Scary Movies to Watch on Amazon Prime Video in 2023
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If you’re in the mood for a good scare, you came to the right place. While it’s easy to find big-budget or well-known films to freak you out, this list of truly terrifying options includes more than few under-the-radar diamonds in the rough — all of which are available to stream right now in the Amazon Prime Video library.
The following 32 films span the horror genre from psychological to supernatural, from the gory to the occult. There’s a little something for everyone in this unsettling sampler. These movies aren’t for the faint of heart. What they are is terrifying — and obscure enough that you can introduce them to your circle of friends. After all, misery loves company, right? Nothing says “you’re my BFF” like frightening the daylights out of someone.
Since this list focuses on lesser-known masterpieces of scary cinema, you won’t find icons like The Shining or Poltergeist. What you will find is more than two dozen really frickin’ scary films that any horror fan should watch. Read on for the best Prime Video horror movies streaming now (and find even more in their “Screaming Now” collection).
A version of this article was originally published in September 2017.
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‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)
Evil Dead Rise is a gory, terrifying flick that follows the Evil Dead films. Specifically, the evil now resides in a single mother, who’s trying to kill her children and sister in a small apartment they’re trapped in.
'Evil Dead Rise' (2023)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘It Follows’ (2014)
Starring Maika Monroe, It Follows is about a girl who finds herself with a supernatural entity attached to her after a sexual encounter; so she tries to pass it along to someone else.
'It Follows' (2014)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘Pearl’ (2022)
Starring Mia Goth, Pearl is about a woman on a farm who tries to become a movie star but ends up a serial killer instead. It’s a prequel to the movie X, and it tells an unforgettable story.
'Pearl' (2022)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘The Menu’ (2022)
Starring Nicholas Hoult and Anya Taylor-Joy, The Menu is a startling tale about a bunch of rich folks going to a restaurant on a secluded island. However, this isn’t just any culinary experience, because the chef has beef with all of them, and intends to kill them off on his terms.
'The Menu' (2022)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘Night Swim’ (2024)
Night Swim is a new Amazon-exclusive horror film that follows a woman whose pool is seemingly haunted by an entity.
'Night Swim' (2024)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘Barbarian’ (2022)
Barbarian is a 2022 cult classic that follows a woman going to an Airbnb for a job interview, but finds a horrifying secret in the walls of the home. Trust us, it’s a wild ride.
'Barbarian' (2022)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘Crimson Peak’ (2015)
Crimson Peak is peak Gothic horror, and it is full of twists and turns you won’t expect. The lead woman ends up marrying a wealthy aristocrat and moves into his old mansion, where there are quite a few super-dark secrets and hauntings.
'Crimson Peak' (2015)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘The Mistress’ (2022)
Back in 2022, many horror fans raved about The Mistress, which is about newlyweds who move into their dream home and discover two things: letters from the former owner’s mistress, and a haunting.
'The Mistress' (2022)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘Snow Falls’ (2023)
Okay, so, Snow Falls follows a group of pals who stay in a remote cabin during a blizzard. However, they all start to go crazy, and the snow may be evil.
'Snow Falls' (2023)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘Polaroid’ (2019)
When a girl finds an old polaroid camera, and when she takes pics of her friends, they all die in mysterious ways tied to the camera. Polaroid is a great movie for a horror movie night binge!
'Polaroid' (2019)
Price: $Available with Prime Subscription
‘M3GAN’ (2023)
M3GAN follows the story of a robotics engineer who is working to create the most realistic doll possible, and uses her newly orphaned niece to test out the product. However, things quickly go awry when the once obedient doll truly gets a mind of its own.
‘A House on the Bayou’ (2021)
A House on the Bayou is full of twists and turns, as we follow a couple on the brink of divorce and their daughter, whose lives are turned upside down when unexpected visitors join in on their vacation.
‘Case 39’ (2008)
Starring Jodelle Ferland and Renee Zellweger, Case 39 is about a social worker who rescues an abused girl and takes her under her care, only to discover the little girl is nothing like she seems.
‘Totally Killer’ (2023)
The 2023 Amazon Prime original Totally Killer is all about how the infamous “Sweet Sixteen Killer” is back on a rampage 17 years after they first started. But our lead accidentally goes back in time to the ’80s and tries to stop them before they kill in the first place.
‘Renfield’ (2023)
Starring Nicolas Cage as Dracula and Nicholas Hoult as Renfield, this 2023 fan-favorite film follows Dracula’s assistant Renfield, and how he’s trying to get away from his toxic boss. It’s bloody, it’s scary, and it has everything you’re looking for.
