A Look Ahead at the Films of 2011

2010 can be summarized by having very few (and very good) horror films to choose from. I believe I read, that between the months of January and September of last year, only ten horror films were released. That is extremely unfortunate. Thankfully 2011 is upon us and is already shaping up to bring us some interesting entries to the genre. Though you will always have your unnecessary sequels and remakes, 2011 will also see big name directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Jim Sheridan, Steven Soderbergh, and David Fincher taking a stab at the genre. Take a look beyond the break at what is in store this year!

Below, you will find a massive list of titles that are either specifically in the genre of horror/thriller or dabble in the field in one way or another. Hopefully this will help you forget the sad state of 2010.

 

Season of the Witch

Jan. 7, 2011

Dominic Sena (Swordfish, Gone in 60 Seconds) directs a medieval Nicholas Cage as a knight transporting a deadly witch to an abbey where she will be awaiting her death. I love the concept and the dark tone that can be seen in the trailers. Yet … it has Nicholas Cage and is being dumped out in January. I am hesitant.

 

 

The Rite

Jan. 28, 2011

A young American priest heads to the Vatican to study exorcisms under Anthony Hopkins. The director of this previously gave us the John Cusack thriller 1408. Though I thought that film suffered from an overuse of CGI, it did have some creepy elements in it. Based on the new poster that was just released and the new trailer, this could turn out better than expected.

 

 

The Roommate

Feb. 4, 2011

Two hot college girls become roommates and things go bad when one of them turns Single White Female on the other. This Leighton Meester starring crapfest looks horrible … I am sorry. But it could be so trashy that it might actually be fun. I doubt it, though.

 

 

Red Riding Hood

Mar. 11, 2011

From the director of the first Twilight film, Red Riding Hood is a more gothic re-telling of a village haunted by a werewolf. Amanda Seyfried and Gary Oldman star in this film that will most likely be more romance than horror.

 

 

Black Death

March 11, 2011

This could be the better more indie version of Season of the Witch. Director Christopher Smith previously gave us the amazing horror comedy Severance. Hopefully this tale of the bubonic plague in England is just as fun.

 

 

Vanishing on 7^th Street

March (?), 2011

Brad Anderson (Session 9, The Machinist) gives us a movie about the loss of power and the loss of the population of Detroit. Hayden Christensen, Thandie Newton, and John Leguizamo star in this film that has received mixed reviews after last years festival rounds.

 

 

Red State

Mar. (?), 2011

Kevin Smith marks his horror debut in which a group of misfits encounter fundamentalism gone to the extreme in Middle America. I would love to go to Sundance this year just to see this movie. Maybe I am hyping it up too much, but I think this film is going to change Smith’s career.

 

 

Mother’s Day

Apr. 1, 2011

The remake of the Troma film starring Jamie King and Rebecca De Mornay could be Darren Lynn Bousman’s (Saw 2-4, Repo! The Genetic Opera) best film. Though some who saw it in Austin at Fantastic Fest said it was a rough version that needs to be severely edited down, they did agree there is a good film in there … somewhere.

 

 

Insidious

Apr. 1, 2011

From one Saw director to another. James Wan is setting himself up with a massive comeback with this film that is being described as a modern Poltergeist– like film. I can’t say how excited I am about this. Cherry on top … one of my favorite actors, Patrick Wilson, is in it.

 

 

Rubber

Apr. 1, 2011

There was a ton of positive reviews that came out of Fantastic Fest this past year for this film. A killer tire that shakes a little and makes things blow-up. That is all you need to know.

 

 

Scream 4

Apr. 15, 2011

April is a very busy month this year for horror! Wes Craven brings Ghostface back for another stab at a whole new group of young teens that will all end up dead. Neve Campbell, David Arquette, Courteney Cox, and writer Kevin Williamson have all returned in what will hopefully be another fun ride in the highly popular series.

 

 

Priest

May, 13, 2011

If Paul Bettany can make a worse film than last year’s Legion … this might be it. Bettany plays a priest who disobeys church law to track down the vampires who kidnapped his niece. This film is (funny enough) directed by the same guy who directed Legion (though under a different name with that film). Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

 

 

Super 8

Jun. 10, 2011

JJ Abrams has been extremely secretive about this one. The only thing I can say (judging by the teaser trailer) is that it involves a train crash and what might be a really big alien.

 

 

5nal Destination

Aug. 26, 2011

From a first time feature film director, this 5^th sequel is about survivors of a suspension-bridge collapse who learn there’s no way they can cheat Death. Yawn. (Next please)

 

 

Piranha 3DD

August (?), 2011

If you like Alexandre Aja’s remake, most likely you will love this. Promising more boobs and more gore and more Ving Rhames, this film could be the best sequel since Aliens! It is being directed by Feast director John Gulager.

