11 horror movies and shows to watch on Halloween on Netflix, Prime Video, HBO Max & Hulu

Celebrating Halloween isn't only about getting a creepy costume and going out to trick or treat or going to a party. Another way of enjoying this time of the year is watching some horror movies or shows (turn off the lights to get extra into the spooky mood). Nowadays, there is a huge plethora of movies and shows to watch thanks to the streaming platforms and their extensive collection. Choosing the right one to get you in the Halloween mood is fundamental; to help in that decision, we have selected an assortment of contemporary titles from Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu and HBO Max.

All the recommendations belong to the horror genre, but each of them has its own style. There are options that lean more towards pure horror, thriller, or even thought-provoking works. There are also movies and miniseries that are perfect to binge-watch on a night or during the weekend.

Horror movies and shows to stream on Netflix

Midnight Mass (2021) - miniseries (7 episodes)

One of the most recent releases on Netflix is Midnight Mass, the new miniseries created by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Doctor Sleep...). It is among his best, and different, creations. In Midnight Mass, Flanagan reflects on themes like religious zealotry, redemption, and the role of religion on local communities. The pace of the show is slow, with long conversations and monologues, yet they have proven to be helpful in understanding each character's motivations. Everything is shrouded by a thin veil of horror that provokes a constant feeling of discomfort by the viewers.

Synopsis: An isolated island community experiences miraculous events - and frightening omens - after the arrival of a charismatic, mysterious young priest.

The Haunting of Hill House (2018) - miniseries (10 episodes)

It's impossible to recommend Midnight Mass from Mike Flanagan without mentioning The Haunting of Hill House. Adapting Shirley Jackson's homonym novel, Flanagan created a deeply terrifying show. It is hard not to feel goosebumps remembering some of their scenes. In The Haunting of Hill House, watchers can follow the story of the different members of the Crain family in a 'haunted' house while each one confronted their own ghosts. Don't expect many scary jump-scares. Most of the time, the horror elements quietly appear on the screen staring at the protagonists and viewers.

Synopsis: The Crains, a broken family, confront haunting memories of their old home and the terrifying events that drove them from it.

The Babysitter (2017) - movie

Babysitters are a common type of character, and usually a secondary one, in horror movies. But in The Babysitter, she is one of the protagonists. She is also the one in charge of presenting several surprises and twists. This movie pays homage to the 80s' slashers and is the perfect movie to watch if you're looking for a fresh production that is not scary, butincludes bloody and hilarious moments. For those willing to watch more, it also has a sequel.

Synopsis: When Cole stays up past his bedtime, he discovers that his hot babysitter is part of a Satanic cult that will stop at nothing to keep him quiet.

Forgotten (2017) - movie

South Korea has been living a bright cultural age over the last 20 years when it comes to cinema and television. The recent success achieved by works like Parasite and Squid Game has helped many users to discover the productions from this country (yet, many other previous productions such as Oldboy, Memories of Murder, or Train To Busan already paved the way). A perfect example of a contemporary and good horror/thriller movie present on Netflix is Forgotten (Gi-eok-ui Bam). If you are not up for very scary movies but love those that present a good thrilling story (and eerie enough), Forgotten is one of the movies you will enjoy on Halloween. P.S. - prepare yourself for the different plot twists.

Synopsis: Seoul, South Korea, 1997. When the young but extremely anxious student Jin-seok, his parents, and his successful older brother Yoo-seok move to a new home, mysterious and frightening events begin to happen around them. Unexplained events occur that threaten to ruin their seemingly happy lives. Unable to understand what is happening, Jin-seok wonders if he is losing his mind.

Horror movies and shows to stream on Amazon Prime Video

Midsommar (2019) - movie

Ari Aster has become one of the most proficient horror cinema directors after filming Hereditary and Midsommar. Aster is capable of creating disturbing scenes thanks to polished photography. The locations have excellent design and the writing of the frightening stories is exquisite. In Midsommar we find that most of the action happens in daylight, in an idyllic green landscape, which contrasts what typical horror movies do. Most action in horror movies happens in the darkness, thus this film accomplishes something unique. In this film, Aster prefers to use the actions and the attitudes of the characters as the main elements that haunt the viewers.

