If you’re looking for some of the best horror movies on Paramount+ to watch this spooky season, I’ve got quite a list for you. One of my favorite genres has always been horror. Whether it’s because of great special effects, unforgettable scenes, or all those great scream queens, the best horror movies have always got me going. And While there are plenty of fun upcoming horror movies releasing in the next couple of years, today I’m taking a look back at some of those all-time greats and new favorites available on Paramount+.
If you’re a horror fan and don’t have a Paramount+ subscription, now might be a good time, as these are some of the best horror movies that the platform has to offer. From classics like Rosemary’s Baby to modern gems like A Quiet Place Day One, there are plenty of reasons why Paramount+ is one of the best streaming services, especially for horror fans.
The Friday The 13th Movies (1980 - 1989)
Whether it’s Jason Voorhees or his deranged mom doing the killing, the Friday the 13th films have always been a deadly good time – yes, even the “bad “ entries in one of the best horror franchises. The first eight films in the saga are streaming on Paramount+, which means you can watch it all from the early and more contained days all the way to the incredibly cheesy Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan in one place.
Oculus (2013)
Before Mike Flannagan became a household name thanks to his massively popular Netflix original series like The Haunting of Hill House and The Fall of the House of Usher, the modern horror icon unleashed Oculus upon the world. This 2013 supernatural psychological horror flick, based on one of Flanagan’s earlier short films, follows a pair of siblings (played by Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites) as they investigate a mysterious antique mirror they believe is responsible for their family’s bad luck.
With multiple timelines, tension that is slowly and methodically increased throughout its story, and phenomenal performances across the board, this frightening horror film has something for everyone.
Apartment 7A (2024)
Directed by Natalie Erika James, Apartment 7A is a prequel to Roman Polanski’s 1968 horror classic, Rosemary’s Baby, that fills in the gaps of Terry Gionoffrio’s (Julia Garner) story as it shows what happens to the young dancer upon renting an apartment from the devilish Roman and Minnie Castevet (Kevin McNally and Diane Wiest, respectively).
Regardless if you were a fan of the horror classic or are planning to watch the new movie before finally checking out Rosemary’s Baby, you’ll find something to enjoy here.
Stream Apartment 7A on Paramount+.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
One of the most critically acclaimed horror films of all time, Rosemary’s Baby is one of those movies that exceeds the hype surrounding it. Directed by Roman Polanski, this 1968 classic follows Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), an expectant mother who begins to fall down a rabbit hole of nightmarish paranoia and pure, unrelenting dread as she begins to suspect that her neighbors want to use her child as part of a satanic cult.
This slow-burn horror film has an unnerving and terrifying pace that adds even more tension to the story and Rosemary’s descent into madness.
Stream Rosemary’s Baby on Paramount+.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Though there are better Johnny Depp performances in Tim Burton movies, the actor’s take on Ichabod Crane in Sleepy Hollow is still worth the price of admission (or a Paramount+ sub in this case). Released in 1999, this spooky adaptation of Washington Irving’s cherished horror novel, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, has everything you’d want in one of Burton’s movies with its eerie and off-kilter tone, dynamic performances, and visuals that find the perfect balance between terrifying and mesmerizing.
Stream Sleepy Hollow on Paramount+.
In 2013, Eli Roth, no stranger to gory or visceral horror movies, released The Green Inferno into the wild. Taking inspiration from Italian horror movies like the controversial Cannibal Holocaust, the film follows a group of social activists as they travel deep into the Amazon rainforest to stop an oil company from destroying the local ecosystem only to learn that the tribe they want to protect is actually a group of cannibals.
Not for the faint of heart, The Green Inferno is a frightening, intense, and traumatizing experience that’ll probably leave you thinking twice about charting off into the rainforest to meet uncontacted civilizations.
Stream The Green Inferno on Paramount+
Fresh (2022)
One of the best under-the-radar movies of 2022, Mimi Cave’s directorial debut, Fresh, explores the relationship between Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Steve (Sebastian Stan), a couple who decide to go on a weekend getaway after just their first date. However, Noa soon discovers that the man she’s smitten with has a dark and terrible secret.
