With Halloween right around the corner, fans of the spine-tingling holiday are looking for some of the best horror movies available to get into the spooky spirit. Some of Hollywood’s most celebrated and enduring films just-so-happen to be of the hair-raising genre, with certified classics like The Shining, Dracula, and Child’s Play delivering plenty of thrills and chills and dazzling the masses with their unforgettable villains, ominous atmospheres, and terrifying blood and gore.
Many of these beloved staples have landed on or will be making their way to streaming platforms in preparation for the autumn season and exciting holiday, from ’90s cult hits like The Craft, Universal Monster Movie masterpieces Frankenstein and The Invisible Man, and the enduring horror juggernaut The Exorcist all becoming must-see movies for passionate fans of the entertaining genre.
Here are 13 classic horror movies that are on streaming just in time for Halloween.
13 The Invisible Man
Stream on Prime Video
Based on the H.G. Wells classic novel of the same name, the 1933 sci-fi horror hit The Invisible Man tells the story of savvy scientist Dr. Jack Griffin (Claude Rains) who finds himself spiraling into mayhem and madness after he discovers a potion that allows him to become invisible, leading to a horrific and deadly series of events.
When Jack’s devoted fiancée Flora Cranley (Gloria Stuart) and his brilliant former mentor Dr. Cranley (Henry Travers) realize the concoction is making him violent and insane, they join forces to stop Jack’s reign of terror.
A Trailblazing Blend of Sci-Fi & Horror
The Invisible Man was one of countless Universal Monster Movies released during the 1930s, with the eerie and ominous picture debuting in theaters the same decade as fellow horror classics like Dracula, Frankenstein, and Bride of Frankenstein.
The Wells adaptation was lauded for its groundbreaking special effects, spine-tingling premise, and Rain’s career-defining performance as the unhinged and menacing antagonist, and in the 91 years since the debut of The Invisible Man, the chilling film has spawned numerous sequels and reboots and remains a celebrated sci-fi/horror mash-up.
12 Child’s Play
Stream on Peacock
Children all across the world were never able to look at their toys in quite the same way after the 1988 supernatural slasher film Child’s Play made its spine-tingling debut, with moviegoers being first introduced to the demonic and sinister serial killer Chucky, whose spirit becomes transferred into a Good Guy doll after he dies from a gunshot wound. The bloodthirsty Chucky wreaks havoc on unassuming single mother Karen and her six-year-old son Andy, as the boy tries to warn others that the doll is possessed and finds help from a determined detective.
An Undisputed Pop Culture Icon
Child’s Play was both a critical and commercial hit, attracting praise for its unique villain, heaping dose of blood and gore, and creepy puppetry work, with the vicious character becoming one of the silver screen’s most recognizable horror icons and a pop culture staple.
The massive success of Child’s Play helped create a fan-favorite film franchise consisting of multiple sequels, a reboot, and a television show, and both the diabolical antagonist and enduring slasher series continue spreading terror and fear among viewers of all ages.
11 Frankenstein
Stream on Peacock
Based on Mary Shelley’s groundbreaking literary classic Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, the 1931 cinematic masterpiece Frankenstein stars horror icon Boris Karloff as the unforgettable monster, who was created by the mad scientist Henry Frankenstein (Colin Clive) and his hunchback assistant Fritz after being assembled from body parts of the deceased. After being animated by the duo, the towering and powerful creature escapes the laboratory and terrorizes the local village, causing Frankenstein to face his monstrous creation.
Karloff’s Transcending Performance
Frankenstein was released as the highly-anticipated follow-up to the iconic classic Dracula (which premiered the same year), and was initially supposed to star Bela Lugosi in the titular role, though he turned down the character after not being cast as Henry Frankenstein (whom he wanted to play); Lugosi reportedly complained:
“I was a star in my country and I will not be a scarecrow over here!”
Karloff took over as the iconic Monster and the rest as they say, is history, as Frankenstein went on to become a revered cinematic triumph and Karloff a Tinseltown legend, with sequels, spin-offs, and remakes being released in the ensuing decades.
10 The Exorcist
Stream on Max
Undeniably one of the scariest and most deeply unsettling horror films to ever grace the silver screen is without a doubt William Friedkin’s 1973 supernatural horror classicThe Exorcist, which famously chronicles the hair-raising possession of 12-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair), who is horrifically targeted by the demonic entity Pazuzu and forces the young girl to speak in tongues and levitate, prompting her frightened mother Chris (Ellen Burstyn) to contact two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism on her child.
The Exorcist Causes Widespread Controversy
Based on the William Peter Blatty novel of the same name, The Exorcist unsurprisingly caused quite the uproar when it premiered in theaters, with audiences waiting in cold, freezing weather for hours to see the controversial film that attracted the ire of outraged religious groups.
