The Best Horror Movies on Max Right Now (October 2024)

Few things are better than making some popcorn, turning off the lights, and letting a movie scare the heck out of you. But with so many streaming services out there, it’s hard to know where to best get your horror fix. Luckily Max has a steep selection of horror titles for you to peruse. From classics to new entries, they have you covered. And the variety included offers choices whether you like your scares to come with a dose of humor, action, surrealism, or none of the above. Here are just some of the great horror titles HBO Max currently has on offer.

Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Check out the best thrillers, dramas, or overall films on HBO instead, or peruse our list of best horror films on Netflix and Hulu.

Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Max.

‘MaXXXine’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 6.3/10

Written, directed, produced, and edited by Ti West, MaXXXine is a slasher horror film that’s a direct sequel to West’s 2022 movie X and the third installment in West’s X film series after Pearl. Mia Goth stars as Maxine Minx, her character from X, with Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon, and more in supporting roles. Set some years after the events of X, the film catches up with Maxine as a successful porn star in 1980s Hollywood, who is about to make the transition to mainstream movies. However, a mysterious killer stalks the night, targeting those closest to her and threatening to expose Maxine for the sins of her past. MaXXXine premiered in June 2024 to critical acclaim and became the highest-grossing film of the series. Like the other movies in the series, MaXXXine features impeccable cinematography that brings the ‘80s to vibrant life. But beyond the visuals, MaXXXine also presents a thrilling mystery story that draws inspiration from classic movies of the time period, simultaneously presenting a layered image of what it truly means to be a star in the City of Angels.

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‘It’ (2017)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.3/10

Adapted from Stephen King’s eponymous 1986 novel, It is a 2017 supernatural horror film directed by Andy Muschietti and written by Chase Palmer, Cary Fukunaga, and Gary Dauberman. Covering the first chronological half of the book, the movie follows a group of children in Derry, Maine, who are terrorized by a supernatural entity called Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The film stars Jack Dylan Grazer, Sophia Lillis, Jaden Lieberher, Finn Wolfhard, Wyatt Oleff, Chosen Jacobs, and Jeremy Ray Taylor, with Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise. It premiered in 2017 to critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing horror film of all time (unadjusted for inflation). The movie has received praise for its performances, direction, cinematography, and music, with Skarsgård, in particular, receiving high praise for his haunting performance in the title role. The movie also received numerous accolades, including nominations for Teen Choice Awards, Saturn Awards, and MTV Movie & TV Awards. In 2019, It was followed by a sequel, It Chapter Two, which covers the remaining story from the book.

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‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.4/10

Written and directed by Wes Craven, A Nightmare on Elm Street is a landmark 1984 supernatural slasher film and the first movie to introduce the iconic horror villain Freddy Krueger. The film follows a group of teens who find themselves stalked by the monstrous Freddy Krueger, who kills people by entering their dreams. The movie stars Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, Ronee Blakley, and Johnny Depp in his film debut, with Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. Widely considered one of the greatest horror films ever made, A Nightmare on Elm Street was a critical and commercial success at the time of its release. The film went on to spawn a franchise that includes six sequels, a remake, a TV show, and a crossover film with the Friday the 13th franchise. Masterfully playing with the concepts of dream and reality, A Nightmare on Elm Street blends low-budget horror with masterful filmmaking techniques to present a mesmerizing work of suspense and terror. In 2021, the movie’s cultural impact was forever recognized by its induction into the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.

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‘Saw’ (2004)

Rotten Tomatoes: 50% | IMDb: 7.6/10

Written by Leigh Whannell and directed by James Wan in his feature directorial debut, Saw is an iconic 2004 horror film that focuses on the mysterious Jigsaw Killer, who puts his victims through grueling games where they must cause massive harm to themselves in the hopes of surviving. Whannell also stars in the movie, appearing alongside Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, and Ken Leung. Saw had its first screening at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, where it was then picked up by Lionsgate. Though the film received mixed reviews from critics, it was a huge box office success, bringing in over $100 million worldwide and becoming one of the most profitable horror films since 1996’s Scream. While its signature gore and twisted central character are not for everyone’s tastes, Saw has found a massive global fanbase and expanded into a huge franchise that includes video games and theme park rides, not to mention nine sequel films with more on the way.

