Heatwaves and Horror - A Look at Upcoming Horror Releases in July 2025

-

Summer might be heating up, but so is the horror. The short nights and hot weather might not feel like horror season but this July’s release slate says otherwise. From brutal reboots and eerie folklore to tight psychological thrillers and slashers, there’s no shortage of chills to cut through the heat. Here’s a quick look at the most talked-about horror films landing in July.

Which ones are you excited about? Let us know in the comments.

Brick

Tim and Olivia wake up in their apartment to the discovery that a solid brick wall has appeared overnight, sealing them and the entire apartment building off from the outside world. With water cut off, no phone service and attempts to break-out fruitless, they and their neighbours must join together to survive and unravel the mystery of who or what has trapped them.

 

Described by Tom’s Guide  as “A mind‑twisting claustrophobic thriller. You’ll feel the walls closing in.” Brick promises to build the tension in a tight, claustrophobic space where suspicion, fear grow and trust is broken.

Scheduled for release on Netflix release on the 10th of July

Forgive Us All

When a deadly virus ravages humanity, turning loved ones into cannibalistic “Howlers,” bereaved mother Rory, is forced into isolation in a mountain cabin. Her fragile sanctuary is disturbed by the the arrival of a wounded stranger who brings a sliver of hope - and a choice that could save her soul or doom them all.

.

This looks like it could be more character driven than all out action. blending the grit of a Western with the dread of zombie apocalypse. “A bloody, beautiful reckoning - this is zombie horror with soul.” says SpicyPulp.

Scheduled for VOD/Digital release on the 11th of July

Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story

When famed vampire hunter Abraham Van Helsing relocates his family to an isolated ranch, his sons Max and Rudy know little of their father's past. With a growing darkness consuming him - Abraham's paranoia deepens and his behaviour turns violent - the boys begin to question: Is Dracula returning or has their father lost his mind? Set in 1914, the legendary Van Helsing legacy takes a haunting new turn.

 

A Western style (another one) spin on Joe Hill’s short story, Abraham’s Boys is billed as a gripping psychological thriller about legacy, madness, and the monsters we raise. 

“A chilling family nightmare - Dracula’s shadow has never felt closer.” - Polygon 

Scheduled for limited cinema release on the 12th of July

I Know What You Did Last Summer (Reboot)

A year after a fatal hit‑and‑run in coastal Southport, five friends - Danica, Ava, Milo, Teddy, and Stevie -  think they’ve buried the secret forever. But when anonymous notes resurface and bodies begin piling up, they must race against time and, with the help of Julie and Ray, survivors from the original Southport Massacre, escape the inevitable brutal reckoning.

   

This legacy sequel sees the return of Jennifer Love-Hewitt and Freddy Prinz Jr reprising their roles as Julie and Ray, transforming the cult classic into a 21st‑century slasher.

“Ratcheted-up horror and killer nostalgia—this summer, the hook returns.” – People (USA) 

Scheduled for cinema release on the 18th of July

The Banished

Grace sets out into the untamed wilderness to find her missing brother, only to stumble upon a malevolent darkness far more ancient and sinister. With each discovery, the forest transforms into a hostile labyrinth, and Grace becomes the hunted. As the truth emerges, Grace must fight her way back or be claimed by whatever lurks in the woods.

 

This chilling folk‑horror from Australia promises a tense, atmospheric exploration of folklore‑rooted nightmares. 

“A haunting descent into the woods where folklore devours reason and hope.” - Upcoming Horror Movies 

Scheduled for limited cinema release and on VOD/Digital on the 18th of July

Saint Clare

Sixteen-year-old Clare Bleecker appears to be a quiet, devoutly religious teen but her demur demeanour hides the personality of a terrifying sociopath. Driven by vivid visions, Clare targets corruption and unearths a sinister conspiracy of trafficking and small-town secrecy. As detective Timmons closes in and her grandmother grows suspicious, Clare teeters between faith and fanaticism, martyrdom and murder.

Directed by by Mitzi Peirone (Braid) we can expect stylish visuals blended with haunting psychological horror.

“Bella Thorne is mesmerizingly cold-blooded—a teenage Dexter with a cross.” – Pigeon Shrine / FrightFest

Scheduled for limited cinema release on the 18th of July

The Home

Max, a troubled former foster child, takes a job at a secluded retirement home only to discover that the residents and staff harbour sinister, supernatural secrets. When he discovers a forbidden fourth floor, painful memories of his upbringing begin to surface, and he realises the horrors within the facility may be more personal than he ever imagined.

