If you are a horror junkie you are in luck: the horror genre is currently in the middle of a resurgence. The genre seems to be ever-increasing in popularity, especially in the last few years, which brought us elevated horror movies like Get Out, The Witch, Hereditary, and Us—horror that is less senseless slashing and more character-driven, thought-provoking, social commentary. Streaming platforms are also focusing on the horror genre, as we see a large boost in horror-themed TV shows, such as Netflix's The Haunting of Hill House, The Haunting of Bly Manor, and Midnight Mass.
Why is horror so appealing to audiences? Simply put, the horror genre allows us a safe place to face our greatest fears whatever they may be. That’s not all, though. Watching a scary movie helps to flood our brains with feel-good chemicals. Horror movies trigger our bodies' natural fight or flight response which, as a result, boosts adrenaline, endorphins, oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine. If you love the horror genre, check out this list of the best horror movies currently streaming on HBO Max.
8 28 Days Later (2002)
Danny Boyle directs this post-apocalyptic horror film that chronicles the demise of society in the aftermath of a pandemic. When three militaristic animal rights activists break into a lab to free some chimpanzees being used to test a “rage virus,” they unwittingly release the virus on the world. 28 Days Later is not your typical “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” zombie fare. In this film, the infected are lightning-fast, much to the horror of their would-be victims. 28 Days Later helped reinvent the genre, at a time it had gone a bit stale. The movie spawned a sequel 28 Weeks Later that didn't quite live up to the original, and while not yet confirmed, Cillian Murphy has stated he would return for the potential 3rd installment 28 Months Later.
7 The Shining (1980)
The late Stanley Kubrick’s take on Stephen King's novel is a slow descent into madness. Not only for the main character Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) but also for the viewer, as we are sucked deeper and deeper into the disturbing narrative of the film. Jack, battling a bout of writer’s block, takes on a winter caretaker position at the secluded Overlook Hotel. His wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and son Danny (Danny Lloyd) join him. When Jack arrives, he is debriefed on the unnerving history of the former caretaker, Charles Grady, who murdered his family at the hotel before taking his own life. As The Shining progresses Jack begins to follow in the footsteps of Grady as he falls victim to supernatural forces prevalent on the hotel grounds. Shelley Duvall has since come forward to speak about the emotional burden of playing Wendy Torrance. The Shining spawned a television series and the sequel Doctor Sleep.
6 IT (2017)
If you suffer from coulrophobia, this movie is not for you. Andres Muschietti re-imagines the first chapter of Stephen King’s miniseries It. IT tells the tale of a group of seven youngsters that come face to face with an ancient evil entity, that resurfaces every 27 years to prey on children. The entity can shape-shift into any form, however, most often presents as Pennywise the clown. The gang of seven misfits teams up together to defeat the murderous fiend. The film stars Bill Skarsgard, Finn Wolfhard, Sophia Lillis, Jaeden Martell, Jack Dylan Grazer, Jeremy Ray, Wyatt Oleff, and Chosen Jacobs. The second chapter of the film IT Chapter Two was released in 2019.
5 The Brood (1979)
The Brood comes to viewers from the warped mind of the great David Cronenberg. Mentally ill Nola (Samantha Eggar) and her ex-husband Frank (Art Hindle) are amid an acrimonious custody battle over their 5-year-old daughter Candace (Cindy Hinds). While Nola is sequestered at a mysterious institute for some controversial psychotherapy, a string of bizarre murders takes place. Inspired by Cronenberg’s own contentious divorce The Brood is a metaphor for the negative impacts of repressed rage & hostility. It is an amalgamation of science fiction and body horror and produces a visceral response you won't soon forget (though you may want to).
4 Carnival of Souls (1962)
Carnival of Souls follows the story of a woman (Candace Hilligoss) intent on starting a new life after mysteriously emerging the lone survivor of a freak car accident. Not long after settling in a new place, she is haunted by bizarre apparitions of a ghoulish man (Herk Harvey). As the visions persist, she is inextricably drawn to an abandoned carnival ground outside of town which may hold the answers she’s been searching for. Carnival of Souls is a cult classic, a macabre masterpiece that boasts beautiful cinematography. Carnival of Souls was the inspiration behind Insidious another popular horror film.
3 The Conjuring (2013)
James Wan’s The Conjuring is easily one of his scariest films. It is based on real-life events and chronicles the story of Paranormal Investigators Ed (Patrick Wilson) & Lorraine Warren (Vera Farmiga) and their 1970 investigation of The Perron family farmhouse. Shortly after Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and Roger (Ron Livingston) Perron and their five daughters move in, a supernatural entity presents itself. While seemingly tolerable at first, events soon take a horrifying turn. The Conjuring spawned two sequels The Conjuring 2 and The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It.
2 The Amityville Horror (1979)
It's hard to imagine a more terrifying premise for a scary movie than that of The Amityville Horror. The movie is based on real-life crimes and subsequent paranormal activity at 112 Ocean Avenue. On the eve of Nov 13, 1974, The late Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered his entire family (his parents and four siblings) in their sleep. DeFeo claimed he heard voices in the night urging him to commit the murders. One year later George and Kathy Lutz bought the house at a significantly reduced price; however, due to the terrifying events that took place in the home after their arrival, they only lived at the address for twenty-eight days. The Amityville Horror has inspired countless sequels, remakes, and new iterations including Amityville The Awakening starring Bella Thorne.
1 The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is based on William Peter Blady’s novel of the same name, which was inspired by the real-life 1949 exorcism of a young boy in Maryland who was believed to be a victim of demonic possession. Directed by William Friedkin The Exorcist stars Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, and Jason Miller (all relatively unknown at the time of casting) and French actor Max Von Sydow. It recounts the tale of the possession of 12-year-old Regan (Blair) and her mother Chris (Burstyn) who is determined to save her daughter by any means necessary. After mounting paranormal activity and bizarre changes in Regan’s behavior, Chris calls upon two Catholic priests to perform an exorcism. During the theatrical release of the film some viewers suffered adverse reactions, such as fainting and vomiting, there were also reports of a heart attack and a miscarriage amongst audiences. The Exorcist is highly regarded as the scariest film of all time. Blumhouse Productions is going to reboot the Exorcist trilogy and promises it will be scarier than ever.