Be very afraid: The most important horror reboots and sequels coming out in 2021

Horror fans will have a lot of chilling films to sink their teeth into these upcoming months!

Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her role as Laurie Strode in the Halloween 2021 sequel.
Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her role as Laurie Strode in the Halloween 2021 sequel.  © IMAGO / Everett Collection

Reboots are becoming the norm in Hollywood, that much is very clear.

But messing with classics is a risky proposition, and that's equally true when it comes to the classics of horror cinema.

With that in mind, it's time to dissect a few of these legendary fright fests that will be revived or continued this year and the next .

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Following the success of A Quiet Place 2 and The Conjuring: The Devil: Made Me Do It, there's a chance that at least some of these sequels and remakes will get the seal of approval from critics and fans alike.

Some, however, might be nightmare-inducing for all the wrong reasons.

Halloween Kills

Jamie Lee Curtis (r.) & Judy Greer (l.) star as mother and daughter, Laurie and Judy in Halloween.
Jamie Lee Curtis (r.) & Judy Greer (l.) star as mother and daughter, Laurie and Judy in Halloween.  © IMAGO / Cinema Publishers Collection

In 1978, the horror genre was forever changed with the premiere of John Carpenter's epic slasher, Halloween.

The movie's success and cult following gave birth to a new generation of storytelling for scary films.

Many sequels and remakes followed the original's debut, but in 2018, Danny McBride presented a fresh revival of the beloved horror classic with Jamie Lee Curtis returning as the traumatized Laurie Strode.

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Of course, the film garnered some skepticism from die-hard fans. But, the rebooted slasher film turned out to not only be a rousing success, but also a proper sequel.

In October, the next part of the saga, Halloween Kills, hits theaters as Laurie once again tries to escape her boogeyman.

Nick Castle will return as Michael Myers, who apparently survived the previous film's events. And true Halloween fanatics will be pleased to hear that two more original characters from the 1978 film are returning. Kyle Richards will reprise her role as Lindsay Wallace and Nancy Stephens will return as Nurse Marion Chambers.

A third film will be released in 2022, so clearly, Michael won't be defeated once and for all in Halloween Kills. Nevertheless, there are high hopes for this project.

So, if you're looking for a good ole fashion edge-on-your seat, heart-stopping, scary flick, this one's a good bet.

Halloween Kills hits theaters on October 15.

Resident Evil: Welcome To Raccoon City

Mila Jovovich starred as Alice, the main protagonist in the Resident Evil film series.
Mila Jovovich starred as Alice, the main protagonist in the Resident Evil film series.  © IMAGO / Everett Collection

Zombies, shady cops, and mutated crocodiles: the video game series Resident Evil made its mark on gamers with its graphic content and impeccable storyline.

In 2002, Mila Jovovich starred in the big screen adaptations as Alice, a former Umbrella security guard turned heroine.

The character was not in any of the Resident Evil games, which did cause some confusion, though other characters made appearances throughout the saga.

But the franchise somewhat lost its appeal among fans by the time the fifth sequel rolled up in 2016. Now, a reboot will be trying to refresh the franchise , and though we've already suffered through one too many Resident Evil entries, this one may give viewers what it wanted all along.

Welcome to Raccoon City will be based on the first and second games, and will have some new faces portraying fan-favorite characters. Mila Jovovich won't be back in this live-adaption, so it's a completely fresh start.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City premieres on November 24.

Candyman

Tony Todd is the vicious, evil spirit, Candyman in the 1992 titular film. The actor will reprise his role in 2021 direct sequel.
Tony Todd is the vicious, evil spirit, Candyman in the 1992 titular film. The actor will reprise his role in 2021 direct sequel.  © IMAGO / Everett Collection

The super chilling urban legend of Candyman got its cinematic treatment in 1992.

Viewers were taken to Cabrini Green Housing Projects, where a supernatural being hunted down those who dared speak its name.

Jordan Peele, who has already established himself as a master of the horror craft with the wildly successful Get Out and Us, is continuing the ominous legend of the hooked-hand serial killer and bringing it to modern times.

The 2021 version follows a young artist, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, who is unaware of his connection to vengeful ghost and wants to revive his career by foolishly revisiting a long-buried history. For those who aren't old enough to remember how its predecessor ended, Candyman films tend not to end well for their main protagonists.

Tony Todd returns as the ghastly spirit seeking vengeance against those who dare speak his name. Another juicy twist viewers can look forward to is the return of Helen Lyle, though she will be played by newcomer, Cassie Kramer.

Luckily, we won't' have to wait long, since this terrifying flick will be released later this summer.

Candyman will appear on big screens everywhere on August 27th.

The Exorcist

Linda Blair as the possessed Regan MacNeil in the 1973 film, The Exorcist.
Linda Blair as the possessed Regan MacNeil in the 1973 film, The Exorcist.  © IMAGO / Everett Collection

Now this one does concern us, we have to admit.

But let's travel back in time to 1973. The supernatural horror film The Exorcist had just taken over cinemas all over the world.

It not only set the bar for all future films based on possession, but also got an added layer of intrigue through rumors of cast being "cursed" for "consorting with the devil." Actors getting injured, sets burning down, and even an extra murdering someone only served to increase the sinister atmosphere of the movie.

The Exorcist's cultural significance cemented its place in history, making one the greatest film ever created. That makes the rumors of a 2021 sequel even more disturbing. With the exception of The Exorcist III, follow-ups to the original have tended to be disastrous, so director David Gordon Green – who also worked on the 2018 Halloween sequel – has a daunting task on his hands.

There's been no word on whether the project is still on course to be released this year, but the horror community will be holding its breath whenever it does come out.

Cover photo: IMAGO / Everett Collection

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