Horror is king at the 2025 box office, thanks to Ryan Coogler’s smash “Sinners” and, more recently, Zach Cregger’s “Weapons.” The “Barbarian” filmmaker’s follow-up centers on a suburban classroom, where all but one of the young students mysteriously run from their homes into the night, leading the community (and especially their teacher) to investigate the disappearance. In the mood for more chills, thrills, and mysteries? We’ve rounded up the best horror projects casting today.
“Linger”
CIN-114 is now seeking actors for “Linger,” a short horror/thriller about a screenwriter who is struggling to save his relationship and his writing and becomes stalked by a mysterious stranger whose unsettling presence blurs the line between fiction and reality, leading to a spiral of obsession, paranoia, and horror. Three New York-based actors, aged 20–60, are wanted for the lead role and two supporting roles, including the mysterious stranger, Fergal. Auditions and rehearsals will take place over Zoom, followed by filming on Nov. 13–17 in Long Island. Pay is $130–$140 per day for up to five days of work, with food provided on set.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Half-Hanged Mary”
Casting is underway for “Half-Hanged Mary,” a Gothic horror short film about a scarred scholar on sabbatical who returns to her grandparents’ house to research Mary Webster, a woman hanged as a witch who lived. Actors, aged 25–85, are wanted for several roles, including the starring role of Natalie. Filming will take place on Sept. 30–Oct. 2 in Nashville, Tennessee. Pay is $100–$800.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Mama’s Boy”
Background casting continues for an upcoming Peacock/A24 prequel horror series set in the 1970s. Production is seeking talent, aged 6–99, to portray upscale kids, housewives, husbands, and gala attendees in background roles. Fittings will be held in Jersey City, New Jersey, followed by filming in New Jersey and New York. Filming will take place on Oct. 6, 7, 9, and 15 (not all talent will work all dates). Pay is $181.50–$234.
Want this gig? Apply here for adult roles, and apply here for child roles.
“Keep Still,” Indie Queer Film
The Good Fight Films is now seeking talent for “Keep Still,” a queer psychological horror film about a hookup gone wrong when a man is abducted by a supernatural presence and imprisoned with two other captives. Chicago-based talent, aged 18–50, are wanted for the three captives and the antagonist in the film. Talent will work on Nov. 7–9, 14–16, and 22 in Northwest Chicago. Pay is $125 per day with meals, credit, and copy provided.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Murmur”
Casting is underway for “Murmur,” a low-budget horror feature film set in a secluded forest cabin where the grieving family of a renowned classical musician confronts the haunting aftermath of their patriarch’s death and the monstrous entity he left behind. Actors, aged 9–53, are wanted for lead roles in the film. Rehearsals will take place in Los Angeles, followed by filming on Oct. 23–Nov. 6 in L.A. and Idyllwild. Pay is $1,500–$3,000 with overnight expenses in Idyllwild provided.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Her Unseeing” Student Film
Join “Her Unseeing,” a short senior thesis horror film set in the late 1990s/early 2000s where two teenage girls accidentally summon a benevolent demonic entity that feeds on the traumatic events of its summoners. Female and nonbinary actors, aged 18–23, are wanted for the lead roles in the film, including the protagonists, Beck and Sage, and the antagonist, Mouthy Iris. Filming will take place in mid-to-late September in L.A. Pay is $200 with catering, snacks, and credit provided.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“The Dope Sick Dead”
Casting is underway for “The Dope Sick Dead,” an urban horror film where a new street drug turns users into zombies, and two street hustlers and a junkie sister fight to survive the outbreak. Actors, aged 18 and older, are wanted for various roles, including the three leads. Production is also hiring multiple crew positions, including a director of photography. Pre-production will begin in late September, followed by filming in mid-October in Florida. Pay is $100–$350 per day for actors with craft services and some transportation provided. Crew rates are TBD.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Sara Sarita”
Queen Studios is now casting “Sara Sarita,” a Mexican horror film set at Camp Marigold, where an ambitious young woman investigates the causes behind its bad reputation and soon learns her grandmother unleashed a demon in the camp 40 years ago. A Latina actor, age 18–35, is wanted to play the starring role of Elena. Filming will take place during the last week of October in Columbus, Ohio. Pay is $1,200 with travel and accommodations provided.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Replay”
Contradictory Films is casting talent for “Replay,” a horror film following a group of young adults who go out for a night of partying and are attacked by an unknown virus. Nationwide female actors, aged 21–30, are wanted for four roles in the film, which will shoot in L.A. with dates TBD. Pay is $125–$500 per day for up to five days of work with travel, meals, copy, and credit provided.
Want this gig? Apply here.
Horror-Sci-Fi Film
U.S.-based actors, aged 18–70, are currently wanted for various roles in a horror/sci-fi feature film. Rehearsals will begin in February 2026, followed by filming in April. Pay is $200–$600 per day for up to 15 days of work.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Uncanny Valley High”
Bad Taste Video has begun searching for talent for “Uncanny Valley High,” a surreal, genre-bending horror film set inside the rigid tribalism of a 1980s high school. Two actors, aged 15–18, are wanted for the lead roles of Robbie and Sarah. Talent will work in the Toronto area in Spring 2026. Pay is $250 per day for 12 days of work with meals and credit provided.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“The Taken”
Overclocked Entertainment is now casting “The Taken,” a short horror film that blends psychological suspense with supernatural terror following Josephine, a young girl who begins seeing a shadowy figure in her family’s new home. White U.S.-based actors, aged 13–40, are wanted for lead roles in the film, including Josephine. Rehearsals and filming will take place in the first quarter of 2026 in Dallas, Texas. Pay is $200–$500.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Comara”
Casting is underway for “Comara,” an atmospheric horror-fantasy short film (with a feature in development) set in Britain that follows a boy who suspects his father is transforming into a monster. U.S.-based male actors, aged 18–70, are wanted for lead and supporting roles. Two of the roles, including the protagonist, require a British accent. Rehearsals will take place virtually, followed by filming in Upstate New York, dates TBD. Pay is $300–$1,000 per day for two days of work with travel and meals provided.
Want this gig? Apply here.
“Camp Hallow”
Casting is underway for “Camp Hallow,” a feature horror film set at the titular Camp Hallow, where a group of counselors stay behind to close up on Halloween night, and their playful banter and ghost stories around the fire give way to real terror as a masked figure emerges from the woods. Actors, aged 18–35, are wanted for various roles, including a lead. Talent will work between Oct. 3 and 15 in Dowling, Michigan. Pay is $100–$250 per day for up to seven days with lodging provided if needed.
Want this gig? Apply here.