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The best horror movies on Amazon Prime right now

A bloodied and wide-eyed Carrie in the epnymous horror movie.
United Artists

Amazon Prime Video is an excellent streaming platform to watch some of the best horror movies. The platform’s catalog offers fans great picks ranging from indie horror hits to blockbusters. Prime Video has audiences covered with its delightfully cheesy B-movie flicks to more riveting psychological affairs too.

While movie fans might need to take a minute to sift through Prime Video to find top-notch horror movies, this guide does the heavy lifting. This monthly updated guide spotlights popular films and lesser-known — but no less high-quality — horror movies of different subgenres available on Amazon Prime Video right now.

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Here are some of the best horror movies on Prime Video you can look forward to streaming.

Want more Prime Video content? Check out the best movies on Prime Video right now. If you don’t see anything of note on Amazon Prime, we’ve also rounded up the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

Recently added to Amazon Prime Video

Carrie (1976)

Carrie
85%
7.4/10
98m
Genre
Horror, Thriller
Stars
Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
Directed by
Brian De Palma
Watch on Amazon

Director Brian De Palma’s Carrie is regarded as one of the most important films in the horror genre. The harrowing plot follows the titular teenage girl (Sissy Spacek), a lonely and ruthlessly bullied high school student. In the lead-up to the school’s prom, Carrie White becomes a horrifying force of vengeance when her tormentors take things too far. 

Based on Stephen King’s novel, Carrie is one of the most compelling adaptations of the author’s work to date. On top of balancing terror with genuine social commentary on teenage cruelty, the famous prom scene popularized some teen-themed horror tropes.

Men (2022)

Men
100m
Genre
Horror, Thriller, Fantasy
Stars
Jessie Buckley, Rory Kinnear, Paapa Essiedu
Directed by
Alex Garland
Watch on Amazon

Folk horror is one of the most intriguing subgenres in the genre, and Alex Garland’s Men is an underrated pick. From the director of Civil War, the movie opens with Harper Marlowe (Jessie Buckley), a widowed woman who retreats to the countryside. 

However, her holiday steadily takes a disturbing turn as the town’s onlooking and eerily similar men (Rory Kinnear) torment her. Though not as poignant as other recent folk horror features like Midsommar, Men has all the unsettling visuals fans of the subgenre could want. The plot is elevated by compelling (and shocking) performances from Buckley and Kinnear.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

Invasion of the Body Snatchers
116m
Genre
Science Fiction, Horror
Stars
Donald Sutherland, Brooke Adams, Leonard Nimoy
Directed by
Philip Kaufman
Watch on Amazon

A remake of the 1956 film adaptation, Philip Kaufman’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a sci-fi horror classic. Matthew Bennell (Donald Sutherland) is a San Francisco health inspector who discovers alien copies are replacing humans.

The duplicates are perfect biological copies of their victims — apart from their chilling lack of empathy. Kaufman’s adaptation is hailed as one of the best film remakes ever because it elevates the dread-inducing tension of its 1956 predecessor. Invasion of the Body Snatchers maintains an air of paranoia sure to thrill fans of extraterrestrial horror.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Rosemary's Baby
138m
Genre
Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stars
Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon
Directed by
Roman Polanski
Watch on Amazon

While there are plenty of terrifying horror movies in the decades that followed, 1968’s Rosemary’s Baby lives up to its infamy. A religious-themed psychological horror movie, the story sees Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes play a newlywed couple expecting a baby. 

However, the mood darkens when Rosemary suspects her neighbors are grooming her and her baby for nefarious purposes. Rosemary’s Baby earns its classic status, holding up as an essential film for fans of horror with grim occult elements. Mia Farrow’s performance is a standout, conveying the air of dread and uncertainty.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

The Silence of the Lambs
119m
Genre
Crime, Drama, Thriller
Stars
Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn
Directed by
Jonathan Demme
Watch on Amazon

Director Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs is an Oscar-winning milestone of the ’90s. It remains one of the most acclaimed psychological horror movies to date, telling the harrowing story of FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) tracking “Buffalo Bill” (Ted Levine), a gruesome serial killer who skins his victims.

However, as the hunt grows more desperate, Clarice is compelled to seek the advice of an imprisoned cannibal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). The Silence of the Lambs earns its praise in part for balancing crime-thriller elements with outright psychological horror. Even with minimal screen time, Hopkins brings to life one of the medium’s most unsettling villains, and his dynamic with the excellent Foster is magnetic.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

Doctor Sleep
152m
Genre
Horror, Thriller, Fantasy
Stars
Ewan McGregor, Kyliegh Curran, Rebecca Ferguson
Directed by
Mike Flanagan
Watch on Amazon

A sequel decades in the making, Doctor Sleep is among the most underrated horror movies of the 2010s. Horror auteur Mike Flanagan directs this Stephen King adaptation, revolving around Dan Torrance (Ewan McGregor), Jack’s son from The Shining. After struggling with alcoholism and taking a job as an orderly, Dan now soothes dying patients with his “shine” powers. 

