The horror movies available on Hulu offer a diverse range of options for subscribers, including classics, recent releases, and original films. Regardless of whether they are vintage body-horrors or modern supernatural thrillers, these movies have the ability to frighten and terrify viewers. Although Hulu's horror selection may not be as extensive as services like Netflix or Max, there is still a variety of films to suit every horror subgenre. Unlike its parent company, Disney+, which focuses on family-friendly content, Hulu showcases titles that Disney+ does not stream. This includes not only enjoyable horror movies, but also R-rated fright fests that are sure to keep viewers awake at night.
In addition to the well-known horror movies that any horror fan will appreciate, Hulu also offers a collection of independent horror films for those seeking a unique viewing experience. From horror movies that have been recognized at the Oscars to smaller films that have gained a dedicated cult following, there is something for everyone's taste on Hulu. Moreover, Hulu presents a range of original horror movies, spanning from body horror to horror-comedies and even sequels to previous big-budget theatrical franchises. Whether viewers prefer psychological thrillers, slasher movies, supernatural horror, or comedic splatterfests, Hulu has the best horror movies to cater to all preferences.
18 Bad Hair (2020)
17 Spree (2020)
Bad Hair stands out as one of Hulu's top-notch horror movies among its original content. Helmed by Justin Simien (known for Dear White People), this film revolves around Anna (portrayed by Elle Lorraine), an employee at a television network. Her job compels her to alter her natural hair texture with a weave, which ultimately unleashes a possessed weave that goes on a killing spree against anyone trying to destroy it. With a perfect blend of campy humor and just the right amount of gore, Bad Hair never takes itself too seriously.
One of the lesser-known horror movies on Hulu is the 2020 horror satire Spree. Starring Joe Keery from Stranger Things as Kurt, a young ride-share driver with aspirations of becoming a social media sensation. Kurt takes his obsession to the extreme by live-streaming himself murdering his unsuspecting passengers. When his heinous acts are dismissed as fake, Kurt sets his sights on other social media stars to increase his body count. While the storyline may seem superficial, it appears to be intentionally reflective of the negative aspects of social media. The film boasts a talented cast, making it worth a watch.
16 Apollo 18 (2011)
15 The Night House (2020)
Despite initially receiving negative reviews, Apollo 18, a found-footage horror sci-fi movie, has experienced a positive reevaluation of its quality. Released in 1974, the film depicts the Apollo 18 mission successfully delivering a classified payload to the moon. However, the astronauts' encounter with extraterrestrial beings results in their abandonment by the government, ultimately leading to their tragic demise. While it may not rank as the top found-footage horror film overall, Apollo 18's final 10 minutes are widely regarded as some of the most exceptional within the subgenre.
The Night House, a psychological horror film, made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival and later had a theatrical release in 2021. Starring Rebecca Hall as Beth, the story revolves around a woman whose husband tragically took his own life, leaving her perplexed about the reasons behind his decision. As Beth discovers a parallel world beyond the lake by her house, she realizes that her husband's death was not as it seemed, putting her own life at risk. The film garnered critical acclaim for its haunting atmosphere and earned numerous award nominations, including Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards.
14 Annabelle (2014)
Annabelle, from The Conjuring Universe, has multiple movies available on Hulu. The original film is considered one of the best horror movies in this spinoff series. The Annabelle doll was first mentioned in The Conjuring and this movie serves as a prequel, revealing how the doll became possessed as spoken of by Ed and Lorraine Warren. Similar to Child's Play, the doll is inhabited by the spirit of a murderer, causing it to haunt the residents of the house. Despite receiving poor critical reviews, the movie achieved financial success and led to both a prequel and a sequel.
13 Titane (2021)
Julia Ducournau has established herself as one of the most captivating horror directors of our time. Following the success of her breakthrough film Raw in 2016, she garnered even more acclaim by winning the prestigious Palme d'Or with her second creation, Titane. However, this is not your typical mainstream horror flick; it is geared towards those who are unfazed by the macabre. The narrative revolves around Alexia, a serial killer who possesses a peculiar obsession with her car, going to the extreme of engaging in intimate acts with it. Unforeseen consequences arise when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant with the car's offspring, setting the stage for a grotesque and horrifying journey into the realm of bodily terror.
