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What to Expect in the World of Horror in 2020

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On the first day of this glorious new year, I thought I’d do my best impression of The Legendary Criswell and make some horror predictions for 2020. These aren’t necessarily wild ideas I’ve pulled out of thin air… they’re simply my expectations based on the trends I’ve observed developing over the course of 2019. I’ll document my thoughts now, and then revisit my premonitions in December to see how I did! So, without further ado, let’s peer into the wonderful world of tomorrow!

2020: The Year We Stopped Editing Movies read more

Buy / Wait / Rent: December 2019 Blu-Ray Releases

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We sift through the new release heap so you don’t have to!

Welcome to Horror News Network’s Buy / Wait / Rent, a monthly article devoted to the most highly-anticipated horror releases on Blu-ray. Here you will find the best home video releases of each month, along with our opinion on whether each film is a must-own on the first day of release, something you should wait to buy until it goes on sale, or something you’re better off renting for a one-time watch. And now, on to the notable new releases of December 2019! read more

‘It: Chapter Two’ Slips to 5th Place; ‘3 From Hell’ Performs Well in Limited Release

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While it appears that Pennywise’s popularity is still high, the nearly three hour long sequel can’t match 2017’s “It-Mania”, as Chapter Two slipped into fifth place at this weekend’s box office with an estimated $15 million.

It: Chapter Two’s total box office is nothing to cry about (with nearly $178 million in domestic sales), but the ever-widening gap between the original’s box office performance and the sequel is significant.  It: Chapter Two is currently trailing It by $90 million, and that number will increase with additional box office competition in October and reduced interest in the sequel.  Three new releases (Downton Abbey, Ad Astra, and Rambo: Last Blood) defeated It, as well as the film that finished in second place to Chapter Two last week, Hustlers.  It: Chapter Two should be able to maintain a respectable box office return next week, but as soon as the highly anticipated Joker film hits theaters on October 4, expect Pennywise to give way to the original mad clown, as It’s box office run begins to wrap up. read more

‘It: Chapter Two’ Repeats as Weekend Box Office Champ

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It: Chapter Two delivered another win for Warner Brothers and New Line with a second consecutive number one finish at the weekend box office.

Pennywise accounted for an estimated $40.7 million, beating newcomer Hustlers by a wide margin, which earned an estimated $33.2 million in second place.  Hustlers had the upper hand on Friday (mainly due to Thursday preview sales, which are always included in Friday totals), but that pesky clown scared enough people into the the theater on Saturday and Sunday to take the crown once again. read more

‘It: Chapter Two’ Takes Top Spot at Box Office Carnival with $91 Million

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In probably the least surprising box office news of the year, It: Chapter Two dominated all competition at the weekend box office with an estimated $91 million start, although not all of the numbers associated with the sequel are as rosy red as Pennywise’s favorite balloons.

The much more expensive sequel (more than double the first film’s 35 million dollar budget, coming in at $79 million) laughed all the way to the bank for the second best start for a September release, the second best start for a horror film, and the fourth best ever opening for a R-rated feature.  With no direct competition until the original mad clown, The Joker, arrives on October 4, It: Chapter Two should continue to deliver solid numbers for all of September and into the Halloween month of October when horror films traditionally reign supreme. read more

‘IT: Chapter Two’ Scores Killer Thursday Night Box Office

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America is still down with the clown.  Deadline is reporting that the much-anticipated continuation of the classic Stephen King novel, IT: Chapter Two, took home a Thursday-night haul of $10.5 million in around 3,700 theaters nationwide.  That figure is good for the second-best September horror opening in history.  Which film continues to hold the top spot?  The first IT from 2017, of course, which brought in $13.5 million.  New Line Cinema has to be very pleased that folks love being scared. read more

‘It: Chapter Two’ to Feature Exclusive ‘Birds of Prey’ Trailer in Theaters Only

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What do Suicide Squad and Birds of Prey have in common? In order to see Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, you’ve got to sit through hours of melodrama centered around an obnoxious clown!

The Hollywood Reporter has been tracking Warner Bros.’ recent promotional strategies, and it turns out that the studio plans to release trailers for hot, new films exclusively in theaters in order to renew interest in the theatrical experience. They first tested the waters with a theater-only teaser for Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, which preceded films from all studios. The teaser for Birds of Prey, however, is tailor made for Warner Bros.’ lucrative It franchise, and it will play exclusively before It: Chapter Two. The Reporter notes that there is a version of what is presumed to be the teaser trailer on the web, “in low definition and non-English languages,” but you need to buy a ticket for It: Chapter Two to see it in high definition and in English. The clip features It’s signature red balloons before cutting to a shot of Robbie as Harley Quinn. read more

The ‘It’ Kids to be Digitally De-Aged for ‘It: Chapter Two’

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Finally the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Martin Scorsese, and It: Chapter Two all have something in common! The MCU has employed digital de-aging on the likes of Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, and Robert Downey Jr. in order to retcon and/or expand its moneymaking empire, and Scorsese will roll back the clock on legendary actors Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci for one final powerhouse ensemble performance in this fall’s The Irishman. And now It: Chapter Two will bring moviegoers back to a time we never thought would be capable for this budding technology: 2017! read more

Final ‘It Chapter Two’ Trailer Released

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If you have been anxiously awaiting the final full length trailer and the hijinks of Pennywise the clown, your prayers have been answered.

The sequel to the financial juggernaut takes place after all of those “little rascals” from the first film have grown up and include James McAvoy as Bill Denbrough, Jay Ryan as Ben Hanscom, Jessica Chastain as Beverly Marsh, Bill Hader as Richie Tozier, Isaiah Mustafa as Mike Hanlon, James Ransone as Eddie Kaspbrak and Andy Bean as Stan Uris (Bill Skarsgård will naturally be reprising his role of Pennywise). read more

HNN Staff Discuss What to Expect in 2019

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The upcoming year is shaping up to be quite a significant one for horror fans, with numerous film and television projects scheduled to premiere across many different platforms.  From Pet Sematary to It: Chapter Two to yet another promising Jordan Peele production, there is reason for both optimism and skepticism within the genre.

Join HNN’s Christine, Larry and Sean as they discuss and critique what to expect in 2019.

Visit our YouTube channel (and the video below) for the entire episode, and check out our Patreon page for even more exclusive videos and content that you can’t get anywhere else (https://www.patreon.com/horrornewsnetwork). read more