10 Games Horror Fans Should Look Forward to in 2026

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Scary games are always popular, even though big-budget horror titles aren’t as common as they once were. Publishers tend to avoid risks, but the genre thrives at all price points – from major sequels to small, independently made games. A strong imagination and a sense of nostalgia can make even simple games truly frightening, ensuring a consistent flow of new horror releases.

2026 is no exception, so here are just 10 horror games players should look forward to next year.

10) Parasite Mutant 

Platforms: PS5 and PC

Release Date: 2026

As a big fan of the original Parasite Eve, I’m really excited about Parasite Mutant – it feels like it’s trying to fill that void! Like the PS1 classic, it’s a survival horror RPG, but the combat is different. It’s not about perfectly aiming for headshots like in Resident Evil. Instead, it uses a cool mix of real-time action and timed attacks, kind of like those RPGs from the 90s. The anime art style and all the creepy monsters make it look really unique, and honestly, that’s exactly what I think will make it stand out from the crowd.

9) Fatal Frame 2: Crimson Butterfly Remake

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC

Release Date: March 12th, 2026

A remake of Fatal Frame 2 is on the way, and that’s great news for fans! This updated version will feature improved graphics and sound, better controls, and a more immersive experience, both during fights and while exploring. While the game is based on a title from 2002 and might show its age in some ways, those original foundations are what made Fatal Frame so special.

8) Halloween 

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

Release Date: September 8th, 2026

Illfonic, the studio behind games based on popular movies like Friday the 13th, Predator, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, and Ghostbusters, is tackling Halloween. What sets this game apart is that it will include a single-player campaign, letting players experience the terror as Michael Myers and recreate events from the original 1978 film. It’s a good move for the series, which needs to evolve beyond just multiplayer. The game will also feature the familiar asymmetrical online multiplayer mode where four players try to survive against Michael Myers. While there’s a risk of players getting tired of this type of multiplayer game, Halloween seems poised to surpass Illfonic’s previous hit, Friday the 13th, which was popular but is no longer available.

7) Directive 8020

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

Release Date: 2026

Supermassive Games has carefully developed Directive 8020, and that’s a good sign. Hopefully, this extra time means the story will be more focused and avoid the issues that have plagued their games since Until Dawn. Combining the premise of The Thing with more hands-on gameplay is a promising idea, and could help the studio regain its footing.

6) Reanimal

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2

Release Date: February 13th, 2026

I loved the Little Nightmares games – they felt fresh even though you could see where the developers got their inspiration. Now, the team at Tarsier Studios is making a new game called Reanimal, and from what I’ve seen, it feels very similar! It’s got that same creepy look, the same camera style, and a similarly unsettling world, plus you play as two young characters. I’m curious to see if it does enough to stand on its own, but honestly, if it just delivers more of what made Little Nightmares so great, I’ll be happy!

5) Grave Seasons

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

Release Date: 2026

While cozy farming games and horror don’t usually go together, Grave Seasons uniquely combines the two. You’ll spend your time building a farm by cooking, planting crops, fishing, and mining, but you’ll also be investigating a brutal serial killer terrorizing the town. This unusual blend of relaxing and frightening gameplay could help Grave Seasons become a standout title in the popular farming game genre.

4) Neverway

Platforms: PC and Nintendo Switch

Release Date: 2026

Neverway is a game that combines the relaxing aspects of farm life and romance with spooky horror elements. Players will manage a farm, build relationships with townspeople, and also fight monsters and try to escape terrifying creatures. The game features a dark, retro art style created by the artist who worked on Celeste, and a compelling soundtrack by Disasterpeace, making it both visually appealing and interesting.

3) Crisol: Theater of Idols

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

Release Date: Early 2026

Crisol: Theater of Idols instantly grabs your attention with its striking style. It blends religious imagery with demonic elements and features a unique arsenal of powerful, bloody weapons, setting it apart from typical horror games and shooters. With its focus on intense combat and such a distinctive, meaningful art style, Crisol is an impressive first game from Vermila Studios.

2) Resident Evil Requiem

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2

Release Date: February 27th, 2026

Resident Evil Requiem is shaping up to be the biggest horror game of 2026, and Capcom is clearly committed to innovation. The game looks incredible and promises to evolve the series with a focus on variety. Players will experience different styles of gameplay depending on which character they control – Grace Ashcroft’s sections emphasize horror, while Leon Kennedy’s are more action-packed. The game also switches between first-person and third-person perspectives. While that’s a lot to handle, Capcom has consistently delivered excellent Resident Evil games, including the remake of Resident Evil 3, and Requiem looks set to continue that success.

1) Ontos

Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC

Release Date: 2026

Frictional Games is a top-tier horror game developer known for consistently delivering high-quality experiences. They revolutionized the genre with Amnesia: The Dark Descent and have since created other standout titles like Amnesia: Rebirth, the unique Amnesia: The Bunker, and the critically acclaimed Soma. Their upcoming game, Ontos, seems to blend the psychological depth of Soma with the open-ended puzzle-solving of The Bunker, offering players a lot of freedom. This combination suggests Ontos could be one of the best horror games of 2026, or even just one of the best games overall.

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2025-12-27 17:13