Best Horror of September 2025: The Final ‘Conjuring,’ ‘Strangers’ Returns, Demonic Football Stars and More
Welcome to Horror Explorer, a curated column showcasing the month’s best movies, series, books and everything else spooky worth checking out. I’m William Earl, the executive digital director of Variety and the publication’s resident horror enthusiast. Please drop me a line at wearl@variety.com if there’s something I should check out for next month’s missive.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” (In theaters Sept. 5 via Warner Bros.) — After the bumpy previous chapter “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren for what’s being billed as one last chapter in their story. Yet with successful offshoots like “The Nun” and “Annabelle” films, it seems unlikely that “The Conjuring” universe will end anytime soon.
“The Long Walk” (In theaters Sept. 12 via Lionsgate) — One of Stephen King’s most bleak works is this dystopian story of young men put in a walking competition where only one emerges alive. Appropriately enough, Francis Lawrence — who directed four “Hunger Games” films — is helming this adaptation, which is penned by “Strange Darling” auteur JT Mollner.
“Him” (In theaters Sept. 19 via Universal Pictures) — Jordan Peele produced this sports-horror hybrid, in which a rookie pro football player (Tyriq Withers) is taken under the wing of a high-profile quarterback (Marlon Wayans) who teaches him the ropes of navigating fame and success. If the trailers are any indication, there is going to be plenty of dark magic along the way to victory.
“The Strangers: Chapter 2” (In theaters Sept. 26 via Lionsgate) — Madelaine Petsch is back as the sole survivor from last year’s “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” and Renny Harlin is once again directing her latest tango with the legendary masked killers. Perhaps the most interesting part of this film is that it’s the middle chapter of a planned trilogy, so it seems like the story will be less beholden to “Strangers” lore than the 2024 film.
“Traumatika” (In theaters Sept. 12 via Saban Films) — Pierre Tsigaridis’ demon possession tale uses night terrors and scary images for plenty of gross and spooky jump scares as well as deeper horror.
“Rabbit Trap” (In theaters Sept. 12 via Magnolia Pictures) — In Bryn Chainey’s feature debut, Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen play sweethearts who both begin to lose their minds. There are some unique scares in this handsome film, and Patel elevates the material.
“Night of the Reaper” (On Shudder Sept. 19 via Not the Funeral Home) — Brandon Christensen directs this small-town horror story of a serial killer who might be planning to strike again years after they first caused mayhem. It’s a stylish horror thriller with a great soundtrack that feels like an early Halloween treat.
“Screaming and Conjuring: The Resurrection and Unstoppable Rise of the Modern Horror Movie” by Clark Collis (Sept. 2 via 1984 Publishing) — The veteran entertainment journalist dives deep in this nonfiction book about modern horror, starting with “Scream.” Filled with fascinating tidbits, interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, it’s a must-have for any genre fan.
“Play Nice” by Rachel Harrison (Sept. 9 via Berkley) — The buzzy writer returns with a tale of an influencer who is trying to flip the house she grew up in. Unfortunately, there might be a demon that tormented her mother still living in there, and things certainly seem to be getting more sinister. It’s a juicy, fresh take on haunted house lore.
“You Weren’t Meant to Be Human” by Andrew Joseph White (Sept. 9 via S&S/Saga Press) — This alien tale has a lot on its mind, as its trans protagonist is a willing participant of a covert invasion until he becomes pregnant and hopes to get an abortion despite the demands of the parasitic race. Andrew Joseph White’s book is smart, funny and thoughtful — and given our political climate, an urgent read.
“The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre” by Philip Fracassi (Sept. 30 via Tor Nightfire) — This bloody whodunit focuses on elderly folks dying in mysterious ways and one of their peers, Rose DuBois, stepping forward to try to find out what is happening. Rose is a charming protagonist, and for folks looking for a clever spin on traditional slasher fare, “Massacre” is a fun choice.
Toronto International Film Festival (Sept. 4 to Sept. 14; tickets available here) — This year’s edition of the fest has a particularly lively Midnight Madness section, including Bryan Fuller’s directorial debut “Dust Bunny,” Ben Wheatley’s new film “Normal,” the boundary-pushing “Fuck My Son!” and more.