This thrilling horror flick is lean, mean, and checks all the boxes for those who are fans of the genre, especially for those folks out there who just can’t get enough of classic cannibal movies.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Sure, there are better adaptations of this iconic vampire novel, but Bram Stoker’s Dracula, directed by Francis Ford Coppola is a ton of fun to watch. Featuring incredible turns from Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Keanu Reeves, and Gary Oldman as Count Dracula himself, the movie follows the force of evil as he preys upon a woman in 19th-century England whom he believes is his wife reincarnated.
Stream Bram Stoker’s Dracula on Paramount+.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
While fans of the franchise are still waiting for the third main installment in John Krasinski’s horror property, A Quiet Place: Day One did a great job of holding things down in the meantime. Set during the early hours and days of the mysterious extraterrestrial invasion that turned Earth into a near-silent and deadly hellscape, Michael Sarnoski’s prequel follows new characters Samira (Lupita Nyong’o) and Eric (Joseph Quinn) as they attempt to make it out of New York City alive.
Clocking in at a little over 90 minutes, this fantastic (and terrifying) horror movie wastes no time getting the action started, and it doesn’t let off the gas until the credits roll.
Stream A Quiet Place: Day One on Paramount+.
A Quiet Place Parts 1 & 2 (2018, 2021)
A Quiet Place is certainly one of the better modern horror movie franchises, and it deserves the praise it has gotten so much. A Quiet Place takes place in a world that is inhabited by alien monsters that can’t see but have a keen sense of hearing. This family must stay quiet at all times, for if they make just a peep of sound, the aliens will stalk them and kill them.
Starring real-life married couple John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, A Quiet Place is such a brilliant piece of cinema, in my opinion. I remember the first time I watched this movie, I felt as if I was in the film and if I made a sound, the monster would come to get me. The acting is brilliant, the story entertaining and scary, and the sound design flawless – I could go on and on about how great this movie is. The sequel was just as good, if not more dramatic, and full of badass scenes featuring some truly terrifying moments.
Stream A Quiet Place: Part 1 on Paramount+.
Stream A Quiet Place: Part 2 on Paramount+.
The Faculty (1998)
Robert Rodriguez gave audiences one hell of an experience back in December 1998 with the release of The Faculty. This sci-fi horror film follows a group of teenagers (played by Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wood, Usher Raymond, Jordana Brewster, and more) as they go up against their teachers, who are under the control of alien parasites.
One of the great one-off horror movies that never got a sequel, The Faculty is fun, has scares around every corner, and features enough ‘90s icons to keep you entertained from start to finish.
Stream The Faculty on Paramount+.
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
If you’re looking for a horror movie that’s perfect for date night, My Bloody Valentine is going to do the trick. Set 20 years after a mine disaster resulted in four deaths and the only survivor turning into a homicidal maniac, a group of teenagers find themselves being targeted by a mysterious and deadly miner with an ax to grind.
George Mihalka’s blood-soaked Valentine’s Day horror film may be a little cheesy by today’s standards, but it’s a devilishly good time and features some unique kills that’ll have you screaming and shouting.
Stream My Bloody Valentine on Paramount+.
The Gift (2015)
Joel Edgerton made his directorial debut in 2015 with The Gift, a terrifying psychological thriller and horror film that he also wrote and led. In the movie, Edgerton plays Gordo, a mysterious man who shows up at the door of Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) claiming to be an old friend from high school. Seemingly innocent at first, the situation quickly escalates and becomes no laughing matter.
Seriously, this is one of the best psychological thrillers of the past decade and will leave you guessing around every corner.
Stream The Gift on Paramount+.
Talk To Me (2023)
Danny and Michael Phillipou’s Talk to Me, which took top honors on our best horror movies of 2023 ranking and was one of the best overall releases that year, is one of the fresh, inventive, and terrifying as-all-hell cinematic experiences that is just so much fun. Set during a high school party, the Phillipous’ directorial debut treads new ground with its story about teens who treat an embalmed hand like the latest drug.
Hooked on the thrill of the experience, the group of friends, led by Sophie Wilde’s Mia, soon find out that actions have consequences when the new party trick leads to some absolutely frightening and life-changing discoveries.
