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The world of streaming offers an endless selection of horror movies that can be frightening to navigate, echoing Pinhead’s infamous line: “We have such sights to show you!” Truth is, you can spend forever looking for a good movie to settle on, especially if you are seeking something that will terrify you. Moreover, it is a hassle when someone makes a recommendation with the caveat that you need to have this streaming service; not many can afford more than one or two.
This is where free streaming is great, that is, if you are okay with commercial interruptions. Regardless, some of the more terrifying horror movies are available on platforms like Tubi, Plex, and YouTube. Here, we have looked at such streaming services to unearth some classics and some gems that are certain to get the blood pumping. For good measure, we also went with a wider swathe of films, as every horror fan has their own themes that make them squirm.
10
‘Hellraiser’ (1987)
Why not start strong with this 80s classic horror film? Most are well-versed in the lore of Hellraiser, with the inaugural film setting up the premise of cenobites, a demon race, a puzzle that summons them, and the delivering of pain and pleasure that they deliver to their victims. From the mind of Clive Barker, the movie stands out for its gruesome special effects and otherworldly premise; not many movies capture a believable vision of hell.
Why it remains frightening decades after its release rests in its blurring of the lines of eroticism and violence, with its fetishistic approach elevated by amazing practical effects. Some movies lose their edge with time, but the imagery and concept behind Hellraiser remain terrifying to this day. Watch on Tubi.
9
‘The Descent’ (2005)
Those who are claustrophobic will find themselves tensing up at The Descent before the real horror kicks in. Here, six women go spelunking in a cave only to soon find their path cut off. As they dig a bit deeper to find another exit, they soon realize they are not alone, as bloodthirsty creatures dwell deep down.
While there is an abundance of blood to be found in The Descent, literally pools of it, the horror comes from that feeling of being trapped in the dark and unable to see what is around you. Besides the chilling scenario, there are some great jump scares, backed by phenomenal performances that really immerse viewers in the deadly battle six women face against nightmarish under-dwellers. Watch on Plex.
8
‘Double Blind’ (2023)
In Double Blind Seven young volunteers enroll in a medical study and receive an experimental drug. Thinking it is easy money, they soon realize that they are trapped in the facility and left with a frightening reality; if they fall asleep, they die. Believing there is a cure and a way out, the group desperately tries to figure out a way out, while becoming increasingly paranoid of each other.
Sadly, sleep is not everyone’s friend, whether it be having suffered from insomnia, nightmares, or even night terrors; it is no surprise that it is often the subject of horror films. At the same time, those who experience sleep issues will know how a lack of sleep can distort one’s sense of self and personality. This is where Double Blind thrives and becomes terrifying. The movie pushes the idea to its limits, creating both intense interactions and an escalating mystery; it maintains a strong balance of drama, horror, and mystery throughout. Watch on YouTube.
7
‘Tokyo Videos of Horror’ (2012)
One of the coolest series of films tucked away on free streaming comes Tokyo Videos of Horror, Aka Yami Douga. There are several movies, the first of which was released in 2012. Each is a collection of paranormal encounters across Japan, with interviews often leading up to the ‘sting,’ which highlights a supernatural entity or ghastly event.
For those who love watching spooky compilations online of supernatural happenings, Tokyo Videos of Horror offers a cinematic version of those “real” paranormal videos. The format may not be to everyone’s taste, but it is undeniably unsettling in the scenes it depicts, and some entries may be too disturbing for most Americans. Consider it the perfect marriage of found footage and Japanese horror. Watch on Found TV.
6
‘Match’ (2025)
Tubi Original horror movies kind of get a bad wrap, but there are some standouts on the streaming platform that have proved critics otherwise, with Match becoming a viral sensation on release. The story follows Paola (Humberly González), who finds a match on an online dating site and soon finds herself enamored. Yet, when she goes to his house, she learns he is burying many dark secrets.
