Through the various streaming services available nowadays, most people should have no trouble finding a few horror films to watch. Out of all the popular non-specialized platforms, HBO Max has arguably the most impressive selection of horror projects.
HBO Max has a fantastic line-up of scary movies, covering both classics and modern titles. In fact, there are so many great films on the service that it can become difficult to select which fright fests to watch on any given night. To help make that process slightly easier, here is a rundown of the best horror movies on HBO Max.
Barbarian (2022)
2022 has been a good year for horror. Sissy, X, Prey, Deadstream, The Menu, and Terrifier 2 are all bone-chilling additions to the genre, and they are just the tip of the iceberg. Standing right alongside these projects, Barbarian was something of a sleeper hit, as the movie really picked up steam once it debuted on HBO Max. Zach Cregger’s directorial debut follows Tess Marshall, a woman who rolls into a sketchy Detroit neighborhood for a stay at an Airbnb. To her disappointment, Tess learns the location was double-booked, and she is left with no choice but to stay in the house with a stranger named Keith.
Barbarian plays around with expectations, particularly during its first half. As decades of horror movies have taught audiences to fear the unknown, viewers share Tess’ skepticism and discomfort as she tries to make small talk with Keith. The story takes quite a few surprising turns as it moves along, and horror fans should try to go into this movie as bling as possible.
The Testament Of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
Fritz Lang’s sequel to Dr. Mabuse the Gambler is predominantly remembered for its hauntingly accurate prediction of Germany’s development in the 1930s. Putting its historical significance to one side, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse holds up as an intelligent look into the nature of evil and the influence fear can have on society. While not “horror” in the traditional sense, this film is permeated by a thick air of depression that is horrific.
Although not reaching the heights of 1927’s Metropolis or 1931’s M, The Testament of Dr. Mabuse is nevertheless a standout release by one of the film industry’s most revered directors.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Like so many influential movies, The Blair Witch Project lost some of its shine due to its found footage formula spawning countless imitators that have dulled the sub-genre’s impact. Nevertheless, this indie project was something special when it debuted, earning itself a reputation as one of the scariest horror movies ever.
Three students head into a forest to investigate the Blair Witch legend. They get lost, hear a lot of creepy noises, and then start to fear that perhaps the Blair Witch is actually real.
The Conjuring (2013)
One of the most celebrated modern horror franchises, The Conjuring spawned a whole host of sequels and spin-offs. HBO Max happens to have the universe’s best movies: The Conjuring, The Conjuring 2, and Annabelle: Creation. All of these are crowd-pleasing horror flicks, but for those new to the series, they should start with the 2013 film.
The Conjuring loosely takes from real life as it dives into the Warrens’ investigation of the Harrisville, Rhode Island hauntings. Featuring two likable leads and James Wan’s confident direction, The Conjuring is an impeccable haunted house film.
The Fly (1986)
A body horror masterpiece, The Fly brilliantly twists the Frankenstein formula to craft a narrative that stands fully on its own. Seth Brundle is on the verge of a scientific breakthrough as he puts the finishing touches on two teleportation pods. The last step is human testing, and the scientist is more than willing to put himself on the line. The experiment proves to be a success as Seth enters one pod and exits another; unfortunately, a fly also made the trip.
The Fly chronicles Seth’s loss of humanity as he slowly and painfully transitions into something obscene and horrifying. The movie shows the process in detail, and the visuals are just as haunting today as they were in the mid-’80s.
The Witch (2015)
Set during the 17th century, The Witch follows a Puritan family that is targeted by witches. Rather than relying on jump scares, Robert Eggers’ movie supplies its frights through its atmosphere and subtle tension. A slow-burn story with a gripping climax, The Witch immerses viewers in its world through an eye for detail, great and authentic performances, and a confident script that knows when to hold back on exposition.
The Witch is not the most “Halloween” movie on HBO Max, and the film can be quite divisive; however, fans of the genre should at least give this flick a try. It is one of the best horror movies of the 2010s.
The Omen (1976)
Cinema has birthed hundreds of horrifying children, but none can out evil The Omen’s Damien. Richard Donner’s atmospheric horror flick chronicles a family’s descent into metaphorical hell as they come to suspect that their child might be a representative of the mythological one.
Compared to modern movies, The Omen can come across as a bit tame and slow-paced. However, most of the performances hold up well, particularly Harvey Spencer Stephens’ unsettling turn as Damien. Suspenseful and iconic, this film is one of the best horror movies on HBO Max.
The Hitcher (1986)
A polarizing film upon its release, The Hitcher attracted a cult following over the decades, and it is now considered one of the stronger slasher movies of the late 1980s. The story is simple in nature as it devolves into a battle for survival between a brutal hitchhiker and his ill-prepared target.
