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. Hulu’s got a lot of great picks, but their library navigation can make them hard to find sometimes, so we’ve made it easy with the best of the best listed below.
In the mood for something a little lighter? Check out the best comedy, romance, or family films on the platform!
Fresh (2022)
Noa (Daisy Edgar-Jones) meets Steve (Sebastian Stan) just as she’s sworn off dating. He’s kind, charming, and just what she’s been looking for in a partner. That is, until she discovers his secret side hustle – selling women’s body parts to other cannibals. Noa then has to figure out how to avoid being eaten herself, even if that means playing along with Steve’s continued affection for her. Freshis a unique take on the perils and horrors of modern dating that artfully balances empowerment and uneasiness. Daisy Edgar-Jones plays the nuances of Noa so well that sometimes it’s hard to tell if she still has feelings for Steve or if she’s just pretending. And Sebastian Stan is somehow able to still make Steve desirable even after revealing his unhinged hobbies. If you’re squeamish, I definitely don’t recommend eating while you watch this movie. Fresh is more unsettling than outright gory, in regard to the cannibalism, but it can still make even the strongest stomach turn a bit. – Brynna Arens
Pure (2022)
Part of Hulu’s anthology series Into the Dark, Pure acts as the finale of the 12 episodes. The film centers around Shay (Jahkara Smith) and Jo (McKaley Miller), half-sisters who attend a purity ball. Though the rebellious Jo thinks it’s sexist and antiquated, Shay attempts to use it to get closer to the father she met only months ago. One night, Shay is pulled into a ritual that Jo and her cabinmates perform every year to summon Lilith. She eventually realizes she strongly disagrees with the retreat’s method and message, and a violent power struggle between the girls and the strict men in charge of the retreat begins. Touching on things of feminism, sexuality, and toxic masculinity, Pure is most terrifying because of its realism and relevance. – Taylor Gates
Bad Hair (2020)
Bad Hair is an incredibly clever horror satire film from writer/director Justin Simien(Dear White People). Set in the late 1980s, Bad Hair explores cultural discrimination through the lens of ironic horror, following the journey of one ambitious woman trying to make her way up in the world of music television. Bad Hair takes advantage of the setting, infusing the movie 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. – Yael Tygiel
Prey (2022)
The newest addition to the Predator franchise, Prey takes audiences back 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. Prey provides an enthralling backstory to an already beloved and established franchise while highlighting previously unexplored history for both the monster and its victims. With a marvelous cast and fast-paced action, Prey is an adventure that deserves to be seen, regardless of screen size. – Yael Tygiel
Spree (2020)
Get ready to see Stranger Things’ Steve in a whole new light as he becomes the monster instead of running from them. Joe Keery stars as Kurt in this comedy-horror as a rideshare driver striving to achieve social media fame. To do this, he begins live streaming himself murdering his passengers in an attempt to go viral. Keery gives a truly excellent performance, masterfully straddling the line between earnest and evil. – Taylor Gates
