The best horror movies to stream
You love them or you hate them:. Either you belong to the human species that cannot be frightened by anything, or you go down in history as a scaredy-cat. Either way – all aroundHalloweenyou can't escape the glut of horror films on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Co. Our editorial team went deep and asked the Goosebumps Register: Which ones?Halloween moviescan we recommend horror specialists? Here comes our selection, where maybe even scaredy-cats like some of us can find a horror film to stream for Halloween.
As we all know, tastes are different. That's why you'll find a colorful selection of your favorite horror films on streaming services here. And there's something for everyone here: classics, psychological horror, space horror and classic splatter.
The best horror films on Netflix
1. “Saw”: Splatter Classic
The horror film series “Saw” is one of the absolute classics among horror films. While the first part is more of a psychological thriller with splatter elements, the other parts are more classic splatter horror.
That's what it's about:Doctor Lawrence (Cary Elwes) and photographer Adam (Leigh Whannell) find themselves in a mysterious room, not knowing how they ended up there or what will happen. Both are tied to pipes. Between them: a corpse. It quickly becomes clear that they are trapped by the sadistic serial killer Jigsaw - because they have to solve cruel “puzzles” in order to survive.
Lawrence's daughter and wife have to watch the cruel torture on video. In flashbacks we learn what connects the two prisoners and the previous victims. And one thing also becomes clear: only one of them will get out of the room alive.
Fun Fact: The film is based on a short film by the two directors - and now spans eleven films. Will it continue? Quite possible!
2. “The Shaft”: Socially critical horror
Before we watch the second part of this socio-political horror thriller on Netflix, let's go back to the first part. The first part was published under the original Spanish title “El Hoyo”, in English it is called “The Platform”.
That's what it's about:We are in a vertical prison in which two inmates are always locked on one level. The food is transported on a platform that slides from top to bottom through the prison. In theory, there is enough food for everyone, prepared at the top. But only what the upper prisoners leave for those below reaches the bottom. This is called “spontaneous solidarity”.
What's supposed to get prisoners to share: Once a month, all inmates are anesthetized and randomly assigned to a new cell on a new platform. So everyone can end up at the top or at the bottom. So this should all be peaceful, right? Oh well.
Fun fact:The concept of “trickle down economics” is alluded to here, a real concept of capitalism in which the wealth of the rich should “trickle down” through consumption and investment.
3. “Halloween (2018)”: Absolute classic
In 1978, director John Carpenter launched “Halloween – Night of Horrors”, a commercially successful horror film series that now includes 13 parts and whose villain Mike Myers, the one with the mask, is probably well known to everyone.
This is what “Halloween” (2018) is about:Mass murderer Michael Myers has been imprisoned in a sanatorium for 40 years. Reason: He caused a bloodbath in the small town of Haddonfield in which several people died. Myers receives visits from journalists who want to find out more about his case. It goes without saying that this can't go well. Because Michael Myers has a score to settle: with Laurie (), who survived the series of murders in 1978.
It happens as it has to happen: the journalists offer Laurie an exclusive interview, Myers is supposed to be transferred to another prison on Halloween evening, but breaks out and leaves a blood-red trail of ruin behind him. At the end a house burns and you think that Laurie has finished off her adversary once and for all. However, in the end credits, despite all odds, he continues to breathe through his mask.
Fun Fact:Jamie Lee Curtis has been a regular cast member of “Halloween” since 1978 and regularly takes on Mike Myers.
4. “A Quiet Place”
After the success of the first film, “A Quiet Place” became a series: After “A Quiet Place 2” there was “A Quiet Place: Day One”.tells the history of the alien invasion.
That's what it's about:Sometime after the apocalypse, alien beings with no sense of sight but razor-sharp hearing took over the Earth. Anyone who moves, speaks or simply makes any noise will almost certainly be massacred by the aliens. The Abbott family has been hiding pretty well and outsmarting the aliens by any means possible. However, when son Beau finds a battery-operated toy, disaster begins.