‘Smile’ (2022)
Smile is all about how a psychiatrist sees a traumatic event that leaves an almost supernatural-like aftermath that truly haunts her.
‘Nope’ (2022)
Nope is a cerebral horror/sci-fi that follows the citizens of a rural Town discovering an uncanny occurrence that changes the course of their lives.
‘Once Bitten’ (1985)
Okay so the phrase “truly terrifying” doesn’t really apply to this film, but it is a terrifyingly good time to watch as Jim Carrey plays a virgin who is preyed upon by a supermodelesque vampire that needs to retain her youth by feeding on him.
‘My Best Friend’s Exorcism’ (2022)
Based on the bestselling novel by Grady Hendrix, My Best Friend’s Exorcism follows teen best friends Abby and Gretchen have to deal with a demon that takes up residence in Gretchen’s body. And things somehow turn from bad to worse at every corner in this horror-comedy based in 1988.
'My Best Friend's Exorcism' (2022)
‘Oculus’ (2013)
After the tragedy that took place in their family home, Tim was sent to prison for murder and his sister Kaylie is hell-bent on exonerating him. But she plans on doing so by proving the murders were committed by a supernatural mirror.
'Oculus' (2013)
‘Revenge’ (2017)
This revenge-horror-thriller truly isn’t for the faint of heart. It will make you uncomfortable. You will squirm. You will probably even cover your eyes (more than once). But if you’ve got the mettle to make it through, Revenge is worth it. Without spoiling too much, the film follows a privileged, Lolita-esque young woman named Jen who joins her married boyfriend for a presumably romantic vacation. However, when two of his friends crash the getaway in the most savage way, Jen’s vacation turns into a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. Trust us — you’ll want to stick around to see the unlikely heroine serve up some serious vengeance.
'Revenge'
‘Honeymoon’ (2014)
Control’s Harry Treadaway and Game of Thrones’ Rose Leslie star as newlyweds Paul and Bea in this clever take on honeymoon horror. When the couple heads to Bea’s family vacation cabin in the country, plenty of R&R (not to mention hot newlywed sex) awaits. But that’s not all that’s hiding in the rustic woods. Writer/director Leigh Janiak leans into the natural anxiety that accompanies nuptials to great effect — the further into the film you get, the more you can practically cut the tension with a knife. Treadaway and Leslie are so convincing that you can’t help but hope they somehow walk away with their happily ever after still intact.
'Honeymoon' (2014)
‘Happy Death Day’ (2017)
On her birthday, college student Tree Gelbman must relive the day of her murder over and over again, and the only way to stop the cycle is find and kill her killer. However, along the way she learns more about herself, the people around her, and how to let loose a little. This is a must-watch for anyone who loves horror comedies.
'Happy Death Day'
‘Nocturne (2020)’
If there’s one thing Blumhouse knows how to do, it’s make a gripping horror film that gives you the chills at every corner, and that’s exactly what Nocturne does. Juliet Lowe is growing tired of being constantly overshadowed by her seemingly perfect twin sister Vivian, and she’s determined to out beat her for the last spot for Julliard. While she’s a gifted pianist, her desire to be better takes over and leads to deadly consequences.
‘Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum’ (2018)
This is one of those “did it or didn’t it really happen” films, and we’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best. Based on local lore surrounding a real-life abandoned hospital, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum sees a horror web series crew visit with the intention of live-streaming from inside. While you expect that they’ll run into trouble, nothing about the trouble they run into feels predictable. The fact that the film features virtually no gore speaks to the strength of this largely unknown cast, who are reason alone to watch.
‘Wildling’ (2018)
In this unsettling twist on a coming-of-age tale, Anna (Bel Powley) struggles to adjust to everyday life when she is pulled out of her previously sheltered existence. As Wildling progresses, it becomes alarmingly clear why. This atmospheric film has plenty of things going for it, with a standout performance by Powley topping the list. Liv Tyler also stars, reuniting her with the horror genre for the first time since The Strangers in 2008. All in all, there’s more than enough nostalgic midnight movie moodiness and fresh perspective to sink your teeth into.
'Wildling' (2018)
‘Housebound’ (2014)
A former addict and jailbird named Kylie is forced to be on house arrest in her childhood home with her mom Miriam, after she was caught in a botched robbery. However, things are definitely not as they seem, and they suspect something sinister is going on in their house once they realize their home has a sordid past.
