Spooky season is going strong, and as the crown jewel of Halloween approaches, scary movies, if fans have so far deferred their enjoyment, will no doubt begin streaming soon. However, not everyone can make a large investment in multiple streaming services to watch whatever they want, plus recommendations. As brilliant of a release as horror is, there is little as truly horrifying as a misbalanced budget or a bill that goes unpaid.
Noting that, it may be best to look into the options for what works for any particular horror fan. Depending on taste, the horror available can water the mouth or dry up the veins. In recognition of this, a guide needs to be created for what works best for certain tastes. From classics to originals, from TV to movies, and from budget to full-featured, here are the best places to stream horror in 2022.
Peacock Is Home to Universal’s Classics and Remakes
Peacock is owned by NBCUniversal, which generally translates to “Jurassic Park and The Office.” However, when horror season arrives, Peacock Premium becomes just that: a premium investment. Universal’s classic and revolutionary Wolfman and Wolf Man movies, its Frankenstein treatments and its versions of Dracula all reside on this service, and it’s well worth the buy. That’s not to mention the collection of Halloween series films. If a horror fan is feeling particularly nostalgic, hoping for a horror that’s a little less visceral or simply wishing for an old-fashioned Halloween evening, Peacock Premium is a steal for $4.99 per month. It also doesn’t hurt that it includes several of the recent remakes of its classic horror titles to titillate and terrify viewers, as well.
Hulu Hosts Original Short Horror
For bite-sized horror, look no further than Hulu. The streamer is majorly home to television, but most of its relatively limited original content is horror-influenced. It has some of the best new horror of the year, boasting both the high-profile bloody Prey and gory Hellraiser blockbusters. However, its true draw at present is its impressive library of anthology and short-form horror. With so many series focused on bite-sized, 30- to 60-minute horror, Hulu is the perfect investment for the busy horror fan or those who prefer their horror a bit simpler and shorter. At $7.99 per month, Hulu is a great purchase regardless, but it definitely is a valid buy for the Halloween season.
Netflix Features Brilliant and Bloody Original Television
Netflix’s horror and horror-influenced television are unmatched. Its original movies are good, certainly, and its licensed films boast an impressive horror library, too. However, its true strength lies in horror television, from American Horror Story to Locke and Key. The original content alone is worth the investment, and its movie offerings are just the icing on the cake. Starting next month, Netflix will be introducing a $6.99 per month ad-supported tier, making it a much less expensive option than it currently holds at a minimum of $9.99 per month. Regardless of price, Netflix’s new and exciting horror standards are great for people looking for the newest in Halloween season programming.
AMC+ Offers a Variety With a Shudder-Inducing Horror Focus
AMC+ isn’t generally listed among the streaming greats, but it’s a hidden gem for horror fans. In addition to the great spate of Halloweentime programming, from The Walking Dead to Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire, it also includes all of the content available on the horror streaming service Shudder, which many horror fans flock to. It boasts Halloween, Child’s Play, and many other franchise-starting horror staples. It’s not as varied or as powerful as many of the other streaming services. However, for fans looking for a catch-all horror with great variety, good originals and plenty of gory modern classics, AMC+’s $8.99 per month price point is one well worth paying.
Disney+’s Family-Friendly Features Are Modern Classics
Disney+ is perhaps the fastest major competitor in the streaming game. Where Netflix established the genre and built its library over decades, Disney+ has exploded in only a few short years to become a leader and trendsetter in the industry. This is clearly echoed in its Halloweentime offerings. Halloweentown, The Owl House, Spooky Buddies and Hocus Pocus all add to the incredible variety of shows that are clearly horror-inspired yet suitable for people of all ages. Disney+’s originals aren’t nearly as scary as those of Netflix, and most of its originals don’t even focus on Halloween beyond those that arrived this year, Werewolf by Night and Hocus Pocus 2. It does feel well worth noting, though, that for streamers looking for family-friendly features and TV shows with a horror twist, and even those looking for Dia de los Muertos features, Disney+ at $7.99 per month is not too shabby.
HBO Max Has a Little Bit of Everything
HBO Max doesn’t have as many originals as Netflix or as much family-friendly content as Disney. It’s not the best in any particular horror genre. However, it boasts the largest variety of horror and Halloween movies out of all of the streamers. Kid-friendly Halloweenish movies like Kiki’s Delivery Service are as good as Disney’s, not to mention the spooky cartoon classics like Scooby-Doo and Courage the Cowardly Dog. However, it also features such classics as Young Frankenstein, The Conjuring, and the full collection of Hammer horror movies.
It boasts the full collection of Warner Brothers products and then some, and it is easily the best choice for the horror fan who isn’t sure what they prefer but knows they want some Halloween hijinks. If all else fails, fans can just remember all of the cancellations coming out of HBO’s programming and rest assured that even if the murders they see aren’t real, the threat of death to their favorite shows and movies certainly is. HBO Max starts at $9.99 per month.
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