The words "horror" and "free" go together like bread and butter. With thousands of horror movies spanning countless subgenres, there is always an old classic or modern marvel dropping on a free streaming service. The tricky part is mining through the vast libraries of streamers like Tubi and Pluto TV to find that hidden gem. While investing in Shudder might make your life easier, not everyone wants (or is able) to dish out more cash for yet another subscription.
That's where JustWatch's guide comes in. Whether you're a horror newcomer in search of a welcoming entry point or a terror connoisseur looking for a scary hit, here are the best horror movies streaming for free right now, categorized by some popular subgenres for your convenience.
Halloween (1978)
Best for Slashers
For horror heads, Halloween might seem like an obvious pick. However, for those just starting their descent into the horror genre, it's a great starting point. John Carpenter is a master of suspense. As a result, Halloween offers plenty of slow-creeping dread that so many other slasher films lack. What starts with Michael's chilling origins on one fateful night in 1963 jumps 15 years forward to when Michael escapes a mental institution and returns to his hometown to wreak havoc. While the larger Halloween franchise has a reputation for creative kills and gore, the original movie has very little blood, making it a solid option for more squeamish audiences.
Other free slasher movies:
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
- You're Next (2011)
- Terrifier (2016)
The Cleansing Hour (2019)
Best for Possession
If you love and respect The Exorcist, then you already know that almost every possession movie to come after tries to emulate it. For fans of the subgenre, it can get tiring. That's where The Cleansing Hour comes in. Although it's got all the standard possession movie tropes, it subverts expectations with a fake demonic possession turned real—all during a live stream. The acting is great, the specific effects are solid, and, more importantly, the story keeps you engaged from start to end. There is even a little dark humor thrown in for measure. This one will surprise you.
Other free possession movies:
- Night of the Demons (1988)
- Late Night With the Devil (2023)
- When Evil Lurks (2023)
Society (1989)
Best for Body Horror
While Society tends to give its gruesomely weird premise away in trailers and marketing, it's best enjoyed with minimal spoilers. A quick synopsis: A wealthy, Beverly Hills teenager begins to suspect his family is part of an unusual cult. Simple, right? Well, what lies at the end of Society is pure nightmare fuel. Once a box office bomb, the movie has become a bona fide cult classic, earning a spot in the body horror hall of fame alongside the works of David Cronenberg. If you're not squeamish and like a decent little mystery, Society should be your next watch.
Other free body horror movies:
- From Beyond (1986)
- Splinter (2008)
- Infinity Pool (2023)
Let the Right One In (2008)
Best for Vampires
Based on the John Ajvide Lindqvist novel of the same name, Let the Right One In delivers the expected vampire tropes with a unique spin. Rather than featuring the tall, dark, seductive vampires inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula, Let the Right One In places the strange yet tender relationship between a bullied 12-year-old boy and a vampire "child" at its center. With an atmospheric, cold-weathered backdrop, the movie constantly reminds you how cold and lonely vampirism can be—but also how cold and lonely being a misunderstood child can be, too. Just as dark, twisted, and taboo as you'd expect from the subgenre, Let the Right One In will appeal to anyone who loves supernatural stories with a touch of romance, if you can even call it that. Those who struggle with subtitles (or who just want a different version of the story) should consider the American remake, Let Me In.
Other free vampire movies:
- A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
- The Transfiguration (2016)
- Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023)
Ju-On: The Grudge (2002)
Best for Supernatural Horror
If you're looking for a one-word descriptor of Ju-On: The Grudge, it's creepy. Takashi Shimizu's supernatural story spawned a franchise for a reason. Watching Rika Nishina (Megumi Okina) encounter the cursed spirits living in the home of the elderly woman she's assigned to care for is as dark, spooky, and haunting as you can imagine. Those who enjoy ghost stories with creepy imagery that evoke that look-over-your-shoulder feeling will find a lot to like in Ju-On. If you struggle with subtitled films (or just want another movie with a similar vibe), you should check out Takashi Shimizu's American remake, The Grudge, which, at the time of writing, is streaming for free, too.