 

As Max’s grip on reality crumbles, the retirement home becomes a terrifying mirror of trauma, memory, and control.

“It will leave your stomach in knots—a deeply unsettling ride into memory and dread.” – Dread Central

Scheduled for cinema release on the 25th of July

Honourable Mentions

Bambi: The Reckoning

After a devastating car crash, Xana and her young son Benji  become lost in the remote woods—only to discover they're being mercilessly stalked by Bambi: a mutated, grief-stricken deer bent on revenge for the death of his mother. Part of the “Twisted Childhood Universe” (aka the "Pooh-niverse"), this could be worth a watch if you've always wanted to see Bambi to take brutal and bloody revenge.

“A savage, grief‑driven slasher: woodland innocence lost in a spray of blood.” – Bloody Disgusting

Scheduled for limited cinema release on the 25th of July

House on Eden

When a group of friends embark on a weekend getaway to a secluded house in the woods, they expect relaxation and bonding. However, their plans take a sinister turn as they encounter inexplicable phenomena and uncover the house's dark secrets. As tensions rise and fear sets in, the line between reality and nightmare blurs in this gripping found-footage horror tale.

“A fresh take on the found-footage genre that keeps you on the edge of your seat.”  - Horror Haven

Scheduled for limited cinema release on the 25th of July



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

This is Our Home Summary and Review - A Parent's Nightmare

-
Image
Reina: Simone Policano Cory: Jeff Ayars Zeke: Drew Beckas Director: Omri Dorani Writers: Omri Dorani & Rob Harmon Release: 2019 "This is Our Home" explores the dynamics of a fractured relationship, against a backdrop of mystery and emotional discord. As the story of Reyna and Cory unfolds, we are met with flashes of their past interwoven with a present bedevilled by unresolved issues and an unsettling encounter with a boy who claims he is their son. It kicks off with Reyna (Rey) and Cory heading out to her childhood home for some space to try and repair their relationship, with just a hint as to what lies behind their current struggles. They seem to be genuinely in love but vacillate between displays of affection and vicious bickering so clearly, there is work to be done. We are given glimpses of happier times but it's clear that they harbour a traumatic secret creating a tension that lingers throughout the film. On their first night at the property, after a plea...
Read more

The Night House Summary & Review - A Haunting Triumph

-
Image
  Beth Parchin: Rebecca Hall Owen Parchin: Evan Jonigkeit Claire: Sarah Goldberg. Mel: Vondie Curtis-Hall Madelyne: Stacy Martin Becky: Samantha Buck Director: David Bruckner Writers: Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski Release: 2021 Opening with a post-funerial scene introducing Beth, a grieving widow who is in deep shock following the sudden death of her beloved husband, "The Night House" draws the audience into the eerie corridors of psychological horror, taking us on a journey through grief, when it collides with the spectral unknown. From its beautiful cinematography to the stellar performances, the elements of this film converge to create an atmospheric experience that resonates after the credits roll. Following her husband's death, Beth drags herself through a haze of grief as she struggles to maintain a sense of normality while grappling with the shocking reality of what has occurred. It's not long before she experiences a series of unsettling events that, a...
Read more

Motherly - The Battle of All Mothers

-
Image
  Kate: Lora Burke Beth: Tessa Kozma Hal: Colin Paradine Mary: Kristen MacCulloch Lewis: Nick Smyth Director: Craig Wallace Writer:  Craig Wallace & Ian Malone Release:  2021 From the opening scene this is an intriguing tale where nothing is as it seems to be. And "seems to be" is a theme running through the story which is the beauty of "Motherly", weaving a narrative through a labyrinth of secrets managing to be both intriguing and entertaining. Kate and her 9 year old daughter Beth have escaped a traumatic past and now find themselves hiding in isolation in a rural area. From the start, it's evident that there's tension between them, with Beth displaying defiance and a longing to be with her dad and Kate, who is protective but somewhat controlling and prone to outbursts of frustrated anger.  They are not entirely alone as help is on hand in the form of Hal who is there to keep an eye on them and ensure their safety, especially when Kate suspects that a...
Read more