10 Must-Watch Halloween Horror Movies on Netflix, Prime Video, and More

Halloween has arrived, and the perfect way to embrace the season is by diving into some spine-chilling films.

With countless movies at your fingertips, it can be overwhelming to decide what to watch or skip.

Watch With Us is here to guide you. We’ve put together a list featuring timeless classics like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and modern favorites such as 2025’s Weapons.

These films are streaming on major platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and more, ensuring that no matter your subscription, you’ll find something to enjoy on Halloween night.

Netflix

‘The Strangers’ (2008)

While unwinding at a friend’s secluded cabin, estranged couple James (Scott Speedman) and Kristen (Liv Tyler) are terrorized by three masked figures. The Strangers relies less on convoluted plots and more on the escalating dread as the characters realize they are trapped with no escape in sight. When Kristen asks one of the assailants why they chose to torment them, the chilling answer is, “Because you were home.”

‘Smile’ (2022)

What could be more disconcerting than a stranger grinning at you? That’s the premise of Smile, where Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) finds herself cursed by an entity that possesses individuals who smile unnaturally before meeting grim fates. Rose races against time to break the curse before she becomes another victim.

Smile delivers relentless horror, and Rose’s fate as a potential final girl seems grim. The bleak conclusion leaves room for sequels, but like all great horror franchises, the original remains unparalleled.

‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974)

This film is a classic for a reason, and its numerous sequels and remakes have struggled to replicate its impact. The straightforward narrative involves a group of hippie teens encountering a sadistic family of cannibals in a Texas farmhouse. The chilling simplicity—this family is evil, and they enjoy eating people—defines its disturbing charm.

The most unsettling moment involves no bloodshed, as poor Sally (Marilyn Burns) is bound to a dining chair at a dinner from hell. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a rare film that conveys the essence of true malevolence.

Prime Video

‘The Descent’ (2005)

In The Descent, a cave expedition takes a harrowing turn. Sarah (Shauna Macdonald) joins her friends for an all-female spelunking adventure, only for them to encounter a group of deadly underground creatures. As they fight for survival, Sarah and the remaining friends must find a way out of the cave before they turn on each other.

This film is rich in gore, but what elevates it is the strong character development often neglected in the genre. The dynamic between the characters intensifies the horror, revealing long-held grievances and hidden animosities during monstrous attacks. The original ending (not in this version, but available on YouTube) features one of the greatest fakeouts in horror history, making you think twice about spelunking.

HBO Max

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Seventeen children have vanished, leaving everyone perplexed. Justine Gandy (Julia Garner) becomes the prime suspect since the children were all part of her class. But is she really at fault? What makes one child, Alex Lilly (Cary Christopher), exempt from the disappearances?

Weapons begins as a mystery and evolves into a deeply unsettling horror film. Directed by Zach Cregger, the film’s eerie visuals are complemented by an impressive cast, including Josh Brolin as a grieving parent and Amy Madigan as a fashionably challenged aunt.

‘The Exorcist’ (1973)

Which horror films from over 50 years ago can still evoke terror? An Oscar-nominated masterpiece, The Exorcist follows young Regan’s (Linda Blair) unexplained physical and mental decline. Initially dismissed as madness by her mother Chris (Ellen Burstyn), it soon becomes clear that Regan is possessed. Can Father Karras (Jason Miller) and Father Merrin (Max von Sydow) save her without succumbing to possession themselves?

Typically, possession films can be cheesy, but The Exorcist masterfully conveys the reality of a girl being controlled by dark, supernatural forces. You know a horror film is effective when even an innocent shot of outdoor stairs induces dread.

‘Carnival of Souls’ (1962)

Before Night of the Living Dead, there was Carnival of Souls. Directed by Herk Harvey, this classic features Candace Hilligoss as Mary, an organist haunted by strange apparitions following a car accident. Is she experiencing hallucinatory trauma or are these spectral figures truly after her?

Filled with surreal and poetic imagery, Carnival of Souls standsas a disquieting black-and-white masterpiece that influenced future zombie films. The final 20 minutes redefine “creepy,” leaving a lasting impression even after six decades.

Hulu

‘In a Violent Nature’ (2024)

This gory indie horror film takes a unique approach by presenting the story from the killer’s perspective as he stalks victims in the Canadian wilderness. The plot and characters are minimal; Johnny (Ry Barrett) is a Jason Voorhees-like figure who kills a few people without any motivation.

However, the film successfully creates a palpable sense of menace, and the horrific kills, including a shocking evisceration of an innocent yoga enthusiast, will leave you unsettled. While it may be light on plot, In a Violent Nature will certainly make you recoil in fear and disgust.

Paramount+

‘Jacob’s Ladder’ (1990)

How do you determine if you are truly alive or just a soul unaware of its death? Jacob’s Ladder delves into this theme through Jacob’s (Tim Robbins) strange experiences as a Vietnam War veteran in Brooklyn.

Is Jacob tormented by past war traumas or haunted by vengeful spirits because he escaped death in the jungle? The film’s conclusion illuminates Jacob’s situation, but the journey remains haunting.

Peacock

‘The Thing’ (1982)

At a remote Antarctica outpost, a group of men discover that an alien, capable of mimicking any living being, is among them. R.J. Macready (Kurt Russell), the tough helicopter pilot, must uncover who within his crew is “the thing” before it decimates them all—and potentially the world.

A remake of the 1951 sci-fi classic, The Thing enhances the horror with pioneering practical effects that vividly depict how “the thing” eliminates its targets and morphs into a nearly invincible monster. Directed by John Carpenter, the film concludes on a bleak note, offering little hope against an entity that seemingly cannot be annihilated.

Led by Senior Editor Jason Struss, our Watch With Us team comprises seasoned writers and editors who review a wide array of films and TV shows, from the past to the present, to discern what deserves your time and investment. Our extensive viewing experience, combined with years in the entertainment sector, ensures we identify the best content available for streaming.

To qualify as “the best,” these films and series must be visually captivating, intellectually engaging, or simply enjoyable, but they all share one key trait—they are entertaining in their own unique ways. We check the streaming platforms to make sure you can easily access these selections. Rest assured, our recommendations are based solely on our genuine passion for the films and shows we adore—no algorithms or paid promotions involved.