A howl in the night. A vengeful spirit. A final girl running to safety. Sometimes you just want to watch those classic horror stories and hit those favorite horror beats. Fortunately, if you're in the market for some streaming screams, Hulu has a solid lineup of scary movies to get the job done. From the classics to current hits to indie gems that flew under the radar, we're highlighting the best of the horrifying bunch. Check out our list of the best horror movies on Hulu.

In the mood for something a little lighter? Check out the best comedy, romance, or family films on the platform, or explore the best movies on Hulu in any genre.

'Cabin in the Woods' (2011)

Rotten Tomatoes: 92% | IMDb: 7.0/10

Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins star in the ultra-meta slasher flick Cabin in the Woods. In Drew Goddard’s directorial debut, Cabin in the Woods was co-written by the director and Joss Whedon. Cabin in the Woods blossoms from the traditional horror premise of attractive young people visiting a remote location for a weekend to partake in drinking, drugs, and sex. While this foundational plot often evolves into various expected tropes, Cabin in the Woods cleverly subverts expectations. Through intense action and thrilling suspense, Cabin in the Woods seamlessly merges genres like sci-fi, horror, and satire. Along with Whitford and Jenkins, Cabin in the Woods features early performances from Thor’s Chris Hemsworth, as well as Jesse Williams and Kristen Connolly. – Yael Tygiel

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'The Boogeyman' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 60% | IMDb: 5.9/10

Based on Stephen King’s 1973 short story of the same name, The Boogeyman is a house-under-siege horror that follows two sisters, Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) and Sawyer (Vivien Lyra Blair), who are haunted by a demonic entity following the passing of their mother. Directed by Rob Savage, the film also stars Chris Messina and David Dastmalchian and was written by Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, and Mark Heyman.

The Boogeyman received a mixed critical reception, especially in comparison to its source material. However, critics did praise the ensemble cast’s performances and the film’s spooky atmosphere. Given its short run-time, it's no surprise that The Boogeyman flies past at a terrifying pace. This gripping tale is littered with jumpscares and makes for a great watch for those craving an entertaining dose of fear.

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'Appendage' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 50% | IMDb: 5.3/10

Written and directed by Anna Zlokovic, the darkly funny body horror film Appendage follows fashion designer Hannah’s (Hadley Robinson) growing imposter syndrome, which, after going significantly out of control, ends up physically spawning a growth on her body. The growth, the titular “appendage,” soon starts to outwardly destroy her life just as the imposter syndrome had done her mind. A terrifying tale with a cutting sense of comedy, the film also stars the likes of Emily Hampshire (Schitt’s Creek), Deborah Rennard (Dallas), and Brandon Mychal Smith (Get On Up).

While the film didn’t do too well with critics, Appendage is a fun watch that’s angst-ridden and tense but retains a humorous touch. The cast is in full force in this film that, despite what its surface may suggest, delves deep into themes of depression and anxiety and acts as somewhat of an allegory for the mental health crisis that dominates the lives of young people today.

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'The Intruder' (2019)

Rotten Tomatoes: 55% | IMDb: 5.6/10

The Intruder is a psychological thriller that follows Annie and Scott Howard, played by Meagan Good and Michael Ealy, who purchase a house in Napa Valley. Unfortunately for them, the previous owner of the house, Charlie (Dennis Quaid), isn’t quite ready to let go of the property just yet. Directed by Deon Taylor and written by David Loughery, the film was a commercial success and a critical flop — and it’s easy to see why.

The biggest draw of The Intruder is Dennis Quaid’s perfectly chaotic performance, which has drawn comparisons to the likes of Jack Nicholson in The Shining and Christian Bale in American Psycho. The rest of the movie, however, falls right into camp territory. The Intruder is hardly the serious thriller it’s billed as, but if you’re in the mood for a hilariously over-the-top late-night movie, this is the one for you.

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'Infinity Pool' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 87% | IMDb: 6.0/10

Written and directed by Brandon Cronenberg, Infinity Pool is a science fiction horror film that follows a married couple, played by Alexander Skarsgård (Succession) and Cleopatra Coleman (Dopesick), who are on a relaxing beach vacation that turns unexpectedly vicious after an accident reveals the surreal subculture hiding just beneath the surface at their resort.