In the fight against the aliens, the Abbotts are put to the test more than once, especially the scenes in which family mother Evelyn () is in labor and is not allowed to scream is absolute horror.
Fun Fact:Before “A Quiet Place,” director John Krasinksi was best known as Jim from the sitcom “The Office.”
5.“Barbarian”
Anyone who loves horror will no longer be so easily surprised by a ghost or a sudden phone call. But“Barbarian”is actually the exception. If you can predict where the film is going on this roller coaster ride, you should probably contact the Ghostbusters.
That's what it's about:Tess (Georgina Campbell) actually just wants to go to her new one restedappear and therefore rents a house near her (hopefully soon) new job. But the house was booked twice. Keith (Bill Skarsgård) offers her the two of them to share the house. Tess has a bad feeling that night, but goes to her job interview the next day anyway. This too is extremely strange. On the way home she is also warned not to drive back to her rented house. What is actually going on here?
Fun Fact:“Barbarian” was a huge cinema hit internationally, but in Germany it only premiered on the small screen.
6. “Old People”
Can retirement home residents pose a danger? If you“Old People”believe it, then yes! If you don't call Omi immediately after watching this horror film, you don't understand something.
That's what it's about: Sanna gets married in the village where she grew up and where her family still lives. Sanna's sister Ella, who only left her home village a few years ago, also comes to the wedding. Ella's ex-husband Lukas still lives in the town and now has a new partner who works as a geriatric nurse in the local retirement home. It happens as it should in a semi-funny horror film: a vengeful spirit is up to mischief in the retirement home on the evening of the wedding celebration and takes possession of the pensioners. Logically, in the next step everyone has to run for their lives or fear, because the seniors are only after one thing: blood!
Fun Fact: Many of you will like Melika Foroutan as Archduchess Sophiebe known. In “Old People” she is on the run from bloodthirsty senior citizens.
The best horror films on Disney+
No way, only children's series are shown on Disney+! In addition to several horror series, you can watch more than one horror film on the Maus streaming service - including an entire space epic in which a creature makes life difficult for people in the future.
7 “The Omen”
Searching since 1976“The Omen”Horror fans in different versions: The pivotal point is always the Thorn family, whose adopted son Damien is up to no good.
That's what it's about:Diplomat Robert Thorn and his wife Katherine are expecting a child. When the child dies in childbirth, the father of the family takes in an orphan on the advice of a hospital chaplain and passes him off as his son Damien (also in front of his mother). Problem: Damien is the spawn of the devil, was fathered by Satan and a jackal and is said to bring death and ruin as the Antichrist. The father doesn't want to see all sorts of signs (petting from/with Rottweilers, nannies jumping off the roof). Only with the help of photographer Keith Jennings does the diplomat discover more about his adopted son and from then on he has to fear for his own life and the lives of his loved ones. End of the song: Damien must be killed according to a certain rite and thus rendered harmless. But will that work?
Fun Fact:Gregory Peck undBoth were seen in the role of Robert Thorn.
8. “Antlers”: Small town horror
Body horror and not for the faint of heart: “Antlers”, which was created under the leadership of grandmaster Guillermo del Toro and based on a short story by Nock Antosca, should make all horror hearts beat faster.
That's what it's about:Julia (Keri Russell) is a teacher in a small village in the US state of Oregon, her brother Paul (Jesse Plemmons) is the local sheriff. Paul is called to several murder cases in which the victims have been cut up and dismembered in a gruesome manner, but his investigations lead nowhere. It's Julia who puts him on the right track: she suspects a connection between Lucas, a problematic student in her class, and the murders. When she visits Lucas and his father in their home one day, the body horror really begins.
Fun Fact:“Antlers” is not just about body horror, but also about real monsters.
9. “Ready or Not – Ready, Set, Dead”: Bloody satire
A retro horror thriller that is really slashy and at the same time has a lot of satirical black humor. “Ready or Not – Ready, Set, Dead” is extravagant and exciting, perfect for a Halloween evening.
