The Top 3 Most Disappointing, Most Hyped Horror Movies | The Gabaghoul Chronicles

Horror movies often ride a wave of excitement, especially when they’re tied to beloved franchises, acclaimed directors, or intriguing premises. However, high expectations can lead to even bigger letdowns when the final product falls flat. For The Gabaghoul crew, we’ve rounded up three recent horror films that promised thrills but delivered disappointment, leaving fans and critics wanting more.

3. Trap (2024)

Trap was eagerly anticipated due to its intriguing premise and the involvement of acclaimed director M. Night Shyamalan. The film's trailers promised a tense, claustrophobic thriller set at a concert, with a serial killer on the loose. However, the final product failed to deliver on its potential. The pacing was uneven, with long stretches of dull exposition punctuated by predictable jump scares. The twist ending, a hallmark of Shyamalan's style, felt forced and unsatisfying. Many viewers felt that the film relied too heavily on contrivances and coincidences, undermining the suspense. Despite the high expectations, Trap ended up being a forgettable entry in the horror genre.

2. Halloween Kills (2021)

The 2018 Halloween reboot was a triumph, bringing Michael Myers back to his roots with a film that honored the original while delivering fresh scares. Naturally, Halloween Kills was eagerly awaited as the next chapter in this revived trilogy. Unfortunately, it didn’t live up to the hype. The story felt stagnant, more like a setup for the finale than a meaningful installment, leaving fans frustrated with its lack of progression. It leaned too hard on nostalgia, stuffing in references that felt forced rather than organic. The addition of a mob subplot also drew criticism for being over-the-top and distracting from the core horror, resulting in a sequel that felt like a step backward.

1. It Chapter Two (2019)

After the 2017 It film dazzled audiences with its terrifying take on Stephen King’s novel and its heartfelt coming-of-age story, It Chapter Two was poised to be a grand finale. The return of Pennywise and the adult Losers’ Club had fans buzzing with anticipation. Yet, the sequel stumbled under its own weight. Clocking in at nearly three hours, the film felt bloated, with pacing that dragged and diluted its tension. The scares leaned heavily on loud jump moments rather than the creeping dread that made the first film so effective. Many also noted that the adult cast, despite their talent, couldn’t replicate the chemistry of their younger counterparts, making this a frustrating conclusion to an otherwise stellar adaptation.

These films had all the makings of horror greatness—strong legacies, talented creators, and sky-high anticipation—but they couldn’t deliver the chills or thrills fans craved. They stand as cautionary tales that in horror, hype is only as good as the execution behind it. What do you think—did these movies let you down too, or are there other overhyped horrors that haunt your watchlist? #TheGabaghoul