A horrifying deep dive into gore, morality, and hedonism, Infinity Pool premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival and received generally positive reviews on its release. Co-starring Mia Goth and Jalil Lespert, the film swims within the brutal underworld of graphic violence and perversion, resulting in shocking scenes captured eloquently by Cronenberg. Infinity Pool, although undeniably a gruesome horror film, sets itself apart with unique and imaginative visuals.

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'Jagged Mind' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 4.4/10

Jagged Mind follows Billy (Maisie Richardson-Sellers), a cool young twenty-something from Miami’s Little Haiti who meets the perfect woman (Shannon Woodward). They immediately fall in love, but shortly after, Billy starts suffering from blackouts and twisted visions of death that slowly erode her brain with every occurrence. A psychological horror thriller/romance story, Jagged Mind was directed by Kelley Kali and written by Allyson Morgan. The movie is based on an episode of Hulu’s Bite Size Halloween, “First Date,” which was also written by Morgan.

Critical response to Jagged Mind was generally favorable. While it has its share of flaws, the movie is a compelling, well-executed work of horror. In many ways, Jagged Mind feels like someone took the concept of 50 First Dates and injected it with psychotropics, producing a harrowing horror romance that’s anchored by its direction and performances.

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'Clock' (2023)

Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 5.0/10

Clock is a meditation on the pressures women face around reproduction, joining the ranks of modern elevated psychological horror films like Men, Midsommar, and Hereditary that explore deep themes through the prism of horror. Written and directed by Alexis Jacknow (Love Daily), this science fiction horror story centers around Ella (Dianna Agron), a woman in her late thirties who faces constant pressure to have children despite not wanting any. She gets coerced into joining an experimental program meant to “fix her biological clock” that seemingly drives her to madness.

Despite some criticism for its execution, Clock received mostly favorable reviews from critics. Its visceral storytelling, combined with its deep psychological themes, make for a thought-provoking watch. The film has a lot to say about its themes and perfectly uses the thriller medium to manifest and physicalize the internal struggles that women deal with daily.

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'Fresh' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 81% | IMDb: 6.7/10

Fresh is a horror thriller with a “fresh” take on the perils and horrors of modern dating that artfully balances empowerment and uneasiness. Just as she’s sworn off dating, Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) meets Steve (Sebastian Stan). He’s kind, charming, and just what she’s been looking for in a partner. That is until she discovers his secret side hustle as a cannibal who traps women and sells their body parts to an elite clientele. Noa then has to figure out how to avoid being eaten herself, even if that means playing along with Steve’s continued, morbid sense of affection for her. Written by Lauryn Kahn, Fresh is the feature debut of director Mimi Cave.

The movie had its world premiere at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival and received positive reviews from critics. Despite its gruesome premise, Fresh is more unsettling than outright gory when it comes to its depiction of cannibalism. That said, it does still find ways to make even the strongest stomach turn a bit. If you’re squeamish, it’s probably best if you don’t eat while you watch.

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'Matriarch' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 4.6/10

Written and directed by Ben Steiner, Matriarch is a simmering slow-burn thriller that follows a woman (Jemima Rooper) who, after surviving an overdose, visits her childhood home to confront her demons. Co-starring Game of Thrones alum Kate Dickie, with Sarah Paul and Franc Ashman, Matriarch is a haunting exploration of addiction and generational trauma through eerie circumstances and frightful imagery that’s sure to make viewers squirm.

A story that’s more than meets the eye, Matriarch is a disturbing horror film intended to bring discomfort to the audience. The film received favorable reviews from critics upon its release, with some comparing it to the work of David Cronenberg. It’s a dark and atmospheric movie that presents an interesting narrative, even if it takes some time to get going.

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'Intrigo: Dear Agnes' (2019)

IMDb: 5.2/10

Starring Gemma Chan (Eternals), Intrigo: Dear Agnes is a gripping sequel to the 2018 film Intrigo: Death of an Author. Directed by Daniel Alfredson, the film follows a young widow named Agnes (Carla Juri), who is offered a shocking proposition. Agnes’ wealthy friend (Chan) has a cheating husband (Jamie Sives) she’s eager to get rid of, and she wants to hire Agnes to murder him.

