Little known fact: Spooky time is all the time when you're a horror fan! AMC's horror streaming service Shudder makes it easier than ever for both casual viewers and aficionados alike to find whatever their haunted hearts desire. Like all streamers, though, there is a lot of content to parse through. Some of it can be pretty rough — no judgement if that's your thing as we all need a trashy horror movie now and then — but Shudder also happens to be an absolute treasure trove of some of the best horror around. Both foreign and domestic films are given the opportunity to shine on the platform, making it well worth the $5.99 per month (or $56.99 annually) price tag.
Read on for some of the best movies on Shudder right now, and then when you're done here be sure to check out the Best 90s Horror Movies you can stream as well.
Who can say no to a horror movie where a plague is the least of everyone’s worries? A sickness is ravaging Joseon, but rumors of a monster run rampant further threaten King Jungjong's kingdom. Things are never really what they seem with monarchs, though. While some critics called Monstrum predictable, this one’s kind of more about the journey than the destination. The action sequences are a joy, the creature effects are fun, and there may or may not be a monster nicknamed “Sparkles.”
Imaginations can be killer. Brandon Christensen’s spooky nightmare, called simply Z, plays into the familiar trope of a child’s murderous imaginary friend. The plot may be recognizable here, but the visuals are enough to keep you haunted. Lead actress Keegan Connor Tracy really loses herself in her role — literally. She’s gone on record saying that Z "was such a huge emotional journey for me and I had to sort of sequester myself a lot to stay in that woman’s mental and emotional space."
We love a sociopolitical horror joint! Fresh takes on the zombie genre are hard, a fact that becomes even truer when a film diverts from the horror-comedy angle and plays it straight. Still, Blood Quantum pulls it off. A play on controversial Blood Quantum Laws, we learn six months into the apocalypse that members of the Red Crow Reservation and all those with Native blood cannot be infected by the “Zeds” while the rest of the world is fair game. Though no more plot details will be offered here, it feels important to note that Stonehorse Lone Goeman’s Gisigu is an icon and the film is worth checking out for his performance alone.
The Cleansing Hour is perfect introductory horror. You’ve heard of televangelists, but have you ever heard of tele-exorcists? We follow a pretend preacher as he and his crew stage fake exorcisms for views on their tacky set. At least we do until the possession stops being fake and Max — the hot preacher — is forced to reckon with his past sins if he wants to save his fiancée. It’s a little predictable, and some of the performances are a little shaky, but the practical effects are strong and Alix Angelis carries everyone across the finish line with her impeccable acting.
MCU fans will recognize Eternals’ Ma Dong-seok (Gilgamesh) in one of South Korea’s best horror flicks. (Which is a feat, for those familiar with South Korean cinema!) Picture this: You’re aboard a high-speed train at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse. Chaos overtakes the outside world, but you think, just for a moment, that you’re safe for the time being. You think this, of course, because you missed the sick woman shambling on the train. What comes next may be what you expect, but the way it all unfolds is what makes Train to Busan an all-timer.
There are good movies, there are bad movies, a lot of just ok movies, and then there are special movies. One Cut of the Dead is in that last category. Usually when you hear “stick with it past the first 30 minutes,” you assume that the first third of the movie is rough. In One Cut’s case, you simply don’t know what’s going on (in a good way) until those early 30 minutes wrap up. A “love letter” can feel like a cliche, but that’s exactly what kind of film One Cut of the Dead manages to be. Telling you who that love letter is addressed to heads into spoiler territory, but trust that this one is remarkable and give it a shot.
If you’re looking for a “hot nonsense” kind of film to meet your viewing needs, Psycho Goreman is just that. This silly, vulgar, and sometimes touching flick became one of those instant cult classics for a multitude of reasons. The real question is, which aspect of it will be the one that wins you over? Will it be Nita-Josee Hanna’s hilarious performance as Mimi, the hunky boys, or PG inexplicably dressed as Dr. Alan Grant? Psycho Goreman is loads of fun for the whole family (swears and all), especially for those who gravitate towards practical effects.
When you watch a lot of horror, getting creeped out can become a tall order. The Medium fits that bill and then some. It shifts from haunting to utterly terrifying with ease, and features an incredible performance from Narilya Gulmongkolpech as Mink. Found footage isn’t for everyone, but rest assured that any shaky camera work is used solely to enhance the story rather than to simply jar the audience. (And note that the film has no relation to the game.)
We see “essential viewing” thrown around all willy nilly a lot these days. That acknowledgment aside, Horror Noire is absolutely essential viewing. Based on Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman, the documentary explores the Black history of horror. Featuring legends from Tony Todd to Jordan Peele and focusing on everything from The Birth of a Nation to blaxploitation to contemporary hits like Get Out, Horror Noire seeks to highlight both the sins and successes of Black representation in horror. The doc is also being followed up by an anthology series that premiered on October 29th on Shudder.
Fantasy and stone-cold realism typically mix like oil and vinegar, but that’s the magic of Tigers Are Not Afraid. The award-winning film is unforgettable. A small group of children’s stories intertwine as the Mexican Drug War ravages their town and, in the process, they all find themselves met with challenges beyond their years. Those hurdles are coupled with impeccable performances and emotional traumas that will leave most viewers breathless.