Few can possibly forget the shocking scene in which Regan’s head spun around 360 degrees and she projectile vomited, as well as when she spider-crawled up a staircase and had a disquieting moment with a crucifix. Over fifty years later, The Exorcist still puts audiences on edge with its boundary-pushing imagery and spine-tingling demonic antagonist. ​​​​​​​
9 The Mummy
Stream on Prime Video
Universal Pictures’ go-to leading man Boris Karloff starred as another legendary movie villain in the 1930s when he portrayed Imhotep in 1932’s The Mummy, in which the ancient Egyptian high priest was buried alive and mummified after trying to revive his beloved Anck-es-en-Amon. Hundreds of years later, Imhotep is mistakenly brought back to life after a British archaeologist reads an ancient life-giving scroll, causing the undead mummy to search for the reincarnation of his long-lost love, the Egyptian-American Helen Grosvenor​​​​​​​ (Zita Johann).
Universal Continues to Dominate Hollywood
Though it failed to reach the success of its groundbreaking predecessors Dracula and Frankenstein, The Mummy nonetheless was another box office hit for Universal and spawned countless re-imaginings involving the ancient antagonist, with films like The Mummy’s Hand, The Mummy’s Curse, and horror-comedy crossover Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy all being created in the ensuing years. Imhotep made his epic return to the silver screen in the Brendan Fraser-led 1999 remake of the same name, which starred Arnold Vosloo as the mummified creature and helped revitalize both the horror genre and the ’30s picture. ​​​​​​​
8 Candyman
Stream on Peacock
Inspired by Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden,” the 1992 gothic supernatural horror flick Candyman marked the cinematic introduction of the hook-handed eponymous antagonist, the spirit of an African-American artist who was brutally murdered after having a relationship with a white woman and who becomes an urban legend by Chicago locals.
Candyman (Tony Todd) can be summoned by reciting his name five times in front of a mirror, and he goes on a killing spree after being called upon, setting his sights on graduate student Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen).
An Urban Legend Classic
Todd came up with his on-screen counterpart’s backstory in the horror hit and was eager to work with its director Bernard Rose despite the character having to undergo countless bee stings, with the actor stating:
“I’ve always wanted to find my own personal
Phantom of the Opera.
“
Eddie Murphy was actually the first choice to portray the antagonist but the studio could not afford him, and the physically imposing six-foot-five Todd was ultimately chosen to star as the vengeance-seeking spirit. Candyman is widely considered to be a horror cinema classic and three successful sequels have been released featuring the tortured urban legend. ​​​​​​​
7 The Wolf Man
Stream on Prime Video
Another fan-favorite entry in the Universal Monsters movies’ sensational repertoire is the 1941 gothic horror film The Wolf Man, which famously stars Lon Chaney Jr. as Lawrence “Larry” Talbot, who after returning to his family home in Wales to reconnect with his estranged father after his brother’s sudden death finds himself transforming into a werewolf after being bit in the chest by the creature. Larry seeks out guidance from a wise fortune teller, who informs him that he is becoming the mythical monster and has been cursed as a result of the violent attack.
Chaney’s Admirable Commitment to the Character
In order for Chaney to achieve his iconic werewolf look, the actor had to undergo a laborious makeup process that took between five to six hours to complete and take off, and he was forced to sit motionless for hours upon hours since the scenes were shot frame by frame. The production and visual effects of The Wolf Man were lauded upon its widespread release, and the depiction of Larry’s werewolf form and his hair-raising transformation went on to have a massive influence on future representations of the legendary monster, with many taking note of the esteemed 1940s classic. ​​​​​​​
6 The Shining
Stream on Max
Stanley Kubrick’s 1980 psychological horror masterpiece The Shining is an adaptation of the acclaimed Stephen King novel and chronicles writer-turned-caretaker Jack Torrance’s (Jack Nicholson) chilling descent into madness as he accepts a position maintaining the remote Overlook Hotel located in the Colorado Rocky Mountains in the winter with his hesitant wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and clairvoyant son Danny (Danny Lloyd). Jack begins to discover the hotel’s menacing history and dark secrets, pushing him to the brink of insanity.
A Major Horror Movie Triumph
Nicholson’s delightfully unhinged performance as Torrance was singled out by critics, as was Duvall’s devoted portrayal of a distraught wife and mother fighting for her life in a snowy and secluded backdrop. The ominous atmosphere and eerie imagery were also praised, though many (including King himself) criticized Kubrick’s deviation from the original novel and its plot.
Regardless, The Shining has been re-evaluated and has emerged as one of the greatest horror films of all time, landing on numerous best of lists and rankings including number two on Time Out’s “The 100 best horror movies”​​​​​​​ and AFI’s 100 Years… 100 Heroes & Villains. ​​​​​​​
5 Dracula
Stream on Prime Video
Bela Lugosi forever changed the face of the monster movie genre and became an undisputed horror icon when he famously starred as Count Dracula in the 1931 trailblazing picture Dracula, an adaptation of the Bram Stoker literary classic that centers on the titular vampire as he travels from Transylvania to London to satiate his bloodlust and transform his young female victims into his own kind. He sets his sights on the beautiful Mina, the fiancée of Jonathan Harker, while attracting the unwanted attention of the vampire-hunter Van Helsing.
