The most effective scary motion pictures on Paramount+ to ship a chill down your backbone

Wish to get your pulse racing and your backbone tingling? Perhaps you want one thing spooky as an excuse to cuddle up nearer to your crush? Or maybe you need to take a look at your mettle with some supremely creepy cinema? No matter your causes, Paramount+ has an exciting library of films excellent for a scary evening in.

Beneath, we’ve collected the highlights throughout a large discipline of horror movies. Whether or not you’re on the hunt for vicious zombies, sinister slashers, creepy critters, cruel monsters, or madcap mayhem, we’ve bought what you need.

Listed below are the most effective scary motion pictures now obtainable on Paramount+.

1. A Quiet Place

John Krasinski went from actor to celebrated horror director with this spine-tingling 2018 hit. Starring reverse his real-life spouse Emily Blunt, The Workplace star performs a farmer devoted to defending his household from killer creatures that hunt by sound. This intelligent premise means the film’s characters cannot scream, as a result of such a sound would positively be their final. Meaning your individual sounds of terror are weaponized whereas watching, crashing into the silent soundscape that’s suffocating in rigidity.

Ruthlessly paced and keenly realized, A Quiet Place is a wonderfully scary thrill trip. However what makes it high tier are the poignant performances by Krasinski, Blunt, and their onscreen youngsters, Millicent Simmonds and Noah Jupe. Collectively, they make a family-frightening characteristic that is excellent for a quiet evening at dwelling. And in the event you dare to make it a triple characteristic, the spooky sequel A Quiet Place: Half II and prequel A Quiet Place: Day One are additionally obtainable. — Kristy Puchko, Movie Editor

Learn how to watch: A Quiet Place is now streaming on Paramount+.

2. Scream

It was the slasher film that modified the way in which we checked out this stabby subgenre. Directed by Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, Scream imagined what if in a captivating suburban city a Halloween-like situation — masked killer concentrating on teen ladies — was taking place to a era raised on such motion pictures?

Virginal Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) is the great woman of her group of buddies, however quickly appears to be the goal of the Ghostface killer. Stalked and scared however removed from helpless, she — with the assistance of a dopey deputy (David Arquette) and an opportunist information reporter (Courteney Cox) — should survive the evening and unmask the killer. A traditional that launched a franchise, Scream remains to be the gold commonplace by which dastardly reveals are judged. And hey, you may as well watch Scream 2-6 on Paramount+ too!  — Okay.P. 

Learn how to watch: Scream is now streaming on Paramount+.

3. Pet Sematary

This 2019 model of Stephen King’s traditional is extra reimagining than remake, however what a wild trip it’s.
Credit score: Paramount / Moviestore / Shutterstock

Stephen King has lengthy been heralded the king of horror novels. His Pet Sematary was a ebook so scary that it’s been tailored to the massive display screen twice. The primary got here in 1989, but this 2019 model is much less a remake and extra a reimagining. As an alternative of retreading the ugly path of the unique, administrators Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer make shocking turns to maintain the thrills contemporary and scary — however nonetheless deliciously ghoulish!

Jason Clarke and Amy Seimetz star as dad and mom joyful to maneuver their younger youngsters away from the bustling of a giant metropolis to a quaint Maine city. The locals are odd however pleasant. (Shout-out to a superbly morose John Lithgow.) Their home is beautiful, however its location proves stuffed with risks and lethal temptations. Then, this dreamy household’s waking nightmare begins when a lifeless cat is resurrected. From there, issues develop extra monstrous and moldering. — Okay.P.

Learn how to watch: Pet Sematary is now streaming on Paramount+.

4. House 7A

A Rosemary’s Child prequel was a giant gamble to take, but it surely paid off. Set months earlier than the occasions of the 1968 traditional, Relic director Natalie Erika James takes minor character Terry (Julia Garner), a neighbor of Rosemary who solely has a single scene within the authentic, and fleshes her story out to terrifying impact.

