Michael Myers, who is returning in Halloween Kills, and many other leading horror franchises are seeing new installments release in 2020, which is shaping up to be an incredible year for horror.
Horror franchises have always been one of the biggest aspects of the horror genre ever since the 70s and 80s, which saw the rise of Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, and Leatherface dominating the big screen as titans of terror. Others have followed, like Chucky in the Child's Play franchise and Pinhead in Hellraiser, but as the years have worn on, modern franchises like Saw and The Purge have emerged and ed them.
Many of these popular modern franchises are getting new installments in 2020. Some that haven't been updated in years, such as Candyman, are getting refreshed and updated from new, brilliant minds within the genre. Here are some of the franchises to look forward to on the big screen this year.
Brahms: The Boy 2 - February 21
Though its original installment, The Boy, didn't take off with audiences (and only has a 30% rating on Rotten Tomatoes), its sequel Brahms: The Boy 2, is heading to theaters in late February. This time, Brahms has a new family to torment, and stars Katie Holmes as Liza. The last movie, in 2016, starred The Walking Dead alum Lauren Cohan as Brahms' nanny, which might beg the question as to why a doll would be in need of a nanny in the first place, but with Brahms, there's more than meets the eye.
A Quiet Place 2 - March 20
The first full-length trailer dropped on Jan 1, 2020, and the film will release in March.
Untitled Saw Project - May 15
The ninth installment of the popular Saw franchise is currently being called by its working title, "The Organ Donor" and was inspired by a story from Chris Rock, who also stars in the film. This film will see the return of director Darren Lynn Bousman, and will also star Samuel L. Jackson and Marisol Nichols (Riverdale). Little is known about the plot, though sources surrounding the film has said that Rock's idea for the story takes the franchise in a new, unique direction. Every previous film in the Saw franchise has had an October release, so the May 15 release date is an early present to franchise fans.
Candyman - June 12
Jordan Peele, of spiritual sequel" to the beloved Candyman franchise, fans were over the moon. Director Nia DaCosta is at the helm, and while she is a newer filmmaker, her projects have gotten incredible reviews from critics, along with Peele's stamp of approval. The film will see Tony Todd, the originator of the titular role, back in some capacity and also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Aquaman), Teyonah Parris, and Colman Domingo.
The Purge 5 - July 10
The Purge television series in some capacity. Jason Blum has mentioned interest in a crossover in the past, as well as a greater cinematic universe for Blumhouse properties in general, so while this movie might be the end in some capacity, it could still have a greater future after it releases in July 2020.
Escape Room 2 - August 14
Columbia Pictures managed to turn a meager $9 million budget for reminiscent of the Saw movies, Escape Room's sequel could be an equal success that might end up starting something much bigger.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It - September 11
James Wan's The Conjuring universe will continue with yet another case from the files of Ed and Lorraine Warren, who are played by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga, respectively. This time, instead of following an in-home haunting, as is the usual modus operandi of the franchise, case was the first in US history where a defendant claimed demonic possession as a defense and created the infamous line "the devil made me do it," which was the inspiration for the film's title. Michael Chaves, who previously helmed The Curse of La Llorona, will direct.
Halloween Kills - October 16
The continuing saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode, which has endured in some capacity since the original movie's premiere in 1978 will continue in 2020, with one more installment (and presumably the last) in 2021. Halloween Kills will see Jamie Lee Curtis and James Jude Courtney/Nick Castle as Laurie and Michael, respectively. Other familiar faces will return in some capacity, including Anthony Michael Hall, who was cast as the adult version of Tommy Doyle and Kyle Richards, who is reprising the role of Lindsey Wallace, which she originated as a child actress.
