2016 has already been a terrific year for the horror genre, with original films like Lights Out and Don't Breathe finding critical and box-office success, as well as franchise installments like 10 Cloverfield Lane and The Conjuring 2 managing to over-perform. This year has a few more tricks up its sleeve also, with films like Blair Witch, Rings, and The Bye Bye Man still set to send shivers up moviegoers' spines, but in this post, I'd like to take a look at some of the films that are scheduled to be released in 2017.
Annabelle 2
The Conjuring franchise has a lot going for it. The box-office success is at a caliber never before seen for a horror franchise. The average for The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Conjuring 2 is almost 300 million per film. Both Conjuring films received a warm reception from audience-members and critics alike, however, Annabelle wasn't as fortunate.
Frankly, director John R. Leonetti, known mostly for cinematography, who had only previously directed Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and The Butterfly Effect 2, was not able to do an effective job with the film. It wasn't all his fault, of course. The only reason I mention that is because the second film will be replacing him with director David F. Sandberg, who had breakout success with the Lights Out film this year.
Personally, while I enjoyed Lights Out, I didn't think it was a terrific film. Still, I do think that Lights Out was a solid film and shows that Sandberg could inject some color into the Annabelle series. Call me modestly optimistic.
Annabelle 2 is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 19, 2017.
Frankly, director John R. Leonetti, known mostly for cinematography, who had only previously directed Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and The Butterfly Effect 2, was not able to do an effective job with the film. It wasn't all his fault, of course. The only reason I mention that is because the second film will be replacing him with director David F. Sandberg, who had breakout success with the Lights Out film this year.
Personally, while I enjoyed Lights Out, I didn't think it was a terrific film. Still, I do think that Lights Out was a solid film and shows that Sandberg could inject some color into the Annabelle series. Call me modestly optimistic.
Annabelle 2 is scheduled to be released in the United States on May 19, 2017.
Stephen King's It
It will be the second time Stephen King's book about the murderous clown Pennywise has been adapted, the first time as a television movie starring Tom Curry as the antagonist.
The original film was a classic that I vaguely remember with a sense of fondness. When I was younger, it was the only film that ever genuinely made me afraid. Years later, I read the novel and discovered all the different things that were left out, some of it for the better. (A tidbit here and there, orgies, so on and so fourth.) I haven't done very thorough research on how the production has been for this film, but I've read enough to know there has been a couple hurdles thrown at it. The original director, Cary Fukunaga was replaced, and apparently, a lot of the issues dealt with New Line's involvement and attempts to make it more “mainstream” and more for the “standard genre audience”.
The film has made a lot of progress in recent months, with photographs out of the clown himself, with Andrés Muschietti scheduled to direct, other-wise known for his breakout film Mama.
I am excited for this film as I enjoyed the original film and book and think a lot more can be done with the concept, but the worry of them trying to mold it into something it isn't is a real fear of mine.
It is scheduled to be released in the United States on September 8, 2017.
The original film was a classic that I vaguely remember with a sense of fondness. When I was younger, it was the only film that ever genuinely made me afraid. Years later, I read the novel and discovered all the different things that were left out, some of it for the better. (A tidbit here and there, orgies, so on and so fourth.) I haven't done very thorough research on how the production has been for this film, but I've read enough to know there has been a couple hurdles thrown at it. The original director, Cary Fukunaga was replaced, and apparently, a lot of the issues dealt with New Line's involvement and attempts to make it more “mainstream” and more for the “standard genre audience”.
The film has made a lot of progress in recent months, with photographs out of the clown himself, with Andrés Muschietti scheduled to direct, other-wise known for his breakout film Mama.
I am excited for this film as I enjoyed the original film and book and think a lot more can be done with the concept, but the worry of them trying to mold it into something it isn't is a real fear of mine.
It is scheduled to be released in the United States on September 8, 2017.
Child's Play 7/Curse of Chucky Sequel
Curse of Chucky was regarded to many as a return to form for the Child's Play franchise, shedding off the humor of the last few entries for a more dark and serious experience. The film was released direct-to-DVD and Blu Ray and received a warm reception from critics, although, a more divisive response from the viewing audience.
I was very excited for this film when it was first released. Disappointed I wouldn't be able to watch the film in-front of the big screen, I made sure to snag a copy of the DVD to watch the film right as it was released. I'll be honest now in saying I didn't enjoy the film, and, as a matter of fact, it was by far my least favorite in the series.