There is always a bit of fear for anyone who does (or has done) online dating, and feeding on that natural unease of ‘what if’ really pushes Match into some terrifying directions. This is a budgeted production, but director Danishka Esterhazy and writers Joe and Al Kaplan interject dark humor and shocking twists that keep viewers fully immersed in the match from hell. Watch on Tubi.
5
‘Unfriended: Dark Web’ (2018)
The first Unfriended movie was quite a sensation, catering to a younger horror audience; it nonetheless presented the screen-life horror genre at its best. Its sequel, Unfriended: Dark Web, did not make as much of a splash, which is a shame. Here, the story is more mature: a man stumbles upon a laptop, takes it home, finds snuff on it, and he and his friends become stalked by a mysterious group.
The movie presents a solid premise that leverages paranoia about the darker corners of the internet. The movie also does not waste much time; after a brief introduction to the characters chatting online, it quickly leads to a series of grisly events beyond their control. The result is a consistent scare and a pervasive sense of unease that exists throughout the film’s short runtime. Watch on YouTube.
4
‘Beezel’ (2024)
Harold Weems is certain that the home he has bought has an evil entity, a witch named Beezel, that dwells in the basement. He begins documenting his findings with the help of a man named Apollo, and the house’s history slowly unravels through disturbing discoveries. The film shows four generations affected by the witch in the basement and how each meets a terrifying end.
The opening introduction to the evil witch Beezel will instantly capture horror fans’ attention. Director Aaron Fradkin crafts this horrific entity that lives in the basement and feeds on others in a really clever, immersive way. This includes overlapping stories, different visual approaches, and moments of unease capitalized by a well-timed jump scare. This one is an indie gem that charms anyone who stumbles upon it. Watch on Tubi.
3
‘Descent Into Darkness’ (2013)
Journalist Sorgoï Prakov (played by director Rafael Cherkaski) heads to Paris with a makeshift camera set-up to make his documentary “European Dream.” While he tries to blend in with the locals, he begins to make a series of bad choices, including burning his passport at a party while drunk. Feeling stuck and out of money, Sorgoï begins to go mad.
Those who look at their watches while watching a horror movie, waiting for the scary moments, may want to avoid this one. Descent Into Darkness is about 90% build-up to one of the craziest descents into madness ever caught on film. The downfall of Sorgoï is a frightening ride to go along with, and the final moments will resonate with you long after the credits roll. Stream on Plex.
2
‘The Beyond’ (1981)
A landmark of Italian horror, this nightmarish classic captures cosmic horror in a way few other films have. Lucio Fulci’s movies are known for their gore, and while The Beyond has it in abundance, it is the film’s buildup of this otherworldly horror that really drives the terror (the film’s closing scene is also iconic).
The plot centers on Liza Merrill (Katherine MacColl), a young woman who inherits a home, unaware that it rests on a gateway to hell. After she accidentally lets the evil force loose, it begins haunting and killing the residents of the town in gruesome fashion. Still, the story here is not nearly as important as the sweeping visuals, the practical effects, and the ability to capture an undefinable evil presence and turn it into a real threat. Watch on YouTube.
1
‘We Are Still Here’ (2015)
Grieving parents Anne (Barbara Crampton) and Paul (Andrew Sensenig) move to a small, remote New England farmhouse in the hopes of rebuilding their lives. Yet, they soon discover that the home once belonged to the Dagmars, whose spirits linger after being burned alive decades ago under suspicion of witchcraft. On the anniversary of their death, they rise once again seeking revenge.
We Are Still Here received praise for its successful capture of the late 70s/early 80s horror aesthetic. Indeed, this one is a fun, nostalgic horror story that also packs in some effective scares and an engaging, tragic narrative. The design of the Dagmar family, in particular, is a frightening vision to behold. Watch on Tubi.
When you go digging in free-streaming platforms, you are certain to find a bevy of hidden gems that bring the scares. So, let us know which is the scariest film you have seen and would recommend that fellow horror hounds can stream for free.