Other free supernatural horror movies:
- The Changeling (1980)
- The Babadook (2014)
- The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Triangle (2009)
Best for Psychological Horror
Christopher Smith's Triangle is underrated, plain and simple. Despite its tense, twisty premise, it doesn't make a lot of mainstream horror lists. However, for those who like think pieces where nothing is quite what it seems, Triangle is a must-watch. To divulge too much about the plot would be a disservice; just know the movie kicks off with Jess (Melissa George), a single mother in desperate need of a break, whose day out at sea with her friends turns into a bizarre nightmare when she gets the uncanny sense that they're being watched. Scary, smart, and infinitely engrossing, Triangle will not disappoint fans of psychological horror. This isn't a "second-screen" experience movie; it demands your full attention.
Other free psychological horror movies:
- Possum (2018)
- Us (2019)
- The Lighthouse (2019)
Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Best for Comedy Horror
Sometimes the title of "horror comedy" gets tossed on any old movie looking to excuse its B-movie flaws. However, those searching for a genuinely laugh-out-loud, high-quality horror comedy will find nothing better than Tucker & Dale vs. Evil. The film pokes fun at horror movie tropes, particularly those of the "hillbilly horror" or "rural horror" variety. While the actual scares are minimal, the movie offers up some creative kills and decent gore nonetheless. The real standouts are the titular leads themselves. With all their innocence, charm, and rock-solid comedic timing, it's difficult not to fall in love with Tucker (Alan Tudyk) and Dale (Tyler Labine).
Other free horror comedies:
- The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
- Evil Dead 2 (1987)
- Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Train To Busan (2016)
Best for Zombies
Maybe George A. Romero's Living Dead movies still have your heart, or perhaps you prefer more of a modern-day feel like The Walking Dead. Either way, Train to Busan won't disappoint. Yeon Sang-ho's masterpiece is heavy on the action, featuring fast-moving zombies that would feel right at home in World War Z. As the title hints, the movie follows the passengers on a train as a zombie outbreak plunges Korea into utter chaos. And while that's all thrilling in itself, Train to Busan shines in its quieter moments, whether it's characters staring death in the face or the social commentary surrounding Korea's class division.
Other free zombie movies:
- 28 Days Later (2002)
- Zombieland (2009)
- One Cut of the Dead (2017)
Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)
Best for Creature Feature
While you might want to save this one for the holiday season, Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale makes the list for its sheer uniqueness. With creature features normally dominated by werewolves, mutated animals, and vampires, this Finnish flick offers bizarre, monstrous Santas. While that in and of itself isn't anything special, considering films like Krampus, Rare Exports treats these wild Santa Clauses like a rare species various world governments want to exploit. Told primarily through the eyes of a young boy, it blends adventure, fantasy, and horror to fantastic effect. If you think you've seen everything under the creature feature sun, Rare Exports raises the bar.
Other free creature features:
- Pumpkin Head (1988)
- Ginger Snapes (2000)
- Dog Soldiers (2002)
A Quiet Place (2018)
Best for Sci-fi Horror
A Quiet Place takes the best parts of a tightly-plotted thriller and a post-apocalyptic drama and meshes them together to create a crowd-pleasing sci-fi horror movie. Directed and starring The Office's John Krasinski, the movie sees Krasinski's Lee and his family navigating a devastated world inhabited by extraterrestrial creatures who compensate for their blindness with an acute sense of hearing. Where A Quiet Place excels is in how it creates suspense with the back-and-forth between silence and noise. One wrong move could be the end of the protagonists, and that feeling doesn't let up from beginning to end.
Other free sci-fi horror movies:
Where To Watch The Best Free Horror Movies Online
To discover more about TV shows and movies currently streaming in the US, check out the JustWatch streaming guide! You can filter your search by streaming service, genre, price, age rating, and score. Be sure to build your watchlist and receive helpful notifications on what to watch next based on your preferences!