However, after meeting young psychic Abra Stone (Kyliegh Curran), the two face the threat of True Knot — a supernatural cult led by Rose the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson). Underwhelming box office stint aside, Doctor Sleep is a worthwhile spiritual sequel to Stanley Kubrick’s take on The Shining. With Ferguson’s chilling performance, Doctor Sleep expertly balances its fear factor with a resonating theme of healing from trauma.

The Thing (1982)

The Thing
109m
Genre
Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction
Stars
Kurt Russell, Keith David, Wilford Brimley
Directed by
John Carpenter
Watch on Amazon

For an ’80s throwback this Halloween season, John Carpenter’s The Thing is an essential watch. Based on John W. Campbell Jr.’s 1938 novella, the story takes audiences to Antarctica as a group of researchers study a mysterious extraterrestrial organism capable of imitating other living beings.

The plot becomes increasingly tense as the researchers grow more paranoid, losing trust in each other and fearing anyone is a threat. While it wasn’t fully appreciated in its time, The Thing was acclaimed upon reappraisal. On top of being a terrific movie, it’s a must-watch for sci-fi horror fans. A terrific ensemble backed by Carpenter’s eye for visuals makes The Thing as gripping as it is grotesque.

The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

The Return of the Living Dead
66%
7.3/10
91m
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Stars
Clu Gulager, James Karen, Don Calfa
Directed by
Dan O'Bannon
Watch on Amazon

Scares are inherent to the horror genre, but movies like The Return of the Living Dead show off the genre’s versatility. Another ’80s classic, director Dan O’Bannon’s movie tells the tale of an unlikely bunch dealing with a zombie outbreak.

The group — including a warehouse owner, two employees, a mortician, and some teenagers — are wrapped up in the accidental release of insatiable brain-eating undead. The Return of the Living Dead was well-received for its zany mix of comedy and zombie horror. It even popularized some undead tropes horror fans are familiar with today. Add in a dose of punk rock, and O’Bannon’s zombie flick becomes a great candidate for Halloween rewatches.

New Life (2024)

New Life
84m
Genre
Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Science Fiction
Stars
Sonya Walger, Hayley Erin, Tony Amendola
Directed by
John Rosman
Watch on Amazon

For fans wanting something recent and unexpected, New Life is a must-watch. Helmed by debut director John Rosman, this story revolves around a mysterious young woman named Jessica Murdock (Hayley Erin) spattered in blood, desperate to run from her past. She’s aiming to cross the Canadian border, but not without an agent named Elsa Gray (Sonya Walger) keen to track her down. 

New Life was well-received and something of a sleeper success, praised for the intimate scale of its story. Everything from Jessica’s motives to Elsa’s reasons for tracking her are mysteries, and well-earned ones at that. Combining revelations with blood and scares, New Life is a movie that benefits from audiences knowing only the barest details going in.

Child's Play (2019)

Child's Play
90m
Genre
Horror, Thriller
Stars
Mark Hamill, Gabriel Bateman, Aubrey Plaza
Directed by
Lars Klevberg
Watch on Amazon

Functioning as a franchise reboot and remake of its namesake, 2019’s Child’s Play updates the iconic slasher. Directed by Lars Klevberg, the movie sees Karen Barclay (Aubrey Plaza) unwittingly give her 13-year-old son Andy (Gabriel Bateman) a murderous toy. After the toy names itself “Chucky” (Mark Hamill), it begins to display increasingly violent tendencies and torments the family. 

The original Child’s Play is one of the most iconic slasher movies under the horror umbrella. This remake doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it updates the 1988 movie with modern technology and absurd gore. Klevberg’s take on Child’s Play offers the entertainment and over-the-top violence fans would expect.

Totally Killer (2023)

Totally Killer
105m
Genre
Comedy, Horror, Science Fiction
Stars
Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson
Directed by
Nahnatchka Khan
Watch on Amazon

For fans who appreciate zaniness and comedy in horror, last year’s Amazon Prime original Totally Killer is an entertaining watch. Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, teenager Jamie Hughes (Kiernan Shipka) attempts to stop the Sweet 16 Killer, who murdered her mother years earlier. 

