I keep reading how 2012 is going to be the biggest year yet for the movies, and although this claim is made pretty much year after year, 2012 just might well live up to its promise. It is the year the Mayan’s predict it will all end, so why not go out with a bang, in a blaze of glory in what really does look to be one of the finest years the movie business has ever seen. Thankfully, 2012 is set to be an almighty year for horror with legendary directors returning, old fashion ghost stories coming back, exorcisms, sequels, anthology’s, witches, monsters, vampires, Nazi’s, Franksenstein, Dracula, apocalypse, history re-told, barely a remake in sight and a horror set to turn the genre well and truly on its head!
Yes, 2012, I can honestly say, will be one of the most exciting years for horror for quite some time, and if you cannot find SOMETHING to look forward to out my Top 20 picks of what is coming, then maybe you should move on to romantic comedies.
All set? Good, then I shall commence my countdown, and at the end I will mention a number of other horrors which don’t quite make the top 20, but boy I am still excited to see them. Sadly, not all have official release dates, and those dates that are here could easily change. However, where we have already covered a story giving more detail on the film, then feel free to click the “More Info” link, and if the info includes a trailer, then the link will simply say “trailer”. I hope you enjoy this list as much as I did putting it together.
20- Dracula 3D (TBC): Director – Dario Argento
Dario Argento has continued to be one of my favourite horror directors, and even though the days of his classics like Suspiria, Inferno and even The Stendhal Syndrome are well and truly behind him, a new Argento film will always get me excited. The master of horror has been working on his own version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula since early 2011, and with the film now in post-production, with any luck a release date will be with us very shortly. Trailer
19- The Profane Exhibit (TBC): Directors – Various
Writers David Bond, Manda Manuel and Scott Swan bring together some of horrors most violent and brutal directors in the first of many anthology’s in this list. With director’s such as Ryan Nicholson, Yoshihiro Nishimura, Michael Todd Schneider and Sergio Stivaletti attached, this promises to be one of the most upsetting, violent and horrific horrors of the year. Recommended for those with strong stomachs only! More info
18- Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (02/08/2012): Director – Timur Bekmambetov
The visionary director of Nightwatch, Daywatch and Wanted returns, and goes back to his horror fantasy roots. Here he re-tells the tale of President Abraham Lincoln, portraying him as a hunter of Vampires after his Mother is killed by one. This has been a huge talking point in the world of horror throughout 2011, and could be one of horrors biggest films in 2012. More info
17- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D (05/10/2012): Director – John Lussenhop
The much hyped Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D not only features some legendary actors, but director Lussenhop also intends to follow on from Tobe Hooper’s original 1974 classic as a direct sequel. In this new tale, Heather (a survivor of Leatherface from the original) returns to Texas to collect an inheritance, only to discover part of it is Leatherface himself! A wild idea that just might work, but either way, it will be great to see one of the best horror creations return to the big screen, and in 3D! More info
16- The Divide (TBC): Director – Xavier Gens
Xavier Gens made quite a name for himself after the brutal yet brilliant Frontier(s), and here he takes horror down the apocalyptic route as a group of survivors spend days cramped in an underground basement. Surviving the nuclear attack is just the start to a downward spiral into madness and mayhem. Already receiving some very promising reviews, The Divide will be one of the more challenging horrors of the year. Trailer
15- Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (TBC): Director – Michael J. Bassett
Yes, Silent Hill 2 is coming, and even though talk of this highly anticipated sequel has gone quiet, this is still going to be a massive film when it finally arrives. Radha Mitchell, Sean Bean and Deborah Kara Unger return with new players Carrie-Anne Moss, Malcolm McDowell, Adelaide Clemens and Kit Harington. Expect to see lots more of Pyramid Head as Heather, on the eve of her 18th birthday, heads into Silent Hill’s demonic world. Looking for her missing Father, she discovers a secret about herself which is far worse than she could ever have imagined! More info
14- The Theatre Bizarre (TBC): Directors – Various
You simply have to watch the trailer, and then try and tell me you are not slightly excited about this horror anthology. Sex, gore, violence and creepy characters are all on display here in one of the most talked about and highly praised horrors of last year’s festival circuit. The superb looking feature arrives in the US this month, and please keep your fingers crossed it arrives in the UK soon. Trailer