12 I Saw The Devil (2010)
11 V/H/S (2012)
I Saw the Devil is a 2010 South Korean action horror thriller that kicks off with a school bus driver encountering a pregnant woman, whom he proceeds to abduct, murder, and dismember. However, the woman's fiancé is a NIS officer determined to seek retribution. Rather than ending the killer's life upon locating him, he opts to force-feed a GPS tracker down his throat, initiating a chilling pursuit and sadistic torment, notwithstanding the fact that this allows the man to continue taking lives. This story of vengeance delves into the depths of darkness akin to the finest horror movies available on Hulu, garnering numerous accolades at South Korean awards ceremonies.
V/H/S is a collection of horror stories that presents itself as a compilation of tales discovered on old VHS tapes. Each segment within V/H/S showcases talented young horror filmmakers who skillfully create found-footage horror films. The overarching narrative follows a group of criminals who stumble upon the tapes and proceed to watch them. Notably, Ti West (known for X and Pearl) directs "Second Honeymoon," which follows a couple on a road trip that takes a dangerous turn. Other renowned directors involved in the project include Adam Wingard (famous for Blair Witch), David Bruckner (known for The Night House), Glenn McQuiad (director of I Sell the Dead), and Radio Silence (the team behind Scream). With its five sequels and two spin-offs, V/H/S has become a prominent presence in the horror genre. Furthermore, the original V/H/S stands out as one of the finest horror movies currently available on Hulu.
10 Watcher (2022)
9 Run (2020)
: Originally premiered at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival and subsequently distributed by IFC Midnight and Shudder, Watcher has now become one of the most captivating movies available on Hulu. This gripping psychological horror thriller revolves around an American couple who decide to make Bucharest their new home. As the story unfolds, the woman becomes increasingly aware of a mysterious figure in the neighboring building, never failing to stare at her. With the discovery of a serial killer lurking in the city, she becomes convinced that this enigmatic observer is the culprit and suspects she is being relentlessly pursued. Watcher masterfully captures the unease and uneasiness associated with living in an unfamiliar environment, making it an absolute must-watch on Hulu.
Renowned American Horror Story actor Sarah Paulson takes center stage in Run, a 2020 psychological horror flick. Paulson portrays Diane, a devoted mother who home-schools her disabled teenager and gradually suspects that her own mother harbors a dark secret from their past. Distributed exclusively through Hulu, the movie swiftly became one of the streaming service's most triumphant original films upon its release (via Deadline). Delivering stellar performances and taking viewers on an intense rollercoaster of emotional manipulation, Run excels at every turn. Furthermore, it shares connections with the films Searching and Missing, providing an enticing opportunity for devoted fans to delve deeper into this captivating universe.
8 Tucker & Dale Vs. Evil (2010)
Not all horror movies have to be scary.
7 Piggy (2022)
is proof that some of the best horror movies on Hulu can create just as many laughs as they do scares. The movie features two friends who live in the West Virginia woods and encounter some college kids who are going camping. The kids, who watch too many horror movies themselves, assume Tucker and Dale are hillbilly serial killers and decide to go on the offensive. What results are the kids dying in hilarious and bloody ways, all because of their own ineptitude as Tucker and Dale watch on in horror. It has picked up a huge cult following since its release.
Piggy, a Spanish-language film, stands out as one of the finest horror movies to have graced Hulu in recent years. Helmed by the same director, Carlota Pereda, who brought us the 2019 short film carrying the same title, Piggy follows the harrowing tale of a young girl besieged by the constant torment inflicted upon her by three bullies within her community. However, when a mysterious man abducts the trio, Sara witnesses the shocking incident but chooses to remain silent, continuing with her daily routine. Alas, her involvement in the kidnapping proves inevitable, compelling her to confront a perilous choice. Garnering critical acclaim, this cinematic gem triumphantly clinched the coveted Best Picture award at Fantastic Fest.
