Specialized streaming service Shudder is full of excellent horror films, but what are the best horror movies on Shudder? The Shudder streaming service is owned and operated by AMC Networks and offers a wide variety of options for subscribers, whether they're looking for 1980s classics, foreign hits, indie gems, new releases, or iconic films that have paved the way.
Like other streaming platforms, Shudder produces original content as well. The service also features over 50 collections for those looking to explore different sub-genres. In addition, Shudder has curated watch lists from industry people like Rich Sommer, Nick Antosca, Barbara Crampton, and Kumail Nanjiani.
For those not sure what horror film to stream next on Shudder, don't be afraid. Here are the best horror movies on Shudder, the best scary and creepy films of all description to watch on the best horror streaming service, presented in alphabetical order.
3 From Hell
Streaming exclusively on Shudder, 2019's 3 From Hell is director Rob Zombie's third and possibly final entry into his saga about the Firefly Family, a group of sadistic killers. 3 From Hell starts with the Fireflies locked up, but Otis (Bill Moseley) and Baby (Sheri Moon Zombie) manage to escape and wreak more havoc, thanks to the help of their relative Foxy (Richard Brake). The late Sid Haig also makes his final appearance as Captain Spaulding.
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
Crafting a meta horror movie can be a difficult balancing act, with the film needing to playfully needle the cliches of the genre, while being careful not to cross the line into making fun of it. 2006 cult hit (and new addition to Shudder) Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon rides that line perfectly, focusing on the titular character, an affable, charming young man whose goal is to Jason, Freddy, and Michael - who are real people in this universe - as one of the world's great slashers. A documentary crew is happy to film his twisted exploits, until they become targets themselves.
The Beyond
One of the quintessential examples of 1980s Italian horror, Lucio Fulci's The Beyond rarely makes logical sense, but wow is it good at scaring the hell out of viewers. Rarely does a scene go by without something incredibly creepy, startling, unsettling, or gory happening, and the film's ending is one of the most haunting in history. For those who fear subtitles, The Beyond, is available on Shudder in an English dub.
Black Christmas
One of the grandfathers of slasher cinema, director Bob Clark's 1974 classic Black Christmas was one of the first horror films to use the trope of a creepy caller, as well as one of the first to present slasher-style kills from the killer's own point of view. While the recent Blumhouse remake turned out to be quite flawed, the original Black Christmas' story of a mysterious man targeting a sorority house is very much one of the best horror movies on Shudder.
Darling
In this 2015 Mickey Keating film, a woman struggles with her sanity upon landing a care-taking job in New York City. As the title character in Darling, Lauren Ashley Carter delivers a highly-expressive performance, with her non-verbal acting driving each scene. There's a definite Kubrickian feel to Keating’s visual aesthetic, and his tight pacing boosts the inherent tension. In other words, Keating is a technically-proficient filmmaker, one who effectively incorporates his cinematic influences.
Darling is indeed a stylish production, but not in the typical art house sense. Meaning, Keating and company prioritize the viewer experience rather than lingering on cryptic details. It’s a smart horror film that’s fueled by a strong female lead, and it suggests that Keating is fully capable of helming a major studio production. For those not convinced, check out the original Shudder series The Core, in which Keating (the host) breaks down the fundamentals of effective horror filmmaking.
Demons
One of the most purely fun horror films to come out of the 1980s, Demons is one of the best horror movies on Shudder, hailing from Italian director Lamberto Bava. The story centers on a mysterious movie theater showing a horror movie that begins to mirror events happening there in real-life, leading to a spreading demonic outbreak. Before long, a mismatched group is left to try and survive, surrounded by terrific special effects, a rocking soundtrack, and a party vibe.
From Beyond
Directed by the late, great Stuart Gordon, From Beyond could almost be seen as an extension of the Re-Animator movies, since it also stars Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton, and is based on a story by H.P. Lovecraft. Anyone who liked Re-Animator will surely love this, as it's also full of gore and sexual weirdness, as well as cool sci-fi/horror concepts. From Beyond is a film largely overlooked in its time, but that's become a huge cult favorite in recent decades, and it's one of the best horror movies on Shudder.
Ginger Snaps
The werewolf is one of horror's oldest monsters, dating back to the Universal classic The Wolf Man starring Lon Chaney Jr. One of the most creative spins on the werewolf story is 2000's Ginger Snaps, a Canadian indie from director John Fawcett that's gone on to cultivate a large cult fanbase. Goth sisters Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins) are obsessed with death, that is until death comes knocking via an attack by a werewolf on Ginger. Before long, Ginger becomes a murderous beast, and it's ultimately up to Brigitte to try and stop her reign of terror. This coming-of-age horror tale is well worth howling at on Shudder.
Halloween
John Carpenter's original Halloween is one of those Shudder movies that's so famous it feels a bit pointless to summarize it, as even most who aren't horror fans have probably seen it at least once. Needless to say, it's one of the best horror movies on Shudder. Carpenter's tale of a masked slasher named Michael Myers terrorizing Haddonfield, IL babysitter Laurie Strode remains just as effective today as it was in 1978, and it's no wonder that the franchise it spawned absolutely refuses to die, much like Myers himself.
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Those who've only seen actor Michael Rooker as Merle on The Walking Dead or Yondu in the Guardians of the Galaxy films may be quite shocked if they sit down to watch 1986's Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer on Shudder. Rooker plays the title role, a man based on real life murderer Henry Lee Lucas, and wow does he make an impression. It's easy to see why Rooker ended up becoming such an in-demand character actor, as he oozes menace at all times, yet still on occasion seems to show a bit of humanity. Sadly, it never lasts.
