With 2008 wrapping up, I can look back and honestly say that for the most part the year was full of mediocre horror movies. I still stand by my top five horror films of 2008, but it was a difficult list to pull together -- there just weren't that many good horror movies to choose from. But looking into the future, it appears that 2009 will be packed full of great horror, focused on remakes, retakes and 3-D!

Without further adieu, I present to you my top 10 anticipated horror films of 2009 (in no particular order):

1. The Unborn: Platinum Dunes' first stab at something "original," this religion-themed horror flick looks like a combination of about 50 different movies in one. That said, it's from the writer of The Dark Knight and it features the lovely Odette Yustman. The only downside? It's rated PG-13.

2. My Bloody Valentine 3-D: A remake of the 1981 slasher classic, this one is going where no remake has gone before: to the third dimension! It's also going for a gritty R rating, which means it won't hold back on the red stuff or the nudity. They say that gimmicks can't save a movie, but a slasher flick in 3-D spells awesome in my book, regardless of whether it's actually "good" or not.

3. Friday the 13th: Jason Voorhees is back and better than ever in this "retake" from the early entries of Friday series, set somewhere between Part 3 and Part 4. Director Marcus Nispel blew away expectations with the amazing Texas Chainsaw Massacre remake, and I trust him to treat Jason in the same unapologetic way. Plus, this Friday's going for "scary" rather than "camp."

4. Drag Me to Hell: Spider-Man director Sam Raimi is returning to his Evil Dead roots, as he goes back to the (relatively) low budget horror genre that started his career. I caught a trailer for Drag Me to Hell at this year's Comic-Con and it looked horrible. Then they showed us two clips from the film itself, and the footage blew me away. Raimi's back to horror and I can't wait!

5. Final Destination 4 3-D: Did I mention I have a thing for 3-D? The fourth in the popular series featuring cool and original death sequences is finally going for 3-D, and this guy couldn't be happier. The premise kicks off with a horrific NASCAR-style crash that kills a handful of spectators. Great premise, especially considering it's from the director of Part 2, which (to this day) features one of the best car accident sequences ever filmed.

6. The Wolfman: Hollywood has remade all of the other classic Universal monsters, and now it's The Wolfman's turn! Benicio Del Toro was born to play the Wolfman, and so far it's looking like this may be the best werewolf movie since An American Werewolf in London.

7. Piranha 3-D: This time next year we'll probably look back at 2009 as the year of 3-D horror movies. The Hills Have Eyes director Alexandre Aja is behind this remake of Joe Dante's 1978 camp classic. Knowing Aja, we'll see fish, blood, guts and brains coming at us in 3-D, as well as a promise of gratuitous sex and nudity. Basically, it will be the ultimate killer fish movie. Take that, Jaws 3-D!

8. Sorority Row: While 3-D will be big in 2009, remakes will also be up there. A retelling of The House on Sorority Row, the updated version features an all-star cast of hotties and a premise we haven't seen since the '80s: A killer stalks a house full of sorority house sisters. It's all about returning to basics.

9. After Dark Horrorfest: This isn't just one movie, but the third annual festival of eight movies. Some movies are better than others, but on the whole I appreciate After Dark for hookin' us fans up with more than just your mainstream horror flicks. Plus, this year features Lena Headey in The Broken, as well as Perkins 14 and Butterfly Effect 3: Revelation.

10. Terminator: Salvation: It might not be horror, but I'm a huge fan of the Terminator series, and while Part 3 was utter garbage, this flick is looking to redeem the franchise in every way. Christian Bale as John Connor? A full feature that's set in the riveting future we've only seen bits and pieces of? Only its lame-o PG-13 rating is keeping this one down.

Ammon Gilbert brings the latest horror news to Film.com weekly.

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