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, movies form an important part of the holiday for many.

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. Those reading should be aware that the vast majority of these films may not be suitable for younger fans of horror. We have also included a 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)

Last year one of Netflix’s most popular Halloween releases was ‘Midnight Mass’, a miniseries created by Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, Doctor Sleep...).

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 and evolution throughout the series. Everything is shrouded by a thin veil of horror that provokes a constant feeling of discomfort from viewers.

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

Family-rating: Best for parents and teenagers.

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 novel, Flanagan created a deeply terrifying show. It is hard not to feel goosebumps when recalling some of the scenes. In ‘The Haunting of Hill House,’ watchers can follow the story of the different members of the Crain family who live in a haunted house that forces each one to confront their own ghost. 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.

Family-rating: Best for parents and teenagers.

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 80s’ slasher films and is perfect to watch if you’re looking for a fresh production that is not scary, but includes bloody and hilarious moments. For those left wanting more should know that that there is 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.

Family-rating: Best for parents and teenagers.

Hotel Transylvania (2015) - movie

‘Hotel Transylvania 2′ is a perfect animated treat for Halloween enthusiasts of all ages. Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, the film brings back the characters from the first installment, including Dracula, voiced by Adam Sandler, and his monster pals. In this installment, Dracula becomes a doting grandparent, eager to teach his half-human, half-vampire grandson to embrace his inner monster.

Family-rating: Best for children.

Horror movies and shows to stream on Amazon Prime Video

Beetlejuice (1988) - movie

Tim Burton brings his classic eccentricity to ‘Beetlejuice’. The film stars Michael Keaton as the outrageous and mischievous bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice. The story revolves around a recently deceased couple, played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, who employ Beetlejuice’s help to rid their home of the insufferable living inhabitants. With its quirky, Gothic aesthetics and zany characters, ‘Beetlejuice’ is a unique blend of the bizarre and the comical, making it a fantastic choice for Halloween viewing. The film’s darkly comic charm and memorable characters have cemented its status as a perennial favorite for those seeking a quirky and entertaining scare.

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Family-rating: Best for parents and teenagers.

Army of Darkness (1992) - movie

A perfect cult classic that offers a unique blend of horror and humor, ‘Army of Darkness’ an ideal choice for Halloween movie marathons. Directed by Sam Raimi, the film is the third installment in the ‘Evil Dead’ series, featuring Bruce Campbell as the charismatic and chainsaw-wielding Ash Williams.

As Ash is transported back in time to the medieval era, he must battle an army of the dead and a host of grotesque creatures. With its witty one-liners, slapstick comedy, and over-the-top action, ‘Army of Darkness’ is a campy and entertaining adventure that’s perfect for those who enjoy their Halloween with a generous dose of laughs and scares.

Family-rating: Best for parents and teenagers.

The Wailing (2016) - movie

‘The Wailing’ is a Korean film 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 in 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.

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.

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 follow the 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.

Horror movies and shows to stream on Hulu

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. 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.

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.