The 30 Best Scary Movies on Max
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Whether you're in the mood for some old school horror, or the goriest slasher imaginable, Max has something for everybody. The streaming service has a huge selection of classic horror flicks, alongside teen slashers starring all of your '90s faves, as well as some seriously disturbing films that you won't be able to stop thinking about. From Jeff Goldblum's creepy turn in The Fly to several instalments from The Conjuring Universe, look no further if you're planning your scary movie night. Here, we round up 30 of the scariest movies to watch on Max in 2023, but you might want to keep the lights on.
Barbarian (2022)
If you've ever felt a little creeped out by the AirBnB you're staying in, then Barbarian is likely to give you chills. After finding out that her rental property has been double-booked with some random guy, Tess is forced to get to know her new roommate. Things turn really creepy when they investigate the basement, and discover that they're most definitely not alone.
The Menu (2022)
Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) prepares an extra special feast for a group of self-proclaimed foodies at his private island restaurant. Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) isn't meant to be there, but she's quickly drawn into an intricately planned event, which is likely to result in a few fatalities along the way. Simply flawless.
Under the Skin (2013)
Scarlett Johansson stars as an extraterrestrial being who is on the hunt for human men. On a road trip around Scotland, she finds and seduces her unwitting victims, who get sent to another dimension in which they are simply meat. Haunting and beautifully crafted, Under the Skin lets us see Johansson in a different light.
The Witch (2015)
Set in 1630 New England, The Witch is a terrifying depiction of the panic that spurred on the witchcraft trials. When a young boy disappears, suspicion is placed on to his sister, Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), who was supposed to be caring for him at the time. A stark and dreamy evocation inspired by a fascinating part of history.
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The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring introduced the world to Ed and Lorraine Warren, real-life paranormal investigators whose exorcisms and study of the occult inspired this growing series. In the first instalment, Ed and Lorraine try to help a family whose new house appears to be haunted by a violent history. Meanwhile, The Conjuring 2 is based on a real-life case that took place in England in the '70s, and widely became known as the Enfield Haunting.
Child's Play (1988)
Chucky is one of horror's most famous figures, and 1988's Child's Play started it all. The spirit of murderer Charles Lee Ray is transported into a doll, which is accidentally purchased by a mother for her young son. Andy Barclay soon discovers that his Chucky doll isn't all that he seems when scary things start happening around the house.
The Crazies (2010)
A plane crash causes a dangerous toxic biological agent to be released into a small farming town, infecting its inhabitants. The virus causes its hosts to become extremely dangerous and violent, forcing the uninfected to fight for their lives against all odds.
The Lodge (2013)
A winter vacation goes awry when a young woman is left with her partner's children when he leaves for work. When the family is trapped inside by a blizzard, Grace (Riley Keough) finds herself haunted by her own past and strange things start to occur.
Sinister (2012)
True crime writer Ellison (Ethan Hawke) is in desperate need of inspiration so he moves his family into a house in which some awful murders occurred. After discovering the existence of several graphic snuff movies, Ellison is drawn deeper into a terrifying mystery, putting everyone at risk in the process.
Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster's Hereditary follows a family recovering from the loss of their matriarch, and subsequently haunted by a demonic entity. When Peter takes his little sister Charlie to a party, he has no idea of the devastating events that will occur. From there, the family spirals out of control, falling deeper into the abyss. Not for the faint of heart.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Anthony Hopkins put his own stamp on Dr. Hannibal Lecter in 1991's The Silence of the Lambs. FBI agent Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) is on the hunt for Buffalo Bill, a serial killer known for kidnapping women and holding them hostage. Clarice hopes that Hannibal can help her finally capture her target.
Sorority Row (2009)
When a woman accidentally dies in a prank gone wrong, her sorority sisters decide to cover it up. A year later, videos of their friend's death emerge, and the sorority sisters find themselves stalked by someone avenging the death. Starring Audrina Partridge (!) and Rumer Willis.
The Fly (1986)
Scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) creates a device capable of teleportation. During a test, a housefly enters the machine alongside Seth, leading to their DNA being mixed. Seth subsequently finds himself taking on attributes of the insect, slowly morphing into a monster, and grappling with his own choices.
Cujo (1983)
Based on Stephen King's novel of the same name, 1983's Cujo focuses on a St. Bernard dog who gets bitten by a bat, transforming the once cute creature into a rabid beast. A mother and son find themselves trapped by Cujo as it terrorizes their town, and they attempt to fight off the monster.
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
In the fifth instalment in the Evil Dead series, two sisters find themselves fighting against supernatural entities brought into their lives by The Book of the Dead. An apartment block becomes the location of a terrifying and gruesome showdown, as a young family is trapped by the deadites.
