Few things are better than making some popcorn, turning off the lights, and letting a movie scare the heck out of you. But with so many streaming services out there, it’s hard to know where to best get your horror fix. LuckilyMaxhas a steep selection of horror titles for you to peruse. From classics to new entries, they have you covered. And the variety included offers choices whether you like your scares to come with a dose of humor, action, surrealism, or none of the above. Here are just some of the great horror titles HBO Max currently has on offer.
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Check out the bestthrillers,dramas, oroverall films on HBOinstead, or peruse our list of best horror films onNetflixandHulu.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Max.
‘MaXXXine’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 72% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Written, directed, produced, and edited byTi West,MaXXXineis a slasher horror film that’s a direct sequel to West’s 2022 movieXand the third installment in West’sXfilm series afterPearl.Mia Gothstars as Maxine Minx, her character fromX, withElizabeth Debicki,Moses Sumney,Michelle Monaghan,Bobby Cannavale,Giancarlo Esposito,Kevin Bacon, and more in supporting roles. Set some years after the events ofX, the film catches up with Maxine as a successful porn star in 1980s Hollywood, who is about to make the transition to mainstream movies. However, a mysterious killer stalks the night, targeting those closest to her and threatening to expose Maxine for the sins of her past.MaXXXinepremiered in June 2024 to critical acclaim and became the highest-grossing film of the series. Like the other movies in the series,MaXXXinefeatures impeccable cinematography that brings the ‘80s to vibrant life. But beyond the visuals,MaXXXinealso presents a thrilling mystery story that draws inspiration from classic movies of the time period, simultaneously presenting a layered image of what it truly means to be a star in the City of Angels.
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‘It’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 85% | IMDb: 7.3/10
Adapted fromStephen King’s eponymous 1986 novel,Itis a 2017 supernatural horror film directed byAndy Muschiettiand written byChase Palmer,Cary Fukunaga, andGary Dauberman. Covering the first chronological half of the book, the movie follows a group of children in Derry, Maine, who are terrorized by a supernatural entity called Pennywise the Dancing Clown. The film starsJack Dylan Grazer,Sophia Lillis,Jaden Lieberher,Finn Wolfhard,Wyatt Oleff,Chosen Jacobs, andJeremy Ray Taylor, withBill Skarsgårdas Pennywise.Itpremiered in 2017 to critical and commercial success, becoming the highest-grossing horror film of all time (unadjusted for inflation). The movie has received praise for its performances, direction, cinematography, and music, with Skarsgård, in particular, receiving high praise for his haunting performance in the title role. The movie also received numerous accolades, including nominations for Teen Choice Awards, Saturn Awards, and MTV Movie & TV Awards. In 2019,Itwas followed by a sequel,It Chapter Two, which covers the remaining story from the book.
‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)
Rotten Tomatoes: 95% | IMDb: 7.4/10
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Written and directed byWes Craven,A Nightmare on Elm Streetis a landmark 1984 supernatural slasher film and the first movie to introduce the iconic horror villain Freddy Krueger. The film follows a group of teens who find themselves stalked by the monstrous Freddy Krueger, who kills people by entering their dreams. The movie starsHeather Langenkamp,John Saxon,Ronee Blakley, andJohnny Deppin his film debut, withRobert Englundas Freddy Krueger. Widely considered one of the greatest horror films ever made,A Nightmare on Elm Streetwas a critical and commercial success at the time of its release. The film went on to spawn a franchise that includes six sequels, a remake, a TV show, and a crossover film with theFriday the 13thfranchise. Masterfully playing with the concepts of dream and reality,A Nightmare on Elm Streetblends low-budget horror with masterful filmmaking techniques to present a mesmerizing work of suspense and terror. In 2021, the movie’s cultural impact was forever recognized by its induction into the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
‘Saw’ (2004)
Rotten Tomatoes: 50% | IMDb: 7.6/10
Written byLeigh Whannelland directed byJames Wanin his feature directorial debut,Sawis an iconic 2004 horror film that focuses on the mysterious Jigsaw Killer, who puts his victims through grueling games where they must cause massive harm to themselves in the hopes of surviving. Whannell also stars in the movie, appearing alongsideCary Elwes,Danny Glover,Monica Potter,Michael Emerson, andKen Leung.Sawhad its first screening at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, where it was then picked up by Lionsgate. Though the film received mixed reviews from critics, it was a huge box office success, bringing in over $100 million worldwide and becoming one of the most profitable horror films since 1996’sScream. While its signature gore and twisted central character are not for everyone’s tastes,Sawhas found a massive global fanbase and expanded into a huge franchise that includes video games and theme park rides, not to mentionnine sequel filmswith more on the way.
