The horror space has not seen a movie helmed by one of the genre’s best since 2009, but the director finally plans to return in January. Despite making some of the best horror movies of all time, this excellent creative has recently filled his time directing franchise movies for both the Marvel Cinematic Universe and The Wizard of Oz.
Fortunately, this filmmaker has remained linked to the horror genre, producing excellent films like Crawl and Don’t Breathe, showing that he still has his finger on the pulse of the form. This is important, as horror is an exciting genre that sees some of the most creative innovation in all of Hollywood.
Some of the best horror movies have had great stories that confront relevant themes, with some of the strongest of these, including Sinners and Get Out, being some of the most critically acclaimed films of their release years. Alternatively, horror has used jump scares to illicit more visceral reactions and responses from viewers.
With some interesting comparisons to past films, this new picture from a Hollywood legend may walk both of these lines simultaneously. There is great anticipation for his return to the genre, which will finally occur at the beginning of next year.
Sam Raimi Is One Of The Best Horror Movie Directors Around
The Filmmaker Became An Icon Of The Genre With His Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Trilogy
Sam Raimi broke onto the scene in 1981 with his first major release, The Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ. The terrifying film depicted a group of friends being tormented by evil spirits in a cabin in the woods. The Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ movies went on to spawn sequels, a remake, a spinoff film, a musical, and a TV series, with more in the works.
Each of these Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ films tapped into the horrific spirit of Raimi’s original in all kinds of unique ways. Blending comedy, paranormal lore, and even heroism together, the franchise remains one of the most important horror series ever. However, the director has also pursued other interests within his canon of films.
Raimi broke through in a bigger way with his Spider-Man movies, which helped to make superhero films one of the dominant forms of storytelling in the 21st century. However, his horror roots could be seen even in those films, especially when confronting Norman Osborn’s fears as he slowly descends into madness, becoming a terrifying monster of a man.
Raimi is proficient with comedy and action, but his best works use the director’s skills with building fear and suspense. Elements of this could be seen in movies like Darkman and The Gift. With all of this considered, it is especially exciting that he is finally returning to make another horror movie, which is now set for release in January 2026.
Next Year’s Send Help Is Sam Raimi’s First Horror Movie Since 2009
The Director Has Not Made A Horror Film Since Drag Me To Hell
Send Help is set for release in January 2026, and the film has been described as a survival-based horror-thriller. The movie is especially exciting as it has been so long since Raimi has made a horror movie. While elements of his style were present in other projects, Raimi hasn’t made a genuine horror movie since Drag Me to Hell.
Arguably the best horror movie featuring Justin Long, Drag Me to Hell sees loan officer Christine Brown refusing to extend a mortgage payment in an attempt to secure a promotion for herself. As a result, she becomes cursed by the old woman she denies.
The bulk of the film sees her attempting to find a way to circumvent the Lamia demon’s plans to drag her down to hell, as her time ticks down. The ways that it does this are often funny and clever, but more than anything, the movie is terrifying.
While nothing has materialized, there have been conversations about a sequel to Drag Me to Hell. Discussions have been ongoing, with the most recent comments coming from 2023.
Featuring so many disturbing images, including ones that lean into grossout horror and even camp, the film is a fun rollercoaster of a movie. It was even critically acclaimed, earning a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. With all of this considered, it is especially exciting that Raimi will be returning to the genre.
Why Sam Raimi Returning To Horror Is So Exciting
Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ Shaped The Genre
Raimi became important to horror aficionados quickly, and Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ has influenced so many movies, including The Cabin in the Woods. While the director’s impact has been seen throughout horror films, he has also built up a respectable resume making some of the biggest movies ever, including the recent Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Raimi returning to horror is so exciting because the director has done it all and seen it all, and yet his experience has led him directly to this project. Rather than just producing, like he did with the magnificent Crawl, Raimi has put his unparalleled skills and experience to work on this original script.
Evil ᴅᴇᴀᴅ remains an important entry in the horror canon, and seeing where Raimi uses his abilities with horror and violence in this unique island setting could be interesting. The new film stars Rachel McAdams alongside Dylan O’Brien, Dennis Haysbert, Chris Pang, and Brad Flett. Only sparse details about the story have been provided, but they sound compelling.
How Send Help Could Be Different From Sam Raimi’s Other Horror Movies
The Movie’s Story Is Unusual For A Raimi Horror Project
It is unclear exactly how much Send Help will lean into its horror elements. The film does not appear to have a paranormal bent to it, which is a very different kind of take for Raimi. According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, the tone of the story is compared to both Misery and Castaway, which could be a strange and unique balance.
Send Help will see two people who work together stranded on an island, fighting to survive, and it remains to be seen where the horror in the film is built from. There are several ways this could be done, such as the heroes facing natural and wildlife terrors, similar to Crawl.
With this in mind, most of the terror in the film will likely come from human characters. Misery saw a fan becoming violent toward her favorite writer, and elements of that could play into the new film. Trapped on an island in the middle of nowhere, the film could feature its small cast inflicting horrors upon one another.
Tapping into survivalism and fear, Send Help is one of the most exciting horror releases in the next year. Following a packed 2025 of franchises returning, including Final Destination and I Know What You Did Last Summer, it is exciting that another horror auteur is finally returning to the genre. The new film releases in January.
