The Best Horror Movies on HBO Max Right Now

Run Time: 1 hr 36 min | Director: Lee Cronin

Cast: Lily Sullivan, Alyssa Sutherland, Mirabai Pease

Writer and director Lee Cronin pumps new blood into the Evil Dead franchise by hacking together this fifth installment in the series. Evil Dead Rise places two estranged sisters against the Deadites, who have corrupted and possessed their family members. Now, they have to fight for survival while trying to save their family. Though Cronin’s visual style is very distinct from Sam Raimi, who pioneered the series, he uses the lore and creature concepts superbly to tell a new story set in the larger world of the franchise. The film is a mind-bending thriller with an endless amount of gripping, violent imagery that pays homage to the blood fests that came before. — Tauri Miller

Run Time: 1 hr 43 min | Director: Everardo Valerio Gout

Cast: Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Cassidy Freeman, Leven Rambin, Will Patton

The fifth film in the extremely popular Purge franchise, The Forever Purge picks up where The Purge: Election Year leaves off by following a group of people attempting to escape the US after some people continue committing crimes after the Purge is over. The story is especially timely, touching on themes of racism, classism, immigration, and greed. If you’re looking for a truly frightening dystopian horror movie with a unique concept and surprising twists that will keep you on your toes, you’ll find it in this flick. – Taylor Gates

Run Time: 1 hr 31 min | Director: Steve Beck

Cast: Julianna Margulies, Ron Eldard, Desmond Harrington, Gabriel Byrne

Ghost Ship is a supernatural horror film that feels like The Shining and Titanic had a terrifying child that you can’t take your eyes off of. Starring an ensemble cast including horror and sci-fi regulars like Karl Urban (Doom) and Gabriel Byrne (Hereditary), the film follows a salvage crew exploring a mysterious abandoned ship in the middle of the ocean with no travel records or signs of life. But there are signs of the dead as they stumble on the spirits of the passengers trapped onboard. The film is a claustrophobic journey through a haunted cruiser that utilizes great visuals and effects to create an atmosphere that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. – Tauri Miller

Run Time: 1 hr 30 min | Director: Lee Cronin

Cast: Seána Kerslake, James Quinn Markey, Kati Outinen

The Hole in the Ground is the feature film directorial debut from Lee Cronin that feels like a modern take on the legend of the Changeling from Irish folklore. The story follows Sarah (Seána Kerslake), a single mother who moves to the Irish countryside with her son, Chris (James Quinn Markey). She starts to notice strange behavior from her son after they discover a mysterious sinkhole in the woods outside their house, which throws her into a paranoid frenzy, wondering if Chris has been replaced by something dark and malicious. Cronin creates a creepy atmosphere where no one and nothing can be trusted, which keeps audiences guessing all the way through to the end.

Run Time: 1 hr 41 min | Director: Mark Tonderai

Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Elisabeth Shue, Max Thieriot

Elisabeth Shue (The Boys) stars as Sarah, a divorced doctor and mother of a teenage daughter named Elissa (Jennifer Lawrence), in House at the End of the Street. A tension-filled thriller from director Mark Tonderai, House at the End of the Street follows how the family settles into their small yet upscale town. When bizarre things begin to occur, Sarah and Elissa discover that a gruesome double homicide happened down the street, leading them to find that nothing in this rural town is as it seems. The film is a psychological thriller with a great cast and a hint of mystery. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 58 min | Director: Jonathan Demme

Cast: Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Scott Glenn, Ted Levine, Lawrence A. Bonney

Anthony Hopkins (Westworld) brilliantly stars opposite the incomparable Jodie Foster in Jonathan Demme’s quintessential early ‘90s psychological thriller Silence of the Lambs. Silence of the Lambs became a cultural touchstone through Demme’s deliberate directing and Ted Tally’s meticulous screenplay, which adapted Thomas Harris’ thrilling novel about cannibals and serial killers for the screen. With a hauntingly unforgettable performance as the cunningly brilliant and disturbed serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter’s (Hopkins) scenes from the movie will not only outlive the actors themselves but continue to influence generations of parodies, memes, and cultural nods. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 47 min | Director: Mark Mylod

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Janet McTeer

The Menu is a deeply layered, deliciously entertaining suspense thriller from director Mark Mylod, who makes a meal out of Seth Reiss and Will Tracy’s cleverly twisted script. Starring Ralph Fiennes’ (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) as the stern and temperamental Chef Slowik, The Menu follows a young couple, portrayed by the undeniably captivating Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit) and the equally talented Nicholas Hoult (The Great), as they find themselves on a remote island for a lavish and exclusive meal. As The Menu unfolds, nothing is as it seems, and the extravagant event turns deadly. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 2 hrs 7 min | Director: Ari Aster

