Best Horror Movies on Peacock to Watch Right Now

Peacock is a streamer to watch, with a terrific mix of television favorites like The Office and Yellowstone along with plenty of Peacock originals like Love Island. Moreover, there is an impressive selection of movies, with big titles like Fast X acting as Peacock exclusives. But what about movies for the spooky season or just people who wish it was Halloween all the time?

These are the best of the best when it comes to scary movies on Peacock. Whether the viewer wants a ’70s or ’80s classic or a more modern shocker, NBC’s streamer has what horror film fans need. So grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and put yourself in the position to have some nightmares.

16 Hell Night (1981)

When one is looking at a streaming service and sees a Linda Blair movie not called The Exorcist, it’s usually for the best to keep on scrolling. However, there’s an exception to that, and it’s the fraternity-hazing haunted house flick Hell Night. Co-starring Vincent Van Patton and Kevin Brophy, Hell Night sees a group of college students undergoing a hazing session during a night-long stay in an ancient mansion. However, a mass murder committed at that very location may spell doom for its newfound residents, as a monstrous killer begins to make his rounds.

Hell Night Is Loaded With Ambiance

Hell Night is riddled with ambiance just as it’s laced with a nice balance of horror and comedy, in that order. While Blair has rarely shined outside The Exorcist, she does well in Hell Night (as does Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter‘s Peter Barton). It’s also worth noting that Frank Darabont of The Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile fame worked on this film as a production assistant. While it wouldn’t be a major hit both commercially and critically, it remains a standout role in Blair’s filmography.

15 Night of the Living Dead (1968)

George A. Romero’s seminal Night of the Living Dead is as terrifying and moving now as it was in the ’60s. It’s amazing how well this story of a few strangers isolated in a farmhouse as zombies close in has held up, though it’s also sad that its core theme is as relevant now as it was then. Shot on a miniscule budget, the film’s shocking amount of violence and gore, as well as its progressive casting for the time, would set the stage for the rest of Romero’s career as well as the zombie subgenre as a whole.

The Original Zombie Film

The decision to shoot in black and white gives Night of the Living Dead a timeless ambiance that aligns the movie’s Gothic themes with its appearance. Even if every scene leading up to the conclusion was weak, one scene alone would be enough to make it a film worth watching. But, its gut-punch of an ending (which was incredibly ahead of its time) is just one of a great many scenes that work in the film, because they all do.

14 Black Christmas (1974)

Bob Clark directed two very different Christmas films throughout his career, and they both went on to become classics. The first was Black Christmas with the second being 1983’s A Christmas Story. Black Christmas tells the nightmarish story of a sorority terrorized by an unknown assailant — and he’s in the house. Olivia Hussey plays our lead sorority sister, with Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, and John Saxon making up the rest of the cast.

More than a Grim Christmas Story

Clark’s A Christmas Story, in and of itself, has its dark moments. But they’re nothing compared to Black Christmas, which has lost absolutely none of its impact even after nearly 50 years. This is primarily due to the movie’s subtlety, where much of the intensity comes from seeing a single eye peak through a wall or a phone call that is, for the ’70s or any other decade of cinema, utterly horrifying. This shocking film would predate John Carpenter’s Halloween by four years, cementing itself as one of the earliest and most hauntingly effective slasher films.

13 The Evil (1978)

Another underrated film, The Evil tells the story of a husband-and-wife doctor team that opens a brand-new rehab center in a mansion. Unfortunately, not unlike in The Amityville Horror, that structure is built over the gateway to Hell. Gus Trikonis directed this film, having made his mark on Hollywood via directing several “exploitation” films as well as directing episodes of Baywatch and Quantum Leap.

An Engaging Haunted House Film

First Blood‘s Richard Crenna carries the film very well as half the central duo of doctors. He’s a reliable presence that helps keep the audience at ease, at least until ghost boys start strolling over the premises. It’s an engaging take on the haunted house subgenre, complete with unique and surprising death scenes.

12 Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

Directed by the great Werner Herzog and led by his always-problematic muse Klaus Kinski, Nosferatu the Vampyre is a sterling remake of F. W. Murnau’s 1922 classic. Again, the narrative follows writer Renfield as he journeys out to the Count’s property to take down the man’s story, only to learn that the far-fetched story he’s being fed isn’t so far-fetched, and it’s less about him being fed as it is someone feeding on him. Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, and Roland Topor co-star alongside Kinski in this incredible remake.

A Beautiful Remake of a Classic Horror Film

Make no mistake, whether it was his behavior on the set of Fitzcarraldo or his abuse of his daughters, Kinski was decidedly not a good man. But darn if he didn’t have the perfect visage (and range) to play a sinister vampire. Kinski would return to the role in Vampire in Venice, but that was not an official sequel and did not include the participation of Herzog. Nosferatu the Vampyre is a slow-burner, but it creates an incredible series of memorable shots that rivals that rival those found in the original film.