Stream Talk to Me on Paramount+.
Cloverfield (2008)
One of the best movies under 90 minutes, Matt Reeves’ Cloverfield is probably one of the most economical horror films when it comes to getting the most out of its runtime. There are few, if any, wasted moments in this iconic found-footage movie about a group of friends attempting to survive a giant and mysterious monster’s attack on New York City.
Even more than a decade-and-a-half after the movie’s release, Cloverfield remains one of the best additions to the horror genre this century, and perhaps of all time. The inventive storytelling techniques, outstanding visuals, and a camera-shy monster make this a movie that’s so much fun to revisit.
Stream Cloverfield on Paramount+.
Mimic (1997)
Before making classics like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water, Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro gave the world Mimic, a 1997 sci-fi horror that proves that the path to Hell is paved with the best of intentions. In an attempt to stop a plague from killing millions of children in New York City, a group of biologists engineer a new species of bugs to wipe out the city’s cockroaches. However, things take a deadly turn, and go from bad to nightmarish.
One of Guillermo del Toro’s best movies, this creature feature doesn’t hold back and has a perfect combination of horror, suspense, and grossness.
World War Z (2013)
Despite being vastly different from Max Brooks’ novel of the same name, Marc Forster’s 2013 zombie flick, World War Z is a fun and terrifying thrill ride that gave audiences several iconic horror moments a decade ago. Unlike the book, which is an oral history recounting various events in the zombie war, the Brad Pitt-led adaptation follows a United Nations investigator around the world as he finds himself facing off with all kinds of zombies in increasingly dangerous situations.
Seriously, the final act of this movie is legitimately frightening. The rest of the movie has some harrowing moments, but the section inside the World Health Organization headquarters is nightmare fuel.
Stream World War Z on Paramount+.
Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
There were few comedies that were as funny and few horror movies as bloody in 2022 as Halina Reijn’s slasher film, Bodies Bodies Bodies. The movie, which features a cast anchored by Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bkalova, Myha'la Herrold, Chase Sui Wonders, Rachel Sennott, Lee Pace, and Pete Davidson, follows a group of friends who do what any responsible 20-something would do to await the arrival of a deadly hurricane: they throw a booze and drug-fueled party in a massive mansion.
Just as the approaching storm kills the power, the friends play “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” a murder-mystery game that quickly turns into a real-life fight for survival when one of the revelers has their throat slashed. What follows is a race against time to find the killer before they claim their next victim in this under-the-radar 2022 movie.
Stream Bodies Bodies Bodies on Paramount+.
Pearl (2022)
Half a year after Ti West introduced audiences to Mia Goth’s Pearl in X, he gave the character her own origin story with the September 2022 release of Pearl. Set against the backdrop of the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic, the slasher, which carries the subtitle An X-Traordinary Origin Story, follows the aspiring movie star as she goes from being a Hollywood hopeful to a vicious murderer on her family’s ranch.
Smile (2022)
You know you have a great horror movie on your hands when Stephen King decides to sing its praises on Twitter, and that’s exactly what happened with the release of Parker Finn’s feature directorial debut, Smile. Released in September 2022, the psychological horror film follows psychiatrist Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) after she witnesses a patient commit suicide and begins to experience terrifying happenings in her own life.
Thanks in part to the movie’s story, the incredible Smile cast, and some terrifying guerilla marketing, the horror flick ended up becoming a massive hit at the box office before finding its streaming home on Paramount+ a little more than a month after its initial release.
The Scream Movies (2022 - 2023)
Though you won’t be able to watch the first four entries in the Scream franchise on Paramount+, you can check out the 2022 legacy sequel and Scream VI, both of which are great additions to the property. Whether Sam Carpenter (Melissa Barrera) and her sister, Tara (Jenna Ortega) are battling Ghost Face in California or New York City, the two protagonists, and the assortment of new and returning characters, there’s a lot to enjoy.
Stream Scream (2022) on Paramount+.
Stream Scream VI on Paramount+.
If you’re looking for even more to watch on the streaming service, check out our list of the best movies on Paramount+, especially if you need a break after all these thrills and chills..
