Get ready for a spine-chilling journey through the best horror movies streaming for free this Halloween! 🎃🎬
Horror Movies: A Year-Round Delight
Horror enthusiasts know that these chilling tales are not just for Halloween. As we approach October, the air gets crisper, and the nights grow longer, horror films become even more enticing. It's the perfect time for film lovers to indulge in creepy classics, discover new favorites, and marathon their way through the genre.
The Golden Age of Streaming
We live in an era where accessing movies has never been easier or more abundant. From physical media to an array of streaming platforms, movies are everywhere, waiting to be discovered and enjoyed. However, with most options requiring a subscription or rental fee, what about those on a budget or hesitant to spend on unknown titles? That's where the world of freemium streaming comes in, offering a treasure trove of films without the financial commitment.
Tubi: The Heavy Hitter
Among these freemium streamers, Tubi stands out as the heavyweight champion, boasting an extensive library covering every genre. But it's not alone; other ad-supported platforms like Fandango at Home, Plex, and Pluto TV also offer a wealth of cinematic experiences. For those with library cards (and who doesn't love a good library?), Kanopy provides an ad-free haven with a deep collection, including gems from the prestigious Criterion Collection.
A Chilling Tale: The Changeling
Associated Film Distribution brings us a haunting tale of grief and supernatural encounters. A celebrated composer, devastated by the loss of his family in a tragic accident, moves to Seattle, only to find himself in a haunted mansion. "The Changeling" may not be a household name, but it's often cited as one of the scariest films for good reason. Director Peter Medak crafts a terrifying atmosphere as our protagonist, John (George C. Scott), uncovers the heartbreaking history of the house, leading to a confrontation with an angry spirit.
The Power of Performance
What makes "The Changeling" truly special is George C. Scott's performance. Known for his intense roles in "Dr. Strangelove" and "Patton," Scott brings a softer, more compassionate edge to John, a man in mourning whose rage has transformed into a quest for justice. His journey from fear to determination mirrors that of the viewers, making for a powerful and emotional watch.
Where to Stream: Fandango at Home, Plex, Pluto, Tubi
Demon Wind: A Fun-Filled Siege
United Filmmakers presents a demonic tale with a twist. Cory and his friends, investigating the mysterious deaths of his grandparents, find themselves trapped in a farmhouse under supernatural attack. "Demon Wind" is a wild ride, with fun visual effects and some truly memorable sequences. It's a siege film with a supernatural twist, featuring possessed creatures spouting yellow blood and gooey practical effects. The deaths are varied and, while not overtly gory, there's enough blood and ooze to satisfy any horror fan.
A Wink and a Smile
The filmmakers and cast of "Demon Wind" know they're delivering a fun, entertaining experience. Some character interactions lean towards the goofy, adding a lighthearted touch to the carnage. The arrival of magician duo Chuck and Stacy, with their love for cheap magic tricks and firearms, is a highlight. Chuck's introduction, with his martial arts display and a dramatic "Shazam!", is undeniably magical. It's a love letter to the genre, a fun escape that will leave you smiling.
Where to Stream: Fandango at Home, Kanopy, Plex, Tubi
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum - A Lesser-Seen Gem
Well Go USA brings us a South Korean horror masterpiece. Ha-joon, a YouTuber exploring haunted locations, targets a long-closed psychiatric hospital, Gonjiam, with its tragic history. As he livestreams, something deadly unfolds, and viewers are treated to a genuine found-footage thrill ride. "Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum" succeeds where many fail, delivering scares and thrills within a familiar framework. The ghostly apparitions and strange happenings create a chilling atmosphere, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats.
A Modern Classic
This film is a hidden gem, and horror lovers are missing out if they've avoided it due to its non-English language. South Korean filmmakers have gifted us with numerous modern horror classics, and "Gonjiam" sits comfortably among the best. It's a quick, ninety-minute watch, but its impact will linger, especially the next time you find yourself in a dimly lit hallway or an abandoned asylum.
Where to Stream: Plex, Tubi
Halloween: A Slasher Classic
Aquarius Releasing presents John Carpenter's iconic slasher film, a horror mainstay for nearly half a century. "Halloween" is considered one of the films that kicked off the slasher trend, alongside "Black Christmas" and "Friday the 13th.". It relies more on suspense, atmosphere, and direction than bloodletting, a rarity in the genre. The film is filled with unforgettable moments, from Carpenter's iconic score to the emotionless killer in a Captain Kirk mask, and the world's most recognizable final girl, Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie.
A Masterful Score
Carpenter's score is a masterpiece, written under a tight deadline, and it has become a staple of Halloween playlists. It builds suspense and dread as Michael Myers cuts a murderous path through suburbia, leaving a trail of terror. Add in smart direction and a compelling story, and you have a film that deserves its place on lists of the best Halloween movies and best slashers.