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‘I Saw the TV Glow’ (2024)

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 5.8/10

One of the most talked-about horrors of the year, I Saw the TV Glow follows the unpopular Owen (Justice Smith), for whom life as a teenager in his suburban neighborhood is anything but enjoyable. However, when Owen is introduced to a supernatural TV series unlike anything he’s seen before, he finds a vice to grip onto to help weather the storms of adolescence. Faced with a reality-bending, all-consuming program, Owen’s world begins to change. An intriguing, well-crafted horror with enough drama to feel grounded, I Saw the TV Glow champions young actors overflowing with talent. From the aforementioned Smith to Brigette Lundy-Paine, this youthful ensemble is perhaps the best asset Jane Schoenbrun’s movie has going for it — and that’s among many other tantalizingly impressive assets. – Jake Hodges

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‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Blending teen drama, comedy, and horror, Bodies Bodies Bodies follows Bee (Maria Bakalova) as she attends an unnecessarily lavish party hosted by the unbothered David’s (Pete Davidson) Georgian manor house. However, Bee arrives late and amidst a hurricane, with the storm outside rivaled by the raging maelstrom of drugs and alcohol inside. When an ill-advised game of murder mystery erupts, the fiction quickly turns to reality as death knocks on the party door. Bodies Bodies Bodies benefits hugely from not taking itself too seriously. An enormously fun and wild ride, the movie plays generously with each of the aforementioned three genres, with moments of bloody horror matched effortlessly with genuine hilarity. Bodies Bodies Bodies is well worth a watch. – Jake Hodges

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‘Midsommar’ (2016)

Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 7.1/10

One of the most innovative minds in modern horror, Ari Aster’s mind-bending masterpiece Midsommar stars Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor as Dani and Christian, a young couple who are invited to join a midsummer Swedish festival in the countryside. However, what first begins as a refreshing and enigmatic trip away soon turns dark, with the depraved desires of the cult who reside there quickly twisting the fortunes of the couple seemingly fatal. Aesthetically gorgeous and terribly frightening, Midsommar is a triumph of modern horror with its dedication to finding scares in the most unlikely of places. Not only that, but the movie is very deliberately often comedic, with the consistent horror cut intelligently by biting moments of humor. – Jake Hodges

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‘Scream’ (1996)

Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.4/10

Heralded as one of the best slashers of all time, Scream follows the young folks of Woodsboro, California, who — on the anniversary of the death of one of their friends’ mothers — begin to be stalked by the depraved and often comical killer Ghostface. Director Wes Craven uses his unrivaled knowledge of the slasher genre to bring this meta masterpiece to life, with a terrifying classic horror tale accompanied by many winks and nods to the audience and those within it who are fans of the genre. Always ready to subvert expectations, Scream was such a success upon release that it very quickly launched one of modern cinema’s most exciting horror franchises — one that still flourishes to this day. – Jake Hodges

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‘The Strangers’ (2008)

Rotten Tomatoes: 48% | IMDb: 6.1/10

Directed, written by, and starring Scott Speedman, The Strangers tells the tale of a young couple whose time at a vacation home is cut tragically short simply by a knock at the door in the dead of night. What ensues is the bloody and brutal invasion of three masked strangers, but will the couple be able to survive? The genius of The Strangers is the very deliberate decision to tell a violent story at a pensive pace, leaving plenty of room for the gripping horror to breathe. Featuring a plethora of top performances from the likes of Speedman and Liv Tyler, The Strangers is one horror you won’t want to miss… that is, unless you want to sleep tonight. – Jake Hodges

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‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 6.5/10