‘I Saw the TV Glow’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 5.8/10
I Saw the TV Glow
One of the most talked-about horrors of the year,I Saw the TV Glowfollows the unpopular Owen (Justice Smith), for whom life as a teenager in his suburban neighborhood is anything but enjoyable. However, when Owen is introduced to a supernatural TV series unlike anything he’s seen before, he finds a vice to grip onto to help weather the storms of adolescence. Faced with a reality-bending, all-consuming program, Owen’s world begins to change. An intriguing, well-crafted horror with enough drama to feel grounded,I Saw the TV Glowchampions young actors overflowing with talent. From the aforementioned Smith toBrigette Lundy-Paine,this youthful ensemble is perhaps the best assetJane Schoenbrun’s movie has going for it — and that’s among many other tantalizingly impressive assets. -Jake Hodges
‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 86% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Bodies Bodies Bodies
Blending teen drama, comedy, and horror,Bodies Bodies Bodiesfollows Bee (Maria Bakalova) as she attends an unnecessarily lavish party hosted by the unbothered David’s (Pete Davidson) Georgian manor house. However, Bee arrives late and amidst a hurricane, with the storm outside rivaled by the raging maelstrom of drugs and alcohol inside. When an ill-advised game of murder mystery erupts, the fiction quickly turns to reality as death knocks on the party door.Bodies Bodies Bodiesbenefits hugely from not taking itself too seriously. An enormously fun and wild ride, the movie plays generously with each of the aforementioned three genres, with moments of bloody horror matched effortlessly with genuine hilarity.Bodies Bodies Bodiesis well worth a watch. -Jake Hodges
‘Midsommar’ (2016)
Rotten Tomatoes: 63% | IMDb: 7.1/10
One of the most innovative minds in modern horror,Ari Aster’s mind-bending masterpieceMidsommarstarsFlorence PughandJack Reynoras Dani and Christian, a young couple who are invited to join a midsummer Swedish festival in the countryside. However, what first begins as a refreshing and enigmatic trip away soon turns dark, with the depraved desires of the cult who reside there quickly twisting the fortunes of the couple seemingly fatal. Aesthetically gorgeous and terribly frightening,Midsommaris a triumph of modern horror with its dedication to finding scares in the most unlikely of places. Not only that, but the movie is very deliberately often comedic, with the consistent horror cut intelligently by biting moments of humor. -Jake Hodges
‘Scream’ (1996)
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% | IMDb: 7.4/10
Heralded as one of the best slashers of all time,Screamfollows the young folks of Woodsboro, California, who — on the anniversary of the death of one of their friends’ mothers — begin to be stalked by the depraved and often comical killer Ghostface. DirectorWes Cravenuses his unrivaled knowledge of the slasher genre to bring this meta masterpiece to life, with a terrifying classic horror tale accompanied by many winks and nods to the audience and those within it who are fans of the genre. Always ready to subvert expectations,Screamwas such a success upon release that it very quickly launched one of modern cinema’s most exciting horror franchises — one that still flourishes to this day. -Jake Hodges
‘The Strangers’ (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes: 48% | IMDb: 6.1/10
The Strangers
Directed, written by, and starringScott Speedman,The Strangerstells the tale of a young couple whose time at a vacation home is cut tragically short simply by a knock at the door in the dead of night. What ensues is the bloody and brutal invasion of three masked strangers, but will the couple be able to survive? The genius ofThe Strangersis the very deliberate decision to tell a violent story at a pensive pace, leaving plenty of room for the gripping horror to breathe. Featuring a plethora of top performances from the likes of Speedman andLiv Tyler,The Strangersis one horror you won’t want to miss… that is, unless you want to sleep tonight. -Jake Hodges
Rotten Tomatoes: 84% | IMDb: 6.5/10
Evil Dead Rise
The fifth installment in theEvil Deadfranchise comes from writer/directorLee Croninand tells the tale of two estranged sisters fighting for survival against the rise of demonic forces. With their family possessed, will they be able to save themselves and their loved ones? Featuring two captivating lead performances fromLily Sullivanas Beth andAlyssa Sutherlandas Ellie,Evil Dead Risetakes many of the best features of this horror juggernaut, famed for the direction ofSam Raimi, and evolves them under the eye of a new director who clearly has a love for the franchise. Gripping and bloody,Evil Dead Risewas a wonderful addition to 2023’s great slate of horror movies. -Jake Hodges
