Get ready to dive into a spine-tingling lineup of horror delights this November 2025 – from extraterrestrial hunts to haunted homes, these picks are guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat long after the credits roll!
November 3, 2025, 2:04 PM PT
Top Horror Selections for November 2025: 'Predator: Badlands,' 'Keeper,' Nicolas Cage's Terrifying Twist on Jesus' Teenage Years, and Plenty More
Hey there, fellow fright fans! Welcome back to Horror Explorer, my monthly roundup of the cream of the crop in movies, TV shows, novels, and all things eerie that are worth your time. I'm William Earl, Variety's executive digital director and your go-to horror buff. Got a spooky recommendation I might have missed? Shoot me an email at wearl@variety.com – I love hearing from you for next month's edition.
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Big-Screen Blockbusters
'Predator: Badlands' (Hitting theaters on November 7) – Elle Fanning takes center stage in this exciting prequel to the beloved alien hunter franchise, following the success of this year's animated gem 'Prey: Alien vs. Hunter.' Director Dan Trachtenberg, who wowed us with 2022's fantastic 'Prey,' guides us through the perilous adventures of a young Predator battling for survival in a harsh, unforgiving world.
'Keeper' (Arriving in theaters on November 14 through Neon) – Oz Perkins is back with another film this year, but this one veers sharply from the bloody humor of 'The Monkey' into a secluded, anxiety-riddled tale. Tatiana Maslany and Rossif Sutherland lead the charge in a story shrouded in mysterious teasers designed to keep viewers guessing every twist and turn.
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Hidden Gems Off the Mainstream Path
'The Carpenter's Son' (Debuting in theaters on November 14 via Magnolia Pictures) – Nicolas Cage steps into the role of Joseph in this wild horror reimagining of young Jesus' life, played by Noah Schnapp. It's as over-the-top and entertaining as you might imagine, and that doesn't even include the epic clash with Satan. But here's where it gets controversial – can a sacred figure like Jesus really be the star of a horror flick without crossing lines? Writer-director Lotfy Nathan pulls off this audacious concept with surprising coherence.
'Zodiac Killer Project' (Coming to theaters on November 21 through Music Box Films) – Director Charlie Shackleton, fresh off a NEXT Innovator Award at Sundance this year for this innovative piece, presents a documentary that probes the true crime genre more deeply than it dissects the infamous killer himself. It's a reflective journey that makes you question what draws us to these stories.
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Chilling TV Series
'The Creep Tapes' (Season 2) (Streaming on Shudder starting November 15) – Mark Duplass reprises his role as the terrifying Peachfuzz in this delightfully unhinged adaptation of the film series. The bite-sized episodes are perfect for dipping into quick bursts of insanity, especially when the spooky season feels like it's fading away.
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Heart-Pounding Reads
'The Place Where They Buried Your Heart' by Christina Henry (Out November 4 from Berkley) – Dive into this eerie narrative about a young girl named Jessie, whose brother vanishes into the maw of an abandoned house and never comes back. Years down the line, Jessie embarks on a quest for truth in Christina Henry's atmospheric, character-driven tale of a haunted dwelling that's as much about personal growth as it is about ghosts.
'Bones of Our Stars, Blood of Our World: A Novel of Terror' by Cullen Bunn (Releasing November 11 via Gallery Books) – From the mind of Marvel Comics scribe Cullen Bunn comes a gripping story of a Southern community besieged by darkness following the capture of a suspected serial murderer – and the brave locals who band together to resist. This fast-paced thriller brims with vivid details that make the beleaguered Wilson Island feel vividly alive, ramping up the tension to urgent levels. And this is the part most people miss – how everyday townsfolk can become unlikely heroes in the face of supernatural evil, drawing parallels to real-world resilience.
More from Variety
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An Ultra-Rare Lamborghini Countach Is Heading to Auction
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What do you think – is blending religious icons with horror, like in 'The Carpenter's Son,' a brilliant innovation or a step too far? Do you agree that true crime docs like 'Zodiac Killer Project' should focus more on societal fascination than the crimes themselves? Share your thoughts in the comments below – I'd love to hear your take!