That's what it's about:The most beautiful day of her life turns into a nightmare. Grace (Samara Weaving) not only marries her fiancé Alex Le Domas (Mark O'Brien), but also his entire rich and eccentric family. But they are not just thatold money, but also have a bloody tradition. Before she gets married, she has to survive a deadly game of hide-and-seek with his family. But Grace doesn't want to give up without a fight, and so the bloody game begins...
Fun Fact:Well, less of a fun fact: there were two assassination attempts in the USA in August 2019, the month it was released, and then-President Donald Trump found the release of this and the thematically similar film “The Hunt” very inappropriate.
10 “Jennifer's Body – Boys according to their taste”: Feminist horror cult film
What ifwould be a horror film? Then we would probably have “Jennifer's Body” with us. The horror comedy has become an absolute cult film and is part of every Halloween marathon!
That's what it's about:Jenniferis a beautiful cherleader who is unfortunately mistakenly sacrificed as a “virgin” during a satanic ritual. Of course, something goes wrong. Your best friend Needynotices that something is very wrong with her. Jennifer has suddenly developed an insatiable hunger for human blood - especially that of young men. Can Needy save her best friend and the boys at school?
Fun Fact:The film received extremely poor reviews when it was released in 2009 because the marketing was incorrectly aimed at young men when the film was intended to appeal to young women. It was only years later that “Jennifer's Body” with Megan Fox became a feminist cult film.
11. “Aliens – The Return”: Space horror
If you are looking for “the perfect film”, you can stop looking because“Aliens”is, from a dramaturgical perspective, a masterpiece. And apart from that, “Aliens” is by James Cameron, the guy froma milestone in the game of science fiction horror.
That's what it's about: An alien with two heads that preys on humans (and small children) and that shoots acid through its system instead of blood? On top of that, they made themselves comfortable in a winding space station. Clearly the alien army didn't count on Lieutenant Ellen Ripley, who doesn't hesitate and hits the enemy aliens where it hurts. Because in space no one can hear you scream.
“Aliens” is a classic that everyone has to see at least once – in daylight if necessary. Because nobody is oneas Ripley, archetype of the cool woman on a quest for revenge for humanity.
Fun Fact: “Aliens” is one of those rare cases where the sequel is better than the original. You can get excited about the second part of the Alien saga even if you haven't seen the first part, “Alien”. And even if you don't want to watch the rest of the films in the series.
12.“The House at Night”
“The House at Night”is a nightmare for scaredy-cats. In addition to inexplicable things, the protagonist in this horror film also finds footprints of blood in the house. And that's just the beginning.
That's what it's about:Beth loses her husband and wants to sort herself out after his death in her lake house and come to terms with the loss of her partner. However, she senses that something is wrong with the house in the wasteland: Beth tries to find out what the house and its strange, ghostly aura, which triggers visions and nightmares, is all about - and discovers a bunch of creepy secrets in the process , which make them question their entire life so far. On top of that, her husband's farewell letter poses more than one mystery to her. Rebecca Hall makes horror fans' blood run cold with her performance.
Fun Fact:Anyone who discovers the quote from Shakespeare's “Hamlet” will receive a prize.
The best horror films on Amazon Prime Video
Practical: With Amazon Prime Video, horror fans can not only stream their favorite films as a subscription, but also rent or even buy those that are not available. Endless horror!
13. "Sighs"
With this remake of the 1977 film of the same name, director Luca Guadagnino (“Call Me By Your Name”) creates an absolutely opposite film that couldn’t be more different from the original. Nevertheless it is"Sighs"still exciting, frightening and absolutely absurd. Perfect for anyone who enjoys extraordinary horror.
That's what it's about:Susie Bannion () moves to Berlin to start her training at a renowned dance school. She quickly becomes friends with her colleague Sara (Mia Goth) and even gets along with the strict but revolutionary teacher Madame Blanc (Tilda Swinton). But strange things are happening at the dance school. The dancer Patricia (Chloë Grace Moretz) simply disappears and no one can explain what happened.
Fun Fact:The title of the film “Suspiria” is Latin for “sigh”. Tilda Swinton also plays both the dance teacher and the psychotherapist Dr. Joseph Klemperer.
