Max has a ton of content, but what about the horror selection? The titles change throughout the year, and currently you can watch newer horror films like Midsommar and classics like Jaws. Maybe you’ll find a flick that will save you a scary, long search.
If you’re ready to make some scary choices, here are nine standout horror movies on Max. All of these films received generally positive or better reviews, according to Metacritic. If you’re wondering what Max is all about, here’s more about the streaming service that combines the libraries of HBO Max and Discovery Plus.
Although it could be argued that Jaws is better described as a thriller or action-adventure film rather than a horror movie, its status as a classic is undeniable. Considered the first summer blockbuster, the 1975 film pits three men against a menacing great white shark.
In this bloody, supernatural horror story, a family accidentally encounters unimaginable evil. It is the fifth installment in the film series after Evil Dead (1981), Evil Dead 2 (’87), Army of Darkness (’92) and Evil Dead (2013).
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
George Romero’s first horror film is a clear recommendation. A group of survivors seek refuge in a house while the undead swarm outside. The influential flick is often considered the first modern zombie film, and while it may not be as scary as Freddy Krueger, you’ll be gripped by the characters at the heart of the story. You’ll want to keep your door open on this one (but in the event of an actual apocalypse, keep it very, very closed).
It’s more Stephen King, and you need to see Sissy Spacek’s Oscar-nominated portrayal of the prom queen at least once in your life. Why not now?
Horror scenes take place in broad daylight in this haunting film from Ari Aster. Set at a midsummer festival in a remote Swedish village, Midsommar has plenty of disturbing surprises in store for its guests. Prepare yourself for some shocking scenes and a gripping performance from Florence Pugh.
David Lynch’s first feature-length film will make you feel like you’re in a bizarre nightmare. The 90-minute black-and-white horror film is packed with strange sounds and images, and the result is incredibly creepy. And don’t even get me started on the main character’s strange, alien-looking “baby” (who is still kind of cute, oddly enough?). There are messages here about men and parenthood, but even if you ignore the bigger picture, Eraserhead’s surreal world is absolutely worth a visit.
This dark horror film is about a family living in an isolated house after an unnamed disaster, and what happens when a desperate couple with a young child enter the scene. The horrors aren’t supernatural, but this harrowing flick will haunt you.
This historical horror film is pretty much guaranteed to give you nightmares. The disturbing flick revolves around a family in New England in the 1630s and marks Anya Taylor-Joy’s film debut. Over the course of the 90-minute flick, strange and shocking things start happening to a farmer and his family who have moved to a remote area on the edge of a forest.
Black Swan is a surreal psychological horror film about the downfall of a talented ballerina. Natalie Portman’s character Nina feels pressured to play not only the innocent and elegant White Swan, but also the dark and sensual Black Swan for the lead role in a production of Swan Lake. But she doesn’t fit the mold of the latter swan as well as newcomer Lily (Mila Kunis). The film follows her obsessive pursuit of perfection.
