What could potentially become the future of streaming is niche services rather than big, broad platforms that cater to all viewers. The horror genre has led the way with multiple services, like horror and cult films. Other streaming platforms like Shudder, Midnight Pulp, The Midnight Picture Show, and other smaller ones have popped up all over the place. More recently, there has been a rise in the popularity of Screambox.
With the acquisition of films of the past in terms of horror and the production and distribution of their own original films, Screambox is on the rise in the world of genre streaming services. Partnered with companies like Cineverse, Cinedigm, and Bloody Disgusting, there is a ton of content to stream on the service, with new acquisitions dropping monthly.
15 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre was and remains one of horror’s definitive entries. And, to this day, it’s as terrifying as can be. There’s a purveying realism that makes it feel not like a narrative but a documentary. In addition, it introduced a classic character in the realm of horror with Leatherface.
What Else Makes It Worth Watching?
That organic nature extends to (most) of the performances. But there’s also the gritty visual tone of the film, the well-written script, and, of course, the introduction of Leatherface. And, frankly, no one ever did Leatherface better than Gunnar Hansen the first time out. Stream on Screambox.
14 Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story (2023)
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story is an in-depth look at the life of one of horror cinema’s greatest icons. Not just his horrific creations but the sweet man he is when the cameras aren’t rolling. After all, as the doc makes clear, he never even wanted to be a Freddy-type (or, rather, just flat-out Freddy) actor. He just wanted to be an actor.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares gives even die-hard Englund fans a good bit of info they hadn’t encountered before. And fortunately, it’s not all about A Nightmare on Elm Street (though there are plenty of charming little factoids regarding that IP throughout the doc). What makes this one of the best things to watch on Screambox, documentary or otherwise, is how it shows the human side of Hollywood…the little moments. Stream on Screambox.
13 Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Of all the Friday the 13th-type films to be released in that film’s successful wake, Sleepaway Camp is easily the best. It’s far less predictable. It’s also more brutal and, frankly, has a better ending than that (admittedly superior) film.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
Is the first act a bit of a slog? Sure, it’s not nearly as well-paced as Friday the 13th. But it also isn’t actively trying to be that film, even if it does end up being its even uglier cousin. Stream on Screambox.
12 The Stepfather (1987)
The Stepfather is perhaps the greatest showcase for Terry O’Quinn’s talent. Though, of course, Lost was his biggest profile expander. The narrative follows a serial killer who goes from family to family, eventually eviscerating them. How does he do so? By adopting entirely new identities.
O’Quinn Is Horrifying
The Stepfather, unlike its lackluster remake, is a slow-build narrative. The shocking opening scene is about as bloody and on-the-nose as it gets. Plus, the moment when O’Quinn’s character asks himself, “Who am I?” in front of his new wife is an all-timer. Stream on Screambox.
11 Hell Night (1981)
Linda Blair is, naturally, associated with The Exorcist. And, basically, just that film. But, she starred in quite a few other horrors, particularly throughout the ’80s. And, while almost none of them are remotely worthwhile, Hell Night very much is.
Many Entertaining Things Are Silly
An underappreciated slasher treat, Hell Night is an atmospheric work with some solid kills. Plus, Blair’s terrific in it, as is Peter Barton of Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter fame. The design of the antagonist could have used some work, but even what’s there manages to be fairly frightening. Stream on Screambox.
10 Count Dracula and His Vampire Brides (1973)
When curating a horror streaming service, one must include some films from the golden era of Hammer Films, the U.K.-based horror film studio that had global success throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Count Dracula and His Vampire Brides (or The Satanic Rites of Dracula, whatever you want to call it) is now streaming on Screambox. What makes it special? Besides its style, there’s the actor playing the dreaded Count.
Another Win For Christopher Lee as the Count
The great Christopher Lee playing the iconic role is something every movie lover must see. Bela Lugosi’s performance in the original Universal film is the major reference point for the image of Dracula, but you’d be surprised how many people prefer Lee in the role. Stream on Screambox.
9 Cruel Jaws (1995)
Bruno Mattei is the master at making rip-offs of big American films. One of the most famous is 1995’s Cruel Jaws, an Italian production clearly ripping off Spielberg’s blockbuster Jaws. The cult following around this film has grown and grown as the study of Italian cinema has become an area of interest for cinephiles.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
Aquatic horror and sharskploitation have always been sub-genres that horror fans love, and Cruel Jaws completely delivers. In some countries, Cruel Jaws was actually marketed as Jaws 5, even though the film has zero connections to the previous four installments. Cruel Jaws also has a convoluted scenario in it. In some parts of the film, the killer shark is a great white; in others, it’s a tiger shark. Stream on Screambox.