‘Eden Lake’ (2008)
Eden Lake capitalizes on a common fear — the kind that grips you anytime you go on vacation somewhere isolated and unfamiliar. Am I really safe here? What dangers lurk in the shadows? For vacationing couple Jenny (Kelly Reilly) and Steve (Michael Fassbender), that question is answered by a gruesome reality. Their quiet weekend away quickly turns into a life-or-death struggle at the hands of violent teenagers. Keep an open mind (and eyes) as the film draws to a close for a haunting look at the aftermath of small-town polarization.
'Eden Lake' (2008)
‘Grave Encounters’ (2011)
Be careful what you wish for, you guys. Let’s call Grave Encounters what it really is: a cautionary tale. When a ghost-hunting reality TV crew lock themselves inside the abandoned Collingwood Psychiatric Hospital in the name of ratings, they’re wholly unprepared for what they find inside. Hear that? As tempting as it is to go explore that creepy relic in your hometown that’s reportedly famous for unexplained phenomena, don’t. Watch this movie first, and then just don’t.
'Grave Encounters' (2011)
‘Martyrs’ (2008)
A love-it-or-hate-it kind of film, Martyrs is a visceral gut-punch of a story about a woman hell-bent on exacting revenge against her tormentors. To be clear, it’s heavy-handed where violence and gore are concerned. Some scenes are hard to stomach, and it wouldn’t be a stretch to say Martyrs is a study in sadism. But if you’re a hardcore horror fan, you won’t be disappointed in this film.
'Martyrs' (2008)
‘Splinter’ (2008)
Calling all camping lovers! There’s nothing quite like watching a horror movie that hits close to home. So, if you love spending time in the great outdoors, you’ll want to watch this film about a young couple who runs into much more than romance during their wilderness weekend. Of course, it’ll make you reconsider ever going camping again — but that’s half the fun, right?
'Splinter' (2008)
‘I Still See You (2018)’
Based on the gripping novel Break My Heart 1000 Times by Daniel Waters, I Still See You is all about an explosion that left countless people dead, but their souls are still left behind to walk among the living. Known as non-sentient “remnants,” this has become part of the new normal. A decade goes by, and Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Calder is visited by a remnant who is urging her to run away, saying danger is near. With the help of her classmate Kirk, Ronnie and he go to uncover a decade-long mystery in the making, but it may be the end for these two if they’re not careful. If you’re looking for a chilling indie film, this should be on your watchlist ASAP.
‘Raw’ (2016)
It’s said that people actually fainted at the overseas screening of this French-Belgian horror film about a young girl with cannibalistic impulses. If that in and of itself doesn’t make you want to watch it and test your own limits, well, you probably aren’t a super-fan of scary movies.
'Raw' (2016)
‘Suspiria’ (2018)
This remake of the story of American dancer Suzy and her unsettling European experience stars Chlo? Grace Moretz, Dakota Johnson, and Tilda Swinton. First and foremost, watch Suspiria because it absolutely belongs on the list of best horror movies in history. Second, watch the original first (pictured here), so you can adequately compare and contrast.
'Suspiria' (2018)
‘You’re Next’ (2011)
You’re going to have to make room on your list of favorite home invasion horrors for this smart, bloody effort from director Adam Wingard. The premise is simple: A man brings his girlfriend home for a family dinner at his parents’ large country estate. But it isn’t just the young woman who gets way more than she bargained for. Above and beyond its pulse-pounding twists and turns, you should watch You’re Next to put Sharni Vinson on your radar — she’s brilliant as the film’s surprise heroine.
'You're Next' (2011)
‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ (2016)
All we should really have to say to convince you to watch The Autopsy of Jane Doe is that Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch costar as a father-son team of coroners. With actors of that caliber, you can’t expect anything less than greatness. So, commit for them, and let this indie horror flick fully freak you out.
‘The Strangers’ (2008)
You may have heard of this horror-thriller (starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman) about a young couple terrorized at an isolated vacation home, but it’s so underrated, it merits a mention. Tyler and Speedman so authentically convey the visceral fear of a couple under siege by masked strangers at a remote getaway that it’s easy to imagine the same thing happening to you. Such is the genius of The Strangers.
‘Tucker & Dale vs. Evil’ (2010)
If you’re looking for some laughs with your terror, you can’t go wrong with the cult-classic Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. Tucker and Dale are the classic blue-blood farmers, who just bought their dream shack. At the same time they’re moving in, a group of paranoid and preppy college kids who are convinced the farmers are bad news. And Tucker and Dale believe the same with the college kids. It’s a twisting, turning, bloody mess of a good time.
