Biggest Horror films of 2025 and what it means for Actors

Horror films have definitely not gone under the radar this year. In fact, it almost feels like we’ve had more big horror titles release this year than we’ve had for a while. What does this say about the film industry in the UK and how might it affect you as an actor? We have seen many recent breakout stars who continue to thrive in the horror genre, and the huge impact that horror has had on their careers cannot go understated. 

Horror films don’t just release around October and spooky season anymore, as we’ve seen huge titles being dropped since the start of the year and still releasing now. Sinners, Weapons, Death of a Unicorn, Good Boy, 28 Years Later, Black Phone 2, The Conjuring: Last Rites, and M3GAN 2.0 just to name a few – and there are many more! 

Why are Horror films so popular?

Maybe not everyone likes horror films and going to the cinema only to be terrified and jumpscared… But it is undeniable that horror films are tremendously successful and continue to grow in popularity.

• The adrenaline rush
  

Similarly to the thrill of a rollercoaster ride or a bungee jump, horror films and the experience of being scared triggers the human fight or flight response. This is followed by an adrenaline rush that feels like excitement, ending with a cathartic release which feels almost like a reward in our brain. It feels good and satisfying, even if the ending of the film might not be a happy ending. 

• Tackling your fears in comfort
  

Film and horror experts have found that horror films can act as a psychological outlet that allows you to confront your fears in a controlled environment, where the walls between fiction and reality are drawn. It allows you to feel fear without feeling like you are in actual danger – and this is important for us and our ability to process difficult emotions like anxiety and grief.

• Flexibility of the genre
  

Another successful element of horror films is their ability to branch out into different subgenres and also mixing with other ones altogether. There are slashers, psychological horrors, body horrors – all of which are favoured by different audiences and can make you feel different ways rather than just screaming at jumpscares; you might prefer strong tension and a creepy atmosphere, or you like the element of discomfort created by hyperfocusing on the human body. Whatever it might be, there is something for everyone. And if you don’t like traditional horror, now there are horror comedies, horror musicals, romance…

• Social media presence
  

Platforms on social media such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are able to give birth to projects and entities that would have otherwise never been discovered. This is especially impactful for horrors, which are often low budget and made by more unknown filmmakers who may not have as many resources for marketing. Recent releases of horror films have gone viral online, such as Talk To Me, Terrifier, Longlegs, and Weapons – sparking discussion and theories circulating online and bringing buzz to the scene.

However, despite all of this, horror films and the genre as a whole has often been disregarded in the awards space and merely seen as cash grabs. In fact, out of all nominations for Best Picture at the Academy Awards over 95 years, only 7 of them have been horror films. Why are horror films so forgotten at awards ceremonies, and is this changing especially in recent times?

The Horror actors

Some actors just have ‘the look’ – whether it be an uncanny face, an iconic or unique appearance, creepy eyes, or an exceptional ability to cry or scream. Since the start of horror, there have been many notable names who have brought more popularity to the genre, or who have gained popularity because of it.

• Jenna Ortega
  

The most recent and discussed example of this is Jenna Ortega, who has starred in countless horror films over the years and has become known for playing in horror. Starring in X, Scream V and VI, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and Wednesday has cemented Jenna Ortega as an actress who thrives in these types of roles. Jenna’s expressive acting and eyes evoke genuine fear and empathy from the audience, elements that are important for many horror protagonists.

• Willem Dafoe
  

An actor who has been around for longer but is also very prominent in the horror genre is Willem Dafoe. Having been in Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse and very recently in the remake of the classic Dracula story in Nosferatu, Dafoe definitely has what it takes; the creepy uncanny look, the unsettling voice, and the ability to transform into weird and deformed characters.

• Mia Goth
  

Cementing her name in X, Pearl, and MaXXXine, Mia Goth has proved to the world that horror is her thing. It’s almost in her name… Similarly to Jenna Ortega but with a more sinister and unstable twist, Mia Goth is known for being a scream queen. Her expressive eyes and ability to portray characters who are twisted and psychologically immoral draw audiences to her fear, rage, and desperation.

Have Horror films changed over the years?

As horrors have been often found to match the fears and anxieties of the audiences watching them, it is to no surprise that they also act as a reflection of real life issues and societal concerns. Filmmakers can use the genre as a social commentary on the state of society at the time of the film’s release, and horror film depictions are often tragic, dystopian, and feel conclusive.

This has happened in storytelling since before cinema. Plays like Macbeth featured many horror aspects such as bloodshed, death and the supernatural. They mirrored people’s fears of unstable power and treacherous ambition – at a time when people were growing restless during the gunpowder plot of 1605. And since the early days of cinema, some of the most iconic classic horror films also came about at times of worry and fear. In the 1930s during the Great Depression, we had classics such as Frankenstein and Dracula. And even more recently, folk horrors especially have been seen to mirror people’s fear of loss of tradition and values, in titles such as Midsommar and The Witch. These show how horror as a genre can adhere to the time of its release and dramatically change over time.

In addition, with the development and improvement of technology and equipment over the years, films have gotten more serious and more concise in their storytelling. This has affected horror film tremendously, being a genre that is often limited to lower budget productions. Nowadays, even small and independent filmmakers and production teams are able to create very high quality horror films and shorts, giving horror as a genre more credibility and weight.

What this means for actors

There is more opportunity than ever for actors looking to audition for roles in the horror genre, especially around seasonal times. In the recent weeks, we have seen more and more casting calls for horror films, shorts, and TV shows; with spooky season coming up and shorter daylight hours making it easier to shoot in the dark. However, horror films aren’t exclusively tied to Halloween – we have seen successful releases in the genre no matter the month of the year.

With the public view on horror films changing constantly, it is definitely notable to point out that actors in the genre are becoming more and more noticed for their performances. As horror films get less ‘cheesy’ and more serious-toned, the talent working on these projects is now in the spotlight more than ever. It is often mentioned how horror films are forgotten during the awards season, but recently they have seen to be getting more recognition, with Get Out and The Substance even having Academy Award nominations for Best Picture.

Even outside of the mainstream and big studio hits, horror films are providing opportunities for actors who may only be starting out. Many young filmmakers and students make projects within the horror genre, as it is both a challenge to achieve gripping tension and to scare the audience; but also horrors are notoriously known for their low budgets and ability to rely on darkness and makeup to cover mistakes. Which is amazing news for any actors only just starting out or looking for opportunities on student and low budget films.

Horror films are here to stick around…

While some genres die and some become popular for only short periods of time, horror has been popular and has remained popular for decades. Audiences love to watch horrors, filmmakers love to make horrors, and actors love acting in them. And as we mentioned before, horror films have the unique ability to match the feelings and fears of the general public in the times they are made. The genre’s ability to evolve with time gives it the enduring appeal that it is known for, and we are sure horrors are going nowhere.

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Author

Rafal Szuba