Dive Into Fear: 11 Horror Movies That Will Keep You Up All Night

Streaming services have made it super easy to watch scary movies whenever you want. Whether you’re into creepy creatures or spine-chilling stories, there’s a bunch of scary films you can choose from. But not all of them are equally scary.

If you’re looking for a good scare, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best scary movies you can watch anytime. Let’s go!

1) The Babadook

Before becoming an unexpected symbol for the LGBTQ+ community, the Babadook was scaring audiences in a unique and emotional way. The movie keeps us on edge, wondering if the troubled child at the center of the story is really connected to the creepy monster from a storybook, or if he—and maybe even his mother—are experiencing psychological decline. It’s a dark and unsettling film, especially for parents, showing that we can’t always protect our children from everything.

2) Creep

For horror fans familiar with Blumhouse’s catalogue, there’s often a mix of hits and misses. Luckily, Patrick Brice’s “Creep” falls into the former category. The film follows a cameraman, played by Brice himself, who takes a Craigslist job to record a dying client, portrayed by Mark Duplass, as a memento for his unborn child. This simple premise leads to a refreshingly stripped-down found footage experience. Even if you’re not usually a fan of this style, “Creep” delivers scares from a surprisingly psychological perspective that will leave you hooked.

3) Get Out

Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, “Get Out,” made a huge impact on the horror movie scene back in 2017. The story follows Chris Washington, a Black man who visits his white girlfriend’s parents and uncovers their disturbing intentions for him. Combining sharp social commentary with genuine scares, the film delves into terror on multiple levels as Chris fights to escape his chilling fate, which some argue is even worse than death. Peele’s screenplay earned him an Oscar, and the film itself was a rare Best Picture nominee for the horror genre.

4) Hereditary 

In the world of horror movies, it’s not often that we see family dramas take center stage, and it’s even more unusual for those family dynamics to be scarier than the ghosts and spirits haunting our characters. But that’s exactly what we get with “Hereditary” — the domestic tragedies will have you on edge long before the supernatural elements ramp up. Directed by Ari Aster, this film features strong performances from actors like Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro, but it’s Toni Collette who steals the show.

5) Smile 

Horror movies often draw parallels to history, where even if they don’t repeat the same events, they often share similar themes. “Smile” follows this pattern, echoing the style of “It Follows” (2014) by focusing on a menacing force that spreads and possesses people in unsettling ways. The cast, especially Sosie Bacon and Jessie T. Usher, breathe life into these characters who find themselves way over their heads when confronted with the eerie and relentless threat.

6) Nope

Jordan Peele continues his impressive run with “Nope,” his third directorial feature and first foray into science fiction. Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer star as siblings who run a horse-wrangling business in California. When they discover that their horses are being taken by a UFO, they decide to capture further incidents on film as evidence. With the help of a tech expert and a renowned cinematographer, they set out to document the strange occurrences, but encounter difficulties as the entity becomes increasingly hostile. Peele infuses the film with elements of horror, utilizing sound to heighten tension and delivering classic alien thrills reminiscent of films like “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” (1977) and “Signs” (2002).

7) It

The first part of Stephen King’s famous novel “It” was adapted into a record-breaking horror film, becoming the highest-grossing in its genre at the domestic box office. It’s no surprise, given the lasting impact of Pennywise, the sinister clown who has terrified readers for generations. The story takes place in the fictional town of Derry, Maine, where a group of misfit kids must confront their deepest fears as they battle the menacing clown lurking in the sewers.

8) Bodies Bodies Bodies

Just like pineapple and pepperoni on pizza (we stand by it!), horror and comedy blend together to create an unforgettable mix of thrills and laughs. “Bodies Bodies Bodies” nails this combination, taking place in a fancy mansion during an approaching hurricane where partying teens start meeting grim fates. The Gen Z-style mystery keeps you on the edge of your seat, with characters turning on each other in surprising ways right up to the nail-biting conclusion.

9) Goodnight Mommy

Creepy twins are a staple in horror, and one of the most chilling examples in recent memory comes from Austria’s “Goodnight Mommy.” Premiering at the Venice International Film Festival in 2014 and hitting theaters a year later, this psychological horror tale follows two 9-year-old twin boys who become suspicious of their mother’s identity after she undergoes extensive cosmetic surgery. Convinced that she’s been replaced by an imposter, the boys embark on a mission to uncover the truth about their real mother, only to uncover dark and horrifying secrets along the way.

10) A Quiet Place 

Imagine a world where the idyllic charm of cottage life becomes deadly. That’s the chilling premise of “A Quiet Place,” where John Krasinski and Emily Blunt struggle to raise their family on the run. In this dystopian reality, society has crumbled due to the invasion of ruthless creatures that hunt by sound. Any noise could mean instant death, forcing the family to navigate a silent and perilous existence. And with the upcoming prequel, “A Quiet Place: Day One,” viewers will finally learn how it all began.

11) X

Looking for a scary movie that keeps you on your toes without completely breaking the mold? Enter “X,” a period film directed by Ti West. The story follows a group of young pornographers and videographers, played by Jenna Ortega and Mia Goth among others, as they attempt to film a risqué scene on a rural Texas farm. However, things take a dark turn when the elderly owners of the property object to the explicit content and become unexpected killers, determined to prove they’re still a force to be reckoned with.