Cast: Toni Collette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff

Written and directed by Ari Aster (Midsommar) in his feature directorial debut, Hereditary is a creepy psychological horror film. Toni Collette and Gabriel Byrne star as a grieving couple who, with their two children, discover their family may be haunted by an unnerving presence. Aster builds tension on the uncertainty and possibilities, swaying between the explanation of mental illness and supernatural influences. Hereditary deliberately questions each character’s beliefs. With twisted perspectives and sinister motives, especially as Hereditary unravels the hidden secrets of the family’s deceased grandmother, the film is a disturbing investigation of generational trauma. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 2 hrs 15 min | Director: Andy Muschietti

Cast: Bill Skarsgård, Jaeden Martell, Finn Wolfhard

Based on one of the most terrifying horror miniseries from 1990, the 2017 remake of It elevated the fear and effects of the fan-favorite horror property. Directed by Andy Muschietti, who has a plethora of experience in the genre, It follows a group of outcasts in small-town Maine who find their strength as they battle against a shape-shifting monster. While the monster is more recognizable as a clown, creepily played to perfection by Bill Skarsgård, the cast of youth are also familiar faces, including Stranger Things’ Finn Wolfhard and Sharp Objects’ Sophia Lillis. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 41 min | Director: Andrew Fleming

Cast: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True, Skeet Ulrich

The Craft is a perfect time capsule of 90s women’s fashion and alternative rock, with Skeet Ulrich thrown in for good measure. He’s what you would get if 1996 made a wish to become a real boy. Centered on a group of high school outcasts that could only ever conceivably be outcasts in a movie about high school – Neve Campbell, Fairuza Balk, Robin Tunney, and Rachel True – the girls turn to witchcraft to up their social status. But things quickly get out of hand when Nancy (Balk) loses 100% of her goddamned mind and starts killing people. It’s the perfect movie to rent for a sleepover, and time has done nothing to diminish this quality. — Tom Reimann

Run Time: 1 hr 42 min | Director: Zach Cregger

Cast: Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long

Originally promoted as a traditional horror film, Barbarian instead utilizes assumed scary movie elements to introduce a slew of fascinating questions and explorable themes. Written and directed by comedic actor Zach Cregger, Barbarian stars Georgina Campbell as a young woman who discovers the home she’s rented for the night is already occupied. Featuring a delightfully different performance from Bill Skarsgård (IT) and Justin Long (Clerks III), Cregger’s script allows Barbarian to take viewers on a journey through a variety of surprising scenarios, presenting provocative arguments for discussions into society, gender, and expectations. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 47 min | Director: David Bruckner

Cast: Rebecca Hall, Sarah Goldberg, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Evan Jonigkeit

Rebecca Hall (Godzilla vs. Kong) illuminates in The Night House, a fascinatingly horrific thriller directed by David Bruckner (Hellraiser). Blending a psychological mystery with traditionally chilling moments, The Night House is alarmingly mind-bending and spine-tingling simultaneously. The Night House brought together Brucker with future Hellraiser collaborators, writers Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski. Featuring a dark performance from Sarah Goldberg (Barry), The Night House truly highlights Hall’s range as the widowed Beth who uncovers the haunting secrets left by her recently deceased husband (Evan Jonigkeit). An ideal scary movie, The Night House is for horror lovers who enjoy both a solid fright fest and an intriguing puzzle to explore. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 2 hrs 32 min | Director: Mike Flanagan

Cast: Ewan McGregor, Rebecca Ferguson, Kyliegh Curran, Cliff Curtis, Robert Longstreet

Doctor Sleep is a follow-up film to the classic Stanley Kubrick film The Shining. Following the now-adult, recovering alcoholic Dan Torrance, played exquisitely by Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi), Doctor Sleep takes place decades after the traumatic events of the first film, leaving Dan with psychic abilities. When a young girl exhibiting similar powers reaches out for help, he must protect her from The True Knot cult. Writer/director Mike Flanagan (Midnight Mass) adapts Stephen King’s novels, carefully weaving threads from the original film into this eerie sequel, allowing McGregor to play with established canon and build on continued themes like addiction in authentic ways. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 32 min | Director: Robert Eggers

