There are a lot of great streaming services to choose from nowadays. Netflix and Amazon are dominating screens with their specialized offerings for movie fans, and each one has its own unique horror offerings to appeal to those looking for something spooky to watch. But those that truly live and breathe the horror genre have a better offering withShudder, a specialized service that focuses solely on the genre and even has its own exclusive films.
RELATED:Stephen King’s Children Of The Corn: What Makes The Children Evil?
There are already a ton of movies to choose from on the platform, but like any other service, there are some that are much better than others. As time goes on things come and go from streaming services, and in Shudder’s case, the streaming service has plenty of exclusive and original horror content that is hard to find anywhere else. If you’re looking for the best horror movies of 2023, you won’t have to search long on Shudder.
In order to avoid including too many films that most people know, this article will largely avoid bona fide classics in favor of modern gems and cult favorites. That said, the following must-watch masterpieces are also on Shudder:
Rotten Tomatoes Score
84%
Those looking for some “bloody good fun” should definitely check outMayhem, a 2017 gem directed by Joe Lynch that boasts some impressive star power with Steven Yeun and Samara Weaving. The visceral film is filled with high-octane action, violence, humor, and a splash of horror for good effect. It’s got a smaller runtime (only 83 minutes) making it a great go-to for anyone looking for a quick watch on a particularly hectic evening.
Steven Yeun plays a recently fired corporate lawyer who ends up trapped in his former mega-sized law office just as it enters a state of quarantine. The events that follow are intense, violently enthralling, and action-packed.
98%
Loss, sadness, grief, and despair are some of the most enthralling emotions when it comes to horror films. By presenting characters that are afflicted by great sadness, it’s easier for audiences to accept decisions and motivations that may seem completely bonkers from any other perspective.
Anything For Jacksontakes this concept to a dangerous level by showcasing an elderly couple that has turned to Satanism in hopes of resurrecting their deceased grandson. Things, obviously, don’t go as planned and the couple is forced to deal with the repercussions of what they’ve done. It’s chilling, heartbreaking, and slow to start, similar tothe smash-hitHereditary.
93%
This film has seen some of the most “split” reviews concerning anything present on Shudder. It seems that fans are divided on whether the movie is deserving of a higher rating. However, it’s best to completely ignore these reviews and head intoLuckyblind.
RELATED:The Smile Demon’s True Form Is A Lesson For Other Horror Movies
While it is true thatLuckyisn’t “the perfect cup of tea for everyone,” it’s still a really solid addition tothe world of psychological horror. Those looking for something that’s less monster-infested and more about mental struggles might find a lot to enjoy aboutLucky. Viewers should free themselves of expectations and head into this one with the intent of simply enjoying the ride. There’s a lot of depth to the indie horror film.
81%
This 2018 sci-fi horror is a great choice for horror fans searching for something with a bit more creativity without getting too weird.Await Further Instructiontells the tale of a family trapped in their house by some kind of horrific television being. That strange being causes the family to distrust one another and orders them to aggress against each other in increasingly twisted ways.
This film is anything but uplifting, as the bleak atmosphere only continues to get more and more bleak the longer the film runs.The fact that it is set at Christmasmight fool some, butAwait Further Instructionis a horror film that is sure to make people think about the things they hold in high regard in their lives.
89%
If you’re feeling a bit festive the next time you look up horror movies, you might want to check out 2016’s Christmas classic,Better Watch Out. This fantastic psychological horror film puts a really fun twist on what you initially might assume would bea twisted version ofHome Alone.
With an ending that is left rather open-ended, it’s possible that a sequel will be made for this movie at some point, so there’s never a bad time for a viewing. It may be a better fit for a December watch, but if you want a little twisted Christmas spirit any time of the year, giveBetter Watch Outa viewing.
Many horror movies offer pure escapism, delivering curated scares driven by threats removed enough from reality to frighten but not necessarily traumatize.Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killeris a different beast entirely from the genre’s mainstream representatives, and it is not for the faint of heart.
Partially inspired by Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole, John McNaughton’s project centers around a drifter who kills for seemingly no reason. The film fully depicts the eponymous character’s violent acts, refusing to dilute the scenes' horror through cinematic flourishes.Henryis gritty, vicious, uncomfortable, and intense; its horror is real.
75%
It’s easy to see that Greg Nicotero put a lot of love for the holidays intothis fantasticCreepshowbranded special. Blending together the series' signature comedy and horror elements, the end result is a fantastic dive into the history of the holiday season, specifically as it pertains to some of the most iconic “monsters” in folklore.
When a man suspects he might be a “werewolf” or something of the sort, he tries to seek help from a mysterious group. The underlying storyline that unfolds is hilarious, smart, and filled with a wide array of horror tropes. It’s the perfect film for Halloween, Christmas, or anything in between.
Dario Argento is one of the biggest names in the Giallo horror scene. While the filmmaker’s resume has its share of lackluster projects, Argento’s greatest works –Suspiria,Opera,Inferno,Tenebrae– are among the scariest movies in horror cinema. Out of all the director’s terrifying masterworks, 1975’sDeep Redmight just rank as the best of the best.
A gory murder mysterywith a stellar final act,Deep Redexpertly builds up suspense while weaving a gripping narrative that will keep audiences glued until the end. Shudder has quite a few Argento movies, butDeep Redis undoubtedly the greatest.
Horror fans looking for some comedy infused into their gorefests will definitely want to check outScare Package, a beautifully crafted satire thatpokes fun at horror tropesand offers an array of short stories that are downright hilarious at times.
From a killer-filled vacation story to one about a body-transforming piece of candy, there’s something here for everyone who lives and breathes horror films. The characters are entertaining too, with the lead role bringing some big laughs thanks to his over-the-top personality.
86%
It’s safe to say that 2019’sColor Out Of Spaceisn’t a movie for everyone. Horror fans really need to be into the weirder side of the genre, or at the very least havean appreciation for Lovecraftian horror. Those willing to take a chance on this film will be treated to the always-excellent Nicholas Cage for their troubles.
RELATED:The Greatest Horror Anime Of All Time
This movie is actually based on the short story of the same name, meaning everyone should expect nothing but the most bizarre plot possible. Luckily, that’s exactly what horror fans are in for they witness the people of this movie come into contact with the Color.
