The Preseason is Here: Let the Haunting Begin
There comes a time every year when summer starts to feel a little less like summer. The days get cooler, the nights get longer, and Halloween decorations start popping up next to the school supplies, where they have no business being in August.
And just like that, the horror fan inside us is awakened.
Welcome to the Halloween Preseason. 🧟♂️🧟♀️🧟
Before the pumpkins come out and the Halloween marathon begins, we take some time to dust off the cobwebs and see what is lurking in the shadows. From the first genuinely creepy movie of the year to finding a new favorite to rediscovering an old classic that feels even better when the calendar starts turning towards fall.
The Preseason is about all of that. It’s permission to break out the Halloween vibe and get started on horror movies before the rest of the world thinks it’s acceptable. You’re in good company because our Preseason watch list has a little bit of everything: new releases, overlooked gems, familiar nightmares, atmospheric chills, and movies that simply feel like they belong in the dark.
A Few Things Already Crawling Out of the Crypt 🪦
While we put the final touches on the preseason lineup, here are a few hints about what’s brewing.
2026 has given us a lot to work with so we can bring a fresh dose of terror to the preseason roster. Films like They Will Kill You and The Last House are waiting in the shadows. And whatever you think you know about these titles, you may still want to keep the lights on.
Forbidden Fruits and Passenger have each earned a spot in this year’s early Halloween journey. Apparently even getting from Point A to Point B isn't safe anymore.
And a new addition to our “wrong bitch” vault is Rachel McAdams for turning the tables on the worst boss ever.
There are a lot more new releases to uncover along with some forgotten classics and fresh finds as we explore what this year's horror harvest has to offer. Check back here soon for the complete guide to this year’s Halloween preseason where you will find everything you need to plan your viewing. Think of it as your roadmap into the darkness.
Let the Preseason Begin
You don't have to wait until October to get into the Halloween spirit, you can already feel it in the air. So put on something creepy, turn down the lights, grab your favorite Halloween snack and let yourself slip into that strange, wonderful place where the ordinary world starts to feel a little less ordinary.
It’s the first chill in the air.
The first flicker of candlelight.
The first scream.
The moment when you realize that Halloween is no longer something waiting in the distance.
That’s the magic of the Preseason.
The movies are waiting.
The Crypt is open.
And the witches are brewing.