Where to Stream: Plex
Hide and Seek: A Terrifying Chiller
RAM Releasing offers a South Korean horror thriller that ignites a slow burn of terror. When a man's brother goes missing, and strange symbols are found on every door in the building, Seong-soo begins to suspect he's being watched. "Hide and Seek" is a masterfully crafted chiller, rich in mystery and atmosphere. Writer/director Huh Jung transforms an everyday apartment building into a tense, unsettling space, where discomfort and unease lurk in every corner.
Social Commentary and Empathy
While marketed as a pure horror thriller, "Hide and Seek" has a deeper layer of social commentary swirling beneath the surface. There's an empathy to the madness, adding weight to the violence and carnage, and it's a plea for understanding rather than an excuse. These themes enhance the horror, creating a powerful and thought-provoking experience.
Where to Stream: Plex, Tubi
Housebound: A Hilarious Horror-Comedy
XYZ Films presents a hilarious horror-comedy, a rare feat in the genre. Kylie, a bit of a screwup, finds herself under house arrest, back living with her mother, and potentially in a haunted house. Writer/director Gerard Johnstone delivers a perfect blend of horror and comedy, a challenging task that few achieve. "Housebound" moves through different phases, keeping viewers a step behind with its evolving plot.
Scares and Laughter
Johnstone finds scares both inside and outside the house, delivering jumps and an eerie feeling of impending doom, all couched in big laughs. Morgana O'Reilly and Rima Te Wiata shine as Kylie and her mom, respectively, showcasing strong comedic chops as the story gets weirder. New Zealand filmmakers have a remarkable track record with horror-comedies, and "Housebound" is a standout example.
Where to Stream: Kanopy, Plex, Pluto, Tubi
The Houses October Built: A Haunt Season Horror
Image Entertainment brings us a fun, scary ride in the Haunt Season Horror subgenre. Five friends decide to make a documentary about haunted house attractions, traveling the country and interviewing attendees and cast members. Things take a dark turn when some of the creepier characters start following them.
A Twist of Terror
Director Bobby Roe takes his own documentary and turns it into a faux doc with a grim narrative twist. The friends are the usual found-footage bunch, but their friendships and curiosities feel genuine. Roe builds terrific set pieces around the creepy characters, leading the friends to the legendary Blue Skeleton attraction. It's a fun, engaging film that sits high among Haunt Season Horror films.
Where to Stream: Plex, Tubi
Messiah of Evil: A Nightmarish Journey
International Cine Film Corporation presents a film with a broad disparity between its first and last features. Arletty, hoping to reconnect with her father, finds herself in the small town of Point Dume, where she discovers a cult, cannibalism, and the return of the messiah. Writers/directors Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz deliver an atmospheric, nightmarish debut, a far cry from their later work, "Howard the Duck."
A Dreamlike Quality
"Messiah of Evil" captures a dreamlike quality that few films achieve, putting viewers immediately on edge. The story unfolds slowly, with the atmosphere and events carrying the terror forward. Sequences set in a supermarket and a movie theater are all-time classics, building unease and dread that explode into violence and horror. It's a raw, low-budget film, but it heightens the feeling of being trapped in a nightmare. Turn off the lights, and let the creepy coastal terror sweep over you.
Where to Stream: Kanopy, Plex, Pluto, Tubi
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: A Raw, Visceral Horror
Bryanston Distributing presents a film that sounds like a gore-fest from the title, but it's far more terrifying. Five friends hit the road in Texas, and a compassionate mistake leads them into the grip of a twisted family with a taste for human flesh. Director Tobe Hooper crafts a raw, intense film, leaving the violence mostly blood-free, allowing our imaginations to fill in the gaps.
The Power of Sound
Hooper's film is a visceral experience, with simple sounds turned into nightmare fuel. A metal door slamming shut reverberates in our minds, a buzzing chainsaw chills our bones, and wails and screams around the dinner table make any family gathering seem quaint by comparison. The film ends with an iconic image, a madman twirling and screaming, a perfect metaphor for America.
Where to Stream: Plex, Pluto, Tubi
Waxwork: A Fun Anthology
Vestron Pictures offers a fun, wild weekend adventure at a new wax museum. Six friends find themselves in a real-life nightmare, crossing the velvet rope into the worlds of vampires, werewolves, and more. Writer/director Anthony Hickox delivers an anthology-style film, with our characters wandering into different displays and encountering horror riffs that feed back into the present.
Fantastic Production Design
Hickox, known for "Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat" and "Hellraiser: Hell on Earth," makes his debut with "Waxwork," pairing humor with fantastic production design and makeup. The creatures, from the mummy to the werewolf, are stunning, and the werewolf, designed to resemble the one from "The Howling," is a standout. It's a fun, entertaining film that would have made our list of the best werewolf movies if it were the focus.
Where to Stream: Fandango at Home, Plex, Tubi
So, horror fans, which of these free streaming gems will you be watching this Halloween? Get ready for a scary good time!