14. “X” (to borrow)
Mia Goth is simply the horror queen. In“X”she plays a double role – and does it simply brilliantly. “X” contains many homages to horror classics, including “The Shining” and “Psycho”, but without joining the mass of horror slashers that are now being produced. A true horror masterpiece.
That's what it's about:Wannabe indie director RJ (Owen Campbell) wants to make a classy porno. He and his girlfriend Lorraine () and the actors Jackson Hole (Scott Mescudi), Maxine (Mia Goth) and Bobby-Lynne (Brittany Snow) to Texas. They rented a cabin, but didn't tell their hosts what they were actually planning to do. As night falls, the elderly couple becomes more and more uncomfortable... You can rent the horror film on Amazon Prime Video.
Fun Fact:Immediately after filming, the prequel “Pearl” was shot, which again stars Mia Goth. The latest film in the “X” series is “Maxxxine” from 2024.
15. “Midsummer”
Wer"Midsummer"Once you've seen it, you'll be desperately looking for more arthouse horror films that come close to this one. Director Ari Aster has put everyone in fear with this film, which is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
That's what it's about:The doctoral student Dani () and their friends are invited by a buddy to fly to Sweden to witness his community's Midsummer rituals, partly for research and partly for fun. Once there, they are openly welcomed by the residents and introduced to the traditions that prevail there. However, during a ritual senicide in which two elderly members of the village jump off a slope and kill themselves, the group begins to question these traditions. When Dani's friends start to disappear, unrest gradually arises...
Fun Fact:“Midsommar” is the firstHorror film, which takes place exclusively in the light. Doesn't sound so scary? Believe us, it is!
16. “The Conjuring” (for rent)
“The Conjuring”from 2013 is a film for big horror fans because it is one of the few films that scares you so badly several times that you almost fall out of your chair.
That's what it's about:In order to finally have enough space for their extended family, Carolyn and Roger Perron move into an old farmhouse in New England with their five daughters. At first, the move-in goes smoothly, although the family dog refuses to enter the house and one of the daughters finds a boarded-up basement entrance. The next morning, mother Carolyn wakes up with an inexplicable bruise and the dog is dead. Various paranormal activities continue to occur over the next few days, making one thing increasingly clear: the family is not alone in the house. A strange and increasingly evil force lives among them and is becoming more and more dangerous...
Fun Fact:When “The Conjuring” was shown for the first time in the Philippines, which is very Catholic, some cinema owners had to hire priests to bless the visitors again before the film started. You can rent the film series – with or without a priest – on Amazon Prime Video.
17. “The Ring”
“The Ring”is a horror film that even little scaredy-cats can watch (as long as they're not alone and in front of the screen before midnight). Either way: the film is pretty scary and not for the faint of heart.
That's what it's about:A video cassette with disturbing images is making the rounds - everyone who watches the video receives a telephone call immediately afterwards announcing that he: she will die after seven days. The skeptical journalist Rachel Keller (played by Naomi Watts) wants to get to the bottom of the matter and watches the video herself. Big mistake, because now she has to fight for her own life and the life of her son Aidan. Pure excitement! “The Ring” is a remake of a Japanese horror film, which in turn is based on the book of the same name.
Fun Fact:Anyone who saw the film in cinemas in the USA or Canada in 2002 received a copy of the disturbing video cassette as a gift. Everyone has to decide for themselves whether they really want this goodie or not.
18. “The Shining” (for rent)
It is a classic in film history and a horror film that you have to sit through at least once in your life:“The Shining”von Stanley Kubrick.
That's what it's about:Writer Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes up winter representation in a summer hotel with his wife (Shelley Duvall) and child; apart from the three of them, there is no one else in the monumental, remote building. Jack Torrance's son Danny has the "Shining", a gift of seeing. She saves his life more than once in the horror classic. Everything happens as it must in Stephen King's original book: Jack Torrance goes crazy, and when he's not hacking out the same sentence countless times on his typewriter, he's drinking in the deserted hotel bar and talking to the imaginary bartender Lloyd or trying to talk to one Ax to open the door. “The Shining” is a horror classic that has forever promoted Jack Nicholson and his crazy grin to the Hollywood Olympus of the best film villains. Seen in supporting roles are a flood of blood in a hotel hallway, a pair of twins, an ice labyrinth, an old photo and Danny Torrance's tricycle. “The Shining” is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.
