The most anticipated horror games of 2026, ranked

2026 has already been a pretty great year for horror with games like RE9 and Crisol: Theater of Idols kicking things off in the scariest way possible. However, there are still so many great games waiting to show their claws on the horizon, some bringing back some iconic horror villains and others introducing players to a whole new world of fear they've never seen before.

Being a horror fan is great because there are so many different ways to explore the medium, which means it's virtually impossible to run out of things to play year after year. And now players can look forward to a variety of terrifying experiences, whether they're looking for sci-fi, modern, or something in between.

8

Clive Barker's Hellraiser: Revival

Welcoming a familiar face

Details:

• It brings back a horror icon

• Grotesque and outlandish enemy designs

Hellraiser is back and looking even deadlier than ever, introducing players to a world of pain unlike any other. The game pulls no punches, and players will quickly find themselves thrown into the depths of smashing, slashing and slashing their way through an array of enemies, each bringing their own unique and unsettling aesthetic.

Beneath all the brutality is a savior story that takes players right into the heart of madness and forces them to make their way through whatever horror the architect himself decides to throw at them. In many ways this feels like a return to genre greatness as one of the genre's biggest names is back at the helm for the first time in a while, but this time they look more real than ever.

7

ONTOS

Far from an underwater nightmare

Details:

• New horror IP from SOMA developers

• A deeply psychological story

ONTOS comes from the developers of iconic horror titles such as SOMA and Amnesiaonly this time the underwater and subterranean horrors have been replaced by a more stylish sci-fi hotel. The setting feels very abstract and futuristic, with a few old-school elements as well, but the real highlight is the story, which makes players grapple with the complexities of being human in a more personal way than they might have liked.

Like many of the developer's games, the world feels quite claustrophobic at first, but the lunar structure feels surprisingly inviting, aided by a mysterious cast of characters who all have their own ulterior motives and reasons for being there. A must have for any horror fan ONTOS on their radar, and for those who haven't yet enjoyed Frictional Games' catalog of great games, now is the perfect time to play them all.

6

Silent Hill: Townfall

Clouded In Mystery

Details:

• First person view

• Unique tools for solving puzzles

Silent Hill: Townfall is another brand new experience in the franchise where players venture into an isolated Scottish town engulfed in a very familiar looking fog. Rather than the third-person perspective seen in recent entries, Townfall puts camera directly into the player's eyes, making the environment more up close and adding much more tension to each encounter.

But that doesn't mean they can't defend themselves, and when the mist reveals the creatures lurking within it, players will have to fight back with whatever weapons they can get their hands on. Three games in three years from one of the biggest horror franchises seems like a dream, but once players step into this latest installment, they'll want nothing more than to escape the nightmare.

5

Directive 8020

Every choice matters

Details:

• Choice-based cinematic storytelling

• A sci-fi setting with a focus on body horror

Directive 8020 is another cinematic horror experience in a long line of hits that forces players to make hard and fast decisions aboard a massive interplanetary spaceship. Visuals are king here, and everything from the characters' faces to the terrifying enemy designs feel like a big step forward, bringing the scares much closer to the real world.

What makes the game so exciting are the rewind and co-op features that completely change the way the experience unfolds. Players can override certain events to reveal other paths, and if they're too afraid to go it alone, they can freely pass the controller, letting everyone take on the role of a different character, making dark movie nights even more exciting.

4

Subnautica 2

Return to the oceans

Details:

• New world but similar mechanics

• Possibility of cooperation for up to four players

Subnautica 2 is finally ready to be revealed to the world, and after a long wait, gamers are more excited than ever to see where the sequel will take the franchise. A new planet and a new set of characters, players will still be able to explore and build an undersea base of operations, but this time they can do it with a group of friends.

The gameplay loop remains roughly the same, but there's a whole new set of mysteries to uncover that can lead players down a pretty dark path if they're willing to explore it. The original is a favorite among horror fans for good reason, and only time will tell if the sequel lives up to the hype and manages to re-instill some nightmare-fueled thallasphobia.

3

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss

Far below the waves

Details:

• A mind bending environment

• A Lovecraftian detective story

Cthulhu: The Cosmic Abyss is a brand new Lovecraftian horror experience that pushes players' minds to their absolute limits. Deep in the Pacific Ocean, a mining base has run into more than a few problems, and it's up to the player to uncover exactly what occult actions are causing its downfall.

While traditional horror games see players exploring the world on their own, here they have access to AI companion Key to help them solve puzzles and discover how deep the darkness lies beneath. Lovecraft fans will absolutely love this game, and like many ocean horror titles, it can be the catalyst for a newfound fear of water.

2

Grave Seasons

Cozy Meets Creepy

Details:

• A farming sim full of horror

• Investigating murders and growing crops

Grave Seasons is a genre mash-up that many pleasant gaming enthusiasts will instantly fall in love with, combining life sim mechanics with a terrifying mystery that only they can solve. The warm and charming town looks completely normal on the surface, but it's clear that a supernatural presence is slowly gathering the community from the shadows.

Risking their own safety, players must wander out and uncover clues to find out what exactly is going on, all while tending to their crops and trying to enjoy a peaceful life. A little more soothing than crazy, but still a creepy game worth keeping in mind for those looking to enjoy something a little different in a scary world.

1

Halloween

Mr. Myers returns once more

Details:

• Asymmetrical horror from a genre titan

• Unique single player story mode

Halloween, has been around as a franchise for about as long as horror games, and the two have crossed paths on more than a few occasions over the years. Now players can take on the role of the killer himself, hunt down survivors and even witness the events of the original film firsthand.

Asymmetrical horror has seen its fair share of cinematic icons, from Texas Chainsaw on Killer Klownsbut perhaps there is no bigger character than Mike Myers, and players will have to figure out exactly how to escape his grasp as if they were actually being hunted. It has an impressive multiplayer loop, an interesting single player mode and comes full circle for a horror series that has been around for over 40 years.