 

 

Fright Night

Aug. 19, 2011

This remake of the 1985 classic (I adore the original!) follows a teenager (Anton Yelchin) who discovers his new next-door neighbor is a vampire (Colin Farrell). Though this is a remake, and gets one strike against it for that fact, I applaud it and give it a thumbs up for its bizarre and interesting casting. Needless to say … I am curious.

 

 

The Apparition

Sept. 9, 2011

“Based on True Events!” We haven’t heard that one before. This film follows two college kids being terrorized by a supernatural presence unleashed during a college experiment. The film is being produced by Joel Silver (House Of Wax, Thir13en Ghosts, House on Haunted Hill, Gothika).

 

 

Dream House

Sept. 30

Jim Sheridan received much acclaim for his films In America and My Left Foot. Based on those two films, I am sure Dream House is not just another haunted house film. Starring Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, and Rachel Weisz, this film is one I am really looking forward to.

 

 

The Thing

Oct. 14, 2011

Taking place prior to the events in the 1982 film, this prequel/remake follows a team that discovers an alien craft in Antarctica. I think John Carpenter’s film is the perfect mix of sci-fi and paranoia horror. I love the look and mood of the film. I love that they never fully explain the “alien.” I love that “it” doesn’t have a clear form and can evolve and change depending on who it is infecting. Suffice to say, I think this film could be a big mistake.

 

 

Contagion

Oct. 21, 2011

Steven Soderbergh has given cinema some provocative films over the years (Sex,Lies,and Videotape, Traffic, Bubble, Che). In his new film, he follows a worst case scenario of a deadly virus taking place over four continents. The all-star cast includes Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Marion Cotillard, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Laurence Fishburne. I smell an Oscar on the horizon.

 

 

11-11-11

(guess when it comes out)

Two films from Darren Lynn Bousman in one year! The man is busy. Currently shooting in Spain, the film follows a group of people on the 11th day of the 11th month and concerning a entity from another world that enters the earthly realm through Heaven’s 11th gate. I know this sounds extremely ambitious, but if done right … this could be one of the most interesting films of the year.

 

 

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Dec. 21, 2011

David Fincher (Se7en, Zodiac)returns to the thriller genre with this mystery of a journalist and punk hacker looking for a serial killer who was never caught. I read the book earlier this year, and was surprised how brutal some of the scenes were. Since it seems Fincher continues to make one engrossing film after another, I expect great things from this one.

 

 

Twixt Now and Sunrise

Late 2011

This interesting story is written and directed by Francis Ford Coppola (Bram Stoker’s Dracula). Val Kilmer (bloated as ever) stars as a horror novelist in the film described as a “thriller with overtones of horror.” Yes! I want this now. Honestly, I just want to see Kilmer get back as a credible actor. I kind of like the guy … what can I say.

 

 

The rest of the films listed are set to come out sometime in 2011.

 

Hobo With a Shotgun

Rutger Hauer stars in the film whose title says it all. Pure Grindhouse, B-movie fun.

 

The Woman in Black

Daniel ‘Harry Potter’ Radcliffe drops the wand to play a lawyer in a remote village who uncovers tragic secrets about a dead woman who appears to him dressed only in black.

 

The Ward

John Carpenter directs Amber Heard as she discovers some horrific secrets while being held in an insane asylum.

 

The Cabin In The Woods

Joss Whedon producing and co-writing the script is a good thing for this film. Chris Hemsworth is starring in this film that I am quite excited about.

 

The Haunting In Georgia

In the rural South, a young family is terrorized by supernatural entities in their home. Blah Blah Blah.

 

The Raven

When a film is about Edgar Allen Poe and stars John Cusack … I get excited.

 

John Dies At The End

The guy who gave us Phantasm and Bubba Ho-Tep is bringing us a story about drugs that make you not human and two dumb kids who have to stop it. I will be the first one in line for this film.

 

Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark

Guillermo Del Toro. You see … that is all I need to write.

 

The Innkeepers

Ti West gave us the indie sensation House of The Devil. Unfortunately he also gave us Cabin Fever 2. Hopefully this is better than the later.

 

The Human Centipede II (Full Sequence)

I really don’t think we need a sequel to this, but maybe I am in the minority.

 

Well, there you have it. An exhausting list of both good and bad and fun and serious horror films all hitting us this year. Make sure to mark your calendars for the ones you are most looking forward to. In the comments below, let us know what you are most excited about. Have a bloody 2011 everyone!