11 Night of the Demons (1988)

A gory, creepy cult favorite with an interesting pace, Night of the Demons is one of the late ’80s’ more underappreciated cult favorites. The plot concerns a small group of high school students as they crash in an abandoned funeral parlor on Halloween night. Unfortunately, once boredom sets in and the jukebox breaks down, party host Angela (Amelia Kinkade) decides it’s time for a séance. Cathy Podewell and Linnea Quigley co-star alongside Kinkade in this film, which would later spawn a modest franchise.

Night of the Demons Is Incredibly Brutal

There’s a brutality to Night of the Demons that transcends most other quasi-mainstream films of its era. From bitten-out tongues to coffins slammed on arms until they fall off, it’s a movie that is probably not for the faint of heart. But, for those who can get on its fast-paced and ultra-icky wavelength, it should prove to be a nice treat. Not to mention, the final scene will stick with you.

10 Nightbreed (1990)

The plot of Clive Barker’s Nightbreed concerns loner Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer), who is being convinced he’s a serial killer by his therapist, who is himself a serial killer. As he’s evading the not-so-good doctor and the police, Boone learns of Meridian, a place below the local cemetery where outcast humanoid creatures reside. Once the doctor tricks the police into shooting down Boone, it’s only a matter of time before they storm Meridian itself. What the doctor could’ve never expected, however, is that Boone would become Meridian’s new larder.

One of Clive Barker’s Few Directorial Credits

Nightbreed is the only film Barker has directed that can rival his masterful Hellraiser. As surreal and uniquely morbid as that film or Candyman, if not more so, Nightbreed won’t be for every viewer out there, but it’s a well-constructed nightmare with much to say about society. It’s a fantastic film that places David Cronenberg in a directly villainous role, along with Doug Bradley and Anne Bobby in distinctive supporting roles. In Barker’s unique filmography, Nightbreed is up there as one of his most inventive stories.

9 The Exorcist III (1990)

A wildly underrated sequel if only because it’s naturally compared to the original, The Exorcist III is a methodical and very smart horror film. The narrative follows the first film’s Lieutenant William F. Kinderman (now played by George C. Scott) as he investigates a series of strange murders within a hospital’s walls. Soon he hears a familiar name and sees a familiar face, but is it really Father Karras?

A Surprisingly Effective Sequel

Along with having what is almost certainly cinema’s greatest jump scare, The Exorcist III is an overall effectively atmospheric film. Being a standalone sequel, one that ignores the events of Exorcist 2, it allows for a surprising shakeup when you consider that director William Peter Blatty wrote both the original novel and the screenplay for the first Exorcist. It makes for a sequel that feels like a proper follow-up to the first film. Toss in Scott delivering his A-game, and it’s a sequel worthy of an audience. It may not be the original Exorcist, but, nothing is.

8 Ginger Snaps (2000)

Ginger Snaps tells the lycanthropic tale of teen sisters Brigitte (Emily Perkins) and Ginger Fitzgerald (Katharine Isabelle), both of whom are outcasts in their school. However, when the latter is bitten by a werewolf, the two find themselves even more ostracized by their peers. Along with Perkins and Isabelle, Kris Lemche and Mimi Rogers make up the rest of the principal cast.

A Mix of High School Drama and Werewolves

The film is a wonderful look at the struggles of high school life. In a way, it treads the same territory as films like Mean Girls, it just does so in a very different, yet equally effective, way. Furthermore, both Perkins and Isabelle were perfectly cast in their respective roles. All in all, Ginger Snaps is a fun, neat way to expand on a done-to-death movie monster, and the things it has to say about bullying are just a plus.

7 The House of the Devil (2009)

Ti West has fast become one of horror cinema’s biggest names, especially with his recent hits X and Pearl, and his 2009 The House of the Devil is a major reason why. The plot follows a young woman who is hired to serve as a babysitter when she isn’t taking college courses. Unfortunately, the individuals who hired her are also stone-cold Satanists. In addition to directing, Ti West also penned the script in addition to handling the editing.

A 1970s Throwback With Incredible Atmosphere

The House of the Devil is a wonderfully subtle, creepy-as-can-be chiller with dynamite performances from Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, and Greta Gerwig. Rather than leaning too heavily on gore and violence, the horror builds steadily through an incredibly well-constructed atmosphere. It’s a masterclass in tension and practical effects, even if its basis on a real story might be a little overblown.

6 American Psycho (2000)

Christian Bale has, time and again, proven himself one of the most versatile actors working today. Case in point, American Psycho. The film follows Patrick Bateman, a white-collar business executive with a penchant for taking the lives of others. Or does he? Presented solely through his perspective, we can never be so sure about what’s real and what isn’t as his life slowly comes apart as the seams.