Cast: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie

Written and directed by Robert Eggers (The Northman), The Witch stars Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit) and Ralph Ineson (Ready Player One) in one of the most unnerving and creepy films of all time. Set in 1630s New England, The Witch follows a pious Puritan family as supernatural threats begin to tear them apart. As this family attempts to remain devout, their life in the isolated wilderness becomes unbearable as they come to terms with their own sins, as well as black magic, possession, and witchcraft. Eggers’ unique portrait of an unraveling family is captured remarkably both through stillness and horrifically disturbing imagery. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 2 hrs 10 min | Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Katharine Towne

In Academy Award Winner Robert Zemeckis’ modern classic horror film, What Lies Beneath, Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer star as a very much still-in-love married couple being haunted by the ghost of his mistress. What Lies Beneath allows traditional and expected scary movie tropes to stand as a foundation for the passion between Ford and Pfeiffer, which pierces the screen and set this film apart from most other horror flicks. The tension Zemeckis produces, along with Pfeiffer’s seamless transitions from her character to possession, creates an absolutely terrifying experience in the best way. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 26 min | Director: Jane Schoenbrun

Cast: Anna Cobb, Theo Anthony, Holly Anne Frink

We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is a trippy and clever thriller about a teen who documents her immersion in a role-playing game online. Featuring a hauntingly raw performance from breakout star Anna Cobb (Bones and All), who enhances the reality of this frightening story that blurs the lines between fact and fiction. Written and directed by Jane Schoenbrun, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is truly unique in its premise exploring internet culture, loneliness, and isolation. With Schoenbrun’s unexpected approach to the horror genre, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair blends the found footage style with more classic nods to films like The Ring. – Yael Tygiel

Run Time: 1 hr 45 min | Director: David Gordon Green

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak

Michael Myers is at it again. A sequel to 2018’s Halloween and the 12th overall film in the franchise, Halloween Kills sees the return of several characters from the 1978 film, including Lindsey Wallace (Kyle Richards). While the storytelling can be a bit messy at times and it doesn’t exactly break any new ground, Halloween Kills is sure to satisfy fans of the franchise. If you’re looking for a gruesome slasher with a high body count, this may be the perfect horror pick for you. – Taylor Gates

Run Time: 1 hr 52 min | Director: James Wan

Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Joey King

If you’re looking for an absolutely haunting horror movie that has as much emotion as it has jump scares, The Conjuring should move to the top of your watch list. Directed by genre master James Wan, The Conjuring delves into the real-life case files of Ed and Lorraine Warren. The 2013 film is responsible for launching the most successful horror franchise ever, with the latest installment, The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It pushing the franchise over the $2 billion mark at the box office. The first film centers around a family in Rhode Island who move into a country home with a horrifying history and begin experiencing all manner of disturbing occurrences. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson bring to life captivating, romanticized versions of Ed and Lorraine, with their love story providing a complementary balance to Wan’s masterful horror. The Conjuring reinvigorated the genre nearly a decade ago, and it remains one of the best spooky movies to watch when you need a good scare. — Samantha Coley

Run Time: 1 hr 29 min | Director: David Lynch

Cast: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph

An all-time classic from the great David Lynch, Eraserhead is an experience that must be seen at least once. It features a magnetic and arresting performance from the late Jack Nance as Henry Spencer, a new father who is struggling with the rather crushing pressures of parenthood. Not helping matters is that his child is not all that ordinary as, in addition to not letting him get a good night’s sleep, seems to be more like an alien than a human being. As Lynch takes us further into Henry’s anxieties and struggles, it all becomes more surreal than straightforward in a manner that is striking as it is strange. Largely confined to a single room, it still feels more expansive and inventive than most other horror films you’ll see anywhere. While it demands the patience of its audience, it is more than worth taking the plunge as you get more and more caught up in its world. Whether you have seen every single Lynch film or have never even known of him until now, this is a must-see for anyone who wants to experience the power of cinema. – Chase Hutchinson

Run Time: 1 hr 39 min | Director: Scott Cooper

Cast: Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas

A deeply depressing yet dynamic story of societal decay, Antlers is a film whose vision and a growing sense of dread make for an arresting experience. Set in a small Oregon town, it centers on Keri Russell as a middle school teacher who begins to suspect that something is gravely amiss with one of her students. As she tries to support him by learning more about what is wrong, she discovers that his home life is being haunted by both the devastation of poverty and the creeping menace of a monstrous force that threatens to consume him. It is a film that is explicitly a “horror as metaphor” type of journey, though in a way that never loses sight of the overwhelming fear that has befallen the town. In particular, the use of precise effects and lighting make for a finale as beautiful as it is brutal. Even when it falls into some rather unfortunate tropes, it manages to transcend the trappings it sets out for itself to become something all its own. – Chase Hutchinson