The Best Horror Movies on Hulu Right Now (July 2023)

One of the most unforgettable horror films of the late 1990s with one of the worst titles, I Know What You Did Last Summer brought together an undeniably attractive cast of heartthrobs with a simple premise. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr. star as a group of friends who, after a reckless and fatal accident, are haunted by their actions when a threatening stalker forces them to face consequences. Director Jim Gillespie leans into classic horror tropes with heart-pumping fun and quippy dialogue, ensuring I Know What You Did Last Summer lives on in infamy. – Yael Tygiel

Jagged Mind feels like someone took the concept of 50 First Dates and injected it with psychotropics, producing a harrowing horror romance. The film follows Billy (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), a cool young twenty-something from Little Haiti in Miami who meets the perfect woman (Shannon Woodward). They immediately fall in love, but shortly after, Billy starts suffering from blackouts and twisted visions of death that slowly erode her brain with every occurrence. That’s all we will say, and we recommend not watching the trailer — just go in knowing as little as possible to get the full effect of the thrill ride. – Tauri Miller

Joining the ranks of modern psychological horror films like Men, Midsommar, and Hereditary that explore deep themes through the prism of horror, Clock is a meditation on the pressures women face around reproduction. Written and directed by Alexis Jacknow (Love Daily), the story centers around Ella (Dianna Agron), a woman in her late thirties who faces constant pressure to have children despite not wanting any. She gets coerced into joining an experimental program meant to “fix her biological clock” that only seems to drive her into madness. The film has a lot to say about its themes and perfectly uses the thriller medium to manifest and physicalize the internal struggles that aging women deal with on a daily basis.

Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) meets Steve (Sebastian Stan) just as she’s sworn off dating. He’s kind, charming, and just what she’s been looking for in a partner. That is, until she discovers his secret side hustle – selling women’s body parts to other cannibals. Noa then has to figure out how to avoid being eaten herself, even if that means playing along with Steve’s continued affection for her. Fresh is a unique take on the perils and horrors of modern dating that artfully balances empowerment and uneasiness. Daisy Edgar-Jones plays the nuances of Noa so well that sometimes it’s hard to tell if she still has feelings for Steve or if she’s just pretending. And Sebastian Stan is somehow able to still make Steve desirable even after revealing his unhinged hobbies. If you’re squeamish, I definitely don’t recommend eating while you watch this movie. Fresh is more unsettling than outright gory, in regard to the cannibalism, but it can still make even the strongest stomach turn a bit. – Brynna Arens

Written and directed by Ben Steiner, Matriarch is a simmering slow-burn thriller that follows a woman (Jemima Rooper) who visits her childhood home intending to confront demons after surviving an overdose. With more than meets the eye, Matriarch is a disturbing British horror film intended to bring discomfort to the audience. Co-starring Game of Thrones alum Kate Dickie with Sarah Paul and Franc Ashman, Matriarch is a haunting exploration of addiction and generational trauma through eerie circumstances and frightful imagery sure to make viewers squirm. – Yael Tygiel

Antlers is a bloody supernatural horror flick based on the short story The Quiet Boy by Nick Antosca about a small Oregon town being terrorized by a wendigo. Director Scott Cooper delivers terrifying cinematography that embraces the gruesome legend of the deer-like demon from Algonquin folklore. Each thrilling scene is further enhanced by Keri Russell (The Americans), Jeremy T. Thomas (Lore), and Jesse Plemons (The Irishman), whose performances really sell the unfathomable nightmare that comes with trying to track down a fully realized demon stalking and killing unsuspecting citizens every night. Dig into the frightful lore and incredible thrill ride that will have you checking every room in your house before bed. – Tauri Miller

Gemma Chan stars in Intrigo: Dear Agnes, a gripping sequel to the 2018 film Intrigo: Death of an Author. Directed by Daniel Alfredson, Intrigo: Dear Agnes is a German-Swedish-American film about a young widow named Agnes (Carla Juri), who is offered a shocking proposition. Agnes’ wealthy friend (Chan) has a cheating husband (Jamie Sives) she’s eager to get rid of, and she wants to hire Agnes to murder him. With a chilling premise for the crime drama, Intrigo: Dear Agnes is a murder mystery with a slow burn and a shocking twist. – Yael Tygiel

