The words "horror" and "free" go together like bread and butter. With thousands of horror movies spanning countless subgenres, there is always an old classic or modern marvel dropping on a free streaming service. The tricky part is mining through the vast libraries of free streamers like Tubi and Pluto TV to find that hidden gem. While investing in Shudder might make your life easier, not everyone wants (or is able) to dish out more cash for yet another subscription.
That's where JustWatch's guide comes in. Whether you're a horror newcomer in search of a welcoming entry point or a terror connoisseur looking for a scary hit, here are the 10 best horror movies streaming for free right now, categorized by some popular subgenres for your convenience.
Halloween (1978)
Best for Slashers
For horror heads, Halloween might seem like an obvious pick. However, for those just starting their descent into the horror genre, it's a great starting point. John Carpenter, known for other genre favorites like The Thing (1982) and They Live (1988), is a master of suspense. As a result, Halloween offers plenty of slow-creeping dread that so many other slasher films lack.
What starts with Michael Myers' chilling origins on one fateful night in 1963 jumps 15 years forward to when Michael escapes a mental institution and returns to his hometown to wreak havoc. While the larger Halloween franchise has a reputation for creative kills and gore, the original movie has very little blood, making it a solid option for more squeamish audiences that don't mind a retro feel. There's a reason Halloween remains a year-round favorite, with the movie shooting to an impressive top three spot on JustWatch's streaming charts the week of Halloween.
The Cleansing Hour (2019)
Best for Possession
If you love and respect The Exorcist (1973), then you already know that almost every possession movie to come after tries to emulate it. For fans of the subgenre, it can get tiring. That's where The Cleansing Hour comes in. Although it's got all the standard possession movie tropes, it subverts expectations with a fake demonic possession turned real—all during a live stream.
The acting is great, the specific effects are solid, and, more importantly, the story keeps you engaged from start to end. There is even a little dark humor thrown in for measure. This one will surprise you, so if you think you've seen it all, give The Cleansing Hour a try.
Society (1989)
Best for Body Horror
Society tends to give its gruesomely weird premise away in trailers and marketing, but I promise you that it's best enjoyed with minimal spoilers. All you really need to know going in is that a wealthy, Beverly Hills teenager begins to suspect his family is part of an unusual cult. Simple, right? Well, what lies at the end of Society is pure nightmare fuel.
Once a box office bomb, the movie has become a bona fide cult classic, earning a spot in the body horror hall of fame alongside the works of David Cronenberg. If you're not squeamish and like a decent little mystery, Society should be your next watch.
Let the Right One In (2008)
Best for Vampires
Based on the John Ajvide Lindqvist novel of the same name, Let the Right One In delivers the expected vampire tropes with a unique spin. Rather than featuring the tall, dark, seductive vampires inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula, Let the Right One In places the strange yet tender relationship between a bullied 12-year-old boy and a vampire "child" at its center. With an atmospheric, cold-weathered backdrop, the movie constantly reminds you how cold and lonely vampirism can be—but also how cold and lonely being a misunderstood child can be, too.
Just as dark, twisted, and taboo as you'd expect from the subgenre, Let the Right One In will appeal to anyone who loves supernatural stories with a touch of romance, if you can even call it that. Those who struggle with subtitles (or who just want a different version of the story) should consider the American remake, Let Me In (2010), instead.
The Ring (2002)
Best for Supernatural Horror
If you're a millennial, then you probably need no introduction to The Ring. This American remake of the Japanese classic, Ringu (1998), made its rounds in the early 2000s and maintains its terrifying reputation to this day. Here, Naomi Watts plays a journalist who gets sucked into a mystery involving a cursed VHS tape that leaves viewers with two choices: pass the curse on by making a copy or die in seven days.
While VHS tapes and big, staticky television sets might feel dated in this day and age, The Ring still holds up for fans of supernatural mysteries. While the story might be imperfect and a little goofy at times, Samara is a sufficiently creepy antagonist. VHS player or not, I promise you'll be looking at your TV differently after watching this movie.
Triangle (2009)
Best for Psychological Horror
Christopher Smith's Triangle is underrated, plain and simple. Despite its tense, twisty premise, it doesn't make a lot of mainstream horror lists. However, for those who like think pieces where nothing is quite what it seems, Triangle is a must-watch. To divulge too much about the plot would be a disservice; just know the movie kicks off with Jess (Melissa George), a single mother in desperate need of a break, whose day out at sea with her friends turns into a bizarre nightmare when she gets the uncanny sense that they're being watched.
Scary, smart, and infinitely engrossing, Triangle will not disappoint fans of psychological horror. This isn't a "second-screen" experience movie; it demands your full attention. You've been warned.
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Best for Comedy Horror
Sometimes, the title of "horror comedy" gets tossed on any old movie looking to excuse its B-movie flaws. However, those searching for a genuinely laugh-out-loud, high-quality horror comedy will find nothing better than Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Trust me, I've tried.
The film pokes fun at horror movie tropes, particularly those of the "hillbilly horror" or "rural horror" variety. While the actual scares are minimal, the movie offers up some creative kills and decent gore nonetheless. The real standouts are the titular leads themselves. With all their innocence, charm, and rock-solid comedic timing, it's difficult not to fall in love with Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine). If you love the meta commentary in movies like Scream (1996) and The Cabin in the Woods (2011), you're about to add a new favorite to your list.
Train to Busan (2016)
Best for Zombies
Maybe George A. Romero's Living Dead movies still have your heart, or perhaps you prefer a more modern-day feel like The Walking Dead (2010). Either way, Train to Busan won't disappoint zombie enthusiasts.
Yeon Sang-ho's masterpiece is heavy on the action, featuring fast-moving zombies that would feel right at home in World War Z (2013). As the title hints, the movie follows the passengers on a train as a zombie outbreak plunges Korea into utter chaos. And while that's all thrilling in itself, Train to Busan shines in its quieter moments, whether it's characters staring death in the face or the social commentary surrounding Korea's class division.
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Best for Creature Feature
While you might want to save this one for the holiday season, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale makes this list for its sheer uniqueness. With creature features typically dominated by werewolves, mutated animals, and vampires, this Finnish flick positions bizarre, monstrous Santas as its main antagonists. While that in and of itself isn't anything special, considering films like Krampus (2015), Rare Exports treats these wild Santa Clauses like a rare species that various world governments want to exploit.
Told primarily through the eyes of a young boy, it blends adventure, fantasy, and horror to fantastic effect. If you think you've seen everything under the creature feature sun, Rare Exports raises the bar, giving you a different type of monster to fear (or root for).
The Mist (2007)
Best for Sci-fi Horror
For fans of sci-fi and creature features, The Mist offers the best of both worlds. After an unusual fog descends upon a small Maine town, a ragtag group of survivors stuck in a grocery store has to band together to survive the extraterrestrial monsters lurking outside. And, of course, a group of strangers working together under tense situations involves heaping loads of drama.
If you didn't already know, The Mist stems from a Stephen King short story, so expect the usual tropes and small-town New England horror present in the author's other adaptations like Pet Sematary (1989) or Misery (1990). However, just know that this adaptation is much more sci-fi. With one of the most shocking endings in cinema history (do not spoil yourself), The Mist is an easy choice for King fans or anyone craving an atmospheric, character-driven horror story.
