6 Excellent Horror Movies and Shows You Can Watch This Week at Home or in Theaters, Including ‘Traumatika’

It’s a busy week for scares on both the big screen and at home. Theatrically, Friday, September 12 brings three new releases — ‘The Long Walk’, ‘Traumatika’, and ‘Rabbit Trap’ — while streamers add three fresh horrors split across Tuesday, September 9 (‘Strange Harvest’ and ‘Somnium’) and Friday, September 12 (‘The Pines Still Whisper’). Each one lands with clear details on who made it and who stars, plus what kind of nightmare you’re in for.

Below you’ll find quick, fact-packed rundowns for each title: premise, key cast (with roles where available), and primary creative team. Release dates are included inside each entry so you can plan your watch.

‘The Long Walk’ (2025)

Adapted from Stephen King’s novel written under the Richard Bachman pen name, ‘The Long Walk’ follows 100 teenage boys forced into an annual endurance contest where dropping below three miles per hour earns a fatal penalty. Directed by Francis Lawrence from a screenplay by JT Mollner, the film stars Cooper Hoffman as Raymond Garraty, Mark Hamill as the Major, Judy Greer as Garraty’s mother, and a cast of walkers that includes David Jonsson, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, and Garrett Wareing. Lionsgate is releasing the film in theaters on Friday, September 12, with a listed runtime of 108 minutes, cinematography by Jo Willems, and music by Jeremiah Fraites.

Producers include Roy Lee, Steven Schneider, Francis Lawrence, and Cameron MacConomy, with production companies Vertigo Entertainment and About:Blank. The story is set in a dystopian United States, and the film is presented as a horror-thriller faithful to the book’s rules and the march’s lethal stakes; it opens nationwide on September 12.

‘Traumatika’ (2024)

Set around a boy whose night terrors start manifesting in the real world, ‘Traumatika’ traces a family’s unraveling after his mother shows signs of demonic possession. The film is directed by Pierre Tsigaridis, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maxime Rançon; the cast features Rebekah Kennedy as Abigail, Ranen Navat as Mikey, Emily Goss as Alice, A.J. Bowen as Sheriff Miller, Sean O’Bryan as John Reed, Sean Whalen as Steve, and Maxime Rançon as Volpaazu. Saban Films handles U.S. distribution, the runtime is 87 minutes, and the U.S. theatrical release is Friday, September 12.

Tsigaridis also handled cinematography and editing, with Gioacchino Marincola composing the score and The Rancon Company among the credited producers. After a world premiere at FrightFest in August 2024 and subsequent festival dates, the film’s limited theatrical rollout is set for September 12.

‘Rabbit Trap’ (2025)

Set in 1973 Wales, ‘Rabbit Trap’ follows married musicians Darcy and Daphne Davenport, whose life at a remote cabin takes a sinister turn after they disturb a fairy ring linked to the Tylwyth Teg; a mysterious child soon appears with ominous designs. Written and directed by Bryn Chainey in his feature debut, the film stars Dev Patel as Darcy Davenport, Rosy McEwen as Daphne Davenport, and Jade Croot as the Child. Magnolia Pictures is distributing the U.S. release, which arrives in theaters on Friday, September 12, with a runtime of 97 minutes.

Producers include Elijah Wood and Daniel Noah for SpectreVision alongside Bankside Films, Align, Mad as Birds, and others. Key craft credits include cinematography by Andreas Johannessen, editing by Brett W. Bachman, and an original score by Lucrecia Dalt; the film premiered in the Sundance Midnight section on January 24 before the September 12 U.S. opening.

‘The Pines Still Whisper’ (2025)

‘The Pines Still Whisper’ centers on Penny, a teenager raised under strict rules by her mother Claire in an isolated cabin, who starts questioning her past when an outsider disrupts their routine. Written and directed by Jamie Knox with additional writing by Darcy Tithecott, Raj Paul, and Kira Paul, the film stars India Shaw-Smith as Penny and Idalina Leandro as Claire, with Harris Bailey and Stephen Bainborough in supporting roles. It begins streaming on Friday, September 12, and has a listed runtime of 87 minutes.

The film is produced by Jamie Knox Films and Luna Reel Productions, with Buffalo 8 as distributor. Behind-the-camera credits include cinematography by Nikita Brusnitsyn, editing by Trent Newton, production design by Francesca Demma, and music by Will Rogers; the story is set in the Canadian wilderness following a societal collapse, with the streaming debut dated September 12.

‘Strange Harvest’ (2024)

Presented in a true-crime, documentary style, ‘Strange Harvest’ follows San Bernardino detectives Joe Kirby and Lexi Taylor as they investigate the reappearance of a serial killer nicknamed “Mr. Shiny.” Written and directed by Stuart Ortiz, the film stars Peter Zizzo as Joe Kirby, Terri Apple as Lexi Taylor, Andy Lauer, and Matthew Peschio; it runs 94 minutes and carries an R rating. After opening in U.S. theaters on August 8, it debuts on streaming and digital platforms on Tuesday, September 9.

The production was mounted by Adorable Damage and Pathogen Pictures, with Roadside Attractions and Saban Films distributing. The narrative spans decades and is set in Southern California’s Inland Empire, using police interviews, archival-style footage, and crime-scene materials to trace the case; the home-release date is September 9.

‘Somnium’ (2025)

In ‘Somnium’, small-town transplant Gemma moves to Los Angeles after a breakup and takes the overnight shift at a sleep clinic where experimental tech promises to make dreams “real,” with dangerous psychological side effects. Written and directed by Racheal Cain, the film stars Chloë Levine as Gemma with Peter Vack as ex-boyfriend Hunter and Johnathon Schaech as Brooks; additional cast includes Grace Van Dien, Will Peltz, and Draya Michele. The film’s listed runtime is 92 minutes, and it becomes available to stream and on digital platforms on Tuesday, September 9.

‘Somnium’ is released by Yellow Veil Pictures, with producers Maria Allred, Ali Mahir Aksu, Patricia Chica, Mike Hatton, Andrea Saavedra, and Racheal Cain. The production credits also include Blue Dot Media and Allred Films; the story is set primarily inside the clinic’s overnight program and in Gemma’s orbit as she navigates auditions in Los Angeles, with the digital release dated September 9.

Tell us which of this week’s releases you’ll be watching first — share your picks in the comments!