Upcoming Horror Movies With the Best Practical Effects in Decades

Coralie Fargeat's body-horror thriller is renowned for its grotesque, handcrafted transformations designed by legendary makeup artist Niko Tavernere. The film prioritizes squishy, visceral practical effects to depict the protagonist's physical decay, offering a tactile experience that CGI often lacks.

Robert Eggers' reimagining of the classic tale relies heavily on creature design and atmospheric dread rather than digital enhancement. The production features intricate practical designs for the Count, emphasizing texture and shadow to create a sense of historical authenticity and genuine terror.

Adapted from Mia Kakuk's novel, this mystery horror film employs extensive practical creature effects to visualize the shapeshifting entities. The makeup team focuses on blending human and monster traits seamlessly, ensuring the transformations feel physical and unsettlingly real on screen.

Fede Álvarez brings back the iconic Xenomorph through meticulous animatronic engineering and suitmation techniques. The film's visual effects team combines practical puppetry with minimal digital augmentation to preserve the creature's weight and mechanical presence, honoring H.R. Giger's original design.

Ryan Coogler's upcoming project hints at a heavy reliance on atmospheric practical effects and makeup artistry. Reports suggest a commitment to tangible creature designs for the supernatural entities, aiming for a gritty, grounded aesthetic that avoids the sterile look of heavy CGI.

Joshua Margolin's supernatural thriller stars Elaine May and utilizes practical makeup effects to depict the protagonist's aging and physical transformation. The film prioritizes subtle, realistic prosthetics to explore themes of mortality, creating a poignant and tactile visual narrative.

Oz Perkins' adaptation of Stephen King's story is expected to feature traditional horror makeup and set-piece practical effects. The production emphasizes physical props like the titular toy monkey and creature-based gory set pieces to enhance the story's fairy-tale horror tone.

Parker Finn's sequel is rumored to expand on the practical horror elements of the original, using makeup effects to manifest the entity's influence. The focus remains on visceral, physical manifestations of trauma rather than digital ghosts, ensuring a consistent practical aesthetic.

The Blake Masters-led reboot of the classic creature feature is being crafted by makeup legend Rick Baker's team. Expect high-quality animatronics and suit work to bring the Lycanthrope to life, prioritizing the physical transformation sequences central to the werewolf mythos.

While recently released, its strong reliance on practical set design and makeup continues to influence upcoming horror marketing. The film's success in using tangible artifacts and prosthetic effects for possession sequences has set a new standard for practical-based horror storytelling.

Ari Aster's follow-up is rumored to utilize extensive practical effects for its ritualistic set pieces and costume designs. The commitment to tangible artifacts and handmade props aims to create an immersive, folk-horror atmosphere that feels grounded and historically resonant.

Scott Derrickson's sequel promises to enhance the practical effects for the Grabber and the ghost children. The makeup team is expected to use advanced prosthetics and animatronics to make the supernatural entities feel more physically present and terrifying within the confined settings.

This Korean horror sequel aims to improve upon the found-footage practical effects of its predecessor. The production focuses on physical stunts, in-camera effects, and tangible creature designs to heighten the sense of immediate, unmediated danger for the audience.

Jung Ji-woo's upcoming project is expected to continue the tradition of elaborate, handcrafted creature makeup. The film's focus on shamanistic rituals suggests a reliance on practical effects for the demon's transformations, emphasizing texture and cultural authenticity in its horror elements.

Although recently released, its influence on the genre's shift back to practical lighting and set design is significant. The film's aesthetic relies on tangible props and atmospheric effects, setting a tone that upcoming horror films are increasingly emulating for authentic dread.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin's film showcases high-end practical gore and makeup effects for the vampire protagonist. The production prioritizes in-camera blood effects and prosthetic bites to create a visceral, pulpy horror experience that contrasts sharply with clean, digital CGI violence.

David Howard Thornton's franchise is famous for its extreme, hand-crafted practical gore and animatronic props. The third installment is expected to push these boundaries further, using detailed makeup and mechanical effects to create unforgettable, tangible moments of horror.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods' horror-thriller utilizes practical set pieces and tension-building effects rather than digital spectacle. The film's focus on physical confinement and tangible props enhances the claustrophobic atmosphere, relying on practical design to maintain suspense.

While recent, its use of practical lighting and shadow effects sets a template for upcoming low-budget horror. The film demonstrates how tangible environmental effects can create fear without relying on expensive digital monsters, a trend expected to continue in new releases.

Danny and Michael Philippou's film uses practical makeup effects for the spirit possessions to ensure the actors' performances remain grounded. The tactile nature of the effects allows for more authentic physical reactions, contributing to the film's intense, realistic horror atmosphere.