6 Possessor (2020)
5 Hatching (2022)
David Cronenberg, hailed as one of the most revered horror filmmakers in the annals of cinema, has passed down his creative legacy to his son Brandon Cronenberg. While Brandon's work has often evoked diverse reactions, one of his remarkable creations, namely Possessor, has emerged as one of the finest horror movies available on Hulu in 2020. This enthralling science fiction horror masterpiece features Andrea Riseborough in the lead, portraying an assassin who seizes control over unsuspecting individuals to execute her lethal assignments. Nonetheless, when faced with an unexpected resistance, her absolute dominance gives way to a distressing loss of power. Garnering critical acclaim, Possessor was even recognized as one of the Top 10 Canadian movies of 2020 by the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.
Hatching, a chilling Finnish horror film released in 2022, is slowly gaining traction despite not yet reaching a wide audience. With a remarkable 92% Rotten Tomatoes score and an unsettling narrative, the movie tells the story of Tinja, a 12-year-old gymnast striving to satisfy her appearance-obsessed mother. Tinja stumbles upon an injured bird while exploring the woods, deciding to bring its egg home. To her astonishment, a peculiar creature emerges from the hatched egg, completely transforming Tinja's existence. As the bird morphs into an evil doppelgänger of the young girl, her life takes a dark and twisted turn.
4 Girl In The Basement (2021)
Girl in the Basement, directed by Elisabeth Röhm (Angel), is a chilling Lifetime movie that portrays the notorious Fritzl case. Inspired by true events, the film revolves around Josef Fritzl, who deceitfully enticed his own daughter into the basement and ensnared her there, while persuading his wife that she had run away. For a staggering 24 years, he subjected her to sexual abuse and she tragically gave birth to seven children. This horrifying tale is brought to life on screen, with Judd Nelson embodying the role of Fritzl. Currently available on Hulu, this gripping film ranks among the top horror movies, albeit one that proves immensely difficult to endure.
3 Prey (2022)
Hulu surprised everyone with its original horror movie that served as a prequel to the Predator franchise. Contrary to expectations, it turned out to be quite impressive. Interestingly, Hulu had previously attempted this with a new Hellraiser movie, which received mixed to negative reviews. However, Prey, the prequel to Predator, was met with almost unanimous praise. The story took us back to 1719, where the alien first arrived on Earth and embarked on a hunt for humans, over two centuries before crossing paths with Arnold Schwarzenegger. With minimal dialogue, the film showcased the remarkable performance of Amber Midthunder, making her one of the finest human heroes in any Predator installment.
2 It (2017)
In 2017, It, the Stephen King movie, was skillfully directed by Andy Muschietti. Although not the first adaptation of the classic horror novel, it surpassed the previous televised effort, which has gained a devoted following. With a talented cast of kids and the chilling portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown by Bill Skarsgård, the new film captivated audiences. Two years later, a sequel was released, featuring the grown-up kids returning to Derry to confront the demonic child-killing clown once more. The movie achieved tremendous success, raking in over $700 million with a modest $40 million budget (according to Box Office Mojo). To this day, it stands as one of the top-notch horror movies available on Hulu.
1 American Psycho (2000)
Starring Christian Bale as the protagonist Patrick Bateman, "American Psycho" is a 2000 horror satire that delves into the life of a seemingly polished and affluent investment banker who may also be a serial killer. As the film unfolds, it takes on the tone of a dark comedy, showcasing Bateman's relentless efforts to maintain his position at the top of the social hierarchy. His attire, demeanor, choice of dining establishments, and even his business cards all contribute to his quest for superiority. However, when he falls short of his aspirations, he resorts to eliminating his competition. Infused with biting humor that mocks the yuppie culture of the 1980s and featuring graphically violent scenes, this movie has become a beloved cult classic, standing strong as the ultimate horror experience on Hulu even after more than twenty years since its initial release.