13- The ABC’s of Death (TBC): Directors – Various
Yet another horror anthology, however they don’t get much bigger than this. 26 directors in all: each supplying a five minute short film focusing on a letter of the alphabet, and each director being one of the most exciting in their field of horror. All new names, all fresh and all with upset you in one way, and thrill you in another. The letter T was reserved for a brand new director, and a competition was organised, and the winning short was simply terrific. This is going to be the Mother of all anthologies’s, and one of the most fascinating horror projects of all time. Trailer
12- The Innkeepers (TBC): Director – Ti West
After House of the Devil, Ti West has become one of horrors hottest properties, and his latest film The Innkeepers has received some superb reviews. Blending one half comedy and another half wet your pants scary horror, this tale of a haunted Inn arrives awash with praise. Sara Paxton and Pat Healy star as the Innkeepers on their final weekend shift before the place shuts down. With hardly any guests, the pair decide to investigate the paranormal history of the Inn, and with the help of some guests, things turn very spooky indeed! Trailer
11- Piranha 3DD (TBC): Director – John Gulager
Alexandre Aja’s fantastic remake of Joe Dante’s original creature feature made remakes cool again, and proved you can improve on originals. Feast creator John Gulager intends to take things one step further as the prehistoric and deadly piranha attack a newly opened waterpark. With many of the cast of Aja’s remake returning, and a whole new cast of hot bikini clad ladies, expect more boobs, more blood and more laughs. Stuck in release date limbo, the rumours are that this will arrive in the UK in March, but dates have changed numerous times already. Trailer
10- The Grey (27/01/2012): Director – Joe Carnahan
Liam Neeson versus wolves, with broken bottles tied to his fists, what more could you want? Joe Carnahan’s real man’s man’s film arrives after a number of trailers showcasing Neeson’s new found machoism. Set in Alaska, an oil drilling team crash land in the frozen wilderness, only to be hunted by hungry wolves, and Neeson aint having none of it! Trailer
9- Six Degrees of Hell (TBC): Director – Joe Raffa
Rumoured to be one of the scariest horrors of 2012, Joe Raffa’s supernatural horror has been building up ready for its release in early 2012. Corey Feldman makes his big return, and so far everything we have seen has been nothing short of brilliant. The images have all been dark and disturbing, and the three trailers have all offered up something new. Fingers crossed this violent and gruesome shocker lives up to all the hype. Trailer
8- Frankenstein’s Army (TBC): Director – Richard Raaphorst
This film has been in development for what feels like an eternity, and we are still nowhere closer to finding an official release date. So far we have had two mighty teaser trailers and some sales artwork, but that is it. The horror centres of a group of Russian soldiers who uncover a Nazi science lab where fallen soldiers have been stitched together to create super soldiers in a last attempt to win the war. Seriously, get this film released, it is without doubt one of the most exciting projects to come along in a while, the teaser trailers have sealed this films high expectations, and I expect nothing but brilliance from this. Now, a release date, PLEASE!!!! Trailer
7- The Last Circus (TBC): Director – Alex De La Iglesia
This Spanish horror, known as Balada Triste De Trompeta in its original language, is already available on Region One and has received some stunning reviews both from festival viewers and reviews for its DVD & Bluray release. For some bizarre reason, the UK has no release details as yet, and I am running out of patience! This film looks insane and totally brilliant, and if you don’t believe me check out the awesome trailer. The story is about a clown, forced to fight in the Spanish militia, still in his clown outfit. He single handed kills an entire platoon, then years later his son, also a clown, works for a circus. With so much tragedy in his life he is a sad clown, and is bullied, especially by the circus happy clown, whose wife the sad clown has fallen for. Brutal violence and utter mayhem follows. Seriously can the UK have it now!!! Trailer
6- Livid (TBC): Directors – Alexandre Bustillo, Julien Maury
The French due who gave us the fascinating and disturbing Inside return. Here they handle a sort of haunted house as a young in-house carer decides to search her new employers’ house for a mysterious treasure. With her friends helping out on one dark night they search the massive mansion, only to discover the house holds dark secrets and chilling supernatural forces. Judging by the superb trailer, an onslaught of fear follows as the film moves to what will no doubt be an unforgettable climax. Early reports are saying this is very very good! Trailer
