Haven’t you heard? We’re in a horror renaissance. After 2018 gave us the most successful year for horror movies, well…ever, 2019 is already shaping up to challenge that title. Not only have we already been graced by newly minted Oscar winner and horror maestro Jordan Peele’s trailer for Us, there are plenty of exciting horror headlines in the news. Here’s a couple you may have missed this week:

Rest in Peace, Dick Miller

Dick Miller as Murray Futterman in 1984’s Gremlins

Character actor and Joe Dante movie regular Dick Miller passed away January 30, 2019. Mr. Miller established his career acting in Roger Corman productions in the 1950s with roles is classics such as Little Shop of Horrors and A Bucket of Blood. Dante would then cast Miller in nearly every movie he directed, with memorable roles in Gremlins, The ‘Burbs, and more. Though rarely in a starring role, Miller’s shadow loomed large in horror – and in Hollywood in general – and he will be missed. If you haven’t watched it, you should definitely check out the documentary about him, That Guy Dick Miller.

Chucky is Headed to SyFy!

If you were as disappointed as I was to learn of the attempted reboot (ahem: takeover) of the Child’s Play series, starring the maniacal living doll Chucky, by MGM, then you’ll be pleased to know the series’ creator (and biggest evangelist) Don Mancini has found a home for his proverbial baby on television. SyFy has agreed to pickup the “fresh take” on Chucky as an episodic series. While it may not be a continuation of the franchise we know and love, fans can take comfort in facing their doll phobias regularly. Read more about the news over at Bloody Disgusting.

Leigh Wannell to Direct New Invisible Man Movie

Remember that Mummy movie? No, not the good one with Brendan Fraser, the one with Tom Cruise that performed so poorly at the box office that Universal canceled their plans for an entire Dark Universe series of monster flicks. Well, thankfully the Dark Universe may not be quite as dead as previously thought.

Universal has decided to entrust its classic monster catalog to the fine folks at Blumhouse, who know how to deliver killer horror movies on a budget, and they’re starting with The Invisible Man. Leigh Whannell, the actor and director of Insidious 3, has just been attached to helm the new film. The news is so fresh that there has been no word (to my knowledge) of a prospective release date, but you can learn more about this new, exciting partnership on Birth. Movies. Death.

Horror at Home: Suspiria and Splatter University

If you’re looking for some horror to take home this week, don’t miss the disturbing reimagining of Dario Argento’s Suspiria. This fresh take is as beautiful as it is haunting and stars Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton and premiered on Blu-ray January 29. Check out the trailer below:

If you want some horror that’s not quite so disturbing, may I point you to the Blu-ray release of the 1984 splat-fest Splatter University. Well, admittedly, the content is still disturbing in that it involves an escaped mental patient killing college students, but its an inept film with such ’80s charm that it’s kinda endearing. It may not be considered a horror classic, but it’s certainly worthy of a place on your shelf.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Poster Revealed

Fans of the creepy kids book can add a new image to their litany of nightmares now that the poster for the upcoming film has been revealed. The project is produced by Guillermo del Toro and mimics the iconic cover of the ’80s paperback by Alvin Schwartz. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is scheduled for release August 9, 2019.

(Portions of this article were first shared on GeekDad.com. Reprinted with permission.)