Intrigo: Dear Agnes isn’t an out-and-out horror movie, but its story does have the hallmarks of old-school suspense horrors. A crime drama thriller with a chilling premise, Intrigo: Dear Agnes is a murder mystery with a slow burn and a shocking twist. While the film wasn’t a big hit with critics, its tense tale makes for an engrossing watch.

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'Hatching' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 93% | IMDb: 6.2/10

Hatching is a Finnish psychological horror film by director Hanna Bergholm, who also created the story on which Ilja Rautsi’s screenplay is based. The movie follows the desperation of a sweet and fragile 12-year-old gymnast named Tinja (Siiri Solalinna) as she struggles to satisfy her malcontent image-obsessed mother (Sophia Heikkilä). Swinging between family lifestyle vlogging, gymnastics training, and exploring the woods, Tinja finds it impossible to overcome the burden of her mother’s expectations. After she finds a strange egg and brings it home, the creature that hatches from it forms an intricate bond with Tinja and begins to act upon her repressed emotions.

The film premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix and received critical acclaim. With a story about societal pressures and unrealistic beauty standards, Hatching reveals an insufferable reality twisted by the introduction of a creature with the capability to free Tinja or destroy her.

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'Funhouse' (2021)

IMDb: 5.2/10

Funhouse is a satirical horror film revolving around a Big Brother-style reality show where contestants are brutally killed off as they’re eliminated. Featuring performances from Valter Skarsgård and Khamisa Wilsher (Charmed) and bursting with gore, Funhouse shares similarities to movies like Truth or Dare and the Saw franchise. The film was written and directed by Jason William Lee, who also appears in the movie.

While it’s an intriguing commentary on societal obsession with fame and voyeurism, the critical response to Funhouse was spectacularly terrible. That’s a shame because, while it falls short of its own potential, Lee’s script presents an entertaining blend of horror and social satire that builds to a graphically The Purge-like culmination of terror and body parts.

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'Hellraiser' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 67% | IMDb: 5.9/10

Hellraiser is director David Bruckner’s new perspective on Clive Barker’s horror classic. The film is centered on an addict named Riley (Odessa A’zion) as she searches for her missing brother (Kit Clarke), ultimately becoming consumed by the ancient and enigmatic puzzle that may be responsible for his vanishment. This reboot film was scripted by Ben Collins and Luke Piotrowski and based on a story co-written by David S. Goyer (The Unborn).

The eleventh installment in the franchise and a modern remake of the original, Hellraiser builds a deep and intricate mythology around the puzzle box, the Cenobites, and the unforgettable horror icon Pinhead (Jamie Clayton). Featuring dark and gory imagery, terrifyingly creative torment, and a fun performance from Goran Visnjic (Timeless), Hellraiser is an exciting new chapter for fans of the original franchise. The film received generally positive reviews from both critics and audiences, becoming one of the most streamed films in the US in the week of its release.

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'Bad Hair' (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 5.6/10

From writer/director Justin Simien (Dear White People), Bad Hair is a clever horror satire film set in the late 1980s that explores cultural discrimination through the lens of ironic horror. The movie follows the journey of Anna Bludso (Elle Lorraine), an ambitious woman trying to make a career in the world of music television. Starring the likes of Jay Pharoah, Laverne Cox, Chanté Adams, and Blair Underwood, Bad Hair takes full advantage of its setting, infusing the cast with recognizable faces like Lena Waithe (Westworld), Vanessa Williams (Ugly Betty) and James Van Der Beek, as well as peppering in celebrity musicians like Kelly Rowland and Usher.

Bad Hair premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020 and received mostly favorable reviews. While the film’s execution has been criticized, its setting and themes tell an interesting and funny story that’s anchored by the performances of its cast. Take a chance with Bad Hair — you may just enjoy it more than you expect.

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'Prey' (2022)

Rotten Tomatoes: 94% | IMDb: 7.1/10

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane), Prey is the latest addition to the Predator franchise. The film is a prequel that takes audiences back in time with an origin story set in the Comanche Nation, where a warrior battles a new enemy. Naru, played perfectly by Amber Midthunder (Legion), is skilled and fierce as she goes up against the first Predator to land on planet Earth.

