Horror TV And Film Franchises Dominate 2026 Lineup

The year 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark for horror fans, with a wave of new and returning TV series and films set to haunt screens worldwide. The genre, which has always thrived by reflecting society’s deepest anxieties, is now more relevant—and more popular—than ever. From the resurgence of zombie narratives to the exploration of our obsession with beauty, this year’s slate offers a fascinating mirror to our collective fears and hopes.

At the heart of this horror renaissance is the zombie, a figure that’s lumbered, sprinted, and groaned its way through pop culture for decades. As The Nightly notes, the modern zombie was reimagined by George Romero in 1969’s Night of the Living Dead, a film that placed insatiable, mindless monsters in a suburban setting and forever changed the genre’s trajectory. Fast-forward to 2002, and Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later reignited the undead craze, unleashing a rage virus on a deserted London and inspiring a new generation of apocalyptic storytelling.

Now, in 2026, the zombie genre’s grip on our imaginations remains as strong as ever. Nia DaCosta’s 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple is currently in cinemas, extending the franchise that began with Boyle’s vision. The new installment continues to probe the primal terror of a world undone by a virus—a theme that resonates deeply in a post-pandemic world. As The Nightly observes, the rage virus in these films is more than just a plot device; it’s a metaphor for the unchecked anger and hostility that can spread through society, both online and off. The infected are both predators and victims, stripped of their humanity and driven by base instincts—a chilling reflection of contemporary anxieties about social breakdown, technological dominance, and the fragility of our institutions.

This connection between horror and real-world fears is hardly new. Every era brings its own apocalyptic visions, and today’s zombie stories are no exception. The collapse of government, the erosion of the social contract, and the specter of global catastrophe loom large in these narratives. Yet, as The Nightly points out, even in the bleakest tales, there’s often a glimmer of hope—a reminder that decency and humanity can persist, even when the world seems lost. In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, for instance, there’s a suggestion that those consumed by rage might still find their way back to reason and connection.

Television, too, is embracing horror in all its forms. According to ComicBook.com, 2026 will see the debut and return of several high-profile series, many of which build on established franchises. Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty, premiering January 21 on FX, stands out as a wholly original entry. The show dives headfirst into the dark side of our obsession with physical perfection, chronicling the rise of a drug that grants flawless looks—at a deadly cost. With stars like Ashton Kutcher, Bella Hadid, and Evan Peters, and a premise that tackles both beauty standards and corporate greed, the series is poised to spark conversation. Whether it will offer the nuanced exploration its subject deserves remains to be seen, but its timeliness is hard to deny.

Meanwhile, the Friday the 13th universe is expanding with Crystal Lake, a Peacock prequel produced by A24. The series, expected to premiere in 2026, focuses on Pamela Voorhees before her son Jason’s infamous demise. With Linda Cardellini in the lead and a shift toward psychological thriller territory, showrunner Brad Caleb Kane told Entertainment Weekly the project hopes to break new ground for the franchise. Given A24’s reputation for innovative horror, expectations are high, though the risk of franchise fatigue lingers.

Long-running favorites are also making headlines. American Horror Story returns for its thirteenth season on Halloween 2026, bringing back fan-favorite cast members including Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Sara Paulson, Angela Bassett, Emma Roberts, and Ariana Grande. As ComicBook.com reports, this could be the show’s final bow, and if so, viewers can expect a grand send-off. The nostalgia factor is strong, but the real test will be whether the series can deliver fresh scares and compelling stories after so many years.

Two other series are preparing for their swan songs. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will conclude with its fourth season, slated for release in 2026. This spinoff, which has divided fans, promises a dramatic and emotional finale, especially if it builds on the strengths of its previous season. Similarly, Yellowjackets wraps up with its fourth season. Originally planned as a five-season arc, the show’s decision to end earlier means a race to resolve lingering mysteries and character arcs. The pressure is on for the writers to tie up loose ends without sacrificing the tension and psychological depth that made the series a standout.

Fans of Stephen King and Mike Flanagan have reason to celebrate as well. Flanagan’s adaptation of Carrie finished filming in late 2025 and is expected to hit Prime Video this year. Known for his masterful work on previous King adaptations, Flanagan’s take on the classic tale of telekinetic vengeance is highly anticipated, even if the story itself is familiar territory. If anyone can breathe new life into Carrie, it’s Flanagan, whose horror series have consistently raised the bar for the genre.

And then there’s From, a mystery-box horror series that has quietly become one of the most acclaimed shows of the 21st century. Season 4 is expected to return in 2026, picking up after a third season that delivered both answers and new questions. The show’s premise—a town trapped by supernatural forces and beset by monsters—continues to captivate viewers, and anticipation for the next chapter is running high.

Of course, the enduring popularity of horror—and zombies in particular—says as much about us as it does about the stories themselves. As The Nightly argues, these tales don’t just scare us; they offer catharsis, a way to process our collective anxieties and reaffirm our faith in human decency. Whether through the desperate heroism of The Last of Us or the fleeting hope in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, horror reminds us that even in the darkest times, we can choose connection over chaos.

This year’s horror offerings, from the undead hordes to the monsters within, invite us to confront our fears—and perhaps, to find a little hope along the way.