I’m linking up with Top Ten Tuesday, which was created by The Broke and the Bookish and is now hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Check out upcoming Top Ten themes on Jana’s blog!
Horror is my favorite genre, so I’m always searching for upcoming books to add to my TBR. I’m thrilled to bring you my list of (26) 2026 horror releases that I’m ridiculously excited to read! Now, a few notes: This isn’t a complete list by any means. It started much longer, but I had to cross a few titles off due to length (26 is the magic number, after all!). Also, I’m only sharing books that already have covers. I didn’t set out to choose only adult books, but that’s my focus, so that’s how the list ended up. I’m sure I could make another list just featuring YA horror at some point.
Books are linked to Goodreads if you’d like to read the complete story blurb, and I’m encouraging you to add them to your TBR if they sound good to you too! I’m listing these in order of release date, but do keep in mind that dates are subject to change. Here we go!
The Body by Bethany C. Morrow. February 10th, Tor Nightfire. “The Body is a pulse-pounding supernatural horror story from bestselling author Bethany C. Morrow, where one woman must survive a series of bizarre and escalating attacks on her marriage.”
For Human Use by Sarah G. Pierce. February 10th, Run For It. “For Human Use is a twisted tale of modern love that bends every genre, sears itself into your brain, and presents a horrific romantic comedy unlike anything you’ve ever read before.”
Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward. February 24, Tor Nightfire. “Set in the unforgiving maw of the Rocky Mountains, Nowhere Burning is the latest harrowing novel from bestselling author Catriona Ward, perfect for fans of Riley Sager and the hit series Yellowjackets.”
Dollface by Lindy Ryan. February 24, Minotaur Books. “Barbie meets Scream with a 90s nostalgia twist in this horror romp from Bless Your Heart author Lindy Ryan.”
Spoiled Milk by Avery Curran. March 10, Doubleday Books. “The untimely death of a student at a girls’ boarding school turns out to be the first in a haunting series of escalating supernatural events. A thrilling debut novel about teenage repression, queer desire, and the everyday horror of coming of age.”
Mother is Watching by Karma Brown. March 17, Dutton. “An internationally bestselling author’s chilling horror debut in which an art conservator’s obsession with a mysterious painting spirals into a nightmarish descent, where the line between reality and the supernatural shatters, threatening both her sanity and her life.”
Crawlspace by Adam Christopher. March 17, Tor Nightfire. “Enter an edge-of-your-seat nightmare to the darkest frontiers in Crawlspace , an SF horror novel from New York Times bestselling author Adam Christopher, perfect for fans of S.A. Barnes and Event Horizon .”
Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher. March 24, Tor Nightfire. “Something darker than the devil stalks the North Carolina woods in Wolf Worm, a new gothic masterpiece from New York Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher.”
Nothing Tastes As Good by Luke Dumas. March 31, Atria Books. “The acclaimed author of the “disorienting, creepy, paranoia-inducing” (Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World) A History of Fear returns with a spine-tingling new thriller about a weight loss treatment with potentially murderous side effects.”
Bodies of Work by Clay McCleod Chapman. April 7, Titan Books. “A murderous artist is haunted by the spirits of those he has killed in this surreal and chilling supernatural revenge novella. From the acclaimed author of Ghost Eaters, and perfect for fans of Joe Hill and Delilah S. Dawson.”
Wife Shaped Bodies by Laura Cranehill. April 14, Saga Press. “Sorrowland meets Manhunt in this literary horror debut in which an isolated newlywed—covered in mushroom growths like all the other wives in her community—strikes a precarious balance between following her husband’s strict rules and pursuing an intense connection with a woman who makes her question everything.”
The Hive by Ronald Malfi. April 14, Titan Books. “An epic, Lovecraftian horror novel in the vein of Black River Orchard and American Elsewhere about a small town that becomes obsessed with a series of random objects left strewn across their town in the aftermath of a storm. From the Bram Stoker award-nominated and bestselling author of Come with Me.”
