Killer hits: 2025’s horror slate proves fear is Gen Z’s favourite genre.
Horror is on the rise, and 2025 is shaping up to be one of its biggest years yet. In 2024, the genre delivered three million admissions, making it the fifth most popular genre in Australia. Horror admissions are now tracking four times higher year-on-year, driven by breakout hits Nosferatu and Companion, with demand strongest among P14-39 audiences. From highly anticipated sequels to franchise revivals and fresh horror concepts, here are the must-watch horror films set to dominate 2025.
Sinners
In cinemas April 17.
Kicking off 2025’s horror lineup is Sinners, an original supernatural horror-action film directed by Black Panther’s Ryan Coogler. Marking his first major project outside the Marvel universe, the film stars Michael B. Jordan in a dual role as twins and is described as a supernatural vampire epic. It follows in the footsteps of Nosferatu, which proved earlier in the year that gothic horror still has a major audience. With Coogler’s blockbuster pedigree and Jordan’s star power, Sinners is expected to be a standout.
28 Years Later
In cinemas June 19.
The long-awaited return of 28 Years Later follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later, which helped define modern zombie horror. The original film sparked a zombie revolution, paving the way for hits like Zombieland and World War Z. Now 18 years since the previous film, 28 Years Later promises to be a must-watch for both longtime fans and a new generation of horror lovers.
M3GAN 2.0
In cinemas June 26.
Horror-comedy is thriving in 2025, and M3GAN 2.0 is leading the charge. Its 2023 predecessor raked in $5.6M at the Australian box office and delivered over 429K admissions—almost half of which came from the P18-39 demographic. The film’s campy vibe and that unforgettable hallway dance, which exploded into a TikTok sensation has laid the groundwork for a sequel that’s primed to amplify this winning formula.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
In cinemas July 17.
Nostalgia-fueled horror is making a strong comeback, and I Know What You Did Last Summer is one of its biggest revivals. The iconic ’90s slasher is returning to the big screen, set to resonate strongly with the P18-39 demographic who grew up with the original, while also introducing a new generation to one of horror’s most memorable franchises. While details remain under wraps, the film is expected to tap into the same legacy horror appeal that has driven the recent Scream and Halloween reboots to success.
The Conjuring: Last Rites
In cinemas September 4.
Supernatural horror continues to hold its grip on audiences with The Conjuring: Last Rites, the latest entry in one of horror’s most bankable franchises. The Conjuring universe has delivered three of the top ten highest-grossing horror films of all time, with an average box office of $10M per film. The last entry in the series delivered 650K admissions, with 55% of the audience in the P14-24 demographic and 66% in P18-39, proving that younger viewers remain heavily invested in the franchise. Given its consistent track record, Last Rites is set to be another major horror event.
Five Nights at Freddy’s 2
In cinemas December 4.
Closing out the year is Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, the highly anticipated follow-up to one of Australia’s biggest horror hits. The first film became the third highest-grossing horror movie of all time in Australia, earning $14M and delivering 858K admissions. Hugely popular among P14-24 audiences, the sequel’s December release is perfectly timed for the school holiday period, ensuring it reaches its core fanbase.
*Source: CineTAM 2025