The fifth installment in the Evil Dead franchise comes from writer/director Lee Cronin and tells the tale of two estranged sisters fighting for survival against the rise of demonic forces. With their family possessed, will they be able to save themselves and their loved ones? Featuring two captivating lead performances from Lily Sullivan as Beth and Alyssa Sutherland as Ellie, Evil Dead Rise takes many of the best features of this horror juggernaut, famed for the direction of Sam Raimi, and evolves them under the eye of a new director who clearly has a love for the franchise. Gripping and bloody, Evil Dead Rise was a wonderful addition to 2023’s great slate of horror movies. – Jake Hodges

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‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 5.4/10

This teen-centric thriller follows young Casey (Anna Cobb) as her immersion in an online role-playing game starts to take its supernatural toll, with Casey choosing to document her sudden physical and mental changes. Directed by Jane Schoenbrun, this exciting and inventive movie takes advantage of the zeitgeist fears felt by our modern world towards online technology, with breakout star Anna Cobb providing a viscerally captivating performance. Terrifying and thought-provoking, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair capitalizes on the groundwork laid by the likes of Unfriended to make one of modern cinema’s best screenlife horrors. – Jake Hodges

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‘Eraserhead’ (1977)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 7.3/10

From the enigmatic mind of the iconic David Lynch, Eraserhead stars Jack Nance as new father Henry Spencer, a man for whom the emotional pressures of fatherhood are beginning to take their toll. As his frustrations and anxieties begin to overwhelm him, they soon manifest themselves in the child itself, with signs quickly showing that this baby is certainly out of the ordinary — and may not even be of this world. Visually captivating and fuel for thought, Eraserhead stands as one of the most striking horror movies ever made, so much so that it aesthetically competes with even the most avant-garde of modern horror films. A terrifying delight, this is one movie everyone must experience. – Jake Hodges

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‘Malignant’ (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 6.2/10

An award-winning horror from genius James Wan, Malignant follows Annabelle Wallis’ Madison after she wakes up in a hospital having strange and disturbing visions. However, it soon becomes clear that those visions are real — and may be courtesy of the haunted walls in which she currently resides. Packed full of surrealist terror, Malignant feels like James Wan let loose, with a plot that verges on insanity and never breaks its own immersion. By the rolling of the credits, Malignant will have you feeling like its central character — a feeling often attempted by horror movies but very rarely achieved. – Jake Hodges

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‘Night of the Living Dead’ (1968)

Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.8/10

George A. Romero’s masterpiece Night of the Living Dead is the benchmark for zombie movies — and for good reason. The movie follows a team of terrified Pennsylvanians as they hide from flesh-eating zombies and try to survive the apocalyptic outbreak that slowly consumes the Northeast of the United States. Powerful in its messaging and spine-chilling in its cinematography, Night of the Living Dead isn’t just one of the greatest zombie movies of all time, it is one of the first, with the success of this and Romero’s follow-ups Dawn and Day of the Dead setting in motion one of horror’s most well-loved sub-genres. – Jake Hodges

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‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me’ (1992)

Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 7.3/10

With the mind of David Lynch behind it, this movie was always going to make its mark. Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me takes the iconic television series and dials it up to eleven, with the movie telling the tale of the murder of Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) and the days that led to it. Truly chilling and full of the sort of enigmatic imagery that fans of Lynch have come to love, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me is both a harrowing story and a work of art, with many lovers of the series disagreeing with the critics of the time and hailing this a masterpiece. Certainly strange and always ready to subvert your expectations, this is Lynch firing on all cylinders. – Jake Hodges

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‘The Brood’ (1979)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.8/10

As many horror fans will know, David Cronenberg is a master of his craft, with The Brood one of his best creations. This winding and often strange narrative details all sorts of sickening and unusual moments in the life of a man, his wife, her unconventional psychologist, and a brood of terrifying children. Starring the likes of Oliver Reed and Samantha Eggar, The Brood certainly isn’t hampered by the technical limitations of its day, with Cronenberg delivering a host of gruesome images that rival even the biggest budget horrors of today. For anyone looking for the next best horror to watch on Max, it’s hard to go wrong with The Brood. – Jake Hodges

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