With the help of a time machine she helped her friend Amelia Creston (Kelcey Mawema) build; she travels back to 1987 and teams up with the younger version of her mother (Olivia Holt) to stop the killer during his original spree. Totally Killer is a fun and even darkly comedic horror movie that cleverly mashes up the slasher-horror subgenre with sci-fi. By mixing serial killers, time travel, and comedy, Totally Killer succeeds in not taking itself too seriously.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Sleepy Hollow
65%
7.3/10
105m
Genre
Drama, Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery, Horror
Stars
Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci, Miranda Richardson
Directed by
Tim Burton
Watch on Amazon

Loosely adapted from Washington Irving’s 1820 short story, Sleepy Hollow is great for audiences wanting some gothic flavor to their horror. Fittingly directed by Tim Burton, the film stars Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane, a man sent to investigate a string of grisly murders in the eponymous village. Three victims were murdered via decapitation by the mythical Headless Horseman.

Tim Burton is one of the best auteur directors for watching eccentric movies laced with a gothic atmosphere. Sleepy Hollow is no exception, as it’s praised for its moody, imaginative world and stylized visuals. It’s not without a grim sense of humor for some levity, and Depp throws himself into the role for it all.

Psycho (1960)

Psycho
109m
Genre
Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Stars
Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles
Directed by
Alfred Hitchcock
Watch on Amazon

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, one of the most influential directors in any genre, Psycho is a must-watch for horror enthusiasts. Based on Robert Bloch’s 1959 novel, this small-scale plot begins with the meeting between on-the-run embezzler Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) and motel proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins). Later, Marion’s sister Lila (Vera Miles) and private investigator Milton Arbogast (Martin Balsam) arrive to investigate her disappearance. 

Psycho is still widely acclaimed for laying the groundwork for the modern horror genre, including the slasher subgenre that’s popular today. Hitchcock’s direction demonstrated what the genre could achieve as an art form, from establishing atmosphere to subverting expectations.

The Dark Half (1993)

The Dark Half
122m
Genre
Mystery, Horror
Stars
Timothy Hutton, Amy Madigan, Michael Rooker
Directed by
George A. Romero
Watch on Amazon

Another adaptation of a Stephen King novel, The Dark Half is an engaging psychological-horror story. Directed by George A. Romero, the story follows a successful author named Thad Beaumont (Timothy Hutton) who uses his real name and a pseudonym to publish his works. 

However, when news breaks that he and his pseudonym George Stark are the same, Thad stages the latter’s funeral and is later stunned to discover a string of killings disturbingly similar to those in “Stark’s” books. Romero’s adaptation of The Dark Half offers a compelling psychological premise ably supported by Hutton’s performance. The movie might lean on the “character profile” approach more than its scare factor, but its thought-provoking plot is enough to compensate.

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum (2018)

Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
95m
Genre
Horror, Mystery
Stars
Wi Ha-jun, Park Ji-hyun, Oh Ah-yeon
Directed by
Jung Bum-shik
Watch on Amazon

The found-footage approach to horror is popular in the genre, and Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum will still find ways to excite audiences. A South Korean film directed by Jung Bum-shik, the movie follows a web series crew that decides to film at an abandoned asylum to drive engagement. 

The web host stages some scares to spook the audience, but they discover far more sinister things the deeper they explore. Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum earned positive reviews for its effective, if not groundbreaking, use of the found-footage filmmaking style. It would have been easy to become a pale imitation of The Blair Witch Project, but its relentless tension and fear factor feel sincere.

Nanny (2022)

Nanny
98m
Genre
Drama, Horror
Stars
Anna Diop, Michelle Monaghan, Sinqua Walls
Directed by
Nikyatu Jusu
Watch on Amazon

A Prime Video original, 2022’s Nanny is an engrossing psychological horror movie. The film was directed by Nikyatu Jusu — her first feature-length production — and follows a Senegalese immigrant named Aisha (Anna Diop) who takes a nanny job for a wealthy New York City family. 

She’s guilt-ridden by the son still living in Senegal, but pressures mount further when she’s haunted by a violent presence. Nanny received a strong critical reception for the movie’s increasingly unsettling atmosphere. The dream-like elements make the psychological terror feel genuine, and the story blends the fear with poignant social commentary on immigrant life.