Hatching is a richly told horror film by director Hanna Bergholm, who also created the story on which Ilja Rautsi’s screenplay is based. Hatching follows the desperation of a sweet and fragile 12-year-old gymnast named Tinja (Siiri Solalinna) as she fails to satisfy her malcontent, image-obsessed mother (Sophia Heikkilä). Swinging between family lifestyle vlogging, gymnastics training, and exploring the woods, Tinja struggles to overcome the burden of her mother’s expectations of perfection. With a story about societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards, Hatching reveals an insufferable reality twisted by the introduction of a creature with the capability to free Tinja or destroy her. – Yael Tygiel

David Bruckner’s (Hellraiser) spellbinding horror thriller The Night House blends intricate psychological mystery elements with deeply haunting performances from exquisite star Rebecca Hall (Godzilla vs. Kong). A fortuitous collaboration between Bruckner and Hellraiser writers Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski, The Night House follows Beth (Hall), a widow whose grief leads her to learn there’s more to her recently deceased husband (Evan Jonigkeit) than she previously believed. Sarah Goldberg (Barry) also appears, supporting Hall, who is captivatingly chilling as she explores the secrets unfolding in the mind-bending darkness of The Night House. – Yael Tygiel

Writer/director Jason William Lee, who also appears in the movie, presents a horrific premise in Funhouse revolving around a Big Brother–style reality show where contestants are brutally killed off as they’re eliminated. Featuring performances from Valter Skarsgård and Khamisa Wilsher (Charmed) and bursting with gore, Funhouse shares similarities to movies like Truth or Dare and the Saw franchise. With an intriguing commentary on societal obsession with fame and voyeurism, Funhouse blends elements of horror and satire throughout Lee’s thought-provoking script, building to a graphically The Purge-like culmination of terror and body parts. – Yael Tygiel

Hellraiser is director David Bruckner’s new perspective on Clive Barker’s horror classic. Hellraiser follows an addict named Riley (Odessa A’zion) as she searches for her missing brother (Kit Clarke), ultimately becoming consumed by the ancient and enigmatic puzzle that may be responsible for his vanishment. Hellraiser builds a deep and intricate mythology around the puzzle box, the Cenobites, and the unforgettable horror icon Pinhead (Jamie Clayton). Featuring dark and gory imagery, terrifyingly creative torment, and a fun performance from Goran Visnjic (Timeless), Hellraiser is an exciting new chapter for fans of the original franchise. – Yael Tygiel

Guillermo del Toro is no doubt one of the most talented and exciting filmmakers working today, having made award-winning classics like Pan’s Labyrinth and The Shape of Water. Nightmare Alley is another impressive installment on his resume, starring an A-list cast that includes the likes of Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, and Toni Collette. The film centers around Stan (Cooper), a carnival worker with a mysterious past who does an act with a clairvoyant (Collette) and another performer (Rooney Mara) under the owner, Clem (Dafoe). Stan’s overambitious attitude soon finds him in over his head, leading to dangerous situations. A unique horror film with elements of neo-noir and psychological thriller, Nightmare Alley is stylish and affecting. – Taylor Gates

Run Time: 1 hr 26 min | Director: Hannah Macpherson

Cast: Jahkara Smith, McKaley Miller, Scott Porter, Annalisa Cochrane

Part of Hulu’s anthology series Into the Dark, Pure acts as the finale of the 12 episodes. The film centers around Shay (Jahkara Smith) and Jo (McKaley Miller), half-sisters who attend a purity ball. Though the rebellious Jo thinks it’s sexist and antiquated, Shay attempts to use it to get closer to the father she met only months ago. One night, Shay is pulled into a ritual that Jo and her cabinmates perform every year to summon Lilith. She eventually realizes she strongly disagrees with the retreat’s method and message, and a violent power struggle between the girls and the strict men in charge of the retreat begins. Touching on things of feminism, sexuality, and toxic masculinity, Pure is most terrifying because of its realism and relevance. – Taylor Gates

