Final Destination Bloodlines (2025)

Final Destination Bloodlines is the first film in the franchise in 14 years, and it won’t be the last — another entry with the co-writer of Bloodlines is officially in the works. Bloodlines manages to feel fresh while carrying on the series’ well-known elaborate killings, premonitions and efforts to outwit death.

Sinners (2025)

Michael B. Jordan takes on two leading roles in this genre-bending film from Ryan Coogler (Creed, Black Panther). Sinners is a box office hit, but if you have yet to spend time with Smoke and Stack (or missed the post-credit scenes in theaters), now’s your chance to stream it.

Companion (2025)

Companion is a scary movie you should boot up and watch without much pre-Googling. It’s clever, unsettling and thrilling, with great performances from Sophie Thatcher of Yellowjackets and Jack Quaid of The Boys. Produced by the filmmakers behind 2022’s Barbarian, Companion sets the bar high for 2025 horror films. 

Heretic (2024)

The inclusion of Hugh Grant may draw you into this religious horror movie, but once you hit play, there’s no escaping the creepiness of his character, Mr. Reed. Watch this one if you want to see if a pair of young missionaries are able to outwit their evil captor.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Jodie Foster interviews Anthony Hopkins’ evil Hannibal Lecter in this classic psychological thriller. Foster plays FBI agent Clarice Starling, who’s determined to bring down a killer. It’s the only horror movie ever to win a best picture Oscar, and it also won for best director, screenplay, actor (Hopkins) and actress (Foster) in 1992.

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s directorial debut scored Oscar nominations for best picture, director and actor, and an Oscar win for best original screenplay. The twisty psychological horror flick stars Daniel Kaluuya as Chris, a Black man who unknowingly steps into danger when he meets his white girlfriend’s family.

Pearl (2022)

The Mia Goth-starring slasher Pearl is a prequel to Ti West’s film X, centering on a younger version of the elderly villain in that flick. HBO Max carries X, Pearl and a third film in the series, MaXXXine, but I recommend Pearl if you only have time for one movie.

It (2017)

When this adaptation of the classic Stephen King novel hit theaters in 2017, it had moviegoers like me looking twice at storm drains and dreading red balloons. With a cast of intrepid kids and a lot of heart, it makes a compelling case for more supernatural coming-of-age stories. And a strong case against clowns. 

Night of the Living Dead (1968)

George Romero’s first horror film is an easy recommendation. A group of survivors take refuge in a house while members of the undead swarm outside. The influential flick is often regarded as the first modern zombie movie, and while it may not offer Freddy Krueger-level frights, you’ll be drawn in by the characters at the center of its story. You’re going to want to leave the door open for this one (but in the case of an actual apocalypse, keep it very, very shut).

Carrie (1976)

It’s more Stephen King, and you have to watch Sissy Spacek’s Oscar-nominated portrayal of the prom queen at least once in your life. Why not now?

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

The 1988 horror comedy Beetlejuice may not be on Max, but you can catch Michael Keaton’s ghost with the most in the 2024 sequel. Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara also reprise their roles in the spooky follow-up film.

Eraserhead (1977)

David Lynch’s first feature-length film will make you feel like you’re in a bizarre nightmare. The 90-minute black-and-white horror flick is packed with odd sounds and imagery, and the result is incredibly eerie. Don’t even get me started on the main character’s freakish, otherworldly looking “baby” (that’s oddly still kind of cute?). There are messages about men and parenthood here, but even setting aside the bigger picture, Eraserhead’s surreal world is absolutely worth a visit. 

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

A family accidentally unearths some unimaginable evils in this gory supernatural horror story. It’s the fifth entry in the film franchise after The Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead II (’87), Army of Darkness (’92) and Evil Dead (2013).