The Nightmare (2015)

The Nightmare
49%
5.7/10
r
90m
Genre
Horror, Documentary
Stars
Forrest Borie, Korinne Wilson, Andrew Schwarz
Directed by
Rodney Ascher
Watch on Amazon
Sleep paralysis is a horrific condition in which a person who is technically sleeping is awake enough to recognize some aspects of their reality. But not awake enough to keep demons, imps, and other shadow creatures at bay. The latter are manifestations of the mind, but for paralysis sufferers, it’s all too real. This bewildering, but fascinating sleep disorder is the subject of documentarian Rodney Ascher’s 2015 film The Nightmare. It’s a solid watch, combining talking head segments with well-staged reenactments. And when it’s over, we guarantee you’ll be sleeping with a night-light for weeks to come.

The Breach (2022)

The Breach
4.9/10
r
93m
Genre
Horror
Stars
Allan Hawco, Emily Alatalo, Wesley French
Directed by
Rodrigo Gudiño
Watch on Amazon
In director Rodrigo Gudińo’s The Breach, Allan Hawco stars as Chief of Police John Hawkins. With just a few more days before he departs his lawman role, Hawkins’ policing powers are challenged one last time when a cadaver with bizarre wounds washes ashore. Taking inspiration from numerous genre classics, The Breach first presents itself  as your typical alone-in-the-woods thriller, but quickly morphs into the kind of cosmic horror we rarely get to see these days. 

Bones and All (2022)

Bones and All
74%
6.8/10
r
131m
Genre
Drama, Horror, Romance
Stars
Taylor Russell, Timothée Chalamet, Mark Rylance
Directed by
Luca Guadagnino
Watch on Amazon

The latest effort from masterful filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, Bones and All reunites the director with Call Me By Your Name star Timothée Chalamet. Set in a modern world not too different from our own, the story follows Maren (played by Taylor Russell) and Lee (Chalamet). Star-crossed lovers, both youths are doing what they can to stay afloat on the road. Oh, and it just so happens that they both enjoy consuming human flesh. On its face, this bizarre blend of horror, drama, and romance may not seem like it would work, but thanks to some committed performances from its two leads, Bones and All is hard to look away from.

Play Dead (2022)

Play Dead
4.0/10
r
106m
Genre
Horror, Thriller
Stars
Bailee Madison, Jerry O'Connell, Anthony Turpel
Directed by
Patrick Lussier
Watch on Amazon
There are some jobs that only certain people can do. Firefighters, police officers, and morticians are a few of these roles that come to mind. As for the latter, watching a movie like Play Dead will make you wish you knew even less about what lies beyond the doors of a morgue. It stars Bailee Madison as Chloe, a criminology student who decides to fake her death to get inside a local morgue. It turns out that wasn’t such a great idea, because the coroner (played by Jerry O’Connell) just so happens to be a twisted psychopath. Sometimes all you need is a classic setup that works, and director Patrick Lussier is a master at pushing the ball forward while delivering some surprising scares along the way.

Absentia (2011)

Absentia
59%
5.8/10
r
92m
Genre
Mystery, Horror, Thriller
Stars
Katie Parker, Courtney Bell, Morgan Peter Brown
Directed by
Mike Flanagan
Watch on Amazon
It’s never a great idea to wander into dark and creepy places, especially when monsters that lurk inside are devouring your loved ones. In Absentia, Courtney Bell and Katie Parker play sisters Tricia and Callie. Seven years prior to when we’re introduced to the characters, Tricia’s husband, Daniel (Morgan Peter Brown), suddenly reappears, but all is not as it seems. Once Callie starts doing some research, it turns out that the neighborhood tunnel everyone’s so afraid of has a far more sordid past than anyone can imagine. Absentia hits a few potholes (mainly due to its scrappy budget), but it’s an otherwise brilliant film with some great performances and supernatural undertones that are still freaking us out.

Renfield (2023)

Renfield
53%
6.4/10
r
93m
Genre
Comedy, Horror, Fantasy
Stars
Nicholas Hoult, Nicolas Cage, Awkwafina
Directed by
Chris McKay
Watch on Amazon
Nicolas Cage continues to hone his B-movie schtick, bringing his prowess to yet another Dracula adaptation. Instead of focusing on the antagonistic night stalker though, Renfield focuses on the iconic count’s right-hand man. Starring Nicholas Hoult as the titular character and Cage as Dracula, our story takes place in modern times. After centuries of serving the demanding vampire, Renfield wants to break free from his master’s omnipotent grasp. There’s a whole world out there calling Renfield’s name, but as it turns out, breaking away from a vampiric overlord can be quite the challenge. A fun blend of horror, comedy, and action, the star attraction of Renfield is the hilarious and even charming dynamic between Hoult and Cage.