Bad Hair is an incredibly clever horror satire film from writer/director Justin Simien (Dear White People). Set in the late 1980s, Bad Hair explores cultural discrimination through the lens of ironic horror, following the journey of one ambitious woman trying to make her way up in the world of music television. Bad Hair takes advantage of the setting, infusing the movie with recognizable faces like Lena Waithe (Westworld), Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty), and James Van Der Beek, as well as peppering in celebrity musicians like Kelly Rowland and Usher. – Yael Tygiel

The newest addition to the Predator franchise, Prey takes audiences back with an origin story set in the Comanche Nation, where a warrior battles a new enemy. Naru, played perfectly by Amber Midthunder (Legion), is skilled and fierce as she goes up against the first Predator to land on planet Earth. Prey provides an enthralling backstory to an already beloved and established franchise while highlighting previously unexplored history for both the monster and its victims. With a marvelous cast and fast-paced action, Prey is an adventure that deserves to be seen, regardless of screen size. – Yael Tygiel

Get ready to see Stranger Things’ Steve in a whole new light as he becomes the monster instead of running from them. Joe Keery stars as Kurt in this comedy-horror as a rideshare driver striving to achieve social media fame. To do this, he begins live streaming himself murdering his passengers in an attempt to go viral. Keery gives a truly excellent performance, masterfully straddling the line between earnest and evil. – Taylor Gates

Four young, fit, and attractive friends travel to the magnificent landscapes of Hawaii in celebration of one of their birthdays. During their vacation, the quad insists on visiting an abandoned resort rumored by the locals to be haunted. Needing to satisfy their curiosity, the foursome forges ahead in hopes of debunking ghost stories about the infamous Half-Faced Girl. Written and directed by cinematographer Taylor Chien, The Resort is absolutely stunning, with expansive and exotic locales that frame the pulse-pounding terror these characters face on the island. Starring Bianca Haase, Brock O’Hurn (The Righteous Gemstones), Michelle Randolph, and Michael Vlamis (Roswell, New Mexico), The Resort brings to life the classic and dependably frightful topes horror fans love to see. – Yael Tygiel

Shadow in the Cloud is a totally bonkers World War II thriller with a hard genre twist. It’s also one of the best female-centric science fiction horror films in recent memory. Set in 1943, the film follows the young female Flying Officer Maude Garrett (Chloe Grace Moretz). Maude brings an enigmatic package on to a B-17 bomber, but the sexist crew trap her in the lower gunning deck. Maude is soon forced to deal with even greater problems; an alien monster attaches itself to the plane. Want to see Moretz kick the crap out of monsters and obnoxious dude bros? Give Shadow in the Cloud a shot.- Liam Gaughan

The Lodge may look like a standard haunted house scarefest, but its commentary on paranoia and trauma are much deeper than surface level jump scares. Riley Keough gives one of the best performances of her career as Grace Marshall, the lone survivor of a religious extremist cult. Grace is invited to join her boyfriend, Richard (Richard Armitage), in a cabin over the holidays. Richard’s children, Aiden (Jaeden Martell) and Nia (Lia McHugh), don’t trust Grace at all. Grace begins to doubt her sanity as the children dig up secrets from her violent past. –Liam Gaughan

False Positive is a feminist take on the terrors of pregnancy and motherhood that builds uneasiness through Lucy’s (Ilana Glazer) perspective. After two years of trying to get pregnant, Lucy and her husband Adrian (Justin Theroux) make an appointment with Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan), the leading fertility doctor in New York and Adrian’s former teacher. Dr. Hindle’s treatment works, and Lucy becomes pregnant with triplets. Unfortunately, in order to ensure that the pregnancy remains viable and Lucy’s health remains uncompromised, Dr. Hindle suggests a selective reduction where they keep either the female embryo or the twin male embryos. After this procedure, Lucy starts to feel uneasy and paranoid about the pregnancy. She believes that Dr. Hindle and Adrian are conspiring against her, and will do whatever it takes to prove it – even if everyone around her dismisses her concerns as “pregnancy brain”. As Lucy spirals, the lines defining reality blur, building tension slowly until the shocking climax that will leave you questioning everything except for a mother’s intuition. – Brynna Arens

