Welp, it’s time for the yearly tradition of speculating trends for the new year! Let’s see what I can come up with for 2025.
Analog Horror
Recently, as a reflection of the 80s (and now 90s) aesthetic trend, we’re no doubt going to see a lot more analog horror features. VHS tapes are returning to shelves and are sought-after collectors items — I have a few myself! Same with cassette tapes. This is especially true with Indie media, namely crowdfunded films. For example, I contributed to a few campaigns in 2024, most of which had a VHS perk option! I’m really excited for this trend to take hold because it’s not only a fun, retro thing to do, but it’s important for the physical media movement as well. We’re all used to streaming — which, don’t get me wrong, has its perks — but knowing that a loved movie may someday not be available to watch anymore (even when you “bought” it) makes the return of physical media necessary. Adding a throwback material is the cherry on top.
Return of Monsters
… and possibly Universal’s Dark Universe? So just at the end of 2024, we got Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu and we’ll be seeing Leigh Whannell’s (who also did 2020’s Invisible Man) Wolf Man this month. I’m not saying for sure that the Dark Universe is making a quiet return, but we also have to think that with Epic Universe (which will have its own Dark Universe section) is opening mid 2025, there may be a real possibility. Either that, or we just keep getting Universal Monster/monster adjacent movies. Either way, I’m living for it.
Speaking of monster adjacent — I noticed an uptick of straight-up monster movies. Think Screambox’s Frogman. We’ve been focusing a lot on human killers but I forsee a steady increase in creature features.
And the Return of Classics
We already have an inkling of what is to come in 2025: 28 years Later, The Black Phone 2, Scream 7 (to come in 2026), Saw XI… We’re seeing the ultimate lineup of sequels, prequels, remakes, and the like. On one hand it’s awesome to see so many much-beloved films turn into and continue franchises; on the other hand, it’s a bit worrisome because I don’t want to think we’re running out of ideas. I’ll be interested to see how these franchises play out: are they keeping the excitement going, or are they old and raggedy?
Politics this Decade
It’s that time again for a change in power, which inevitably means a change in horror trends. We saw it in 2024 with the super close release of Immaculate and The First Omen following the overturn of Roe v. Wade in the US. And as we all know, horror tends to reflect the current worries of the nation. I would not be surprised at all to see more films depicting murderous women and the Devil.
And there it is, a short and sweet prediction for 2025 horror films. We’ll have to see how things turn out!
What do you think we’ll see in 2025, or better yet, what do you hope to see? Let us know in the comments!