According to the doomsday crew, if the family doesn’t sacrifice one of their own, a series of global tragedies will consume the world. It’s your typical nail-biting siege pic, with a bunch of characters stuck under one roof for a majority of the runtime, but Knock at the Cabin gets a big boost from its excellent cast, with Dave Bautista being an empathetic standout. Yes, he could kill you by looking at you for too long, but Mr. Brocht could also make you a shed a tear or two.[/dt_media]

There's Something Wrong with the Children (2023)

There's Something Wrong with the Children
53%
4.9/10
r
92m
Genre
Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Stars
Zach Gilford, Alisha Wainwright, Amanda Crew
Directed by
Roxanne Benjamin
Watch on Amazon

Directed by Roxanne Benjamin from a script by T.J. Cimfel and David White, There’s Something Wrong with the Children stars Alisha Wainwright and Zach Gilford as Margaret and Ben, a couple who take a trip into the wilderness with fellow adults Ellie and Thomas (Amanda Crew and Carlos Santos) and their two kids, Lucy (Briella Guiza) and Spencer (David Mattle). Everything is going peachy-keen until the dawn of a new day. After disappearing into the forest, Lucy and Spencer are acting quite strange upon their return.

Is something supernatural afoot, or did the kids just have too many marshmallows? Cut from the same cloth as films like A24’s horror movie A Hole in the Ground and Amazon’s remake of Goodnight Mommy (swap the weird kids for a weird parent), There’s Something Wrong … isn’t bringing the most original premise to the table, but where this Blumhouse-produced entry truly succeeds is with its foreboding camera work, editing, and haunting score.

The Battery (2012)

The Battery
6.3/10
r
101m
Genre
Drama, Horror
Stars
Jeremy Gardner, Adam Cronheim, Niels Bolle
Directed by
Jeremy Gardner
Watch on Amazon

Written, directed, produced, and starring Jeremy Gardner, The Battery follows the postapocalyptic day-to-day lives of two former baseball players, Ben (Gardner) and Mickey (Adam Cronheim). Constantly at each other’s throats, these two survivors of the undead takeover are forced to wander the desolate remains of New England. While searching an abandoned property, Ben and Mickey discover two walkie-talkies.

While testing the radios, they stumble upon a transmission from a nearby group of survivors. Mickey wants to join the marauders, but Ben seems to have his doubts. Shot in just 15 days in Connecticut for only $6,000, The Battery is proof that you don’t need flashy CGI to tell a captivating, horrific, and inspiring story.

Cropsey (2009)

Cropsey
r
84m
Genre
Mystery, Documentary, Horror, Crime
Stars
Joshua Zeman, Barbara Brancaccio, Bill Ellis
Directed by
Joshua Zeman, Barbara Brancaccio
Watch on Amazon

Cropsey is the kind of documentary that has us wishing there were more documentaries just like it; and even if you’re a horror fan who never treads the waters of non-fiction, we highly recommend giving this one a go. Produced and directed by Joshua Zeman and Barbara Brancaccio, Cropsey explores the titular urban legend, a monster of a man who preyed upon five New York City children through the ‘70s and ‘80s.

But far more than a wandering wraith, the filmmakers discover that the horrible acts of convicted child kidnapper Andre Rand may be at the root of the decades-old myth. Profound and disturbing, Cropsey has gained quite the following over the last 15 years or so, and for good reason: it’s a sensational and disturbingly horrific doc that’s worth your time.

The Oak Room (2020)

The Oak Room
89m
Genre
Thriller, Horror, Mystery
Stars
RJ Mitte, Peter Outerbridge, Ari Millen
Directed by
Cody Calahan
Watch on Amazon

Based on the Peter Genoway play of the same name, director Cody Calahan’s The Oak Room stars Breaking Bad alum RJ Mitte and Peter Outerbridge as Steve and Paul. Hoping to settle a long-ago score, a homecoming Steve (Mitte) returns to a bar he once frequented, where he decides to trade harrowing stories with the miserly barkeep. It’s these chilling words that possess a greater part of the film, with the various vignettes delivering countless twists and turns throughout the runtime.

My Best Friend's Exorcism (2022)

My Best Friend's Exorcism
58%
5.3/10
r
96m
Genre
Horror, Comedy
Stars
Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Rachel Ogechi Kanu
Directed by
Damon Thomas
Watch on Amazon
In My Best Friend’s Exorcism, Elsie Fisher and Amiah Miller star as best friends Abby and Gretchen, high-school pals who come into contact with a demonic entity that decides to take up residence in Gretchen’s body. As the evil within uses its new vessel for wrongdoing aplenty, it’s up to the teens to figure out a way to eradicate the monster before it’s too late. It’s silly in many ways, and not all of its narrative choices are worthwhile ones. But as an off-kilter horror comedy, My Best Friend’s Exorcism is an effective rumination on ’80s genre cinema that sticks its landing more than it doesn’t.