The Hitcher is all about Rutger Hauer’s turn as the eponymous killer, and the actor delivers a chilling and thrilling performance. Grim, violent, and intense, this underrated slasher flick is a haunting ride while it lasts.
Funny Games (1997)
Michael Haneke’s filmography is filled with visceral and disconcerting projects, and 1997’s Funny Games might be the director’s most unsettling movie. Most people are likely more familiar with 2007’s American remake, also directed by Haneke, but the original Austrian is a more effective and gritty production.
Unlike many horror movies on HBO Max, Funny Games has no intention of “entertaining” viewers with crowd-pleasing kills and jump scares. Slow-paced and realistic, the story depicts in painful detail a family’s torture at the hands of two men. Funny Games shows the worst of humanity and strips away any cinematic hope or catharsis.
The Exorcist (1973)
Attracting controversy upon release, The Exorcist used that momentum to cement its place in pop culture and as a staple of horror. Overall, this story is rather simple: an exorcist is brought in to remove a demon from the body of a girl. Framed as a harrowing battle between good and evil, The Exorcist keeps things personal by restricting most its action to a single room.
While not without its campy moments, the movie still maintains a reasonably grounded tone considering the subject. By casting lesser-known actors and utilizing a grimy aesthetic, The Exorcist creates the illusion of realism that amplifies its intensity.
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1978)
While most novels can barely manage one decent adaptation, Jack Finney’s The Body Snatchers is fortunate enough to have two classics under its belt. Set in San Francisco, 1978’s Invasion of the Body Snatchers finds humanity in the midst of an alien invasion, albeit by a species that prefers subtlety to explosions.
Suddenly, people begin to change; Not physically, but their personalities. Stripped of emotion or individuality, these folks resemble empty shells that are just going through the motions. In a city with millions of people, the protagonists suddenly start to feel very alone.
Onibaba (1964)
Inspired by a Japanese folk tale, Onibaba is unsettling on a primal level. Directed by Kaneto Shindo, the film follows a mother and daughter who have turned to murder to survive during Japan’s 14th-century civil war. Eventually, a man comes along that sparks a physical reaction in both women, along with paranoia and jealousy.
Onibaba builds towards a ghastly final act, concluding with a scene that will engrain itself in the minds of most viewers for years after they have finished watching the film. This horror film is one of the lesser-known classics on HBO Max, and it certainly deserves more recognition.
Green Room
Providing a rare villainous turn by Patrick Stewart, Green Room follows a punk rock band who play a show at a Neo-Nazi club, a decision they come to regret. When a band member witnesses what is clearly a murder, the band find themselves locked in a green room surrounded by a small army and with no means of escape.
Green Room is not necessarily terrifying, but the thriller-horror film knows how to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Tense from beginning to end, Saulnier’s movie effectively establishes its characters and their ideologies, exploring both sides in equal measure. Stewart is fantastic as the manipulative Darcy, a Neo-Nazi leader who instills fear in everyone regardless of whether they are friends or foes.
Gremlins (1984)
Gremlins qualifies as both a Halloween and Christmas movie, but make no mistake, Joe Dante’s film is horror. Unlike its sillier but still charming sequel, Gremlins blends its parody and comedy with vicious frights, with the eponymous monsters coming across as dangerous menaces rather than quirky misfits.
While not for young children, Gremlins is a great pick for families looking for a lighthearted horror film that does not hold back on cynicism or violence. The movie is also just entertaining and fun.
IT (2017)
Stephen King’s IT novel has received a few adaptations, and while the Tim Curry-led release from the early ’90s certainly has its fans, the 2017 movie comes the closest to capturing the book’s brilliance. Pennywise is an entity that feeds on children, coming out every 27 years to fill up on Derry’s youngsters. Capable of transforming, Pennywise becomes a child’s greatest fear in order to terrify them beyond belief, which makes them tastier.
2017’s IT covers the first half of the novel, and it is consistently entertaining and intense. The child actors give great performances, and this version of Pennywise is the stuff that nightmares are made of. Part 2 is also available on HBO Max, but it falls short of reaching the heights seen by its predecessor. Still, it is an OK watch.
Kwaidan (1965)
Consisting of four ghost stories, Kwaidan is a visual masterpiece. Each of the four shorts is defined by mesmerizing colors that are aesthetically and narratively pleasing; through the cinematography and direction, Kwaidan gives its selected Japanese folk tales an air of mysticism.
Kwaidan is not an especially scary horror film, but its haunting imagery ensures that all of its stories linger in the memory long after the credits have rolled. Kwaidan highlights just how diverse HBO Max’s horror line-up is.
House (1977)
HBO Max complements its wide selection of mainstream horror films with a respectable library of niche titles, and 1977’s House certainly fits that bill. A strange Japanese horror comedy, House follows a group of girls as they head to a house in the country that is not quite as it seems.