Almost universally acclaimed by critics and fans of the franchise, Prey provides an enthralling backstory to an already beloved and established IP while also highlighting previously unexplored history for both the monster and its victims. If there’s one thing to criticize about the experience of watching this Hulu original film, it’s that it really ought to have been released theatrically rather than on streaming. With a marvelous cast and fast-paced action, Prey is an adventure that deserves to be seen, regardless of screen size.

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'Shadow in the Cloud' (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 5.0/10

Directed and co-written by Roseanne Liang (My Wedding and Other Secrets), Shadow in the Cloud is a delightfully thrilling World War II movie with a horror twist. Set in 1943, the film follows the young female Flying Officer Maude Garrett (Chloe Grace Moretz), who brings an enigmatic package onto a B-17 bomber. The sexist crew traps her in the lower gunning deck, which is bad enough, but Maude is soon forced to deal with even greater problems when an alien monster attaches itself to the plane.

A totally bonkers science-fiction thriller with a healthy dose of action, Shadow in the Cloud is an underrated female-centric sci-fi horror film. The movie premiered at the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival, winning the People's Choice Award for Midnight Madness and receiving favorable reviews from critics. If you’d like to see Moretz kick the crap out of monsters and obnoxious dudebros, climb aboard Shadow in the Cloud for all that and more.

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'False Positive' (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 47% | IMDb: 4.7/10

False Positive is a horror mystery film that presents a feminist take on the terrors of pregnancy and motherhood. The movie is directed by John Lee, who also co-wrote False Positive with the film’s star, Ilana Glazer. After two years of trying to get pregnant, Lucy (Glazer) and her husband Adrian (Justin Theroux) make an appointment with Dr. Hindle (Pierce Brosnan), the leading fertility doctor in New York and Adrian’s former teacher. Dr. Hindle’s treatment works, and Lucy becomes pregnant with triplets. Unfortunately, in order to ensure that the pregnancy remains viable and Lucy’s health remains uncompromised, Dr. Hindle suggests a selective reduction where they keep either the female embryo or the twin male embryos. After this procedure, Lucy starts to feel uneasy and paranoid about the pregnancy. She believes that Dr. Hindle and Adrian are conspiring against her and will do whatever it takes to prove it — even if everyone around her dismisses her concerns as “pregnancy brain.”

The film’s critical reception was largely negative, but its uneasy, paranoid narrative makes for a rather fascinating watch. Lucy’s story and Glazer’s performance successfully blur the lines of reality, slowly building tension until the shocking climax, which will leave you questioning everything except for a mother’s intuition.

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'Titane' (2021)

Rotten Tomatoes: 90% | IMDb: 6.5/10

A film that defies genre classification, Julia Ducournau’s Titane is a truly one-of-a-kind experience that deserves to be seen with as little information as possible. What can be said is that it centers on Agathe Rousselle’s Alexia, a woman who was seriously injured in a car accident as a child and now has a titanium plate in her head. Following an intimate experience with a car and a series of brutal killings, she begins to form a bond with a man while posing as his son.

Titane premiered at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, where it won widespread critical acclaim and bagged the Palme d'Or, the festival's highest prize. An ultimately sweet story about family and identity that also wears the skin of body horror, Titane is a wholly original vision with a committed cast who helps bring Ducournau’s world to hyperreal life. If you’ve seen her previous film, the also outstanding Raw, then you may have some idea of what you’re getting into, even as Titane goes in its own incredibly unique direction. The movie is silly, graphic, dark, and eventually loving in a way that no other film out there can hold a candle to.

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'Run' (2020)

Rotten Tomatoes: 89% | IMDb: 6.7/10

The Misery-esque horror movie Run follows the insulated upbringing of Chloe (Kiera Allen), a homeschooled high school senior who’s eager to go away to college and live her life to the fullest. She’s raised by her schedule-oriented mother (Sarah Paulson), who’s overly protective and concerned for her daughter’s future in the real world. The more Chloe plans her adult life, the more she starts to realize that her mother might be hiding a very sinister secret. The movie was directed by Aneesh Chaganty, who also co-wrote the script with Sev Ohanian. The duo’s resume also includes the fantastic Searching (2018) and Missing (2023).

Run was positively received by critics, who lauded its tense storytelling and brilliant performances. The movie made waves online when it was released and drew a very large audience, becoming Hulu’s most-watched original film up to that point.

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