“The Conjuring: Last Rites” (In theaters Sept. 5 via Warner Bros.) — After the bumpy previous chapter “The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,” Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga reprise their roles as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren for what’s being billed as one last chapter in their story. Yet with successful offshoots like “The Nun” and “Annabelle” films, it seems unlikely that “The Conjuring” universe will end anytime soon.
“The Long Walk” (In theaters Sept. 12 via Lionsgate) — One of Stephen King’s most bleak works is this dystopian story of young men put in a walking competition where only one emerges alive. Appropriately enough, Francis Lawrence — who directed four “Hunger Games” films — is helming this adaptation, which is penned by “Strange Darling” auteur JT Mollner.
“Him” (In theaters Sept. 19 via Universal Pictures) — Jordan Peele produced this sports-horror hybrid, in which a rookie pro football player (Tyriq Withers) is taken under the wing of a high-profile quarterback (Marlon Wayans) who teaches him the ropes of navigating fame and success. If the trailers are any indication, there is going to be plenty of dark magic along the way to victory.
“The Strangers: Chapter 2” (In theaters Sept. 26 via Lionsgate) — Madelaine Petsch is back as the sole survivor from last year’s “The Strangers: Chapter 1,” and Renny Harlin is once again directing her latest tango with the legendary masked killers. Perhaps the most interesting part of this film is that it’s the middle chapter of a planned trilogy, so it seems like the story will be less beholden to “Strangers” lore than the 2024 film.
“Traumatika” (In theaters Sept. 12 via Saban Films) — Pierre Tsigaridis’ demon possession tale uses night terrors and scary images for plenty of gross and spooky jump scares as well as deeper horror.
“Rabbit Trap” (In theaters Sept. 12 via Magnolia Pictures) — In Bryn Chainey’s feature debut, Dev Patel and Rosy McEwen play sweethearts who both begin to lose their minds. There are some unique scares in this handsome film, and Patel elevates the material.
“Night of the Reaper” (On Shudder Sept. 19 via Not the Funeral Home) — Brandon Christensen directs this small-town horror story of a serial killer who might be planning to strike again years after they first caused mayhem. It’s a stylish horror thriller with a great soundtrack that feels like an early Halloween treat.
“Screaming and Conjuring: The Resurrection and Unstoppable Rise of the Modern Horror Movie” by Clark Collis (Sept. 2 via 1984 Publishing) — The veteran entertainment journalist dives deep in this nonfiction book about modern horror, starting with “Scream.” Filled with fascinating tidbits, interviews and behind-the-scenes stories, it’s a must-have for any genre fan.
“Play Nice” by Rachel Harrison (Sept. 9 via Berkley) — The buzzy writer returns with a tale of an influencer who is trying to flip the house she grew up in. Unfortunately, there might be a demon that tormented her mother still living in there, and things certainly seem to be getting more sinister. It’s a juicy, fresh take on haunted house lore.
“You Weren’t Meant to Be Human” by Andrew Joseph White (Sept. 9 via S&S/Saga Press) — This alien tale has a lot on its mind, as its trans protagonist is a willing participant of a covert invasion until he becomes pregnant and hopes to get an abortion despite the demands of the parasitic race. Andrew Joseph White’s book is smart, funny and thoughtful — and given our political climate, an urgent read.
“The Autumn Springs Retirement Home Massacre” by Philip Fracassi (Sept. 30 via Tor Nightfire) — This bloody whodunit focuses on elderly folks dying in mysterious ways and one of their peers, Rose DuBois, stepping forward to try to find out what is happening. Rose is a charming protagonist, and for folks looking for a clever spin on traditional slasher fare, “Massacre” is a fun choice.
Toronto International Film Festival (Sept. 4 to Sept. 14; tickets available here) — This year’s edition of the fest has a particularly lively Midnight Madness section, including Bryan Fuller’s directorial debut “Dust Bunny,” Ben Wheatley’s new film “Normal,” the boundary-pushing “Fuck My Son!” and more.