5 Upcoming Horror Movie Reboots, Ranked by How Likely They Are To Save Their Franchise

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It seems like we’re currently seeing a lot of horror reboots, sequels, or a mix of both – but reviving established horror franchises isn’t a new trend. Horror movies generally don’t cost much to make and often earn good profits, making them relatively safe investments for studios. Because of this, studios are willing to go to great lengths to keep popular villains alive. However, not every attempt succeeds. While films like Nosferatu and Final Destination: Bloodlines successfully reintroduced classic characters and were well-received, Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man and the I Know What You Did Last Summer sequel weren’t as successful.

The trend of bringing back beloved franchises isn’t likely to stop anytime soon. Over the next year, we’ll see several major franchises return after a break, and early signs suggest some of them are heading in a positive direction that will keep fans engaged. We’ve focused on true revivals here, excluding anything connected to ongoing series. For example, while Evil Dead Burn feels like a reboot, it could also be seen as a standalone story, similar to Evil Dead Rise, which was released less than three years ago.

5) Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The story of Leatherface has been retold far too often. There were reboots in 1995, then again in the early 2000s, and then three more times in 2013, 2017, and 2022. Unfortunately, the three most recent Texas Chainsaw Massacre films are notoriously difficult to watch.

Okay, so they’re revisiting this property, and honestly, it feels like they’re finally getting it right – or as right as anyone can get it. A24 is handling both a film and a streaming series, but I’m way more excited about the series. Glen Powell’s producing, and JT Mollner, who wrote The Long Walk, is directing – that’s a promising combo! But here’s the thing: have we seen so many chainsaw-fueled thrillers that even a well-made one will just get lost in the shuffle? It’s a real concern.

4) The Mummy

The Mummy is getting two new films. One will bring back the popular early 2000s movies starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Because Fraser and Weisz haven’t worked together since 2001—when Maria Bello took over Weisz’s role—and the project is tapping into 90s nostalgia, it’s likely to be very successful.

Coming out on April 17th is Lee Cronin’s take on The Mummy. Produced by Blumhouse and James Wan’s Atomic Monster, this new film offers a fresh concept, distinguishing it from previous versions focused on Imhotep. The teaser trailer is genuinely unsettling, and it has the potential to be a major success – a stark contrast to the often-criticized Tom Cruise film.

3) Friday the 13th

The Friday the 13th franchise is famous for its elaborate attempts to keep its villain, Jason Voorhees, alive. He was seemingly destroyed at the start of Jason Goes to Hell: The Final Friday, but still returned by the film’s end. The next movie, Jason X, essentially restarted the series. It ignored the events of the earlier Paramount films and even Jason Goes to Hell – the title itself hints at Jason’s inescapable fate.

It’s been an amazing 17 years since the last Friday the 13th movie – especially considering there were eight films in just one decade! The 2009 reboot was surprisingly good, too, delivering intense scares even if the characters weren’t always likable. Now, we’re not just getting another Friday the 13th film, but a whole Jason Universe! The upcoming 2025 film, Sweet Revenge, suggests the creators understand what made the original four movies so great, and importantly, they’ve proven they can create a compelling lead character for a Jason story.

2) Resident Evil

Details about the new Resident Evil movie are scarce, so some might think the current excitement is a bit premature. However, director Zach Cregger is a fan of the games and has recently directed two well-received horror films. He seems like the right person to finally adapt this popular series into a successful movie. Plus, the involvement of Paul Walter Hauser is a good sign. We’ll have to wait and see how it turns out when it’s released on September 18th.

1) The Exorcist

While both Evil Dead and The Exorcist have seen continued releases, there’s a key distinction. Evil Dead Rise was a successful, standalone film, while The Exorcist: Believer was poorly received and intended to launch a trilogy that never materialized. This is why Mike Flanagan’s Exorcist project is essentially a complete restart of the franchise.

This new take on The Exorcist seems promising, with a fresh cast and crew. While it was fun to see Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair return in Believer, it’s good they’re now heading in a completely different direction. With stars like Scarlett Johansson, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Diane Lane, plus director Mike Flanagan – who’s excellent at adapting Stephen King – this could be something truly remarkable when it’s released in March 2027. If even this talented team can’t reignite interest in the story of Pazuzu, it might be time to accept that the original Exorcist was a unique moment in 1970s pop culture.

What movie are you looking forward to the most? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-02-08 02:13