Are you a horror enthusiast? You relish every facet of this multifaceted genre, ranging from the eerily unsettling to the delightfully macabre, from the fiercely suspenseful to the intentionally outrageous. However, it’s possible that you’ve devoured so many horror films that discovering something new to thrill you has turned challenging. We understand, and we’re here to help.
Delving into Shudder’s horror streaming collection, we’ve compiled highlights featuring spooky ghost stories, vengeful witches, giggling corpses, a lovesick zombie, and atypical slashers.
Here are 25 outstanding hidden treasures currently available on Shudder.
1. Rift
Seeking something distinctly chilling? Discover this 2017 Icelandic thriller set against a frigid and frightening backdrop. Crafted by Erlingur Thoroddsen, Rift follows a man (Björn Stefánsson) journeying to a secluded cabin, aiming to assist his troubled ex-boyfriend (Sigurður Þór Óskarsson) and possibly achieve closure over their separation. However, their reunion is interrupted by a series of peculiar occurrences indicating they may not be alone. Something lurks in the shadows, observing and waiting. This remarkable film draws you in with breathtaking landscapes and a slow-burning rhythm, before spiraling into scares that linger like a cold shiver along your spine. — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor
How to watch: Rift is currently streaming on Shudder.
SEE ALSO: Recommended viewing: Top scary films
2. The Awakening
Feeling like an old-fashioned ghost tale? Set in 1921 England, The Awakening revolves around professional skeptic Florence Cathcart (Rebecca Hall), who dedicates herself to discrediting phony clairvoyants and their extravagant seances. With ruthless logic and scientific experiments, she has unveiled dreadful deceivers and angered true believers. However, Florence may have encountered a formidable challenge when she visits a boys’ boarding school to confront a supposedly murderous spirit. Director Nick Murphy infuses this eerie narrative with tension and unease, revealing a concluding act that’s hauntingly unforgettable. Dominic West and Imelda Staunton co-star. — K.P.
How to watch: The Awakening is currently streaming on Shudder.
3. Nina Forever
Craving a dark comedy that’s bloody entertaining? You’re bound to fall for Nina Forever. Co-writers/co-directors Ben Blaine and Chris Blaine have concocted a truly twisted tale of love and letting go, beginning with a macabre infatuation. Grocery worker Holly (Abigail Hardingham) hopes to assist mournful motorcyclist Rob (Cian Barry) in forgetting his late girlfriend, who perished in a gruesome accident. Yet, each time these new lovers slip into bed, Nina (Fiona O’Shaughnessy) intrudes. Or rather, her broken and bloody corpse crashes the scene with sarcastic one-liners and disdainful eye-rolls. Packed with gore, sex, and jaw-droppingly outrageous humor, this horror-comedy earns its hard-R rating, while also providing a surprisingly heartfelt story. — K.P.
How to watch: Nina Forever is currently streaming on Shudder.
SEE ALSO: What is Shudder? Everything essential about the horror streaming service.
4. The Queen of Black Magic
It’s uncommon for a remake to surpass the original. Yet Kimo Stamboel’s grisly 2019 version accomplishes just that by intensifying body-horror with alarmingly realistic gore. Deep in rural Indonesia, a modest orphanage is intended to be the venue for a heartwarming reunion among three friends (Ario Bayu, Tanta Gintin, and Miller Khan), who once spent their childhoods there. But in the past and at this locale, they concealed a dreadful secret. Now, something horrendous has emerged to seek revenge on them and their families. With growing dread, stomach-turning frights, and merciless supernatural twists, this one is not for the faint-hearted. — K.P.
How to watch: The Queen of Black Magic is currently streaming on Shudder.
SEE ALSO: The 8 scariest horror films on Shudder to keep you awake at night
5. Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
Shudder features a rich selection of documentaries that provide audiences with a deep dive into their favorite films or horror subgenres. The standout is this humorous, personal, and political examination of the notorious A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. Long ridiculed for its queer themes, this groundbreaking sequel was a torment for its unconventional scream queen, Mark Patton. Nevertheless, directors Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen offer the charismatic Patton a chance to reclaim the story (and share a multitude of experiences, both thrilling and emotional). The outcome is a biographical documentary that is sensationally daring, unexpectedly humorous, and unapologetically proud. — K.P.