could this not make the list? Still, there’s a chance first time feature director Fede Alavrez’s work might not live up to the hype, but if the film’s red-band teaser trailer is any indication, 2013’s Evil Dead could be the most gorgeously shot display of carnage you see all year.
Watch the trailer for Evil Dead.
Release Date: June 7, 2013
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, Max Burkholder, Edwin Hodge, Rhys Wakefield
In hopes of keeping the country crime-free all year, the government sanctions one special night for US citizens to unleash their aggression by suspending all emergency services and making all crime legal for a 12-hour stretch.
Whether The Purge works or not, it’s an ingenious concept that comes with the fun of wondering how you’d fare in such a situation.
Watch the trailer for The Purge.
Release Date: June 21, 2013
Cast: Elijah Wood, Nora Arnezeder
Alexandre Aja could go two-for-two this year with both Maniac and Horns. With Maniac, he takes on writing and producing roles for the remake of the 1980 William Lustig film – and between the almost too-perfect casting of Elijah Wood in the lead role and the film’s POV storytelling technique, this one could be particularly unsettling by not only putting you in the mind of the killer, but giving you a first-hand view of his grisly obsession.
Watch the trailer for Maniac.
Release Date: July 12, 2013
Directors: Simon Barrett, Adam Wingard, Edúardo Sanchez, Gregg Hale, Timo Tjahjanto, Gareth Evans, Jason Eisener
VHS successfully put the horror anthology format back on the map (read our review) and now the sequel has hopes of solidifying it as a viable form of storytelling amidst an almost entirely feature-length market. VHS vets Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett are back and are joined by Jason Eisener (Hobo with a Shotgun), Gareth Evans (The Raid: Redemption), Timo Tjahjanto, Gregg Hale and Edúardo Sanchez (The Blair Witch Project) – and if you know anything about the new gang’s previous films, it’s obvious that VHS 2 will likely show off four smart, vibrant, and deeply disturbing shorts.
Watch the trailer for VHS 2.
Release Date: July 19, 2013
Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Joey King, Mackenzie Foy
Great source material, the ideal director, a stellar cast, and highly promising test screenings. The Conjuring is without a doubt the most anticipated horror movie of 2013, and one with franchise potential at that. The Conjuring focuses on one case in real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren’s archive, and should the film wind up being the summer hit some are expecting, perhaps Warner Bros. will revert back to The Warren Files title and make a franchise out of it.
Watch the trailer for The Conjuring.
Release Date: August 23, 2013
Cast: Sharni Vinson, AJ Bowen, Nicholas Tucci, Wendy Glenn, Joe Swanberg, Rob Moran, Barbara Crampton, Maragaret Laney, Amy Seimetz, Ti West
You’re Next has been simmering on the film festival circuit for quite some time now, but there’s a method to Lionsgate’s madness. The home invasion film already amassed a following and the studio’s marketing efforts continue to make a mark, courtesy of those eerie animal masks.
Come August, with a full month between this and The Conjuring, horror fans could be foaming at the mouth for more carnage, giving You’re Next a solid shot against two other notable wide releases.
Release Date: September 13, 2013
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Ty Simpkins, Barbara Hershey, Leigh Whannell, Jocelin Donahue, Steve Coulter
Considering what James Wan managed to achieve with a mere $1.5 million budget, it’s no wonder Insidious wound up taking in $97 million worldwide and earning a sequel. The narrative in film one didn’t necessarily leave the door open for another go-around, but with the entire original team returning to make Chapter Two, Wan and writer Leigh Whannell must have something smart brewing for the Lambert’s next trip into The Further.
Watch the trailer for Insidious 2.
Release Date: October 11, 2013
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Juno Temple, Joe Anderson, Kelli Garner, Max Minghella, James Remar
The idea of Daniel Radcliffe donning a pair of horns is bound to attract some attention, but the fact that his upcoming feature also rocks source material from acclaimed author Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) and is being directed by Alexandre Aja (Piranha, High Tension) suggests Horns has the potential to hit the ideal balance between physical and psychological terror.
Release Date: October 18, 2013
Cast: Chloë Grace Moretz, Judy Greer, Portia Doubleday, Alex Russell, Ansel Elgort, Julianne Moore
This one isn’t just bringing back a genre classic; it’s doing so with a nearly ideal team of talent. Versatility aside, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa might be the wild card because he doesn’t really have anything on his resume to suggest he was the man for this job, but regardless, it’s tough to imagine a collaboration between director Kimberly Peirce (Boys Don’t Cry), Chloe Moretz, and Julianne Moore resulting in a feature below a certain standard.
Watch the trailer for Carrie.
Release Date: October 25, 2013
Cast: TBA
Paranormal Activity 4 should have extinguished the franchise’s hype, but the once innovative scenario still has enough zest to keep it a Halloween staple. The fifth installment, not to be confused with the Latino Paranormal Activity spin-off, supposedly first went into production in the spring so few plot details have surfaced, but hopefully the filmmakers will nix new neighbors and take a cue from Paranormal Activity 2 and 3 by offering up another narrative that cleverly builds upon what’s already been established.
This list only scratches the surface of the impending barrage of carnage and nightmares on the way. Whether you’re into the thrill of a slasher-style attack, the unease of a thoughtful peek inside the mind of a psychopath, or prefer to be left on the lookout for paranormal entities, there’s a little something for everyone.
Tell us which 2013 release boasts the form of horror you’re looking forward to experiencing most.
If you haven’t checked it out already, take a look at our “5 Big Questions For Movie Geeks in 2013” – which includes the topic “Is this horror’s money year?”
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