House, or Hausu, is odd in the best possible way. While quite silly at times, the creative visuals and sheer bizarreness on display create a sense that anything can happen. This is one film that is unforgettable.
Carnival Of Souls (1962)
Carnival of Souls has grown in reputation since its initial release as more and more people discover this stroll through madness lane. A church organist survives a car accident and moves to Salt Lake City, where she finds it difficult to fit in. Once there, she is drawn to a creepy and abandoned carnival.
Although not devoid of corny moments, Carnival of Souls fosters a dream-like atmosphere that intensifies as the film approaches its climax. The acting is also good throughout, and the movie fully earns its scares.
Night Of The Living Dead (1968)
Personal preference aside, Night of the Living Dead is unquestionably the most influential zombie film of all time. George A. Romero’s classic set many of the standards that would come to define the sub-genre; impressively, age and overexposure have done little to dilute the film’s appeal or impact.
Shot on a small budget, Night of the Living Dead’s stripped-back aesthetic enhances its fear factor. The human characters take center stage over the zombies, and in this case, it works in the film’s favor.
Godzilla (1954)
1954’s Godzilla is one of those films that has aged well while simultaneously losing most of the fear factor that initially defined it. In a post-WWII climate, Godzilla served as a haunting allegory for nuclear war; the kaiju is an unstoppable beast that leaves nothing but destruction and death in its wake. Godzilla would eventually morph into something of a hero, but that representation is completely absent in the 1954 original.
Depressing, grim, and thematically dense, Godzilla captures the fear of its era better than most movies out there. Even without that context, this classic can still be enjoyed as a disaster movie.
King Kong (1933)
If someone is specifically seeking a terrifying horror film to watch, then King Kong is best avoided. The monster movie doesn’t offer much in the way of scares, and some might even argue that it is more of an adventure film than a traditional horror flick. However, that has more to do with the movie’s age than its content.
1933’s King Kong is a cinematic masterpiece and features some of the greatest cinematography in history. The story is universally known by this point, but that doesn’t take anything away from its epicness. For those wishing for more recent Kong-themed films, HBO Max also has them covered.
Eyes Without A Face (1960)
A Gothic horror film that caused quite a stir upon its release, Eyes Without a Face follows a father’s desperate attempts to gift his daughter a new face following an accident. A difficult sit, Eyes Without a Face is the type of movie that inspires people to uncomfortably shift in their seats as they fight an innate desire to look away.
Age has lessened Eyes Without a Face’s controversial nature, and the movie might even seem tame in a world that has experienced decades of slasher films. However, the movie’s brilliance still shines through.
Vampyr (1932)
Along with Nosferatu, Vampyr is regarded as one of the most influential early iterations of cinematic vampires. While the former delivers something along the lines of the Dracula story, Vampyr is less confined by conventional narrative storytelling, opting to envision a dream-like environment that feels only loosely connected to reality.
Primarily taking place in a town cursed by vampires, the movie guides audiences through a series of nightmarish visuals, some of which have become iconic. Vampyr is not all that scary by today’s standards but its cinematography and atmosphere hold up splendidly.
Eraserhead (1977)
Eraserhead is David Lynch at his most unfiltered. A slow, uncomfortable watch, this 1977 body horror film is an abstract masterpiece, one that subtly crawls under someone’s skin as they witness imagery that will never leave them. If the Lady in the Radiator doesn’t spark a few nightmares, then the “baby” should do the trick.
Thematically, Eraserhead deals with anxiety over parenthood, an emotion that permeates every frame of each second. Lynch’s movie is not going to be for everyone, but anyone fond of experimental horror should watch it.
Diabolique (1955)
A defining release in French horror cinema, Diabolique weaves a suspenseful murder mystery that expertly sprinkles in hints of supernatural occurrences. It is a movie that should be experienced blind, as the story’s strength lies in its misdirection and revelations.
Meticulously directed by Henri-Georges Clouzot and splendidly acted by the entire cast, particularly Simone Signoret, Diabolique delivers scares through what it doesn’t show rather than what it does. This film could present a welcome change of pace from something like A Nightmare on Elm Street.
The Shining (1980)
While Stanley Kubrick’s loose adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining is notoriously detested by the novelist, the movie is nevertheless regarded as one of horror’s crowning achievements. Set predominantly in the iconic Overlook Hotel, The Shining chronicles Jack Torrance’s transformation from a slightly off father and husband into an unhinged murderer.
Jack Nicholson’s manic performance as Jack ranks among the actor’s best, a claim that is not made lightly. The Grady Twins, the elevator of blood, and “Redrum,” The Shining’s legacy speaks for itself.