Goodnight Mommy (2022)

Goodnight Mommy
45%
5.6/10
r
91m
Genre
Horror, Drama, Thriller
Stars
Naomi Watts, Cameron Crovetti, Nicholas Crovetti
Directed by
Matt Sobel
Watch on Amazon
A 2022 remake of the 2014 Austrian film of the same name, Goodnight Mommy stars Cameron and Nicholas Crovett as twin brothers Elias and Lukas. When the siblings are forced to stay with their mother (Naomi Watts), an actress covered in facial bandaging from a “cosmetic” surgery, the boys start to get a strange feeling that this woman is not their mother at all, but some kind of otherworldly imposter that means them harm. While not as captivating as the original film, Goodnight Mommy is still a decent Amazon horror flick that’s perfect to watch on a cold and gloomy night.

The Collector (2009)

The Collector
29%
6.3/10
r
88m
Genre
Horror, Thriller
Stars
Josh Stewart, Juan Fernández, Michael Reilly Burke
Directed by
Marcus Dunstan
Watch on Amazon
The Collector takes all the mayhem and inventive murders of a film like Saw, removes any and all traces of relatable drama, and adds kerosene to the formula. The resulting conflagration is an exploitive mess that can be seen for miles, but we’ll be damned if we can’t turn away. Josh Stewart stars as ex-con Arkin, a man desperate to get some much-needed cash in the hands of his ex-wife, so he decides to rob a house. Not the best plan to begin with, but it just so happens that the targeted domicile has already been selected by a notorious madman who has rigged the residence with a series of inescapable death traps. During early development, The Collector was actually supposed to be a prequel to the Sawseries, which makes sense when you consider the narrative. It’s not groundbreaking genre cinema by any means, but if you need a good sister flick to the Saw canon, The Collector is bound to satiate.

Candyman (2021)

Candyman
72%
5.9/10
r
91m
Genre
Horror
Stars
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Colman Domingo
Directed by
Nia DaCosta
Watch on Amazon
Dare to speak his name? In the ghoulish tradition of urban legends like Bloody Mary, director Nia DaCosta’s 2021 film Candyman presents a decades-later sequel to the original 1992 Bernard Rose film of the same name. Starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy, a Chicago-based painter seeking inspiration for his next set of works, the talented and curious craftsman dives deep into the lore of the infamous Candyman legend after a conversation with a Cabrini-Green resident (Colman Domingo) piques his interest in the man with a hooked hand. But as the bodies start piling up, the world of the paintbrush starts bleeding out into reality as the titular slasher returns once more. Candyman rocks a bold visual style with a kinetic story that comes to life through the film’s ensemble of players, particularly Mateen II as the manic artist who rapidly descends down a rabbit hole of disillusionment and decay.

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To (2021)

My Heart Can't Beat Unless You Tell It To
r
89m
Genre
Drama, Horror
Stars
Patrick Fugit, Ingrid Sophie Schram, Owen Campbell
Directed by
Jonathan Cuartas
Watch on Amazon
In writer-director Jonathan Cuartas’ My Heart Can’t Beat Unless You Tell It To, Patrick Fugit stars as Dwight, one of three siblings of a privately vampiric family. Dwight and his sister Jessie (Ingrid Sophie Schram) roam the desolate streets at night, seeking victims for their ailing younger brother, Thomas (Owen Campbell). But as the bodies continue piling, Dwight dreams of a new life — one unhindered by the bloodletting of innocents, perhaps. A bare-bones feature debut that matches moody atmospherics to a captivating plot revolving around the struggles of a family, My Heart Can’t Beat… is indie horror at its best.

Madres (2021)

Madres
43%
4.8/10
r
83m
Genre
Horror
Stars
Ariana Guerra, Tenoch Huerta, Elpidia Carrillo
Directed by
Ryan Zaragoza
Watch on Amazon
In Madres, an expectant Mexican-American couple retires to a farming community in 1970s California to have their first baby. But as a series of horrific visions begin plaguing the mother, the soon-to-be parents wonder if the myriad of disturbing images they’ve been seeing are due to the stresses of the forthcoming child, or maybe it has something to do with a sinister curse that has been stomping around the ranch the couple has been working on? Another great entry in the Welcome to the Blumhouse film series, Madres explores a number of important social issues under the banner of top-shelf horror.