Morsel by Carter Keane. April 14, Tor Nightfire. “The Blair Witch Project meets The Ritual, with a generous helping of The Menu, in Morsel, a delicious folk horror novella perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, Cassandra Khaw, and Paul Tremblay.”
The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer. April 21, Emily Bestler Books. “From Marcus Kliewer, a new “titan of the macabre and unsettling” (Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author), comes a supernatural horror about a young woman who accepts a caretaking job from Craigslist only to discover the position has consequences far greater—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.”
Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker. April 21, Hanover Square Press. “In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.”
Hex House by Amy Jane Stewart. April 28, Titan Books. “A feverishly told, dark and unsettling Scotland-set fairy-tale about a safe haven for women which transforms them into vessels of revenge, perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher, A. G Slatter and Julia Armfield.”
Molka by Monika Kim. April 28, Erewhon Books. “THE NEW NOVEL BY THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE EYES ARE THE BEST PART – molka (n): the Korean term for spy cameras secretly and illegally installed, often to capture voyeuristic images and videos
Abyss by Nicholas Binge. May 12, Tor Nightfire. “Severance meets Lovecraft in this surreal tale of corporate horror and existential dread.”
The Temptation of Charlotte North by Camilla Bruce. May 19, Del Rey Books. “A rebellious young woman desperate to escape her predetermined life joins forces with an unlikely ally—a sinister spirit—in this dark gothic fantasy from the acclaimed author of At the Bottom of the Garden .”
Dead Weight by Hildur Knútsdóttir. May 26, Tor Nightfire. “An Icelandic night may hide secrets and affairs—or even bodies—in this gruesomely cathartic horror thriller from the author of The Night Guest.”
Headlights by C.J. Leede. June 9, Tor Nightfire. “From the USA Today bestselling author of American Rapture CJ Leede, comes Headlights, a twisted tale about the power in confronting the ghosts of your past when an FBI agent with an uncanny ability to detect danger must track a serial killer through the wilds of Colorado.”
Obstetrix by Naomi Kritzer. June 9, Tordotcom. “From the Hugo award-winning author Naomi Kritzer comes a tense portrait of a future we desperately hope to escape.”
The Summer Fun Massacre by Craig DiLouie. June 16, Run For It. “Surviving the massacre is just the beginning in this razor-sharp take on the summer camp slasher from horror master Craig DiLouie.”
Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle. July 7, Tor Nightfire. “From Chuck Tingle, USA Today bestselling author of Bury Your Gays, comes Fabulous Bodies, a supernatural joyride where Drive meets Beetlejuice.”
Carry Me To My Grave by Christopher Golden. July 21, St. Martin’s Press. “From New York Times bestselling author Christopher Golden comes a high concept horror novel about a man trying to protect his dead mother’s body from the evil that is hunting them.”
A Plagued Sea by Kim Bo-young (translated by Sophie Bowman). August 11, Tor Nightfire. “Visionary Korean author Kim Bo-young unleashes a Lovecraftian nightmare of infection, transformation, and abomination.”
You mentioned a lot of interesting titles! I am excited for the Kingfisher’s one but I discovered some interesting books here, too. Morsel sounds like something that could work for me while Body Of Work doesn’t sound like something I usually enjoy but the synopsis is super intriguing all the same!!
And they are all various levels of horror, so hopefully there’s something for everyone:-)
I was hoping you would feature a horror list soon because I get most of my recs from you!! Though I don’t read this genre much I love seeing what’s coming out
I do too, it’s so much fun to look ahead:-)
Hex House and Obstetrix are on my TBR for next year, and I’ll definitely be checking out Dead Weight too! So many look great!
And there are so many more I couldn’t fit in this post!
Wow, you gave a lot of lovely reading ahead. The book cover of Doll Face is certainly eye-catching.