Synopsis: Several friends travel to Sweden to study as anthropologists at a summer festival that is held every ninety years in one of the character's the remote hometown. What begins as a dream vacation in a place where the sun never sets, gradually turns into a dark nightmare as the mysterious inhabitants invite them to participate in their disturbing festive activities.

The Lighthouse (2019) - movie

Alongside Ari Aster, Rober Eggers is another skilled filmmaker who has proven to dominate the horror genre with movies like The Witch and The Lighthouse. In the latter one, Eggers directed two interpretation colossus: Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. Although The Lighthouse is not a horror movie, both actors play a duet of characters in their particular journey to insanity that ends up being disturbing.

Synopsis: Two lighthouse keepers try to maintain their sanity while living on a remote and mysterious New England island in the 1890s.

The Wailing (2016) - movie

Another Korean movie that shows how versatile and excellent Korean cinema is. The Wailing (Goksung), directed by Na Hong-jin, is a weird horror movie, but in a good sense. It is long, slow-paced and starts by mixing some comical moments with eerie ones. It talks about social issues like the fear of foreigners and the relationship between Japan and Korea and then it suddenly starts showing supernatural and gory moments. Superstitions, murders, and exorcist shamans are some of the elements that will surprise viewers. This fascinating movie also has a great cast, especially the characters played by Hwang Jung-Min and Jun Kunimura.

Synopsis: A stranger arrives in a little village and soon after a mysterious sickness starts spreading. A policeman is drawn into the incident and is forced to solve the mystery in order to save his daughter.

Horror movies and shows to stream on HBO Max

It & It. Chapter Two (2017-2019) - movie

The new installments of It follow the classic structure of the blockbuster horror movies but they are a perfect recommendation for a Halloween night/weekend. Two movies for a complete session with an iconic scary supernatural being: Pennywise. Little remains to be said about this movie focused on the character that haunts the dwellers of a town during their childhood and adulthood. A blockbuster that won't reinvent the wheel, but is good enough to cause some goosebumps.

Synopsis: In a small town in Maine, seven children known as The Losers Club come face-to-face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.

Over the Garden Wall (2014) - miniseries (10 episodes)

For those who can't deal with scary movies, for those fans of animation or for those who want a different story, Over the Garden Wall is a perfect show to binge-watch in a session. Following the story of two brothers who get lost, each episode (of very short duration) presents some remarkable characters, creatures and stories. Some of the series will cause laughter, and other parts can be frightening. Thanks to them, the story always maintains a halo of originality, fantasy and horror that makes it a perfect show for Halloween.

Synopsis: Wirt and Gregory have lost their way in a mysterious forest. As the two brothers navigate their way home, they encounter a series of otherworldly characters and musical delights along their trail. Over the Garden Wall stars Elijah Wood and Collin Dean. Inspired by Patrick McHale's animated short film Tome of the Unknown, the show lovingly incorporates jazz and folk music throughout the series.

Horror movies and shows to stream on Hulu

Saint Maud (2019) - movie

Again, a movie where religion has a strong presence that contributes to a dark and disturbing atmosphere where psychological horror is always present. In this case, religion acts as a balm and shelter for a traumatized woman affected by a mental illness. The movie doesn't need supernatural elements because the mental elements and the reality itself are sinister enough.

Synopsis: Having recently found God, self-effacing young nurse Maud arrives at a plush home to care for Amanda, a hedonistic dancer left frail from a chronic illness. When a chance encounter with a former colleague throws up hints of a dark past, it becomes clear there is more to sweet Maud than meets the eye.

What We Do in the Shadows (2019) - show

The horror genre can also contain comical elements. which is why What We do in the Shadows has been included in this list on must-see Halloween movies and shows. The show has 3 seasons and is perfect for those who are not into terror and prefer some fresh fun but with 'horror' elements like vampires. What We do in the Shadows is a sitcom that tells the story of three vampires who have been sharing an apartment for hundreds of years. Halloween can also be about laughing!

Synopsis: A documentary-style show that looks into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of a group of vampires in Staten Island who have "lived" together for hundreds and hundreds of years.