Nevertheless, having loved many of the films prior, I love the idea of them taking a crack at a seventh film. Don Mancini is once more set to write and direct, with Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif, and Jennifer Tilly planned to reprise their roles. Not a whole lot of information is available yet, in-fact, there isn't even an official release date. The only things we have to go by are the tweets from Don Mancini hinting at a seventh film to come out next year.
Whether it will be released direct-to-video or in theaters is also uncertain.
I was very excited for this film when it was first released. Disappointed I wouldn't be able to watch the film in-front of the big screen, I made sure to snag a copy of the DVD to watch the film right as it was released. I'll be honest now in saying I didn't enjoy the film, and, as a matter of fact, it was by far my least favorite in the series.
Nevertheless, having loved many of the films prior, I love the idea of them taking a crack at a seventh film. Don Mancini is once more set to write and direct, with Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif, and Jennifer Tilly planned to reprise their roles. Not a whole lot of information is available yet, in-fact, there isn't even an official release date. The only things we have to go by are the tweets from Don Mancini hinting at a seventh film to come out next year.
Whether it will be released direct-to-video or in theaters is also uncertain.
Insidious: Chapter Four
Insidious has, in time, become one of the most successful horror franchises in recent history, and certainly, one of the most productive when it comes to sequels. Having already made over 350 million dollars at the box office, the series will scare again next year with Insidious: Chapter Four. Whannell is set to pen the script, with Blum, Peli, and Wan producing, while Adam Robitel is set to direct. Adam Robitel is other-wise known for directing The Taking of Deborah Logan.
Full disclosure, I have only seen the second film in this series, and I hated it. However, at the same time, I am well aware that critics and audience-members alike regard the second as the worst in the series. I watched the second film in theaters with some friends in a spur of the moment decision and never got around to watch the rest of the series. With that being said, I have full intent on revisiting the films and watching the fourth when it comes out.
Insidious: Chapter 4 is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 20, 2017.
Full disclosure, I have only seen the second film in this series, and I hated it. However, at the same time, I am well aware that critics and audience-members alike regard the second as the worst in the series. I watched the second film in theaters with some friends in a spur of the moment decision and never got around to watch the rest of the series. With that being said, I have full intent on revisiting the films and watching the fourth when it comes out.
Insidious: Chapter 4 is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 20, 2017.
Saw: Legacy
Once upon a time, Saw used to be released every year, come October, to theaters. Critics would annihilate it, but it'd still bring home truck-loads of cash regardless. The series went onto have seven films, two video-games, and merchandise in all sorts of different mediums. The last six or so years, however, the series has been dormant. That all changes next year, around Halloween, when Saw: Legacy takes the stage.
I am excited about this film. I have no idea whether or not my excitement is justified, however. The first Saw film remains one of my favorite horror films, with the first two sequels delivering on some level. The rest of the films don't carry the same merit though, and in-fact, become particularly convoluted and nonsensical as they progress. Still, I think a lot of that has to do with the sheer quantity and haste of installments, and less to do with the concept itself running its course. Like A Nightmare on Elm Street in a way, I believe the Saw concept can be written a hundred different ways, all that matters is that talented people are willing to contribute to the project.
The Spierig Brothers are set to direct, known for Predestination and Daybreakers.
It is too soon with too little for me to have rationalized my expectations. What I believe this film needs in-order to be a success, however, is a fresh-start. Not a remake, but enough to make itself standalone and a script that isn't overtly complicated or complex. This is what I feel hurt the later installments a lot. I consider myself a big supporter of the franchise, but after being burnt with the last four films, charcoal-charred feet limp to the eighth.
Saw: Legacy is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 20, 2017.
I am excited about this film. I have no idea whether or not my excitement is justified, however. The first Saw film remains one of my favorite horror films, with the first two sequels delivering on some level. The rest of the films don't carry the same merit though, and in-fact, become particularly convoluted and nonsensical as they progress. Still, I think a lot of that has to do with the sheer quantity and haste of installments, and less to do with the concept itself running its course. Like A Nightmare on Elm Street in a way, I believe the Saw concept can be written a hundred different ways, all that matters is that talented people are willing to contribute to the project.
The Spierig Brothers are set to direct, known for Predestination and Daybreakers.
It is too soon with too little for me to have rationalized my expectations. What I believe this film needs in-order to be a success, however, is a fresh-start. Not a remake, but enough to make itself standalone and a script that isn't overtly complicated or complex. This is what I feel hurt the later installments a lot. I consider myself a big supporter of the franchise, but after being burnt with the last four films, charcoal-charred feet limp to the eighth.
Saw: Legacy is scheduled to be released in the United States on October 20, 2017.