Here’s a link to my TTT post
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/%f0%9f%93%9a-toptentuesday-halloween-special-10-chilling-tales-of-horror-from-author-john_f_leonard-tuesdaybookblog-booktwitter-bookx/
I love the unexpected bright pink cover of Dollface, it doesn’t look like horror at all:-)
I had my eye on Dollface already, but you’ve sure added some more to the TBR! I didn’t know Chuck Tingle had a new one, so I’m off to look that up right away.
I can tell you’re going for the pink covers;-)
I have my eyes set on Crawlspace (of course I didn’t get an ARC, but I want to read it at some point) and I see some new-to-me releases here. So much horror coming! Yay!
There’s a lot next year, and I thought 2025 was a good year for horror!
I don’t read nearly as much horror as I once did but I still enjoy a good one every so often so it’s great to see a selection of what I might choose from in the coming year.
You know I’ll keep you informed when it comes to horror;-)
I’m generally not a horror reader, but I’ve loved Naomi Kritzer’s SFF in the past and so might be willing to give her horror a try.
I’ve never read her books, but now I want to look them up!
I hope to read The Body, Nowhere Burning, Wolf Worm and Morsel!
Those all sound so good, here’s hoping we both get to read all of them:-)
Ooh nice topic choice! These are all totally new to me ones. Will definitely keep an eye out for when I am needing a creepy read! Lol.
Thanks for visiting my TTT!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hex House sounds good to me. But I’m kind of a wimp with horror. I like suspense more.
Here’s my TTT for today: https://speedyreadercom.wordpress.com/2025/10/28/halloween-theme-books-with-a-moon/
I totally get that, I love suspense as well:-)
Love your 26 in 2026 list. So many fun books to go explore. I can already feel my own TBR list growing. ;D
It’s going to be a good year for books, I can tell:-)
Hope you enjoy these when they come out! 🙂
Me too!
I am working on my own 2026 horror list right now and am so excited to have so many coming our way in the new year. Great list!
Thanks Alicia, I can’t wait to see your list!
Ahh I didn’t know about any of these but so many of them catch my eye! The Summer Fun Massacre definitely sounds right up my alley!
I hope you have a spooky week and a Happy Halloween!
My TTT: https://essentiallyash.blogspot.com/2025/10/top-ten-tuesday-halloweeeeeeen.html
Ash @ Essentially Ash
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Thank you Ash!
Lots of good stuff coming soon! I can’t wait for Japanese Gothic.
Me too, it sounds amazing!
Eek so many spooky books! I love it!!! I am adding a bunch to my list!
Thanks for visiting, Erin!
I read a lot of horror as a teen/YA, but I’m way too wimpy for it now. I can do atmospheric/spooky/lightly scary books, but that’s it. I hope you enjoy all these next year!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday) and happy Halloween!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thanks Susan!
Well, I saw this list and knew I had to open another tab to add to my TBR. Thank you for your services .
As always I’m astounded T. Kingfisher’s speed at writing new books! Hex House also sounds amazing and I’m highly anticipating the Temptation of Charlotte North! There are a few others that I’m interested in but I think I might wait to hear reviews of first 🙂
I hope you found something fun to read! And I agree, T. Kingfisher must never sleep, she always has multiple books coming out.
Oooh, most of these will be on my reading list! Morsel is available at Netgalley as READ NOW if anyone wants to grab it.
Yes, I saw Morsel on NetGalley! Super excited for it.
I am excited…for YOU Tammy! LOL
LOL!
Wow, yes I am excited! So many good books to look forward to.
Lynn 😀
Horror is definitely my favorite genre. I’ve already read two books in this genre this year, but I was COMPLETELY blown away by “Bakersfield” by Noah Vossel… You start off thinking it’s just a small, simple psychological horror story, and then, out of nowhere, everything transforms. I don’t want to say too much to avoid spoilers, but there are so many unexpected twists that it left me absolutely stunned.
Now I’m curious about Bakersfield! I will go look it up, thanks for stopping by
Trust me, Tammy. You won’t regret it…
Many of these look creepy. It definitely should be a fun time getting into these.