Looking for a frightfully good movie night? Amazon Prime Video has you covered with a spine-chilling selection of the best horror movies around. From classic slashers to supernatural thrillers, monster movies to psychological mind-benders, there’s something to satisfy every type of horror fan. Turn off the lights, grab some popcorn (and maybe a security blanket), and settle in for some serious scares. Here are the 25 best scary movies you can stream on Amazon Prime Video right now.
25. Hell House LLC (2015)
Found footage horror can be hit or miss, but Hell House LLC is a surprisingly effective entry in the subgenre. The story follows a group of Halloween haunted house creators as they set up shop in an abandoned hotel with a dark past. As opening night approaches, it becomes clear that the scares are more than just smoke and mirrors. Hell House LLC makes great use of its single location and delivers some genuinely unsettling moments.
24. The Descent (2005)
The Descent is a claustrophobic nightmare that taps into the primal fear of being trapped underground. A group of female friends embark on a caving expedition, only to find themselves hunted by bloodthirsty subterranean creatures. With a cast of compelling characters and some truly squirm-inducing scenes, The Descent is an adrenaline-pumping ride from start to finish. Just maybe don’t watch it before your next spelunking trip.
23. Oculus (2013)
Oculus proves that a well-crafted haunted object story can still deliver the scares. When siblings Kaylie and Tim attempt to destroy the antique mirror that they believe caused their parents’ deaths, they find themselves questioning their sanity as reality blurs with deadly illusions. With strong performances from Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites and some mind-bending visuals, Oculus keeps you guessing until the very end.
22. Suspiria (2018)
Luca Guadagnino’s ambitious remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 classic is a hallucinatory fever dream of a movie. Set in a prestigious dance academy run by a coven of witches, Suspiria follows American student Susie Bannion as she uncovers the school’s sinister secrets. With its hypnotic cinematography, unsettling score, and powerhouse performances from Dakota Johnson and Tilda Swinton, this is arthouse horror at its most spellbinding.
21. Candyman (2021)
Nia DaCosta’s contemporary reimagining of the 1992 horror classic brings the Candyman legend to the present day. When artist Anthony McCoy begins incorporating the Candyman mythos into his work, he unwittingly unleashes a wave of violence and must confront the dark history behind the urban legend. With its sharp social commentary and creepy visuals, Candyman proves that sometimes saying a name five times in the mirror is just asking for trouble.
20. The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
The Cabin in the Woods is a clever deconstruction of horror tropes that still manages to be a wildly entertaining movie in its own right. When five college students visit a remote cabin for a weekend getaway, they find themselves at the mercy of sinister forces orchestrating their every move. With its self-aware humor, inventive monster designs, and game cast, The Cabin in the Woods is a must-see for any horror fan.
19. The Lighthouse (2019)
Robert Eggers’ psychological thriller is a slow-burn descent into madness, featuring career-best performances from Willem Dafoe and Robert Pattinson. Two lighthouse keepers find themselves stranded on a remote island, battling the elements, each other, and possibly supernatural forces. Shot in haunting black and white and filled with mythological symbolism, The Lighthouse is a unique and unforgettable viewing experience.
18. Midsommar (2019)
Ari Aster’s sun-drenched nightmare Midsommar proves that horror doesn’t need darkness to be effective. A group of American friends travel to Sweden for a midsummer festival, but the idyllic setting soon gives way to cultish rituals and shocking violence. With its bright color palette, unsettling score, and raw performances, Midsommar is a trippy and visceral exploration of grief, gaslighting, and cultural clashes.
17. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Silence of the Lambs is a masterclass in suspense, anchored by iconic performances from Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. When FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the help of imprisoned cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter to catch a serial killer, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. With its taut script, stylish direction, and unforgettable villain, this Oscar-winning thriller is a classic for a reason.
16. The Evil Dead (1981)
Sam Raimi’s low-budget horror classic launched a beloved franchise and introduced the world to Bruce Campbell’s chainsaw-wielding hero Ash Williams. When a group of friends unleash demonic forces while staying in a remote cabin, they must fight for survival against possessed friends and relentless evil. With its inventive camerawork, gory practical effects, and splatstick humor, The Evil Dead is a must-see for any horror fan.
15. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring kicked off a sprawling cinematic universe and cemented James Wan as a modern horror master. Based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film follows the couple as they try to help a family terrorized by a malevolent presence in their farmhouse. With its strong cast, effective scares, and period setting, The Conjuring is a well-crafted haunted house movie that spawned a host of sequels and spinoffs.
14. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Roman Polanski’s psychological horror classic is a slow-burn tale of paranoia and maternal anxiety. When young couple Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse move into a new apartment, Rosemary becomes increasingly convinced that their eccentric neighbors have sinister plans for her unborn child. With its claustrophobic atmosphere, unsettling score, and powerhouse performance from Mia Farrow, Rosemary’s Baby is a landmark of the genre that still holds up today.
13. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is a visually stunning exploration of isolation, madness, and the supernatural. When aspiring writer Jack Torrance takes a job as the winter caretaker of the remote Overlook Hotel, he and his family find themselves at the mercy of the hotel’s dark forces. With its iconic performances, memorable set pieces, and ambiguous ending, The Shining is a horror masterpiece that rewards repeat viewings.
12. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper’s gritty slasher classic helped define the horror genre and introduced the world to Leatherface, one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time. When a group of friends falls victim to a family of cannibals in rural Texas, they must fight for survival against brutal violence and power tool-wielding maniacs. With its raw cinematography, unsettling sound design, and unflinching intensity, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre remains a shocking and influential film nearly 50 years later.
11. Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s feature debut is a harrowing portrait of grief, guilt, and generational trauma. When the Graham family matriarch passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel as disturbing secrets come to light and sinister forces close in. With its slow-burn pacing, unsettling imagery, and powerhouse performance from Toni Collette, Hereditary is a deeply unsettling and emotionally devastating horror film that lingers long after the credits roll.
10. The Exorcist (1973)
William Friedkin’s horror classic is widely considered one of the greatest films of all time, and for good reason. When young Regan MacNeil becomes possessed by a demonic entity, her mother turns to two priests for help in a desperate attempt to save her daughter’s soul. With its groundbreaking special effects, iconic performances, and themes of faith and doubt, The Exorcist set a new standard for the genre and remains just as terrifying today.
9. The Babadook (2014)
Jennifer Kent’s debut feature is a haunting exploration of grief, motherhood, and the power of storytelling. When a mysterious children’s book appears in the home of a widowed mother and her troubled son, they find themselves stalked by a sinister presence that threatens to consume them both. With its striking visuals, emotional depth, and powerful performances, The Babadook is a modern horror classic that uses supernatural scares to explore very real fears.
8. The Witch (2015)
Robert Eggers’ period horror film is a slow-burn tale of religious hysteria and supernatural dread. When a Puritan family is banished from their New England colony, they struggle to survive in the wilderness while sinister forces close in around them. With its meticulous attention to historical detail, unsettling atmosphere, and breakout performance from Anya Taylor-Joy, The Witch is a haunting and unforgettable debut that lingers in the mind long after the final frame.
7. It Follows (2014)
David Robert Mitchell’s retro-styled horror film takes a simple premise and turns it into a nightmarish allegory for growing up and grappling with mortality. After a sexual encounter, a teenage girl finds herself stalked by a malevolent entity that can take the form of anyone and only moves at a walking pace. With its dreamy cinematography, synth-heavy score, and sense of creeping dread, It Follows is a stylish and unnerving film that taps into universal fears.
6. Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror classic helped launch a sprawling franchise and introduced the world to one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time. When the crew of the space tug Nostromo investigates a distress signal on a distant moon, they find themselves stalked by a deadly alien creature that picks them off one by one. With its groundbreaking special effects, memorable characters, and claustrophobic atmosphere, Alien remains a masterclass in suspense and horror storytelling.
5. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror remake is a masterpiece of paranoia, tension, and groundbreaking special effects. When an Antarctic research team uncovers a shape-shifting alien that can imitate any living being, they must fight for survival against an enemy that could be any one of them. With its iconic practical effects, memorable performances, and bleak ending, The Thing is a classic of the genre that still holds up today.
4. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut is a masterful blend of horror, satire, and social commentary. When a young black man visits his white girlfriend’s family for the first time, he becomes increasingly unsettled by their overly accommodating behavior and sinister ulterior motives. With its sharp writing, memorable performances, and thought-provoking themes, Get Out is a modern horror classic that uses the genre to explore real-world issues.
3. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Jonathan Demme’s psychological thriller is a masterclass in suspense, anchored by iconic performances from Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. When FBI trainee Clarice Starling seeks the help of imprisoned cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter to catch a serial killer, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. With its taut script, stylish direction, and unforgettable villain, The Silence of the Lambs is a classic that transcends the horror genre.
2. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel is a visually stunning exploration of isolation, madness, and the supernatural. When aspiring writer Jack Torrance takes a job as the winter caretaker of the remote Overlook Hotel, he and his family find themselves at the mercy of the hotel’s dark forces. With its iconic performances, memorable set pieces, and ambiguous ending, The Shining is a horror masterpiece that rewards repeat viewings.
1. Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s feature debut is a harrowing portrait of grief, guilt, and generational trauma. When the Graham family matriarch passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel as disturbing secrets come to light and sinister forces close in. With its slow-burn pacing, unsettling imagery, and powerhouse performance from Toni Collette, Hereditary is a deeply unsettling and emotionally devastating horror film that lingers long after the credits roll, cementing its place as the best scary movie currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
From iconic classics to modern masterpieces, these 25 films represent the best of the best when it comes to horror on Amazon Prime Video. Whether you’re in the mood for supernatural scares, psychological suspense, or gory slashers, there’s something on this list to satisfy every kind of horror fan. So dim the lights, grab some popcorn, and get ready to scream – these movies are sure to keep you up at night. Happy watching, and sweet dreams!