“With Relic, Natalie Erika James spun an intimate story of mother-daughter relationships and household curses right into a rivetingly scary thriller,” wrote Mashable’s Kristy Puchko in her assessment. “Right here, she makes use of that reward of emotional intelligence and talent for crafting unsettling scenes to inform a narrative that is acquainted but all of the extra scary for it. We all know the place Terry’s story will finish due to Rosemary’s Child. But James retains us on the fringe of our seats as she expertly spins an online of wealthy drama and sly horror, working in heartfelt conversations, shattering bounce scares, and defiant dazzle. From Polanski’s basis, she builds a glittering story of girlhood stolen that’s sick, beautiful, and horrifyingly related.”* — S.H.

Learn how to watch: House 7A is now streaming on Paramount+.

5. Jacob’s Ladder

Adrian Lyne’s 1990 mindbender Jacob’s Ladder is a cult movie that deserves a much bigger cult. Tim Robbins performs Jacob Singer, a Vietnam veteran residing in a dilapidated ’70s New York along with his girlfriend Jezzie (the late Elizabeth Peña) whereas experiencing horrifying hallucinations which may be the results of an experimental drug used on his platoon. Or is he being pursued by demons and the ghost of his lifeless son (an uncredited Macaulay Culkin)? Or is Jacob himself already lifeless and unaware of it? A surprisingly profound tackle demise and loss that occurs to have one of many scariest hospitals ever seen on movie. — Rufus Hickok, Contributing Author

Learn how to watch: Jacob’s Ladder is now streaming on Paramount+.

6. Smile 2

Naomi Scott stars as a pop diva in “Smile 2.”
Credit score: Paramount Footage

After the success of Parker Finn’s Smile, expectations for the sequel had been excessive — and also you’d higher consider that factor delivered. Following on from the occasions of the primary film, Smile 2 takes its cursed premise into the world of fame, following pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) on a world tour-turned-nightmare.

“To match his famous person heroine, Finn goes all in on creating an unpredictable narrative that is stuffed with bounce scares, creepy imagery, and spine-tingling sound results,” wrote Monica Castillo in her Mashable assessment. “There are much more violent accidents, physique horror, and bloody deaths to make an viewers recoil, and loads of upsetting particulars, from Skye’s compulsive hair-pulling behavior (aka trichotillomania) to a bunch of smiling backup dancers chasing Skye by way of her residence in choreographed formation. These scares can really feel delightfully excessive, virtually like a carnival trip, however they’re as inventive and horrific as the most effective elements of the Last Vacation spot sequence.”* — S.H.

Learn how to watch: Smile 2 is now streaming on Paramount+.

7. Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

Need one thing thrilling with a fairytale flourish? Then you definitely’ll cherish this outrageous R-rated movie from 2013, which not solely provides motion and fantasy but additionally ghoulish horror.

Directed by Useless Snow helmer Tommy Wirkola, Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters reimagines the traditional Grimm story as one about two vengeance-driven siblings devoted to eliminating the magical scourge that turns youngsters into meals. Sporting matching smirks, Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton star because the titular brother-sister crew. They wield crossbows and firearms with lethal accuracy and gory outcomes. However with a large coven coming for them, they’re going to want killer snares, quirky sidekicks, and a few magic of their very own. Together with bursts of motion, Wirkola unveils a wealthy treasure trove of creepy witch designs that may have horror followers squealing. So, neglect historic accuracy, embrace lunacy, and revel in a realm the place witches rule, trolls drool, and Hansel and Gretel are cruel ass-kickers. — Okay.P.

Learn how to watch: Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters is now streaming on Paramount+.

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8. Disturbia 

Need one thing scary that is PG-13? Then you definitely’ll get a kick out of Disturbia. This 2007 thriller is a sort-of remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, however leaning laborious into the 00s thirst for teen slashers flicks. 

Shia LaBeouf stars as a teen boy who’s beneath home arrest, and has the ankle bracelet to show it. (Hey, not less than it is not a damaged leg!) Watching by way of his home windows, he spies on his neighbors, and shortly suspects that one in every of them is a serial killer. Is he paranoid? Or is he onto one thing sinister? Creepy, thrilling, and slick, this twisted gem from director D. J. Caruso makes for an incredible watch with out R-rated gore. — Okay.P. 