8 Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965)
If someone’s looking for a Gamera movie, Screambox has the whole lot. If you are a fan of Kaiju classics and have yet to subscribe to the streaming platform, well, here’s a big reason to do so. They’re a mixed bag, but never less than charming.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
We could list all the Gamera films Screambox has on there at the time; they’re all a lot of fun, turn your brain off creature features. But, if you want to go do a binge of all of them, start with the one that started it all, the original Gamera: The Giant Monster. It’s a film about American and Japanese forces fighting for survival against a giant fire-breathing monster hell-bent on destruction and it’s a blast from front to back. Stream on Screambox.
7 Who Done It: The Clue Documentary (2022)
More recently, a lot of Screambox original and exclusive films have made their way onto the streaming service. It certainly helps them stand apart. One of the more interesting relatively recent projects dropped was a behind-the-scenes look at the 1985 murder mystery cult classic and board game, Who Done It: The Clue Documentary.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
With interviews from cast and crew, you may think this is just a generic documentary about a beloved film. But a real draw to the movie is the animated re-creation of an alternate ending to the film. The actual footage of it is believed to be buried somewhere in Paramount Pictures’ vault. Stream on Screambox.
6 Victor Crowley (2017)
Adam Green’s fourth installment in his Hatchet franchise is 2017’s Victor Crowley. The franchise’s second and third installments also stream on Screambox, but the most recent one is worthy of discovery if you have yet to see it. Apparently, Green had such a tight window to make the film that he did it in secrecy, which makes it even more impressive.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
The hatchet-wielding, inbred murderer Victor Crowley is brilliantly played by Kane Hodder. Not to mention, the makeup effects from the kills all the way to Crowley’s grizzly, terrifying appearance are worth pressing play on. And how can you not want to support a filmmaker like Adam Green? A guy who, first and foremost, is a horror fan and has got to live his dream by making films like this. Stream on Screambox.
5 Crabs! (2021)
Crabs! is a Screambox exclusive about a group of teens and police officers who try to stop the influx of man-eating crabs in a coastal town. It’s a love letter to Roger Corman movies. It’s pretty much what you think it is: man eating crabs, well, try to eat mankind.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
Turn your brain off on this one, and you’ll have lots of fun. That isn’t a knock against it, because the film actively wants you to enjoy some insane, gory fun that never lets up. It succeeds in providing that. Obviously, Crabs! is far from prestige horror, and you know what to expect going into the film. Stream on Screambox.
4 Bad Moon (1996)
You can almost count the number of good werewolf films on one hand. But don’t forget about 1996’s Bad Moon. The film is directed by Eric Red and is about a man named Ted who is bitten by a mysterious creature in Nepal. He returns home to be close to his sister (Mariel Hemingway) and her son. We soon learn that Ted has now transformed into a werewolf, and the family dog, Thor, one of the smartest dogs to ever be in a movie, is highly aware of Ted’s dilemma as he’s a danger to himself and his family.
What Makes It Worth Watching?
You read that right; the dog in this film literally becomes the star of it, and you didn’t expect it going in. And for you animal lovers out there, let’s just spoil it now. Thor does not die; as a matter of fact, he becomes the hero of the whole film. Stream on Screambox.
3 RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop (2023)
Recently, Screambox released the limited docuseries RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop on its platform. The series had a massive marketing push for its users, and creative ways were utilized to try and get more subscribers on their service based on promoting this documentary. For instance, the T-shirt that read, “Remember when Robocop Shot That Dude in the D**k?”
What Makes It Worth Watching?
The documentary breaks down all elements of the making of the film with interviews from Robocop himself, Peter Weller. It’s a real treat to learn the story behind the classic. All in all, it’s a more-than-worthy addition to their hororr-fueled documentary lineup. Stream on Screambox.
2 The Collector (2007)
Picture this: it’s 2009, and you probably didn’t see The Collector in theaters. Then, three years later, you finally saw it and thought it was one of the best horror films of the last 20 years. A film about a criminal who breaks into a rich man’s house disguised as a home renovation contractor during the day and comes back at night to steal a gem to repay a debt. Once in the house, he realized a vicious, masked murderer had set up traps all over the house. And the family that resides there is all held captive and is being tortured.
Is It Worth Watching?
The Collector was overlooked upon its release. It’s loaded with gore and unsettling dread. Most horror fans love this film, and it has achieved cult-like status over the years. So, yeah, go watch it. Stream on Screambox.
1 Terrifier 2 (2022)
Terrifier 2 is a Screambox original, and it’s the biggest film on the service as of right now, as well as the definitive one in terms of how you view the platform. Its success last year at the box office made headlines globally. So go stream the film at the home of where it was produced.
Not for Everyone, But a Bit of a Game Changer
Terrifier 2 became a cultural phenomenon in October 2022 and hasn’t let up since then. Director Damien Leone really tapped into creating a new horror titan in Art the Clown, and don’t expect him to go away any time soon. While watching the film, you completely understand why this was a hit for audiences. It’s an experience, even if it’s not for you. And after you stream it, support the film even more by going to see it again in theaters this fall. Stream on Screambox.
