Killer doll scares, supernatural curses, and multiple exorcisms abound.
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
The horror genre only seems to be increasing in popularity, whether it’s in the form of terrifying franchises or nightmare-inducing indies. (Longlegs, anyone?) Luckily for scary movie lovers, there are a plethora of great horror flicks to watch on Prime Video, from classic films that have stood the test of time to modern-day slashers. Perhaps you’re obsessed with M3GAN because of the killer doll’s enviable dance moves, or you’re drawn to the body horror of recent releases such as Sydney Sweeney-starrer Immaculate. Whatever your taste, you just might find your fright of choice in these 20 best horror movies streaming on Prime Video right now.
Immaculate (2024)
View full post on Youtube
Sydney Sweeney stars as trainee nun Sister Cecilia in this graphic body horror movie. After a near-death experience, Cecilia turns to Christianity, and gets an invitation to serve at a convent for dying nuns in Italy. However, the convent is not what it seems, and a dark and twisted reality lies behind closed doors.
Talk to Me (2022)
View full post on Youtube
Australian horror movie Talk to Me caused quite a stir upon its release, particularly because of its inventive portrayal of the supernatural. Plagued by her mom’s suicide, teenager Mia (Sophie Wilde) attends a party at which her friends claim they can converse with the dead by holding onto a haunted embalmed hand.
Smile (2022)
View full post on Youtube
Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) begins hallucinating strange and violent occurrences after witnessing a patient’s shocking suicide at work. Rose soon learns that a curse is spreading among people who have witnessed a smiling person die in front of them. In a race against time, she tries to unravel the mystery.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Candyman (2021)
View full post on Youtube
In Nia DaCosta’s 2021 sequel to the original 1992 movie, artist Anthony (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) researches the legend of Candyman for a new project. After being stung by a bee, Anthony’s artwork becomes more sinister, and he realizes his connection to the legend might go far deeper than he initially expected.
The Hunt (2020)
View full post on Youtube
A group of strangers wake up gagged in a field and find they’re being hunted by a gang with guns. Crystal (Betty Gilpin) attempts to avoid the drama while the rest of the strangers get shot at; but as she searches for help in the nearby town, it becomes clear that a political war is at play, and the divide between rich and poor starts to feel cavernous.
Late Night With the Devil (2024)
View full post on Youtube
In an attempt to boost his ratings on Halloween night in 1977, late night host Jack Delroy (David Dastmalchian) invites a psychic, a parapsychologist, a magician, and an allegedly possessed girl on the show. The result is a haunting evening in which truly horrifying events take place in front of a live audience.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
The Pope’s Exorcist (2023)
View full post on Youtube
Based on the work of Father Gabriele Amorth, the movie follows the pope’s personal exorcist as he attempts to rid people of demons. Russell Crowe shines as Father Gabriele, exorcizing the afflicted in the local community and taking on cases further afield. Due to the movie’s success, a sequel is in development.
It Follows (2015)
View full post on Youtube
Before Longlegs, Maika Monroe proved to be the ultimate scream queen as the lead in It Follows. The premise hinges on a supernatural entity that’s sexually transmitted between individuals. After having sex for the first time, Jay (Monroe) begins to see figures following her wherever she goes, and they only keep getting closer.
The Blackening (2023)
View full post on Youtube
The Blackening is a comedic slasher and satirical look at the tropes Black characters are often subjected to in horror movies. A group of friends spend the weekend together at a remote cabin, where they’re forced to play a racist board game while a mysterious killer attempts to kill the gang one by one.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Psycho (1960)
View full post on Youtube
Alfred Hitchock’s classic 1960 movie Psycho was based on the Robert Bloch novel of the same. Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) is on the run after stealing a large sum of money from her boss. She checks into a roadside motel where she meets proprietor Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), a young man with a terrifying secret. From the shower scene to the reveal of Norman’s mother, Psycho is simply iconic.
X (2022)
View full post on Youtube
A group of aspiring adult film stars travel to rural Texas to make a movie in a barn. The shoot is far from smooth, with the farm’s owners expressing disgust at the group’s activities. Violence ensues, with each of the gang coming face to face with the elderly residents who harbor dark secrets. Follow it up with prequel Pearl and sequel MaXXXine.
Saw X (2023)
View full post on Youtube
The tenth film in the Saw franchise sees the return of John Kramer (Tobin Bell), the titular Jigsaw killer. A direct sequel to the very first movie, Saw X follows Kramer as he travels to Mexico for an experimental cancer treatment. When the trip goes awry, Jigsaw calls in reinforcements to teach a treacherous group some unforgettable lessons with his infamous traps.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Hereditary (2018)
View full post on Youtube
Horror auteur Ari Aster’s directorial debut focuses on a devastating supernatural curse permeating multiple generations of one family. While mourning the death of their grandmother, Peter takes his younger sister Charlie to a party. A tragic accident changes everyone’s lives irreparably, while posing questions about why darkness has descended on the clan.
Master (2022)
View full post on Youtube
The supernatural coincides with psychological horror in this 2022 flick. Gail (Regina Hall) takes on the prestigious role of master at a New England university, and becomes the first Black person to do so. However, the dream job forces Gail to face rampant racism on campus and the prejudices of tenured white professors. Meanwhile, students are haunted by tales of Black students who died mysteriously and stories of historic witchcraft.
The Exorcist (1973)
View full post on Youtube
Based upon William Peter Blatty’s shocking 1971 novel, The Exorcist remains a hallowed horror film that’s a rite of passage for any horror fan. When a young girl (Linda Blair) is seemingly possessed by a demon, two Catholic priests attend her home at the behest of her mother (Ellen Burstyn). Head-twisting, projectile vomiting, and crab-crawling persist.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Black Box (2020)
View full post on Youtube
Archive 81’s Mamoudou Athie stars in Blumhouse’s Black Box as a single father plagued by amnesia. Following a devastating accident that killed his wife, Nolan struggles to remember who he is and how to function in daily life. Desperate for help, he agrees to take part in an experimental treatment in order to overcome his memory loss.
The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
View full post on Youtube
The Purge films are based upon a terrifying premise: What if all crime was legal for one night every year? In Anarchy, the franchise’s second installment, we witness the horror taking place on the streets of Los Angeles. A group of people have started actively opposing the annual event, but surviving the night is far from easy.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
View full post on Youtube
In this remake of George A. Romero’s classic 1978 movie, the zombie apocalypse is in full swing in Milwaukee. Looking for shelter, a group of strangers congregate in a local shopping mall, where they attempt to stave off rabid zombies. Starring Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, and Mekhi Phifer.
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Imaginary (2024)
View full post on Youtube
DeWanda Wise leads Imaginary, a horror movie about the potential danger of imaginary friends. Jessica (Wise) moves into her old family home with her husband and step-daughters. One of the children becomes attached to Chauncey, Jessica’s childhood bear. However, Chauncey’s presence is far more dangerous than his fluffy exterior suggests.
M3GAN (2023)
View full post on Youtube
M3GAN made quite the impression before it was even released, thanks to its titular doll’s infectious dance moves. Roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams) becomes the legal guardian of Cady, whose parents have died. At work, Gemma has been developing a life-sized robot doll, which becomes quite attached to Cady. In fact, M3GAN’s obsession with the young girl manifests some terrifying acts of violence.
Amy Mackelden
Contributing Writer
Amy Mackelden is a freelance writer, editor, and disability activist. Her bylines include Harper's BAZAAR, Nicki Swift, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, ELLE, The Independent, Bustle, Healthline, and HelloGiggles. She co-edited The Emma Press Anthology of Illness, and previously spent all of her money on Kylie Cosmetics.