'Tucker & Dale vs. Evil' (2010)
‘Fright Night’ (2011)
Based on the original film back in 1985, the 2011 Fright Night follows a local boy who realizes a bunch of students have gone missing since his new, mysterious neighbor moved in. After some time, he’s convinced his neighbor is an ancient vampire.
'Fright Night' (2011)
‘Under the Shadow’ (2016)
What starts as a family drama subtly evolves into a spine-chilling djinn game. Sense of place plays heavily into Under the Shadow, written and directed by Iranian-born filmmaker Babak Anvari, who evokes a sense of literal and figurative hell on earth in this film. Watch it because it’s original and will fill you with dread in the best way, and watch it because we need more diversity in filmmaking — and Anvari has a voice that should be heard.
'Under the Shadow' (2016)
‘The Voyeurs’ (2021)
If you are more of an erotic thriller fan, you need to see this hypnotizing tale that follows a young couple named Pippa and Thomas, who find themselves invested in the attractive couple across the street from their loft. But an innocent glance turns into a deadly obsession, and things keep getting even crazier.
'The Voyeurs' (2021)
‘Ready or Not’ (2019)
Grace is living her dream, having married Daniel in a fabulous wedding at his family’s palatial estate, and she’s so excited to be a part of a family. Then, they announce they’ll be playing a game of hide-and-seek from midnight until dawn, to honor their ancestors that started their board-game making fortune. However, this game comes with a twist: if they find her, she’s dead.
'Ready or Not'
‘Train to Busan’ (2016)
Beautiful pacing and an oddly life-affirming message elevate this nightmarish Korean zombie movie — so much so that it boasts an impressive 95 percent approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes and 88 percent approval from fans. That’s no easy feat. You’ve seen movies about the living dead before, but Train to Busan is exhilarating enough to feel new. Besides, actor Yoo Gong is brilliant.
'Train to Busan' (2016)
‘A Dark Song’ (2016)
If ever you needed a reminder not to dabble in the occult (ouija board, we’re looking at you), A Dark Song is it. The trouble begins when a woman grieving the murder of her young son decides to rent a remote cottage, hire an occultist and try to contact her deceased child. But the dangerous ritual leads them to something far more sinister. Between the striking visuals and a strong performance from the leads, A Dark Song is the kind of film that stays with you a bit longer than you’d like.
'A Dark Song' (2016)
‘The Cabin in the Woods (2012)’
The Cabin in the Woods follows a group of college friends who go on a much-needed vacation to a remote cabin, but within less than a day, some of them are noticing this isn’t normal. There are a bunch of strange occurrences, and they all seem to be acting differently. Soon, things get a lot scarier (and more meta) than anyone expected.
'The Cabin in the Woods'
‘The Witch (2015)’
The Witch is about a Puritan family in 1630s New England falls apart after the mysterious disappearance of their baby son Samuel. Instead of trying to find who did it, the family blames the eldest child Thomasina, accusing her of witchcraft and conspiring with the evil witches in the forest. Soon, they all realize something stranger is happening, and the attacks won’t stop.
‘A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)’
The townspeople of Iranian ghost-town Bad City are unaware they are being stalked by a vampire, a beautiful woman who punishes those who are full of sin and helps those who show compassion. The story follows her and a man named Arash, who’s trying to get his life together. Both dramatic and shocking, this film goes in all unexpected directions.
‘Us (2019)’
A pleasant family vacation goes horribly wrong when Adelaide returns to a town where she had a traumatic experience at a carnival as a young girl. Soon after, the family’s “doubles” arrive — and they want their shot at living the family’s life, and soon it takes over the entire world. Good luck sleeping after this terrifying tale.
'Us'
‘Lights Out’ (2016)
Rebecca hasn’t talked to her mother in years, and their relationship has been strained since her father mysteriously disappeared. But now her half-brother’s father has gone under the same fate, and it’s all linked back to one person: Diana. They don’t know who or what she is, but they know one thing: she only comes out when the lights are out.
'Lights Out' (2016)
‘The Descent’ (2005)
If you have claustrophobia, this film will either be your biggest thrill or your absolute worst nightmare. Six women enter a cave system, doing one of there favorite activities together. However, they realize this isn’t a normal adventure, because soon they struggle to survive against the creatures inside.
'The Descent' (2005)
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