Featuring one of cinema’s great needle-drop scenes, American Psycho is a film riddled with style. Considering Bale is in just about every frame of the film, there’s never a moment that falls short of compelling. Given its cultural reputation, those who haven’t yet seen it may be surprised by just how fascinating and layered this movie is. It’s much more than a simple portrait of a killer, there is consistent commentary on masculinity and how that leads to misogyny and homophobia.

5 The Void (2016)

After finding a young man fleeing a farmhouse and expecting him to be responsible for a crime, Deputy Sheriff Daniel Carter (Aaron Poole) brings him to the local hospital, which has been largely abandoned after a fire. However, as the night goes on, Daniel finds him and a small group of staff surrounded by cult members who won’t let them leave, and bizarre entities hunting them from within the hospital’s depths.

A Cosmic Horror Loaded with Practical Effects

The Void offers a wonderful piece of cosmic horror inspired by a mix of Lovecraftian horrors, 80s special effects, and Italian shock cinema; the film even gives a nod to Lucio Fulci in its final moments. Those who romanticize past eras of cinema will find the approach here oddly charming and nostalgic, yet it still offers a fresh and exciting take on familiar tropes to craft a unique experience of terror.

4 Freaky (2020)

A wonderful take on the body swap genre, Freaky sees a teenage girl named Millie Kessler (Kathryn Newton) trade bodies with the Blissfield Butcher (Vince Vaughn), after he stabs her with an ancient Mayan dagger called La Dola. Millie must then convince her friends of who she is, while also figuring out how to get her body back as the kill count rises, with the Butcher using her to lure in new victims.

A Body Swap Horror Comedy

For those who are squeamish and enjoy some comedy to help make the horror more palatable, Freaky offers a fun balance of slasher and teenage comedy. The ‘body swap’ concept, in particular, works amazingly well for the movie, as both Kathryn Newton and Vince Vaughn commit to their roles despite the absurdity of it all. Director Christopher Landon previously directed Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U prior to Freaky, allowing his experience in horror comedy to shine through.

3 Last Shift (2014)

Rookie Police Officer Jessica Loren, played by Juliana Harkavy, is assigned to cover the final shift alone at a police station before it is permanently closed. During her patrols, she finds various ominous figures lurking outside the police station, receiving calls from women claiming to be held hostage by a cult, and visions of mysterious persons lurking throughout the building.

A Tense and Straightforward Horror Flick

Intense from the get-go, Anthony DiBlasi’s Last Shift is chock-full of scares and an unnerving atmosphere. At the center of the horror is a wonderful performance from Julianna Harkavy, whose dive into madness is as enthralling as terrifying. For those who like true crime, the antagonist has Charles Manson’s charisma combined with Robert Pickton’s brutality. For those who want an exciting, straightforward horror experience with little subtext, Last Shift delivers. Malum, a remake of Last Shift by the same director, also released in 2023.

2 Let the Right One In (2008)

Set in the suburbs of Stockholm in the early 1980s, Let the Right One In tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Oscar (Kåre Hedebrant) who befriends a peculiar girl who has just moved in next door. As the two become closer, Oscar learns that she is a vampire, and he soon gets involved with helping her stay hidden as he develops feelings for her.

A Vampire Film With an Engaging Story

The vampire genre has certainly had its ups and downs. It is one of the creatures that has felt stagnant for long periods in its history. However, a movie occasionally reinvigorates the fan base, and Let the Right One In did just that. Melding coming-of-age elements with childhood romance at the center, the movie presented a deeply engaging story. At the same time, the movie was not short on shocks or gore, finding that perfect balance between drama and horror. Let the Right One In also got an American remake in 2010’s Let Me In, which is comparable in quality. But, if you are going to watch only one, stick with the original.

1 Pulse (2001)

This Japanese horror classic intertwines two stories. One story is of a concerned woman looking into the disappearance of her co-worker, leading her to find he has ended his life and is now existing between the worlds of the living and the dead. The other story involves a student who stumbles upon a mysterious site that streams people alone in rooms acting bizarrely. The film was later remade in English via Jim Sorenzo’s Pulse in 2006, with Wes Craven and Ray Wright authoring its screenplay. However, one could argue that it doesn’t hold a candle to its original source material.

An Overlooked Japanese Horror Classic

Within the Japanese horror boom, one of the most overlooked titles in the 1990’s and early 2000’s was Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Pulse. One of the main reasons it flew under the radar was its approach to horror, relying on existential dread and bleakness to create a foreboding atmosphere instead of jump scares. Decades after its release, the movie’s themes of technological anxieties and how it has changed our connections in the modern world remain apt.