With more than 30 genre pics hitting the market in October, fans are going to have ample opportunities to discover fresh new scares. Sure, there are a few movies headed our way that look less than inspiring, but the bulk of the lot hold some tremendous appeal.
There are 10 films in particular that have our juices really pumping. And there are some very, very respectable talents behind these films, which only further drives our need to check these pictures out.
If you want to know what you should be really paying attention to, read on. We’ve got a look at the 10 most promising genre efforts arriving in the sacred month of October!
A Christmas Horror Story: (October 2) This is a brilliant film. An anthology handled in similar fashion to Michael Dougherty’s Trick ‘r Treat, A Christmas Horror Story is arguably every bit as enthralling as Dougherty’s picture. It also has a very parallel vibe, being a seasonal film and all. We get an assortment of excellent performances, some very strong screenwriting, the baddest rendition of Santa Claus ever featured on film, an awesome Krampus, and a memorable little stint from the always amazing William Shatner. Believe this: The hype surrounding A Christmas Horror Story is very, very deserved.
Deathgasm: (October 2) Another frontrunner for best genre flick of the year, Deathgasm is one wild and respectable tribute to Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead. But it’s a movie all its own, and it’s damn impressive. Metalheads summon a demon of unfathomable power, and all hell breaks loose on earth. One hardcore rocker and his few rogue buddies must bring the insanity to an end, and the outlandish violence that unfolds before that can happen is just stunning. The flick looks great and reminds us that horror films can be a whole hell of a lot of fun!
Tremors 5: Bloodlines: (October 6) I haven’t seen a screener for Tremors 5: Bloodlines come down the pike, and that’s killing me inside. The fifth film in the fan-friendly franchise looks to be the most fun we’ve seen from the series since Ron Underwood’s original feature. We’ve got new faces and familiar faces, new monsters and familiar monsters. The production values look a bit higher than the last few installments, and well, the trailer is just bonkers! It’s rare that a franchise fifth feels so magnetic, but Tremors 5: Bloodlines is most certainly calling to us.
Knock Knock: (October 9) Eli Roth is on a hot streak seldom enjoyed in Hollywood. He recently produced the highly enjoyable and completely unforgiving Clown as well as the well-received The Stranger; one of the most anticipated films of the year – The Green Inferno – just landed in our laps; and now he’s got yet another compelling piece coming to theaters soon. Knock Knock seems to be a different look for Roth, but it also quite nasty. Nasty good! Keanu Reeves rocks, the beautiful Lorenza Izzo is back on the Roth radar, and the trailers look superb. We want to see this… badly!
Suspension: (October 16) One of this year’s “8 Films to Die For,” Suspension is going to appeal to horror freaks and comic book addicts. It’s also going to likely sate the appetites of those who fiend for fun slasher films. Early glimpses of the film suggest an After Dark standout, and we’re certainly hoping that suggestion becomes reality. Suspension doesn’t have a world of buzz surrounding it, but it could be a very special little film!
Tales of Halloween: (October 16) Eleven filmmakers come together to offer us what promises to be a truly epic anthology film. We all love Halloween, and we’re always on the hunt for a top-notch film focused on the 31st of October. With talents like Darren Lynn Bousman, Neil Marshall, Lucky McKee, Dave Parker, and Paul Solet attached (among others), chances are really high that this is the Halloween movie we’ve been waiting for. One glimpse at the trailer, and you’re likely to side with this opinion – it’s a certified winner!
Goosebumps: (October 16) Nostalgia time is coming to theaters soon. Longtime fans of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps books are going to be lining up around the block to catch this one on the big screen, and for good reason. The movie looks like an absolute blast. We’ll see a number of popular villains make their way to the live-action adaptation, and while this one is clearly CGI-heavy, it still looks rather aesthetically appealing. Likely to work well for the entire family, the arrival of the Goosebumps film is long overdue but still heavily appreciated.
Crimson Peak: (October 16) Just to make it known, Crimson Peak looks alarmingly heavy on CGI. Early clips and trailers hint at CGI that may leave audiences on the disappointed side of things. But this is a Guillermo del Toro feature, and del Toro is such a wizard with horror that we’ve got absolutely no choice but to extend the man the benefit of the doubt. He’s very, very rarely done us wrong. This Gothic creep-out could prove to be a riveting film. The talent in front of the camera is accounted for, and the talent behind the camera is accounted for; now it’s time to see how the entire production comes together.
Bone Tomahawk: (October 23) There should be no need to sell you on the idea of watching Bone Tomahawk. Kurt Russell makes a long anticipated return to the horror genre, and that return comes via the way of the western. Western horror rocks, Kurt Russell is a living legend, and S. Craig Zahler tells an incredibly fine story, as evidenced by the heavily slept on 2011 chiller Asylum Blackout (seriously, if you haven’t seen this beauty, look into it). There’s absolutely no reason to believe this one will do anything but impress.
Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension: (October 23) The Paranormal Activity franchise took a brief hiatus, and that hiatus was needed in a major way. The last few films have grown rather stale, offering fans muddled storylines and virtually zero fear factor. Perhaps the months away from the series have afforded creative minds the time to nurture a strong story and prepare a film that may actually leave us a bit unnerved. The first two films in the franchise were quite strong, and we’re hoping Blumhouse and Paramount have come together to ensure the franchise ends on the strongest note possible.
What films are you looking forward to this month? Share your picks with us below!