Jennifer's Body (2009)
After being possessed by a demon, Jennifer (Megan Fox) is just killing boys. However, her friend Needy (Amanda Seyfried) is starting to question Jennifer's hobby, and decides that it needs to end. Written by Oscar-winner Diablo Cody, and containing some of your favorite GIFs.
You're Next (2011)
Members of the Davison family are celebrating their parents' anniversary, but the reunion goes very wrong when a group of intruders, all wearing animal masks, threaten to kill them all. Luckily, one person in the group has some secret skills that prove useful when fighting back against the killers.
Knock Knock (2015)
Evan (Keanu Reeves) has the house to himself for the weekend while his family is away. When two women arrive at his house asking for help, Evan reluctantly lets them in, but struggles to get them to leave again. What starts as a casual night of debauchery ends in some shocking violence. Co-starring Ana de Armas.
Compliance (2012)
Based on true events, Compliance follows the staff at a fast food restaurant who receive a strange phone call purporting to be from the police. One staff member is accused of stealing money from a customer, and the tense phone exchange results in a horrifying strip search and questionable behavior by all.
The Nun (2018)
Following orders from the Vatican, a young priest and a nun-in-training investigate the mysterious death of a nun at an abbey in Romania. They soon realize that a dangerous force is threatening the holy order, with a horrifying demonic nun haunting the entire venue and those in it. Part of The Conjuring Universe.
Hellraiser: Deader
A journalist is sent to investigate a suicide cult known as the Deaders, who have apparently discovered how to bring people back to life. She soon finds the Lament Configuration, the dangerous puzzle box that unleashes beings from another dimension, known to cause both intense pleasure and pain.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
A retreat to a cabin in the woods turns deadly when a group of students is attacked by a series of monsters. It soon transpires that the cabin is at the center of an experiment, run by a group of technicians who can control what happens above ground. Starring Chris Hemsworth.
Parasite (2019)
In this Oscar-winning horror/thriller, a poor family decides to infiltrate the lives of a rich family, intending to take over their identities. However, the ruse turns deadly, and leads to some truly horrifying consequences. Not to be missed.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
In the third instalment in The Conjuring series, Ed and Lorraine defend a man who committed an awful murder, while supposedly being under the influence of a demon. Based on a true story in which demonic possession was claimed as a defense in an American murder trial for the very first time.
Halloween Kills (2021)
Picking up where 2018's Halloween left, Michael Myers continues his rampage, and this time it's extremely bloody. While Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her family recuperate in hospital, a mob forms to hunt down the legendary serial killer. Michael manages to up the ante with some very creative kills, and director David Gordon Green pays homage with onscreen nods to the beloved franchise. Completing the trilogy, Halloween Ends hits theater on October 14, 2022.
Malignant (2021)
Annabelle Wallis stars as a woman who begins having graphic and violent visions involving murder. She eventually finds out that her visions feature events that actually took place, along with real deaths, and she's forced to find out what her role is in the killings. Coupled with an unbelievable back story, some seriously spooky sets, and Matrix-level choreography, Malignant will blow your mind. If I said anymore, I'd only spoil the surprise.
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
20 years after a terrible mining accident, the residents of a small town decide to reinstate their annual Valentine's Day dance. This turns out to be a huge mistake, because one of the surviving miners previously promised to avoid all homicidal activities as long as the dance was canceled for good. To make matters even more terrifying, the killer in My Bloody Valentine is clad in head to toe mining gear.
The Forever Purge (2021)
The Purge universe continues to expand, and this time it's squarely aimed at anyone wearing a MAGA hat. The year is 2048, and The New Founding Fathers of America manage to reinstate the annual Purge after an eight year absence. However, a dangerous sect wants to invoke an "Ever After Purge," meaning that they'd be free to kill anyone they wanted, at any time. The film follows a family of Mexican immigrants as they attempt to stay safe from racist discrimination and a purge without boundaries.
Tusk (2014)
If you're after something a little bit different, Kevin Smith's Tusk definitely fits the bill. Justin Long stars as Wallace, an obnoxious podcaster who flies to Canada, where he decides to interview a retired seaman named Howard who offers him a place to stay. Howard reveals that he was once rescued from a shipwreck by a walrus called Mr. Tusk, and that's when the trouble really starts. You wouldn't believe me if I told you what happens, so you should probably just watch it.
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me (1992)
If you've never seen the TV series, don't worry. David Lynch's Twin Peaks prequel is a disturbing, psychological horror movie that can be viewed as a standalone story. Fire Walk With Me tracks the last seven days of Laura Palmer's life, exploring all the clues and mysteries that surround her fateful murder. Lynch's distinctive style is in full effect, and being a teen girl has never looked scarier.
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