Learn how to watch: Disturbia is now streaming on Paramount+.

9. The Menu

Shocks and surprises await Anya Taylor-Pleasure and Nicholas Hoult in “The Menu.”
Credit score: Searchlight Footage

Normally, the one terrifying factor about bougie nice eating experiences is the value tag hooked up to them. And maybe the occasional meals merchandise that grosses you out. Directed by Mark Mylod, The Menu places a brand new spin on fear-inducing gastronomy with what seems to be a murderous chef performed by a really sinister-looking Ralph Fiennes, and a load of unsuspecting restaurant visitors who assume they’re all in for nothing greater than an evening of haute delicacies. Naturally, all of them get greater than they bargained for. And, no, we do not imply free dessert. Anya Taylor-Pleasure and Nicholas Hoult play a pair who journey to the high-end restaurant, which handily occurs to be on a coastal island (helpful as a result of nobody can hear you screaming, maybe). Shocks and surprises await them, and the opposite visitors, at their foodie retreat. Anybody fancy consuming at dwelling, this night? And possibly without end? — Rachel Thompson, Options Editor

Learn how to watch: The Menu is now streaming on Paramount+.

10. Inexperienced Room

Director Jeremy Saulnier’s relentless 2015 panic assault of a film stars Anton Yelchin (RIP), Alia Shawkat, Joe Cole, and Callum Turner as a punk band on cheapo tour who discover themselves acting at a skinhead bar in the midst of nowhere, Oregon. And that is not even the worst of it.

The worst comes when the band by accident witnesses a homicide within the inexperienced room. And their hosts do not need to depart any witnesses alive. Barricaded within the beer and piss-soaked again room of the title, the foursome discover themselves besieged by a troupe of baddies, led by a terrifying Patrick Stewart, who’s clearly relishing the chance to drop his StarFleet uniform for the reason for deeply freaking us out. Be warned, this one get ugly.* — Jason Adams, Freelance Contributor

Learn how to watch: Inexperienced Room is now streaming on Paramount+.

11. Lake Placid 

Craving a creature-feature with a jaw-droppingly star-studded forged? Then give this crocodile horror-comedy a chunk. Set in Maine, Lake Placid focuses on a spot the place some large, mysterious creature appears to be gobbling folks up entire. Naturally, the native sheriff (Brendan Gleeson) should convene with an agent (Invoice Pullman) from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, a paleontologist (Bridget Fonda), and an prosperous mythology professor (Oliver Platt). That does not imply he is joyful about it. Unhappier nonetheless is native Mrs. Delores Bickerman (a foul-mouthed Betty White), who would not take kindly to strangers sniffing round her dwelling. 

Written by David E. Kelley, this outrageous premise performs approach smarter than you may count on. However director Steve Miner is bound to place in giddily grisly assaults and creature characteristic thrills for some massive silly enjoyable. — Okay.P. 

Learn how to watch: Lake Placid  is now streaming on Paramount+.

12. The College

It’s against the law extra folks don’t find out about this Breakfast Membership vs. the Physique Snatchers monster mashup. Not solely does it boast the throwback enjoyable of ’50s alien invasion horror, but additionally, The College scratches the itch for ’90s teen horror. When the extraterrestrial-conquered academics at an Ohio highschool begin performing very unusual, a bunch of angsty teenagers should cease them from taking on the city on the massive soccer recreation. It’s an previous story, however with Scream scribe Kevin Williamson bringing the meta-commentary, a forged that includes Josh Hartnett, Elijah Wooden, Salma Hayek, Jon Stewart, and Piper Laurie, a ’90s alt-rock soundtrack, implausible creature design (by Bernie Wrightson), and Sin Metropolis director Robert Rodriguez retaining issues shifting rapidly, it’s all an excessive amount of enjoyable. — R.H.

Learn how to watch: The College is now streaming on Paramount+.

UPDATE: Oct. 3, 2025, 3:40 p.m. EDT This text was first revealed on Sept. 3, 2021. It has since been up to date to replicate present streaming choices.