Black as Night (2021)

Black as Night
53%
4.4/10
r
87m
Genre
Horror, Thriller
Stars
Asjha Cooper, Fabrizio Guido, Craig Tate
Directed by
Maritte Lee Go
Watch on Amazon
In Black of Night, Asjha Cooper stars as 15-year-old Shawna as a renegade vampire hunter living in New Orleans. When her mother falls victim to a band of vamps that has plagued the city since the travesty of Hurricane Katrina, Shawna teams up with three ragtag vigilantes to track down the leader of the vampires and put an end to their nighttime scheming once and for all. A fun blend of action, horror, teen melodrama, and social commentary, Black as Night borrows plenty from like-minded vampire flicks but dishes out enough of its own flavor to keep viewers glued to the screen.

Nocturne (2020)

Nocturne
58%
5.7/10
r
90m
Genre
Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Music
Stars
Sydney Sweeney, Madison Iseman, Jacques Colimon
Directed by
Zu Quirke
Watch on Amazon

Nocturne stars Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, White Lotus) and Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer) as twin sisters Juliet and Vivian. Accomplished pianists attending a prestigious music school, Vivian’s abilities are near-virtuoso and always a step above Juliet’s hands. That is until Juliet comes into the possession of a music theory book from a student that had jumped to her death. As the tome begins granting Juliet newfound confidence and dedication to the piano, her inflated ego meshes with a series of supernatural events that threaten her own life and the safety of those around her.

The Manor (2021)

The Manor
59%
5.3/10
r
81m
Genre
Horror
Stars
Barbara Hershey, Nicholas Alexander, Bruce Davison
Directed by
Axelle Carolyn
Watch on Amazon
Judith Albright (Barbara Hershey) isn’t who she used to be, not since her stroke at any rate. After moving into a prestigious nursing home, the ailing Judith begins experiencing horrific visions that lead her to believe something sinister is afoot at the sprawling estate. But with dementia running rampant through the halls, Judith’s insistence that something is not what it seems is easily dismissed by staff and family as an elderly case of “cried wolf.” But the truth, it turns out, is all too real. The Manor doesn’t reinvent the wheel when it comes to the genre, but writer-director Axelle Carolyn’s vision is a fun one to embrace — supplying the viewer with familiar motifs, ominous score, and plenty of seedlings that lead into third-act reveals.

We Are Still Here (2015)

We Are Still Here
65%
5.7/10
r
84m
Genre
Horror
Stars
Barbara Crampton, Andrew Sensenig, Lisa Marie
Directed by
Ted Geoghegan
Watch on Amazon
Anne (Barbara Crampton) and Paul Sacchetti (Andrew Sensenig) are grieving parents that decide to relocate to a rural New England town, taking up residence in an 1800s rustic home. Upon moving in, the couple is warned by a concerned local that their home is an evil sanctum that they should vacate promptly. Undeterred by these provocations, Anne and Paul invite spiritualist pals May (Lisa Marie) and Jacob Lewis (Larry Fessenden) to their estate in hopes of contacting their deceased child — a supernatural leaning that quickly becomes the downfall of all involved, particularly when it turns out that their home may have a deviant mind of its own.

Bingo Hell (2021)

Bingo Hell
55%
4.3/10
r
85m
Genre
Thriller
Stars
Adriana Barraza, L. Scott Caldwell, Clayton Landey
Directed by
Gigi Saúl Guerrero
Watch on Amazon
Lupita (Adriana Barraza) is a longtime resident of the Oak Springs retirement community. Living out her days in peace, a once-idyllic residence suddenly falls to darkness when the enigmatic Mr. Big (Richard Brake) becomes the new property manager. Sensing that evil is afoot, Lupita and her fellow retirees band together to take down the evildoer. But as the bodies start piling up, the senior citizens realize they may be entrenched in a hell they may not escape from. A splatterfest of camp, gore, and a cobbled narrative that ultimately satiates, Bingo Hell isn’t world-class cinema, but it’s perfect viewing for horror fanatics.

Black Box (2020)

Black Box
62%
6.2/10
r
100m
Genre
Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Stars
Mamoudou Athie, Phylicia Rashād, Amanda Christine
Directed by
Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr.
Watch on Amazon
In the wake of a horrific car accident that killed his wife, Nolan (Mamoudou Athie) is left with crippling amnesia and a 10-year-old daughter to care for. After agreeing to undergo an experimental treatment to reclaim his lost faculties, the widowed father gets more than he bargained for when a series of disturbing hallucinations plague Nolan’s day-to-day. Hellbent on finding the cure for these manifestations, Nolan will soon discover that there’s a much darker side to his so-called recovery. A tactful and imaginative debut from director Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour, Jr., Black Box will keep you curled tight at the edge of your seat. We guarantee it.

