Not every horror fan has time for endless full-length features, especially in 2025, when film runtimes are arguably longer than ever, often involving stretched-out narratives. Sometimes, a quick distraction or 10-minute fright is all that’s needed to get that horror fix. Although there are a variety of horror short films that exist on streaming services like Netflix or Max, they don’t even come close to the YouTube channel Alter, which has nearly 1,000 horror shorts in their catalog, with more added on a weekly basis. What makes the Alter channel unique is that you never know what to expect. It’s a media company that platforms small and up-and-coming horror directors, and serves as a launching pad for fresh talent. Creators submit their horror shorts, and if approved, they are uploaded and shared with their 3.5 million subscribers, and throughout YouTube as a whole.
Alter is also a fantastic resource due to its endless variety of shorts, which can be seen within the channel’s own trailer. They can vary from (extremely) low budget, to high-budget productions, and have varying runtimes that often range between 4 and 25 minutes. They span multiple formats and styles, with the shorts varying from realistic to cartoonish animation, practical effect live-action horror to CGI-filled narratives, and everything in between. Alter has every flavor of horror you’ve heard of, from body horror, to teen, LGBTQ+ horror, metaphorical and psychological horror, found footage, horror comedy, “good for her” and revenge narratives, demonic and paranormal, historical or folk horror, and classic monster or creature stories. The diversity of Alter’s short film selection is endless, which is why it’s such a great source of entertainment for any type of horror fan.
The Alter Horror Shorts You Don’t Want To Miss
Due to the vast number of talented filmmakers who are featured on Alter, it can be hard to narrow down suggestions. But by factoring in the film’s popularity, the specific horror subgenre it fits under, the story’s originality, and the quality of the production, here are some recommendations. To start off, Stuck (2020) by David Mikalson fits under the “good for her” subgenre, as a clever gymnastics instructor finds an odious yet well-deserved solution to deal with a pervert who enjoys leering at her underage student gymnasts. This short is cathartic, but also morbidly creative and expertly builds tension throughout its 13-minute runtime. There’s also Beck Kitsis’ The Three Men You Meet At Night (2020), which falls both under female-centric horror and psychological horror, as it showcases the stressful reality of the situations women face when walking home alone at night. It masterfully builds tension, and is a lesson on why women can be wary of men — regardless of their age, occupation, or familiarity. Additionally, Fragile.com (2019) by Alison-Eve Hammersley is a horror-tragedy that presents a narrative that’s a metaphor for grooming, utilizing a visually stunning, colorful environment contrasted with the raw sadness and desperation of the protagonist, Mara.
Alter also has its fair share of horror comedies, where the limits of ridiculousness and creativity have no bounds. The 5-minute animated short Buzzkill (2022) by Peter Ahern looks like a Cartoon Network original — but with a side of Jeffrey Dahmer and bug-infestation. Death Metal (2016) by Chris McInroy is a hilarious low-budget parody of the heavy metal scene. When metalhead Lars inherits a satanic guitar that has three conditions, he quickly breaks all three, leading to chaos in a glorious display of blood and guts. Lastly, Kookie (2016) by Justin Harding is a disturbingly wholesome story of an unlikely friendship blossoming between a little girl, Bree, and her demonic clown cookie jar. It manages to be humorous, terrifying, and heart-warming interchangeably, all within a 12-minute runtime.
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Alter has its fair share of psychological and/or metaphorical horror, with Requiem (2021) also being considered folk horror and LGBTQ+ cinema. Directed by Em J. Gilbertson and starring Bella Ramsey, this short is more refined and has a higher budget than the average short film, and skillfully presents a lesbian-love-story-gone-wrong narrative during the time of the Witch Trials in England. Level (2017) by Andrew Hunt, feels like an episode of Black Mirror — specifically, similar to Playtest starring Wyatt Russell. An unnamed man is stuck in a loop, hunted by hideous creatures indefinitely without a way out or place to hide. It features spine-chilling practical effects and creates a perfect ambiance of dread as the boundaries between real life and video games are blurred beyond recognition. Additionally, Deep Breaths (2020) by Alex Goyette is an excellent metaphor for anxiety, and brilliantly personifies what a panic attack feels like. In its 4-minute runtime, it’s able to deliver a complex yet understandable narrative without a second wasted, and is viscerally terrifying in its reveal.
To finish up with some honorable mentions, The Hidebehind (2018) by Smile (2022) director Parker Finn is another Alter short that shouldn’t be missed. It masterfully builds tension in a basic scenario of a man lost in the woods, and pays off with a memorable jump scare. The story is short and simplistic, but executed extremely well. It’s the type of film that professors would show their film students as a lesson in effectively building suspense. Lastly, Flesh Computer (2013) by Ethan Shaftel is a science fiction/body horror short that is heavily influenced by John Carpenter-inspired practical effects. It’s peculiar, existential, dystopian, and gross — but also fascinating and masterful in its artistry and world-building abilities. The 13-minute film is not only intricate, but atmospherically strong and memorable.
What Makes Alter Stand Out?
Alter’s horror short variety is endless, and easily accessible. Even from the shorts discussed in this article, each varies heavily even if they fall into similar subgenres, and each carries a unique mood and atmosphere. There’s something for everyone, whether they’re fans of classic horror, blood and guts, terrifying mysteries, horror comedies, or any other niche horror market. Alter’s assortment is what makes it so appealing, as it takes on any imaginable perspective or scenario. While some shorts are bad quality, unoriginal, and feature terrible acting, others are undiscovered hidden gems and potential cult classics. Not to mention, even outside of YouTube, Alter has a free streaming TV channel on platforms like Tubi, Sling, LG, and Samsung TV.
Alter also does a great job of platforming unknown actors, while also featuring known A- and B-listers. As mentioned, Bella Ramsey stars in Requiem, but additionally, horror queen Maika Monroe stars in How to Be Alone (2019), Henry Zebrowski stars in Good Head (2021), Amanda Seyfried in Skin & Bone (2022), and the iconic Marisa Tomei and Minnie Driver in Laboratory Conditions (2017). Another significant side effect of the Alter channel is that it helps boost filmmakers and their projects. One of Alter’s most popular shorts, Carlota Mertínez-Pereda’s Piggy (2019), is a 13-minute narrative about an overweight teen who is bullied by her classmates, only for them to be captured by a serial killer in a karma-filled twist. The short was so successful, Mertínez-Pereda released a full-length version in 2022 and continues to have a successful directing career. All of this is to say, Alter is not only a great channel for horror fans who want fresh entertainment, but is also a great resource and launching pad for up-and-coming independent horror filmmakers.
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