10 Streaming Horror Movies To Get You Through These Troubled Times
(Welcome toNow Scream This, a column where horror experts Chris Evangelista and Matt Donato tell you what scary, spooky, and spine-tingling movies are streaming and where you can watch them.)Matt:A few days ago, Chris and I decided this week’s theme should be “feel good” horror movies because we can all use some hope and empowerment. Simpler times when our US government’s only failure was 2020’s pandemic response. At this very moment? I’m writing about horror movie recommendations while America isliterallyburning to the ground. “Now Scream This” feels especially trivial in the grand scheme, currently. Why watch a scary movie when the purest representation of horror is an unfit, tyrannical president posting on social media about killing protesters? Do you want to feel terrorized? Scroll through Twitter for about five minutes. Need a brief smile to combat, well, gestures around, all this? If only for a few blinks? We’ll do our best.Chris:Things are bad, kids. I won’t go off into a rant about how utterly screwed-up everything seems right now, but if you haven’t realized that for yourself by now, you’re in denial. But we here at Now Scream This have a job to do, damn it, and we’re going to do it. Horror can often be therapeutic in times of distress –there are actually studies about this– and while the horror genre can often be bleak, it can also be hopeful. Or make you laugh. Or at the very least distract you from all of this motions at literally everything.
Now Streaming on Shudder and Tubi
Matt:A popular complaint amongst horror fans is the overall lack of werewolf content (quality werewolf content, at least), but you know what creature gets the shaft worse? Mermaids!The Lureis my constant go-to mermaid horror recommendation, butBlue My Minddeserves subgenre recognition. A companion to beastly coming-of-age flicks likeWhen Animals Dream,mapping a young teen’s transformation into womanhood. “Blue My Mind’sliquid coming-of-self fluidity is a well-represented young girl’s experience with new feelings, unable to wrestle against changes far beyond her control,” I once wrote. I stand by those words. Find yourself, find self-assurance, and find peace within metamorphosis as emotional waves come crashing downward.Chris:I haven’t seen this, but I have seenThe Little Mermaid. Does that count?
Now Streaming on Shudder
Matt:“Matt, isn’t this a tremendous film about grief and loss?” Yes. A bazillion percent.The Last Will And Testament Of Rosalind Leighis about a son’s return home after his mother’s death, and what he discovers in her absence. Why is this inspirational or uplifting? Rue Morgue founderRodrigo Gudiñowrites and directs a beautiful rumination on two intersecting lives from the afterlife and beyond. Rosalind’s narration plays atop her son’s “journey,” making for a storytelling choice that, for my money, plays aces in terms of “supernatural” reinvention. I’ve loved this movie ever since journalist-turned-filmmaker Brad McHargue brought it to my little podcast, Certified Forgotten, for a deep-dive episode neither myself nor co-host Matthew Monagle (/Film local) were ready to grapple. That, right there, is the payoff.Chris:I love this little-seen movie. It’s simple, it never leaves one location, and yet it packs a punch.
Now Streaming on Netflix
Matt:Whenever I call upon horror to plaster a big stupid grin across my face,Tucker & Dale Vs. Evilis my go-to. Two yokels who want to spruce-up and enjoy their “vacation” home are mistaken for slasher killers by college-type partiers. Flip the script, convince the “not killers” a suicide cult is targeting them because bodies keep piling up as the young adults keep “offing themselves” in brutal ways. The biggest of misunderstandings, but justice is served when Tucker and Dale prove themselves the heroes – no antagonists. It’s a story about how jumping to stereotypes might not be the best course of action. Also, how easy it is to launch yourself into a woodchipper. Be safe out there, readers.Chris:Why haven’t they made at least five sequels to this by now? Such a treat.