An ultimately sweet story about family and identity that also wears the skin of body horror, Julia Ducournau’s Titane is a true one-of-a-kind experience that deserves to be experienced with as little information as possible. What can be said is that it centers on Agathe Rousselle’s Alexia, a woman who was seriously injured in a car accident as a child and now has a titanium plate in her head. Following an intimate experience with a car and a series of brutal killings, she begins to form a bond with a man while posing as his son. If this all sounds quite strange, it is actually even more so and that is also what makes it so glorious. It is a wholly original vision with all the cast completely committing to bringing Ducournau’s world to life. If you’ve seen her previous film, the also outstanding Raw, then you may have some idea of what you’re getting into even as it goes in its own incredibly unique direction. It is silly, graphic, dark, and eventually loving in a way that no other film out there can hold a candle to. – Chase Hutchinson

Can a mother’s love ever be too much? The Misery-esque horror movie Run follows the insulated upbringing of Chloe (Kiera Allen), a homeschooled high school senior who’s eager to go away to college and live her life to the fullest. She’s raised by her schedule-oriented mother (Sarah Paulson), who’s overly protective and concerned for her daughter’s future in the real world. The more Chloe begins to plan her adult life, the more she starts to realize that her mother might be hiding a very sinister secret. Will Chloe ever be able to leave her home? Don’t walk…run! – Emily Bernard

Most horror fans would not consider the hero of a horror film to be the one who edits and censors the films for the ratings board. Yet, this one does, and does a brilliant job. Enid (Niamh Algar) is a quiet, no-nonsense film censor, haunted by the tragic disappearance of her sister when they were children, playing in the woods. She has never quite recovered from that, and looks for her sister everywhere. She thinks she sees her sister in one particularly gruesome horror film, and goes seeking other works by the director. This leads her down a rabbit hole of “video nasties” and sets her on a dangerous path. Censor is set in the 1980s, but it isn’t flashy about it: no big 1980s hair, no bright 1980s clothing, no 1980s synth pop. It is subtle, mostly in its use of the video nasties, videotape, and lack of internet or cell phones. A haunting, engaging film. – Alyse Wax

A kaleidoscopic psychological freakout film, Possessor sees Antiviral filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg stick the landing on his long-awaited sophomore feature while delivering plenty of the body horror film lovers have come to associate with the Cronenberg name. Andrea Riseborough stars as Vos, a high-tech assassin, who uses a mind-melding technology to take over the body of an unsuspecting victim, use their body to execute her hit, and leaving the host dead in an apparent suicide before her mind returns to her own body. But with her personal life falling apart and her horrendously violent deeds blurring the thinly drawn lines of her identities, Vos winds up in a wild war of attrition against her next mark (Christopher Abbott), who fights back from the inside. Vibrant, grotesque, and fabulously performed by Riseborough and Abbott, Possessor is one of the gnarliest, bloodiest horror movies you’ll find on streaming right now, but it’s also a hell of a compelling sci-fi film, packing the kind of fascinating ideas that take hold of your mind, and keep wriggling around in there long after the last drop of blood is spilled. — Haleigh Foutch

This delightful zombie comedy hails from Australian filmmaker Abe Forsythe (Down Under) and stars Lupita Nyong’o as an ass-kicking kindergarten teacher who winds up trapped in a zombie apocalypse with a classful of kids, a deadbeat volunteer chaperone (Alexander England), and a self-obsessed children’s TV star who brings nothing to the table but ego (Josh Gad). Throw in the world’s cutest Star Wars fan in the offensively adorable Diesel La Torraca, a few rounds of Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”, and an absolutely slaying Nyong’o in the midst of zombie action, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing horror-comedy just in time for Halloween.

Collider’s Perri Nemiroff described in her review, “Little Monsters knows exactly what it is and what it’s working with, and it plays into those qualities very well, keeping the energy sky-high from start to finish, and also slowly slipping in some real emotion. It’s a delightfully crude, wild ride with a standout performance that continues to prove Nyong’o can do no wrong, and also serves as a nice reminder of the importance of a great teacher. And as an added bonus, Little Monsters also rocks one of the best Star Wars references I’ve ever seen in a movie.” And she ain’t lyin’ — as heartfelt as it is foul, Little Monsters is delightful and breezy zom-com boosted by Nyong’o’s magnetic star power. — Haleigh Foutch