This article contains mentions of suicide.
2025 has been a phenomenal year for horror movies, as many spectacular films in the genre have scared up success in theaters. Since the year began, audiences have raved about several horror films from new and established franchises, includingSinners,The Monkey,Bring Her Back,Companion,28 Years Later,Final Destination Bloodlines, andTogether.
With 2025’s turnout, horror continues to be one of the most popular and profitable genres in cinema.There are certainly more exciting horror films to come later this year, such asWeapons,Him,Keeper, andBlack Phone 2.
While all theseupcoming 2025 horror moviesare likely to become more success stories, there is one indie film made by an up-and-coming director with enough support and acclaim to scare away the competition and become a surprise hit in theaters.
Shelby Oaks' Trailer Teases A Great New Horror
If there is a horror movie that could scare and shock audiences this year, it’sShelby Oaks. DistributorNeon has delivered multiple hit horror moviesin recent years, includingLonglegs,The Monkey,Titane,Immaculate, andTogether.Shelby Oaksis also written and directed by popular YouTuber and film critic Chris Stuckmann, who has clearly brought his extensive knowledge of cinema and filmmaking into this, his feature-length debut.
Shelby Oaksis even executive-produced byfilmmaker Mike Flanagan,who established himself as a horror geniuswithThe Haunting of Hill House,Midnight Mass,Hush, andDoctor Sleep. IfShelby Oaksreceived the blessing and support of someone like Flanagan, this horror must be something special and terrifying.
Neon’s redband trailer forShelby Oakshas already shown its frightening potential.In less than half a minute,the trailerhooks its audience by starting with a man shooting himself in front of an unsuspecting Mia. The protagonist (Camille Sullivan) then finds a videotape with him that holds footage of her long-lost sister Riley, who went missing while investigating the titular town for her paranormal investigation series.
As the protagonist delves deeper into this bloody mystery, the trailer builds great tension and suspense asshe encounters creepy townspeople and an unseen, monstrous presence waiting to be revealedin theaters. Nevertheless, Neon has once again flexed its skills in viral marketing as it promotes the terror and mystery ofShelby Oakswith multiple creepy posters online.
Though this horror film is made by a new director, it has generated plenty of hype.Shelby Oakshad a record-breaking Kickstarter campaignin 2022 to fund its production. Having reportedly amassed nearly six times its campaign goal with around $1.4 million,Shelby Oakshas established itself as a highly anticipated indie film among Stuckmann’s millions of fans.
Also, since the film was screened at the Fantasia International Film Festival in July 2024,Shelby Oakshas received an impressive 81% rating from criticsonRotten Tomatoes. The trailer thus shared some of the positive reviews that critics have given the film. In particular,Slashfilmhas heralded Stuckmann as “one of the most promising new voices in horror,” which should attract fans of the genre to see it in theaters.
With the support of Flanagan, Neon, and fans,Shelby Oakscould have a successful, record-breaking run in theaters similar toLonglegs, given the film’s reportedly low budget of almost $3 million. As a result, Chris Stuckmann’s scary new passion project could become the biggest sleeper hit of 2025.
