Spook-tacular season is here, and if you’re staring at your streaming queue like a ghost lost in a haunted house, Decider’s got your back. With Hulu’s eerie arsenal of Halloween-ready films—from blood-soaked slashers to mind-bending psychological thrillers—choosing what to watch can feel scarier than the movies themselves. But fear not! We’ve scoured the platform to curate 13 (plus a bonus!) spine-chilling picks that capture the essence of autumn dread, whether they’re dripping with October vibes or just happen to be extremely good at making you hide under a blanket. Ready to dive into the supernatural? Let’s get spooky.
1. Evil Dead (2013)
Why settle for a pumpkin spice latte when you can have a pumpkin spice exorcism? Fede Alvarez’s remake resurrects the series’ original chaos with a cabin in the woods, a cursed Necronomicon, and Jane Levy’s terrifying transformation from ‘final girl’ to feral survivor. Think of it as The Shining meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but with more demonic possession and less overpriced hotel rooms.
2. Donnie Darko (2001)
Technically sci-fi? Sure. But this time-traveling teen thriller feels like the haunted house your awkward high school Halloween party never had. Jake Gyllenhaal’s existential crisis collides with a giant rabbit and a mysterious jet engine—a recipe for existential dread that’s as autumnal as a flickering porch light on a foggy October night.
3. A Haunting in Venice (2023)
Kenneth Branagh’s final Hercule Poirot mystery isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a whydunit. Set during Halloween, this Agatha Christie adaptation blends murder, magical realism, and a Venetian masquerade party. Perfect for fans who want their mystery served with a side of ‘Is this ghost real or just a prank?’
4. The Empty Man (2020)
Here’s where it gets controversial: This slow-burn supernatural mystery was shelved for years before its pandemic release. James Badge Dale’s grief-stricken search for a missing child turns into a Lovecraftian nightmare of cosmic horror. If you’re team ‘let’s make this a Hulu horror marathon,’ consider this the indie flick that’ll make you question reality itself.
5. Blade II (2002)
Vampires don’t get much more terrifying than Guillermo del Toro’s CGI-enhanced monstrosities. Think Twilight if Edward Cullen had 20 rows of teeth and a hunger for human eyeballs. Bonus: This is the only Blade film where the action feels like a horror movie, not just a martial arts showcase.
6. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Once dismissed as a teen comedy gone wrong, Diablo Cody’s darkly witty tale of a possessed cheerleader has become a cult classic. Amanda Seyfried and Megan Fox deliver a performance so raw and hilarious it’s almost worth the ‘possession by a demon’ subplot. Almost.
7. Barbarian (2022)
What happens when your Airbnb host is a… well, not human? This nail-biting thriller starts with a rental mishap and spirals into a Lovecraftian horror-satire hybrid. Skip if you’re easily startled by giant insectoid creatures—or don’t mind screaming ‘DON’T GO UPSTAIRS!’ at the screen.
8. Scream (1996)
Wes Craven’s slasher masterpiece still holds up as the blueprint for meta-horror. The killer’s love of Scream references? Genius. Neve Campbell’s ‘I’m not just the Final Girl, I’m the Sass Girl’ energy? Legendary. And let’s not forget Matthew Lillard’s iconic Ghostface cosplay skills.
9. Halloween (2018)
Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode in this reboot that’s part tribute, part ‘let’s make Michael Myers scarier by giving him a lawnmower.’ Director David Gordon Green strips away the franchise’s messy sequels to deliver pure, unfiltered terror. Spoiler alert: It’s still about that knife.
10. Longlegs (2024)
Nicolas Cage plays a serial killer so unhinged he’ll make you forget his Oscar wins. Maika Monroe’s FBI agent is tasked with stopping him in this Silence of the Lambs-meets-X-Files thriller. Warning: The ending will make you check your closet for creepy drawings of spiders.
11. The Sixth Sense (1999)
M. Night Shyamalan’s ghost story is the ultimate cozy horror movie—like curling up with a blanket and a ghost who’s definitely not your therapist. Bruce Willis’ ‘I’ve been dead this whole time’ twist still packs a punch 25 years later.
12. The Babadook (2014)
This isn’t just a monster movie—it’s a haunting metaphor for grief. Essie Davis’ portrayal of a mother battling a literal nightmare (and her own guilt) is chilling, cathartic, and proof that sometimes the scariest monster is the one in the mirror.
13. The Fly (1986)
Our bonus pick: David Cronenberg’s body horror masterpiece needs no introduction. Jeff Goldblum’s transformation into a humanoid insect is still the gold standard for ‘ew, I can’t look away.’ And it’s the oldest film on this list—proof that Hulu could definitely use more classics like this.
Why Hulu? New to the platform? Grab a 30-day free trial ($9.99/month after) or go all-in with a Disney+ bundle ($10.99/month for ad-supported Hulu+Disney+). And hey, if enough of us scream for it, maybe Hulu will add more Cronenberg films next year?
Final question: Should classic horror like The Fly get more love, or is modern horror king? Sound off below—and let’s debate while hiding under our blankets!