The Reef (2010)

The Reef
5.8/10
r
88m
Genre
Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stars
Damian Walshe-Howling, Zoe Naylor, Adrienne Pickering
Directed by
Andrew Traucki
Watch on Amazon
When four friends hit the high seas to deliver a yacht to a client in Indonesia, their voyage is quickly uprooted when their vessel capsizes in a coral reef. As the disparate foursome decides to swim to a nearby island with whatever supplies they can hang on to, a great white shark emerges from the depths and begins stalking them. While we’ve all seen our fair share of cheap shark-genre chillers, writer-director Andrew Traucki delivers his story through horrific slow burns, buttressed by the magnificent talents of the main ensemble. This is one of the better 90-minute oceanic horror films out there and a testament to the power of a good script and a director with a strong vision. Australian waters have never felt so foreboding.

Suspiria (2018)

Suspiria
64%
6.7/10
r
152m
Genre
Horror, Thriller
Stars
Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth
Directed by
Luca Guadagnino
Watch on Amazon
Hot off the success of his 2017 film, Call Me by Your Name, director Luca Guadagnino dove headfirst into the production of Suspiria, a remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 Technicolor nightmare about a prestigious German dance academy with a mysterious and sordid past. In Guadagnino’s rendition, Dakota Johnson plays Susie Bannion, the American newcomer to the foreign school, and what a wicked first day of classes she has. An expelled student, Patricia Hingle (Chloë Grace Moretz), is murdered, and not long after the ex-matriculate confessed to her therapist that the dance academy is run by evil witches.
Movie images and data from:
Guillermo Kurten
Freelance Writer, Entertainment

A University of Houston graduate in Print Media Journalism, Guillermo has covered sports entertainment and practically all forms of geek culture as a freelance writer.

His young career so far has seen him write about soccer through websites including Read Bundesliga and Bayern Strikes, specializing in FC Bayern Munich. From there he moved on to Comic Book Resources, Game Rant, The Gamer, and Screen Rant to indulge his inner nerd, with over 2 years and counting as a senior writer at the latter.

Guillermo's interests span video games, movies, TV series, comic books, anime, and manga -- and if you're not careful, will talk your ear off specifically about the last 40-plus years of Batman lore.

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Guillermo studied at Lone Star College in Texas before ultimately completing his Bachelor's degree.

The best feel-good movies on Netflix right now
Stephan James runs as Jesse Owens in Race.

There probably isn't a certified doctor who would prescribe a feel-good movie to lift your spirits, but sometimes it really helps. Feel-good movies are a subgenre that ranges from comedies to dramas. The secret to their success is that the main characters overcome their anxieties, their personal roadblocks, and all other obstacles to achieve their goals. Who doesn't want to follow that example?

Netflix doesn't have a very robust selection of feel-good movies, but it does have some very good ones. As it happens, this month's new additions, Race and The World's Fastest Indian, are both true stories that share some common elements with each other. Neither film was made for Netflix, so they may not stick around for long. But for now, they have a prime place among the best feel-good movies on Netflix.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

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The best fantasy movies on Netflix right now
Kate Beckinsale and Hugh Jackman in Van Helsing.

Finding great fantasy movies on Netflix is a bit of a fantasy in and of itself. The king of the streamers neglects this category, and it also relies heavily on Universal Pictures' catalog to bail out its shortcomings. That's why it's The Scorpion King and Van Helsing's turn to be on this list while Conan the Barbarian waits for yet another Netflix return.

The Scorpion King and Van Helsing aren't bad movies, but fantasy fans deserve a better selection from Netflix than films that are two decades old. Even this month's third addition, The Covenant, is closing in on 20 years. Netflix has made some original fantasy movies of its own, but not lately. For the most part, the best fantasy movies on Netflix are pretty stagnant. But when something new arrives, we'll be here to add it to the list.
Need more recommendations? Then check out the best new movies to stream this week, the best movies on Netflix, the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.

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The best kids movies on Netflix right now
A carrot and a stalk of broccoli prepare to do battle in Daddy Day Care.

The countdown to the holiday season has begun, and now's the time to get the best kids movies on Netflix on deck to keep your kids entertained throughout the long holiday break. Whether you're hosting or going somewhere else for the holidays, it's always good to have some quality entertainment for the kids to fall back on. That's why we scour the streamer's extensive collection every month to highlight the best options for your kids.

December, somewhat surprisingly, is another slow month for kids' movies on Netflix. There's just one addition to the list this month: Daddy Day Care. Read on for the rest of our picks of the best kids movies on Netflix now.

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