15 horror films that will shape 2019

As 2018 nears a close, it's time to begin looking at the horror films coming our way in 2019...

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...2018 has been an incredible year for the genre. In 2017, I predicted that this year would somehow be even better, and I can comfortably say that I believe I was right. Looking at what's coming our way in 2018, I feel good in saying that I once again think 2019 has the potential to be even better for horror than this year, which is saying a lot, considering all of the mind-blowing genre films which drenched screens in blood during 2018. 

The following list is compiled of the fifteen films-in no particular order-which I think will have the biggest impact on whether or not we end up considering 2019 a great year for the genre, or one we'd rather soon forget. Of course, there are still many, many films which we don't yet know anything about that will surprise us, and would likely end up on this list at the end of the year if I was given a do-over. But as it stands, these are the horror films which I believe will shape the genre next year, and if we're lucky, surpass even this year. 

1. Happy Death Day 2U

Directed by: Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day​)

Synopsis: Tree (Jessica Rothe) once again finds herself once again experiencing a Groundhog Day type scenario in which she must die over and over again in order to figure out who her killer is. 

Releases: February 14th, 2019

2. Pet Sematary

Directed by: Kevin Kolsch & Dennis Widmyer (Starry Eyes​)

Synopsis: Louis Creed, his wife Rachel and their two children Gage and Ellie move to a rural home where they are welcomed and enlightened about the eerie 'Pet Sematary' located near their home. After the tragedy of their cat being killed by a truck, Louis resorts to burying it in the mysterious pet cemetery, which is definitely not as it seems, as it proves to the Creeds that sometimes, dead is better.

Releases: April 5th, 2019

3. Us

Directed by: Jordan Peele (Get Out)

Synopsis: A mother and father take their kids to their beach house, expecting to enjoy time with friends, but their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some visitors arrive uninvited.

Releases: March 15th, 2019

4. Brightburn

Directed by: David Yarovesky (The Hive​)

Synopsis: What if a child from another world crash-landed on Earth, but instead of becoming a hero to mankind, he proved to be something far more sinister?

Releases: May 24th, 2019

5. Zombieland 2

Directed by: Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland​)

Synopsis: Columbus, Tallahasse, Wichita, and Little Rock move to the American heartland as they face off against evolved zombies, fellow survivors, and the growing pains of the snarky makeshift family.

Releases: October 11th, 2019

6. Antlers

Directed by: Scott Cooper (Black Mass)

Synopsis: A small-town Oregon teacher and her brother, the local sheriff, become entwined with a young student harboring a dangerous secret with frightening consequences.

Releases: TBD

7. Midsommar

Directed by: Ari Aster (Hereditary)

Synopsis: A young woman reluctantly joins her boyfriend on a summer trip where things quickly go awry.

Releases: August 9th, 2019

8. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Directed by: Andre Ovredal (The Autopsy of Jane Doe​)

Synopsis: A group of kids face their fears in order to save their town.

Releases: August 9th, 2019

9. Godzilla: King of the Monsters

Directed by: Michael Dougherty (Trick 'R Treat)

Synopsis: The crypto-zoological agency Monarch faces off against a battery of god-sized monsters, including the mighty Godzilla, who collides with Mothra, Rodan, and his ultimate nemesis, the three-headed King Ghidorah.

Releases: May 31rst, 2019

10. Annabelle 3

Directed by: Gary Dauberman 

Synopsis: Unknown

Releases: July 3rd, 2019

11. Rabid

Directed by: Jen & Sylvia Soska (American Mary)

Synopsis: What happens when you realize that to achieve your dreams you have to live a nightmare? Rose is a quiet, demure, unassuming woman in her looks and actions. Her dream is to become a famous designer in the fashion world, but a terrible accident leaves Rose scarred beyond recognition. She seeks out a radical untested stem cell treatment. The treatment is nothing short of a miracle and wallflower Rose turns into the belle of the ball. It all seems to good to be true. She is now everything she wanted to be. But everything in life comes at a price and this new found perfect life is no exception.

Releases: TBD

12. Climax

Directed by: Gaspar Noe (Irreversible)

Synopsis: French dancers gather in a remote, empty school building to rehearse on a wintry night. The all-night celebration morphs into a hallucinatory nightmare when they learn their sangria is laced with LSD.

Releases: March 1rst, 2019

13. 3 From Hell

Directed by: Rob Zombie (The Devil's Rejects)

Synopsis: A sequel to The Devil's Rejects in which the Firefly family returns to wreak havoc.

​Releases: TBD

14. Child's Play

Directed by: Lars Klevberg (Polaroid​)

Synopsis: A mother gives her son a toy doll for his birthday, unaware of its more sinister nature.

Releases: June 21rst, 2019

15. IT: Chapter 2

Directed by: Andy Muschietti (Mama)

Synopsis: 27 years after the events of the first film, the Losers Club have grown up and moved away, until a devastating phone call brings them back.

Releases: September 6th, 2019

Which horror films are you most excited for in 2019? Let us know in the comments below! 

By Matt Konopka