From Dawn of the Dead to Saw X, a horror movie’s sequel can be just as good as (or even better than) the original. However, not all horror movies that deserve a sequel have gotten one. Some have faced budget constraints or casting issues that made the next film a non-starter. In other cases, the interest simply wasn’t there, or writers couldn’t come up with an enticing way to continue their terrifying tale.

Over time, renewed interest and resources have led certain franchises to earn belated sequels. For instance, Doctor Sleep, which followed Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 film The Shining, came out nearly 40 years later. Hopefully, this is a sign that other horror films will soon follow suit, because the ones on this list are more than ready to make their return from the grave.

1. The Conference (2023)
2. Psycho Goreman (2020)
3. Cargo (2017)
4. The Belko Experiment (2016)
5. Circle (2015)
6. The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
7. I Am Legend (2008)
8. Audition (1999)
9. The Thing (1982)
10. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)