Now Streaming on Amazon Prime
Matt:A post-apocalyptic superhero joint that plays like a Saturday Morning cartoon got an “M for Mature” makeover?Turbo Kidis all that and a bag of chips, with phasers set to “gory dispatches.” Oh, sorry. That’s not the hopeful and sweet part. For that feeling, I look towards “The Kid” and Apple’s relationship development as they traverse “The Wasteland,” facing off against BMX bandits who shoot buzzsaws from cannons. Did I mention there’s an arm-wrestling cowboy? Thunderdome battles? Heroic undertones as “The Kid” overthrows theMad-Max-adjacent tyranny of a cruel, egotistical leader who will stop at nothing to service himself over the Wasteland? In the end, “Zeus” gets what’s coming (an incinerating explosion). Sometimes it’s nice to be reminded how the bad guys always eventually lose.Chris:A tribute to those movies of the past where the year 1999 was portrayed as an apocalyptic wasteland,Turbo Kidhas heart and a can-do attitude that’s endearing.
Now Streaming on Hulu/Amazon Prime
Matt:I know this is an unpopular “In Defense Of,” butHell Babycracks me up like a fool. It’sRobert Ben GarantandThomas Lennon’s offspring all the way, which is how they’re able to assemble a bang-up cast of comedians to emphasize the “comedy” aspect of this horror comedy.Kumail Nanjianiplays a stoned character who drives away “without acting suspicious,” which might stand as the funniest long-form comedy I’ve seen sinceHell Baby’s release. It’s a happy ending because the demon-child gets electrocuted and then explodes, I promise. It’s also my brand ofReno 911humor, so proceed with caution. Love what makes you happy. Every day is a privilege.Chris:Oh hell, baby, I haven’t seen this either.
Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Chris:Yes, some of the humor inThe Monster Squadhasn’t aged very well. It can even be offensive. At the same time, it’s worth noting that “being offensive” is what a lot of kids do. They don’t really have a filter, and they’re more prone to blurt out questionable things than the average adult (well, the average adult not on Twitter, at least). But beyond all that is a funny, atmospheric love letter to the Universal monster movies, with a rag-tag team of kids going up against Dracula and his unholy army. At the center of it all is a touching subplot about the Frankenstein Monster teaming up with the kids because deep down, he’s got a good heart (even if it’s not really his).Matt:Wolfie’s got nards, and this movie’s got heart.
Now Streaming on Kanopy
Chris:A mockumentary about vampire roommates,What We Do in the Shadowsalready has a reputation as being one of the funniest horror comedies in recent memory – and with good reason. It’s hysterical. The movie displays a love for vampire folklore in general, while also sending it up. And the TV series (which I just started watching) might be even better.Matt:One of the past decade’s funniest horror comedies, mockumentaries, vampire movies, and whatever other classifications you want to add.
Now Streaming on HBO Max and HBO Go
Chris:Happy Death Dayis a lot of fun, butHappy Death Day 2Utakes things to a whole other level. Once again,Jessica Rotheshines as Tree Gelbman, a college student who gets stuck in aGroundhog Daytime-loop.Happy Death Day 2Uexpands the world of the first film even more by going to weird, wild places and involving all sorts of twists and turns you won’t see coming. But it also goes to surprisingly emotional places – there’s a scene where Tree reunites with her long-dead mother that actually made me cry, something I never thought I’d do while watching a movie calledHappy Death Day 2U.Matt:This is probably going to lose me points, butHappy Dead Day 2U>Happy Death Day.
Chris:Funny and bloody,Ready or Notis a must-see blend ofClueandThe Most Dangerous Game.Samara Weavinggives a star-making performance as a young woman marrying into an obscenely wealthy family. What she doesn’t know is that the family has a long tradition of hunting people for sport. But the fam gets more than they bargained for when Weaving’s character proves to be more tenacious than they expected.Matt:A perfect film. Five out of five stars. Samara Weaving could be the horror genre’s hottest star should she want to stay around. I’d watch this seventy-billion times in a row if I could. Also, eat the rich (or break their curse and cause them to self combust).
Chris:You just can’t beatTremors, a creature feature that pits Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward against giant worm monsters in a small town. Equal parts gross and funny, I can’t remember the last time I saw a modern-day movie like this (no, the ten millionTremorssequels don’t count). Make more funny monster movies, damn it! And bring backKevin BaconandFred Ward.Matt:I think I can confidently sayTremorsis one of my favorite creature features? The sequels get goofy as all hell, but the original? Graboids are horrifying, yet the movie still remains a fun-filled watch. The yin and yang, it exists.
