Watchlists
9 Best Horror Movies on Prime Video in the US, from Classic to Modern
By ReelsMasala Editorial · · 5 min read
Prime Video has a deep horror catalog, but it can be hard to find the genuinely great films among the hundreds of low-budget titles. We picked the best horror movies on Prime Video for US viewers: well-crafted films that have earned strong reputations with audiences, ranging from a 1980s creature-feature landmark to modern psychological nightmares.
All titles were included with a Prime Video subscription in the US at the time of writing, according to TMDB and JustWatch data. For each, we list the director, rating and a "scare style" note, because a slow-burn folk tale and a home-invasion thriller deliver very different nights in.
A quick guide to horror subgenres
Horror is a broad genre, and knowing the subgenres helps you choose:
- Psychological horror: dread built from grief, guilt or the mind unraveling.
- Folk horror: rural communities, old rituals and nature turned sinister.
- Creature feature: monsters, from aliens to things in the fog.
- Home invasion and survival: ordinary people trapped with a threat.
- Supernatural: ghosts, demons and possession.
Our beginner's guide to film genres covers how horror blends with science fiction, comedy and thriller.
The 9 best horror movies on Prime Video US
1. The Thing (1982)
Director: John Carpenter · Rated: R · Scare style: creature feature, paranoia
At an isolated research station in Antarctica, a team led by Kurt Russell's MacReady discovers an alien organism that can perfectly imitate any living thing. Nobody knows who is still human. Underappreciated on release, The Thing is now considered one of the greatest horror films ever made, famous for its practical effects and unbearable tension. TMDB users rate it 8.1/10, the highest on this list.
2. Hereditary (2018)
Director: Ari Aster · Rated: R · Scare style: psychological, supernatural
After the death of her secretive mother, Annie Graham, played by Toni Collette, watches her family unravel as disturbing secrets emerge. Hereditary is a harrowing study of grief that becomes something much darker. Collette's performance is widely regarded as one of the genre's best. It is deeply unsettling, so it is not a casual watch.
3. The Witch (2015)
Director: Robert Eggers · Rated: R · Scare style: folk horror, slow burn
In 1630s New England, a Puritan family is banished from its settlement and begins to fall apart at the edge of a forest. Anya Taylor-Joy made her breakthrough in The Witch, which uses period dialogue and natural light to create a sense of creeping dread. Eggers' next horror film, Werwulf, is scheduled for Christmas 2026, as we cover in our upcoming releases guide.
4. Midsommar (2019)
Director: Ari Aster · Rated: R · Scare style: folk horror, daylight dread
A grieving young woman, played by Florence Pugh, joins her boyfriend and his friends at a midsummer festival in rural Sweden that grows increasingly sinister. Almost entirely set in bright sunlight, Midsommar proves horror doesn't need darkness. It contains graphic, disturbing imagery.
5. The Mist (2007)
Director: Frank Darabont · Rated: R · Scare style: creature feature, siege
Adapted from Stephen King's novella, The Mist traps a small-town community inside a supermarket when a thick fog rolls in, carrying monstrous creatures. The real horror is how quickly the people inside turn on each other. The ending is famously bleak.
6. Don't Breathe (2016)
Director: Fede Álvarez · Rated: R · Scare style: home invasion, survival thriller
Three young burglars break into the house of a blind veteran, expecting an easy score, and discover he is far more dangerous than they imagined. Lean and tense at 89 minutes, it is a great pick if you prefer thrills to the supernatural.
7. Evil Dead (2013)
Director: Fede Álvarez · Rated: R · Scare style: supernatural, gore
Five friends at a remote cabin unleash a demonic force while one of them tries to quit drugs cold turkey. This reimagining of Sam Raimi's cult classic is intense and very gory. Watch it only if you have a strong stomach.
8. The Visit (2015)
Director: M. Night Shyamalan · Rated: PG-13 · Scare style: found footage, mystery
Two siblings spend a week with grandparents they have never met, and something is clearly wrong. Shot as the kids' own documentary, The Visit mixes scares with dark humor. Its PG-13 rating makes it the most accessible film on this list for older teens.
9. The Purge (2013)
Director: James DeMonaco · Rated: R · Scare style: home invasion, dystopia
In a near-future America where all crime is legal for one night a year, a wealthy family, led by Ethan Hawke, is targeted after offering shelter to a stranger. The concept launched a long-running franchise, and the sequels The Purge: Anarchy and The Purge: Election Year are also on Prime Video at the time of writing.
Scare-level cheat sheet
| Film | Intensity | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| The Visit | Moderate | Horror beginners, older teens |
| The Witch | Moderate, slow burn | Atmosphere lovers |
| The Purge | Moderate to high | Thriller fans |
| Don't Breathe | High | Fans of tense survival stories |
| The Mist | High | Stephen King fans |
| The Thing | High | Sci-fi horror fans |
| Hereditary and Midsommar | Very high (psychological) | Experienced horror viewers |
| Evil Dead | Very high (gore) | Gorehounds |
Planning a horror movie night
If you are watching with a group, start with something moderate like The Visit or The Purge, then move to The Thing once everyone is settled in. Save Hereditary for a night with viewers who know what they are signing up for. A double feature of The Witch and Midsommar makes a great folk-horror evening. And keep the lights on between films: everyone appreciates the break.
More horror beyond Prime Video
Horror fans with other subscriptions have plenty of options. On Netflix, Ridley Scott's Alien is listed at the time of writing, as covered in our best sci-fi movies on Netflix list. The Korean films Train to Busan and The Wailing, featured in our best Korean movies for beginners, are essential international horror. Browse our Horror page and the Prime Video platform page for more.
For background on the classics, the AFI's 100 Years...100 Thrills list is a fun way to discover influential suspense and horror films. You can also browse the horror category on Prime Video's official site or in the app.
Frequently asked questions
What is the scariest movie on Prime Video?
It depends on what scares you. *Hereditary* is often cited as one of the most disturbing modern horror films, *The Thing* is a masterclass in paranoia, and *Evil Dead* is the most graphic. Check our scare-level table to choose.
Are these horror movies included with Prime?
At the time of writing, all nine films are included with a Prime Video subscription in the US. Prime Video also offers titles that require an add-on channel or a rental, so look for the "Included with Prime" label in the app.
What is a good horror movie for beginners?
*The Visit* is rated PG-13 and mixes scares with humor, which makes it a good entry point. *The Witch* is also a strong choice if you prefer atmosphere over gore.
What is folk horror?
Folk horror is a subgenre built around rural settings, isolated communities, pagan rituals and the natural world. *The Witch* and *Midsommar* are two of the best-known modern examples.
Is The Thing (1982) a remake?
Yes. John Carpenter's *The Thing* is based on John W. Campbell Jr.'s 1938 novella *Who Goes There?*, which was also adapted as the 1951 film *The Thing from Another World*. Carpenter's version is closer to the original story.
Availability and release dates are based on TMDB/JustWatch data for the United States at the time of writing and can change. Always confirm on the provider's site. Read our editorial policy.