HOLLYWOOD, CA — Are you ready for a serious scary-movie marathon this Halloween weekend? If you are looking for movies with plenty of jump scares, either haunting, hilarious or thrilling, our list boasts some of the best horror flicks from 2022 and 2023. Rest assured — they will cast a spell of streaming treats.
So cozy up on the couch and enjoy these fantastic horror-thriller films in no particular order. Your streaming escapism is about to get thrilling and unforgettable to say the least.
Happy Halloween!
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“Evil Dead Rise”
Mirabei Pease, Richard Crouchley, Anna-Maree Thomas
The “Evil Dead” movie franchise awakens, promising yet another nightmarish gore fest for the fifth time since the 1981 original, “The Evil Dead.”
The latest chapter has enough jump scares and gruesome scenes to make fans scream in horror or laugh in folly. Either way, fans of the horror staple will find it entertaining.
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This time around, the story is set in a condemned high-rise apartment building in Los Angeles, where tattoo artist Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland) and her three children live. An earthquake happens, leaving a huge slit in the parking lot’s floor, where Danny (Morgan Davies), one of Ellie’s kids, discovers a peculiar book (the Book of the Dead). Subsequently, the teen opens the book, unleashing the rise of flesh-possessing demons.
Surely, Ellie’s sister, Beth (Lily Sullivan), now wishes she had not dropped in unannounced. Her bad timing is about to turn hellish in this 97-minute twisted tale of two estranged sisters.
“Bodies Bodies Bodies”
Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova; directed by Halina Reijn
Lies and rivalries abound in Dutch director Halina Reijn’s English-language debut, a slasher social satire with a murder whodunnit twist.
This movie satirizes with a razor-sharp spin on the horror and dark comedy genre with an insanely entertaining murder mystery to behold.
At the center of the film is a group of privileged friends who suddenly decide to gather for a house party in the wake of a menacing storm. And why not indeed? These rich kids can have all kinds of fun in a remote family mansion, replete with dancing, singing and foods infused with cannabinoids.
And so begins their impulsive night of soirée along with their uncontrollable excessive indulgences. But suddenly, their murder mystery game turns into a reality when a body turns up — for real, y’all!
“Beau Is Afraid”
Joaquin Phoenix, Patti Lupone, Amy Ryan; directed by Ari Aster
Have you heard of a Kafkaesque situation? If not, no worries. This movie shines a light on its state and condition as a wealthy and mild-mannered man makes his way to rendezvous with his mother. Of course, writ large is the name Beau in a sea of surrealism and absurdity. This type of tragicomedy is not a typical cup of tea. Still, its startling strangeness is reason enough to watch it.
“Cocaine Bear”
Keri Russell, Alden Ehrenreich, O’Shea Jackson Jr.; directed by Elizabeth Banks
At the heart of this comedy horror is a bear gone highly wild and uncontrollable after inadvertently ingesting — you guessed it — cocaine. What ensues is a bloody gore-fest as the bear roams a Georgia forest in violence. And you had better believe it when we tell you that it is loosely based on a true story. Need we say more?
“Scream VI”
Courtney Cox, Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega; directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
Remember Ghostface, the mysterious entity who is on a rampaged killing in Woodsboro? Its presence is now felt all over New York City in this latest chapter of the slasher “Scream” franchise. Can you finally figure out who is behind the mask? Well, don’t think twice about spending time streaming it. Watch it intently and see who you think is the culprit.
“Smile”
Sosie Bacon, Jessie T. Usher, Kyle Gallner; directed by Parker Finn
We all know to keep smiling, right? Well, this deliciously bizarre film could make you think twice about it. With a supernatural-horror set up, this movie has creepy-smiley faces galore with a psychiatrist uncontrollably trapped in her deepest traumatic state. It is a must-watch!
“Barbarian”
Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long; directed by Zach Cregger
This horror-thriller film will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to figure out who the real evil is. Enter Tess Marshall, a woman who has rented a house in preparation for her upcoming interview. Unbeknownst to her, the rental property has a mysterious dweller hiding in the basement. And this entity is a savage. Can Tess escape its wrath?
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