Summer is beginning to wrap up, but there are still plenty of summer horror movies and shows for audiences to check out. Along with some familiar titles -- Candyman, American Horror Story and The Walking Dead, there are also some new scares awaiting fans of the horror genre. This month is packed tight with horror titles, so these are just eight movies and shows to put on your radar to get in those last summer scares.
The Last Matinee
For some international horror, The Last Matinee is a nostalgic scary movie. A local theater is tormented by a slasher who's targeting the audience members, and the only one to pick up on this nightmare is the projectionist's daughter. The trailer depicts a horror movie that feels right at home with the likes of Stranger Things and Fear Street, leaning heavily on the joy one feels when revisiting nostalgic pop culture, even when the film's storyline is deadly.
Directed by Maxi Contenti, The Last Matinee stars Luciana Grasso, Ricardo Islas, Julieta Spinelli, Franco Duran and Pedro Durate and premieres Aug. 6. It is also available on demand and digital Aug. 24.
Don't Breathe 2
Back in 2016, Don't Breathe became a hit with its simple yet clever premise, as a group of thieves attempted to rob a blind man, assuming it would be easy; however, he proved to be a force to be reckoned with. The film was successful enough for a follow up movie to come out, with Stephen Lang returning as Norman Nordstrom. Taking place years after the first home invasion, Norman's peaceful life is disrupted once more as his past comes back to haunt him and a young girl he's raising.
Directed by Rodo Sayagues, Don’t Breathe 2 stars Stephen Lang, Brendan Sexton III and Madelyn Grace, and it hits theaters Aug. 13.
Stay Out of the Attic
For fans of American Horror Story: Asylum -- specifically its experimentation storyline, Shudder's Stay Out of the Attic seems to be tackling a similarly disturbing subject matter. Here, a group of cons turned movers discover their new client is a Nazi surgeon, and those he's experimented on are rotting in the attic. From the trailer alone, this is not a movie for those with a weak stomach, and the protagonists surely have a nightmare ahead of them as they try to escape the worst boss they could've ever imagined.
Directed by Jerren Lauder, Stay Out of the Attic stars Ryan Francis, Morgan Alexandria, Bryce Fernelius and Michael Flynn and is available on demand and digital Aug. 17.
Jakob's Wife
This Shudder horror movie is set to explore one woman's mid-life crisis and issues with her marriage in a supernatural way. Anne's been married to the town's minister for decades, and now, she is looking for something bigger. This comes in the form of becoming a vampire, so Anne must navigate her old mortal life with her new, deadly existence; meanwhile, her husband, Jakob, realizes he's taken his wife for granted and may have lost her for good. This horror film already has an 85 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics reminding viewers this scary movie is also insightful and funny at times.
Directed by Travis Stevens, Jakob’s Wife stars Barbara Crampton, Larry Fessenden, Nyisha Bell, Mark Kelly, Sarah Lind, Robert Rusler, Bonnie Aarons and Phil Brooks and is available Aug. 19 on Shudder.
The Walking Dead
Since 2010, The Walking Dead -- based on the comic series of the same name -- has been a powerhouse horror show. Following a group of survivors during the zombie apocalypse, this AMC series has rotated through its core cast over the years, killing off some of its biggest characters while introducing plenty of new faces. The group has dealt with more than the undead, as humans have also posed a major threat to them. After so many years in this apocalyptic world, the last season of The Walking Dead hits televisions this August.
Season 11 of The Walking Dead premieres Aug. 22 on AMC. However, AMC+ subscribers can catch the premiere several days early.
Demonic
From IFC Midnight, Demonic is a VR hellscape with a satanic twist. Using new technology to explore her inner demons, the protagonist soon learns this goes beyond a nightmare or glitch. Along with the literal demons, the young woman in question is also trying to figure out the rift between her and her mother, but the truth behind that is also a horror story waiting to be unleashed.
Written and directed by Neill Blomkamp, Demonic stars Carly Pope, Chris William Martin, Michael J. Rogers, Nathalie Bolt and Terry Chen. The film will be released in theaters on Aug. 20 and on VOD Aug. 27.
American Horror Story: Double Feature
For over a decade, American Horror Story has been one of the biggest horror franchises on TV. The anthology series tackles a new story each season, reworking true crime stories and urban legends, while also coming up with its own original horror tales. These seasons often stand on their own, so one can jump in completely fresh with the latest season, American Horror Story: Double Feature. As usual for this franchise, the details about the plot remain a mystery until its release; however, from the promotional material, Double Feature seems to be dealing with some sort of sea monster, as well as aliens.
American Horror Story: Double Feature stars Kathy Bates, Leslie Grossman, Billie Lourd, Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Adina Porter, Lily Rabe, Angelica Ross, Finn Wittrock, Frances Conroy and Macaulay Culkin. Season 10 will premiere Wednesday, Aug. 25 on FX.
Candyman
Horror has had many deadly icons over the decades, and that includes the infamous Candyman, an urban legend who proves to be more than fantasy in the original 1992 horror movie. Decades later, Candyman is back, with Tony Todd reprising his role as the iconic character. This time, Anthony, an artist who just moved to a gentrified Chicago neighborhood, learns the truth behind Candyman while entering a new age of horror.
Directed by Nia DaCosta from a script by Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld and DaCosta, Candyman stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Vanessa A. Williams, Rebecca Spence, Cassie Kramer and Tony Todd. The film arrives in theaters on Aug. 27.