The integration of comic books and horror films has proven to be a potent combination, breathing new life into classic narratives while offering collectors and fans unique expansions of their favorite franchises. Below is a curated list of ten horror films ripe for continuation in comic book form, providing an avenue for both storytelling and collectible opportunities.
Some of the best original horror stories in recent memory have originated from comic books. The medium has also served as a way for some popular existing scary movie franchises to continue away from the big (or small) screen.
The question is, which beloved horror movie favorite is destined to receive such treatment next? A few terrifying cinematic tales that leave room for more storytelling in the end come to mind.
A decade after inventing the modern zombie movie in 1968 with Night of the Living Dead, George A. Romero returned to a world overrun with shuffling, reanimated corpses with Dawn of the Dead. This standalone sequel follows a quartet of survivors who take refuge at a shopping mall with special deals on carnage, existential dread, and consumerist satire.
In the plot’s ambiguous conclusion, Francine (Gaylen Ross) and SWAT team operative Peter (Ken Foree) escape the overrun mall in a helicopter, leaving audiences to ponder the uncertain future. A comic continuation could depict their journey through a world increasingly dominated by the undead, appealing to collectors looking for rich narrative expansions.
One of the most sadly underrated horror movies in recent memory is 2016’s The Autopsy of Jane Doe from director André Øvredal. It stars Succession‘s Brian Cox and Into the Wild star Emile Hirsch as father and son medical examiners whose latest anonymous subject (played with astonishing stillness by Olwen Kelly) proves to be a source of great mystery and inescapable terror.
There are several intriguing directions a comic adaptation could take, such as a direct prequel exploring the crime scene where Jane Doe was discovered, a sequel that picks up immediately from the film’s conclusion, or an anthology series detailing the experiences of various victims under Jane Doe’s haunting influence. The potential depth here makes it a desirable project for collectors interested in psychological horror.
For the long-awaited follow-up to 2008’s trend-setting found footage horror favorite, Cloverfield, director Dan Trachtenberg opted for a different narrative style with 10 Cloverfield Lane. The film follows three characters (played by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Goodman, and John Gallagher Jr.) taking refuge in an underground bunker amidst an unspecified threat.
However, the plot culminates with Winstead’s character Michelle escaping the bunker and confronting an extraterrestrial spacecraft, prompting questions about her future as a possible hero in a comic series that explores further adventures in her bizarre, post-apocalyptic landscape.
In 2011, director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell’s Insidious revitalized the haunted house movie genre, centering on a family whose son, Dalton Lambert (Ty Simpkins), becomes ensnared by malevolent spirits from a sinister spiritual plane.
While many fans argue that the franchise has outstayed its welcome, a comic series could invigorate the lore by featuring new characters confronted by the threatening spirits of The Further, appealing to collectors eager for fresh narratives unbound from the original film’s continuity.
The horror genre was notably significant in 2025 with Ryan Coogler’s Sinners, which combines a supernatural narrative with the historical backdrop of the Jim Crow South. While a direct sequel may not be on Coogler’s agenda, a comic spin-off focusing on the Choctaw vampire hunters introduced in the film would provide an exciting opportunity to explore untold stories, undoubtedly capturing collectors’ interest.
Sam Raimi’s influential cult favorite horror franchise, initiated by 1981’s The Evil Dead, has long embraced comic book adaptations (most notably through the ongoing Army of Darkness series). Nonetheless, the franchise could benefit from the incorporation of new characters alongside Bruce Campbell’s Ash, expanding its universe and revitalizing collector engagement.
Years ago, discussions of a sequel to Fede Alvarez’s Evil Dead from 2013, pairing Jane Levy’s Mia with Ash, were rife, but with Campbell retiring from live-action roles, a comic exploration could represent a novel means to delve deeper into the franchise’s lore, potentially introducing survivors from 2023’s Evil Dead Rise.
Max Brooks’ 2006 novel World War Z provided a compelling portrayal of the zombie apocalypse, framed as an oral history of a global outbreak. Its 2013 film adaptation, which featured Brad Pitt, opened doors to rich story expansions that now stand ready for a comic series to chronicle the ongoing struggles in a world overrun with the undead, a venture that has strong appeal for comic book enthusiasts.
Out of all the horrific works delivered by Mike Flanagan, his 2013 film Oculus has the potential for further exploration. Flanagan has expressed interest in several untold stories surrounding the ominous mirror at the center of the film. Should he navigate the challenges surrounding rights, an anthology-style comic collection could showcase the mirror’s haunting history, capturing the imagination of the collector community.
Widely regarded as a compelling adaptation of Jack Finney’s seminal sci-fi novel is the 1978 film Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This film not only paves the way for a prequel exploring the other worlds conquered by the Pod People but also calls for a sequel that probes the aftermath of its chilling finale, where protagonist Matt (Donald Sutherland) discovers the still-human Nancy (Veronica Cartwright). Through a comic series, the exploration of humanity’s resilience against the chilling threat of emotional detachment could resonate with audiences.
From producer James Gunn, 2019’s Brightburn is intriguing for introducing a child with formidable abilities aligned with a horror twist. As the film concludes with hints of other characters with similar powers, a comic book miniseries could see Brandon Breyer (Jackson A. Dunn) team up with these fellow antagonists, offering a fascinating exploration of their dark universe, thus appealing to those seeking unique collectibles.
Based on reporting by Jason Wiese. Read the full story at https://www.cbr.com/horror-movies-deserve-comic-continuations/.