What are your favorite horror movies on Shudder? Let's discuss in the comments!
Continue reading...
Read on for some of the best movies on Shudder right now, and then when you're done here be sure to check out the Best 90s Horror Movies you can stream as well.
Monstrum
Who can say no to a horror movie where a plague is the least of everyone’s worries? A sickness is ravaging Joseon, but rumors of a monster run rampant further threaten King Jungjong's kingdom. Things are never really what they seem with monarchs, though. While some critics called Monstrum predictable, this one’s kind of more about the journey than the destination. The action sequences are a joy, the creature effects are fun, and there may or may not be a monster nicknamed “Sparkles.”
Z
Imaginations can be killer. Brandon Christensen’s spooky nightmare, called simply Z, plays into the familiar trope of a child’s murderous imaginary friend. The plot may be recognizable here, but the visuals are enough to keep you haunted. Lead actress Keegan Connor Tracy really loses herself in her role — literally. She’s gone on record saying that Z "was such a huge emotional journey for me and I had to sort of sequester myself a lot to stay in that woman’s mental and emotional space."
Blood Quantum
We love a sociopolitical horror joint! Fresh takes on the zombie genre are hard, a fact that becomes even truer when a film diverts from the horror-comedy angle and plays it straight. Still, Blood Quantum pulls it off. A play on controversial Blood Quantum Laws, we learn six months into the apocalypse that members of the Red Crow Reservation and all those with Native blood cannot be infected by the “Zeds” while the rest of the world is fair game. Though no more plot details will be offered here, it feels important to note that Stonehorse Lone Goeman’s Gisigu is an icon and the film is worth checking out for his performance alone.
The Cleansing Hour
The Cleansing Hour is perfect introductory horror. You’ve heard of televangelists, but have you ever heard of tele-exorcists? We follow a pretend preacher as he and his crew stage fake exorcisms for views on their tacky set. At least we do until the possession stops being fake and Max — the hot preacher — is forced to reckon with his past sins if he wants to save his fiancée. It’s a little predictable, and some of the performances are a little shaky, but the practical effects are strong and Alix Angelis carries everyone across the finish line with her impeccable acting.
Train to Busan
MCU fans will recognize Eternals’ Ma Dong-seok (Gilgamesh) in one of South Korea’s best horror flicks. (Which is a feat, for those familiar with South Korean cinema!) Picture this: You’re aboard a high-speed train at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse. Chaos overtakes the outside world, but you think, just for a moment, that you’re safe for the time being. You think this, of course, because you missed the sick woman shambling on the train. What comes next may be what you expect, but the way it all unfolds is what makes Train to Busan an all-timer.
One Cut of the Dead
There are good movies, there are bad movies, a lot of just ok movies, and then there are special movies. One Cut of the Dead is in that last category. Usually when you hear “stick with it past the first 30 minutes,” you assume that the first third of the movie is rough. In One Cut’s case, you simply don’t know what’s going on (in a good way) until those early 30 minutes wrap up. A “love letter” can feel like a cliche, but that’s exactly what kind of film One Cut of the Dead manages to be. Telling you who that love letter is addressed to heads into spoiler territory, but trust that this one is remarkable and give it a shot.
Psycho Goreman
If you’re looking for a “hot nonsense” kind of film to meet your viewing needs, Psycho Goreman is just that. This silly, vulgar, and sometimes touching flick became one of those instant cult classics for a multitude of reasons. The real question is, which aspect of it will be the one that wins you over? Will it be Nita-Josee Hanna’s hilarious performance as Mimi, the hunky boys, or PG inexplicably dressed as Dr. Alan Grant? Psycho Goreman is loads of fun for the whole family (swears and all), especially for those who gravitate towards practical effects.
The Medium
When you watch a lot of horror, getting creeped out can become a tall order. The Medium fits that bill and then some. It shifts from haunting to utterly terrifying with ease, and features an incredible performance from Narilya Gulmongkolpech as Mink. Found footage isn’t for everyone, but rest assured that any shaky camera work is used solely to enhance the story rather than to simply jar the audience. (And note that the film has no relation to the game.)
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror
We see “essential viewing” thrown around all willy nilly a lot these days. That acknowledgment aside, Horror Noire is absolutely essential viewing. Based on Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present by Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman, the documentary explores the Black history of horror. Featuring legends from Tony Todd to Jordan Peele and focusing on everything from The Birth of a Nation to blaxploitation to contemporary hits like Get Out, Horror Noire seeks to highlight both the sins and successes of Black representation in horror. The doc is also being followed up by an anthology series that premiered on October 29th on Shudder.
Tigers Are Not Afraid
Fantasy and stone-cold realism typically mix like oil and vinegar, but that’s the magic of Tigers Are Not Afraid. The award-winning film is unforgettable. A small group of children’s stories intertwine as the Mexican Drug War ravages their town and, in the process, they all find themselves met with challenges beyond their years. Those hurdles are coupled with impeccable performances and emotional traumas that will leave most viewers breathless.
What are your favorite horror movies on Shudder? Let's discuss in the comments!
Continue reading...