Fun Fact:The “Overlook Hotel” from the film is actually on Mount Hood in Oregon and is anything but bombastic, spacious and scary. The “Timberline Lodge”, as it is actually called, is cozy and equipped with various fireplaces and armchairs that you can really sink into. However, the bathroom windows are really that narrow.
19. “It” (to borrow)
A great cast, an exciting story and dark, strong images: The cinema remake of“Es”from 2017 is and remains one of the best horror movies for many. The film, which is based on Stephen King's 1986 novel of the same name and was first adapted for TV in 1990, is perfect for anyone who prefers to see a well-made film with lots of coming-of-age elements instead of a flat horror shocker want and like constant goosebumps.
That's what it's about:In the American and seemingly idyllic small town of Derry, a lot of people are disappearing - especially children. When his little brother Georgie is also one of the victims and the police can't find any suspects, Bill Denbrough decides to track down the perpetrator himself. Together with his six friends: Richie, Eddie, Beverly, Mike, Ben and Stanley, the boy learns about a monstrous creature that preys on people and can transform itself into their worst nightmares. However, she mostly appears as a horror clown named Pennywise. The teen clique vows to find and destroy this “it” and thereby avenge Georgie's death...
Fun Fact: Horror clown Pennywise is played by Bill Skarsgård – the younger brother of Hollywood beau Alexander Skarsgård. If you like the evil clown, you can also watch “It – the second chapter”.
20. “Split”
In“Split”by M. Night Shyamalan, psychological terror is redefined. Despite its sparse horror elements, the film is not for those who are afraid of psychological thrillers.
That's what it's about: For three teenage girls, a trip to the mall ends in an absolute nightmare: They are kidnapped by a man and locked in a basement. Kevin, the name of their kidnapper, suffers from multiple personality disorder - and the three girls soon notice this. They never know which of his at least 23 (!) identities they are dealing with. The crux: Some are nice, others evil, others unpredictable. What they all have in common, however, is that they themselves are afraid of Kevin's 24th identity, which they all just call “the beast”. And everyone is afraid that it will come out in Kevin pretty soon.
Fun Fact:Anya Taylor-Joy () plays one of the three girls.
21. “Goodnight Mommy”
Anyone who wants horror stories from a family and is not afraid of themhas, should urgently“Goodnight Mommy”look at.
That's what it's about: In “Goodnight Mommy,” an actress recovers from cosmetic surgery away from the hustle and bustle in a remote country home. Her face is completely bandaged after the operation. She has her two sons Lukas and Elias with her. The two kids play in nature, in a grain field or the hayloft of the old farm - or they play video games. Everything seems normal, but as the film progresses, their mother seems increasingly strange to the boys. Or is the woman behind all the gauze bandages not her mother at all, but a strange woman?
Fun Fact: Behind the gauze bandages is Naomi Watts, who played Ann Darrow aka the woman in the white dress in “King Kong”.
22. “Haunted Hill”
“Haunted Hill”is the 1999Remakefrom “The House on the Ghost Hill” from 1959 and, like the original, has it all.
That's what it's about:Steven Price (Geoffrey Rush) has become extremely rich by running an amusement park where he scares people to death with falling apart roller coasters and other attractions. On his wife Evelyn's (Famke Janssen) birthday, he invites a group of strangers to a former mental asylum where the patients were tortured and abused for medical purposes 60 years ago until an uprising broke out in which all the doctors: inside and patients except five employees were killed. Every guest who survives the night in the old house will receive a million dollars. As luck would have it, the guests are the descendants of the survivors. The spirits now want to take revenge on exactly these people...
Fun Fact:On the walls in the basement of the building you can read inscriptions in poorly worded German.