Lugosi’s Iconic Vampire Portrayal
Lugosi skyrocketed to superstardom after his career-defining portrayal of the legendary vampire, and the film established both the actor and blood-sucking villain as certified cultural icons and became the touchstone for future vampire depictions.
After more than 90 years since the horror extravaganza first terrified the masses, Dracula remains a celebrated and influential silver screen staple that helped kick-start Universal Monster Movies’ Hollywood takeover in the ’30s and ’40s, as the hit would be followed up by cinema greats like Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, and The Invisible Man.
4 Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
Stream on Prime Video
For those who enjoy a heaping dose of humor with their horror flicks need not look further than 1948’s Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, which follows the adored duo as they find themselves crossing paths with not only Frankenstein’s monster but also Count Dracula and The Wolf Man. The comedy legends appear as railway baggage handlers who become swept up in a terrifying scheme to reactivate the towering, grotesque monster, with Dracula and the nefarious Dr Sandra Mornay hilariously targeting the brain of Wilber Grey (Costello).
Winning Blend of Comedy & Horror
Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein marked the first of the dynamic duo’s horror collaborations with Universal Pictures, and its overwhelming financial success and positive audience reaction led to the pair continuing to face similar horror scenarios in movies like Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man and Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Watching the delightful comedy dream team face off against iconic horror villains and deliver plenty of laughter and hijinks was a real treat for moviegoers, and in 2017 the comedy classic ranked number 56 on AFI’s “100 Funniest American Movies.”
3 The Blob
Streaming on Peacock on October 1st
The influential and unforgettable 1958 sci-fi horror extravaganza The Blob stars the “King of Cool” himself, Steven McQueen, in his first leading role, and follows the iconic Hollywood actor as he takes on a ravenous amoeboid alien after it crash lands in his small Pennsylvania town. After teenage lovers Steve and Jane discover a nefarious alien life form that engulfs everything it comes in contact with, they try to keep the residents of their hometown safe and warn their community of the terrifying threat, which continues growing to a gigantic size.
An Epic B-Movie Knockout
Made on just a modest budget of $110,000, the premise for The Blob was inspired by the discovery of star jelly in 1950 Pennsylvania by two police officers, who were dumbfounded by the crystal-like purple substance they found that left an “odorless sticky residue” on their hands.
​​​​​​​The Blob went on to earn a whopping $4 million through its theatrical rentals and its subsequent re-releases, becoming a certified box office hit and emerging as one of the silver screen’s most legendary B-movie monster flicks. ​​​​​​​
2 The Fly
Streaming on Peacock on October 1st
Jeff Goldblum delivered a one-of-a-kind performance when he starred as the eccentric yet brilliant scientist Seth Brundle in David Cronenberg’s 1986 sci-fi body horror knockout The Fly, an adaptation of both the George Langelaan short story and ’50s film which focuses on Brundle as he creates an invention that allows him to successfully teleport. When a housefly accidentally becomes trapped in the transmitter pod with Seth, he begins to slowly transform into the insect and begins to deteriorate into a monstrous creature.
Goldblum & Cronenberg Make Movie Magic
Famous faces like Pierce Brosnan, John Malkovich, Michael Keaton, and Richard Dreyfuss were considered for the lead role, but Cronenberg was adamant on casting Goldblum as he was willing to work in the heavy prosthetic makeup and fully commit to his spine-tingling transformation.
Brundle’s grotesque final form and the horror flick’s dazzling special effects helped The Fly win the Academy Award for Best Makeup and terrified shocked moviegoers all across the globe, with its memorable tagline “Be afraid. Be very afraid” accurately foreshadowing what was to come for both audiences and Brundle. ​​​​​​​
1 The Craft
Streaming on Peacock on October 1st
In the popular 1996 teen supernatural cult classic The Craft, four troubled teenage girls decide to dabble in the occult as a way to get back at their cruel classmates and utilize their newfound gifts in order to elevate their social status, ultimately causing them to become power-hungry and causing terrible repercussions. Touting a decorated ensemble cast led by Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Robin Tunney, and Rachel True, the film chronicles the efforts of the telekinetic Sarah (Tunney) as she tries to put an end to her coven’s mayhem and menace.
A Bona Fide ’90s Cult Classic
The ’90s hit helped spark a resurgence in popularity of witchcraft on the big and small screen, and was lauded for adding a refreshing spin on the teen movie genre by incorporating darker themes and elements, with the HuffPost calling The Craft “part of the ’90s teen canon and a cult classic of its own merit.”
A surprise hit amongst both critics and audiences, The Craft went on to gross over $55 million against a $15 million budget and was nominated for Best Horror Film at the Saturn Awards, and in the nearly three decades since its release has amassed a devoted and loyal fanbase. ​​​​​​​