5- The Devil Inside (02/03/2012): Director – William Brent Bell
Found footage horror is all the rage right now, and here comes the next exorcism film to embrace to format. Paramount have been going totally bonkers with clips, trailers and images, so it is doubtful there are any horror fans on the planet who don’t know about this. In all honesty, Brent Bell’s horror looks terrific and uses the handheld camera angle to really add some weight to the story. In the film Isabella wants to find out just what happened to her Mother during an exorcism, and decides to document her findings as she delves deeper into the world of demonic spirits and holy rituals. Due out in the US this Friday, reviews should start appearing online this week. Trailer
4- (Rec) 3: Genesis (TBC): Director – Paco Plaza
Directed by one half of the (Rec) franchise creators (the other half is directing the fourth film) (Rec) 3 has been building up a solid reputation, and a number of trailers and images have only heightened horror fans expectations. Is it possible this can top the almighty sequel to the classic first film? If you check out the trailers I wouldn’t blame you into thinking it just might. The action is taken away from the block of flats and into the open, as a wedding is interrupted by the horrific virus, and the gorgeous Bride Clara decides to fight back. Make no mistake, (Rec) 3 is going to be awesome! Trailer
3- The Lords of Salem (TBC): Director – Rob Zombie
Come on, it is a new Rob Zombie film, need I say more?? We have been swamped with casting news for the film, early images of the set and a few more teasing images but still no trailer, God dammit! With the film now in post-production and very close to being finished, here’s hoping a trailer is just around the corner. No news yet on a release date, but rest assured I am all over this film. I simply cannot wait! Zombie brings witches back to horror as the cursed town of Salem unleashes three imprisoned witches after a radio DJ accidentally plays a record with a hidden message. All Hell will literally break lose, and with Zombie in charge, this is gonna be a real horrific tale. The cast features a who’s who of horror from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and if ever there was an award for the cast alone, The Lords of Salem should get it. This is gonna be very very special indeed. More info
2– The Cabin in the Woods (13/04/2012): Director – Drew Goddard
Left on the shelf for a few years , The Cabin on the Woods fell victim to a financial problem at MGM after being re-made in 3D. Lionsgate bought the film in 2011, and finally it is coming in April and I couldn’t be happier. The tale of a group of friends falling foul to bad things happening in the woods, and hiding out in a cabin may sound simple enough, but the film will be anything but. Supposedly this film turns the horror genre on its head, literally, and the high concept idea is rumoured to blow people’s minds. This sounds wet your pants scary, intelligent and highly original and is very likely to be the second most successful horror of the year. Get in line for tickets now, this is gonna be massive! Trailer
1– The Woman in Black (10/02/2012): Director – James Watkins
Well, what else was it going to be? Rumours came out early 2011 that James Watkins will be making one of the scariest horror films ever, and now that we have had clips, TV spots and trailers, it appears those early rumours are most definitely coming true. Daniel Radcliffe stars, post-Potter, as a young lawyer who heads to a remote village, only to discover a haunting mystery about a ghostly woman in black. Hammer produces, and you can see their classic looking stamp all over the setting and design, and Watkins has already proved himself as a force to be reckoned with after Eden Lake. The Woman in Black is a horror I am literally counting down the days to see, a good old fashioned ghost story, in a perfect setting with a strong story and a film that is guaranteed to give you sleepless nights. This is going to be THE horror to beat in 2012. Prepare yourselves! Trailer
Now I have counted down my top 20 most anticipated horrors, here is a list of some other horrors which didn’t quite make the list, but will most certainly need checking out:
Alyce (TBC)
The Barrens TBC)
Blind Alley (TBC)
Byzantium (TBC)
Cassadaga (TBC)
Chillerama (TBC)
Cursed Bastards (TBC)
Dunderland (TBC)
Grave Encounters (TBC)
The House at the End of the Street (20/04/2012)
Inbred (TBC)
Intruders (27/01/2012)
Lovely Molly (TBC)
Madison County (TBC)
Masks (TBC)
The Millennium Bug (TBC)
Nang Phee (TBC)
The Perfect House (TBC)
The Possession (31/08/2012)
Resident Evil: Retribution 3D (14/09/2012)
Rites of Spring (TBC)
Sinister (24/08/2012)
The Squad (TBC)
Storage 24 (29/06/2012)
The Tall Man (TBC)
Toolbox Murders 2 (TBC)
Underworld: Awakening 3D (20/01/2012)
Urban Explorer (TBC)
Warm Bodies (24/08/2012)
The Wicker Tree (TBC)
You’re Next (TBC)
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