Since the Ancient Greeks, humans have been captivated by theater. From politics and Shakespearean tragedies to chilling horror, we love watching stories play out on a stage. We are especially captivated by horror.
Starting with Frankenstein and Dracula and leading to the Conjuring franchise, we love to be scared. The suspense. The thrill. The jump-scares. We love getting together and watching a chilling movie that leaves us speechless afterward.
The best part about the recent rise of streaming platforms such as Netflix and Hulu is the accessibility of your favorite horror films. Whether you’re into jump-scare thrillers or chilling ghost stories, we’ve got you covered.
We take a look at some of the best horror movies to stream and everything you need to know about them. If you haven’t already cut the cable cord, this may just convince you.
Netflix has been adding to its horror portfolio since day one, so they’re the main stop when it comes to watching scary films. Here are some of our favorite horror movies on Netflix.
Made in 2013, The Conjuring is a classic horror film based on paranormal activity. If you’re into heartwarming family films but like a little bit of a scare, too, this movie is bound to be up your alley.
Plot: The film surrounds the family of Carolyn and Roger Perron as they move into a new home with their daughters and dog. As the clock strikes 3:07, however, weird things begin to happen. The family becomes terrorized, and as this terror escalates, they seek help from Ed and Lorraine Warren. The satanic beings haunting the Perron family must be reckoned with, but how? And how can the Warren’s protect their own family in the process?
Director: James Wan
Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston
If you’re a Stephen King fan, you’re bound to love the film adaptation of In The Tall Grass.
Plot: This film isn’t just a horror film. Don’t get us wrong—you’ll be scared, spooked, chilled, and thrilled. As horror master King weaves this thriller through different holes in time, if you aren’t following along close enough, you may lose track of where you are. The story follows siblings Becky and Cal on a road trip. When they pull over for a pitstop, they take a look around the area and hear the cries for help from a young boy. What the siblings don’t know is that once they enter the grass, they might never leave.
King intertwines multiple realities together to create a thrilling masterpiece. What sinister thing lurks in the tall grass? Will siblings Becky and Cal ever make it out?
Director: Vincenzo Natali
Cast: Laysla De Oliveira, Avery Whitted, Patrick Wilson
If you love traveling and the idea of going to Paris—well, As Above So Below just might change your mind.
Plot: When a group of travelers decide to explore the catacombs underneath Paris, they find more than the tourist destination they had in mind. As they continue further into the maze of the dead, they encounter some of Paris’ darkest secrets and some dark secrets about themselves in the process. Following Dante Alighieri’s levels of hell, this horror film dives deeper into the darkness with each step.
Director: John Erick Dowdle
Cast: Perdita Weeks, Ben Feldman, Edwin Hodge
For those who don’t have Netflix, fear not! Here are some of the most chilling films available on Amazon Prime.
A classic film, Rosemary’s Baby, was produced in 1968. Since then, the film has been remade several times, but nothing beats an original, in our opinion.
Plot: This film surrounds the romantic relationship of Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse, a young Catholic couple who move into a new apartment complex. The couple is also trying to have a baby. If this sounds all too romantic to start—don’t worry. It gets chilling. After moving into their new home, Rosemary’s pregnancy begins to raise the alarm, and it’s obvious that something is deeply wrong.
During the pregnancy, Rosemary and Guy meet their neighbors, but they’re not what they expected. As the storyline progresses, it becomes obvious that the young couple has something to do with the agony Rosemary is enduring. Should she be suspicious of her neighbors? Is there a sinister plan conspiring for Rosemary and her family’s demise? Guess you’ll have to hop on Amazon Prime to find out.
Director: Roman Polanski
Cast: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon
This mysterious horror film hit the theaters in 2016 and is a must-watch for those who love crime, drama, and some demonic horror tossed in.
Plot: The Wailing is a crime thriller crossed with a demonic nightmare that takes place in a small village in South Korea. The story surrounds an unknown disease that arrives the same time a stranger arrives in the village. Detective Jong-Goo begins investigating the deaths of those who have had the disease but slowly begins to realize the cause is more sinister than he may have thought. Word begins to spread that the mysterious Japanese stranger is responsible for summoning the disease and what they find there—well, let’s just say you’d wish you never visited.
The detective finds the clothing of those with the disease, along with his daughter’s shoes. Not long after detective Jong-Goo sees this, his daughter contracts the disease. He must find out how to stop the spirit from taking more lives. Who is the demon responsible? How can he be stopped?
Director: Na Hong-jin
Cast: Kwak Do-won, Hwang Jung-min, Chun Woo-hee
If you’re in the mood for a laugh, entertainment, and a rush of adrenaline, then The Cabin in The Woods is for you. This movie is a satirical masterpiece that addresses the horror movie genre’s laziness while still being a synoptic work of art.
Plot: The plot of this horror film surrounds a group of teenagers that go away on vacation to a cabin. The cabin is in the woods, but it’s more accurate to say that the cabin is in the middle of nowhere. No communication with the outside world and no neighbors nearby. They drive to the secluded cabin. What would you expect to see five teenagers do overnight by themselves—let your imagination run wild. But soon after having fun, they discover horrifying traces of the family that used to live there.
When one of the teenagers begins reading from a journal, she wakes up the family from the dead. Instead of roasting s’mores, the teenagers have to fight Zombie killers to survive and find a way out of the cabin. A surprising plot twist lies in this movie when they find they’re trapped by a dome in the cabin. Who is in charge of their seemingly planned vacation, and how can they stop it?
Director: Drew Goddard
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Kristen Connolly, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins, and Bradley Whitford
There are many discounts available to students, from car insurance discounts to signing up for the Hulu student discount. If you’re taking advantage of these savings, there are horror films for you too!
If you’re looking for a horror film that includes your obsession with Criminal Minds, then 12 Hour Shift is it.
Plot: The film follows drug-addicted nurse Angela Bettis and her 12-hour shift. Instead of a normal night at work, however, it turns out to be a rampage of black-market crime as she and her cousin attempt to find kidneys for an organ trafficker. As bodies pile up, the movie gets darker. Will they get caught? Can they get it together?
Director: Brea Grant
Cast: Angela Bettis, Julianne Dowler, Tom DeTrinis
Body at Brighton Rock hit theaters in 2019 and follows a young park ranger proving to herself and her friends that she’s up for the task. But it turns out she may not know what she’s getting herself into.
Plot: Wendy is a park ranger beginning her career as a part-time summer worker. She’s capable, or so she thinks. But when she wanders off the path and gets lost in the forests she’s supposed to protect, she discovers a horrific secret. A body lies in the woods alone, and all Wendy can do is guard it. If you enjoy jump scares and suspense, this movie delivers.
Director: Roxanne Benjamin
Cast: Karina Fontes, Casey Adams, Emily Althaus
Whether you’ve got Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, or Disney Plus, there’s a streaming service for everyone. If you haven’t cut the cable cord, there’s no better time to try it!
There’s something so captivating about horror films, and it’s even better to grab your closest friends and family and watch your favorite films together. So, change into your comfy clothes, grab a snack, and start streaming!
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