The 15 best horror movies on Peacock if you're looking for a good scare
- - The 15 best horror movies on Peacock if you're looking for a good scare
James Mercadante, Huntley Woods, Kevin JacobsenJanuary 23, 2026 at 8:00 AM
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Universal Pictures; Courtesy Everett; Universal Pictures
Daniel Kaluuya as Otis 'OJ' Haywood Jr. in 'Nope'; Gunnar Hansen as Leatherface in 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'; Ethan Hawke as the Grabber in 'The Black Phone'
The beauty of the horror movie genre is that you can never run out of entertainment. From classics like Nosferatu (1922) to modern favorites like Nope (2022), horror has been one of the staples of film for more than a century, with dozens (and dozens) made every year.
However, as many horror fans know, it's not exactly the most consistent genre. Sometimes, it's tough to assess whether a horror movie is really worth checking out, even if the premise sounds intriguing. Peacock, for example, has numerous scary movies streaming on their service, but only a select group of them has really gotten under our skin.
Ahead, we've narrowed down the best horror movies on Peacock for your next fright night.
01 of 15
Better Watch Out (2016)
Shudder Olivia DeJonge as Ashley in 'Better Watch Out'
This Christmas horror comedy makes the nice list every year. In this modern mash-up of Home Alone (1990) and Home Invasion (2016), a horny teen who has the hots for his babysitter must prove his maturity when intruders come to sleigh. Unpredictable and complex, this film has quite a few tricks stuffed in its stockings that will leave you shocked and your bells fully jingled. Part Funny Games spliced with The Strangers, Better Watch Out plays a deadly round of mousetrap, celebrating the horrors of the holidays that don't include forced family gatherings. —Huntley Woods
Where to watch Better Watch Out: Peacock
EW grade: B+
Director: Chris Peckover
Cast: Olivia DeJonge, Levi Miller, Ed Oxenbould, Aleks Mikic, Dacre Montgomery
02 of 15
Black Christmas (1974)
Everett Collection Olivia Hussey as Jess Bradford in 'Black Christmas'
Before crafting the perennial yuletide favorite A Christmas Story (1983), Bob Clark ventured into the realm of holiday horror with Black Christmas, a pioneering slasher that laid the groundwork for John Carpenter's Halloween (1978). Within the film's gorgeously decked out sorority house, the merry mood is shattered by prank calls from a foul-mouthed caller, and the sisters must confront this murderous menace to ensure their festivities go uninterrupted.
This cult favorite is far from your run-of-the-mill, ho-ho-homicide Christmas flick; it tightly winds its suspense, deploying handheld POV shots to maintain a sense of unease. Beneath the story about female victims dying at the hands of a male killer, there's a subtle feminist undertone that cuts into the terrors of men infringing on women's spaces. —James Mercadante
Where to watch Black Christmas: Peacock
Director: Bob Clark
Cast: Olivia Hussey, Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, Andrea Martin, Lynne Griffin
03 of 15
The Black Phone (2022)
Universal Pictures Ethan Hawke as the Grabber in 'The Black Phone'
One of the keys to a great horror movie is a memorable villain, and Ethan Hawke's creepy, mask-wearing child abductor and murderer, known only as the Grabber, is a perfect example. The film follows Finney (Mason Thames), a teenage boy whom the Grabber kidnaps, discovering a mysterious phone while being held captive that allows him to contact the Grabber's past victims. Hawke's chilling performance and director Scott Derrickson's knack for dread-inducing imagery make for a haunting experience. EW's critic calls The Black Phone a "blunt but brutally effective little slice of supernatural horror." —Kevin Jacobsen
Where to watch The Black Phone: Peacock
EW grade: B
Director: Scott Derrickson
Cast: Ethan Hawke, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, James Ransone
04 of 15
Candyman (2021)
Universal Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy in 'Candyman'
Nia DaCosta utilizes the Candyman myth to explore real-life traumas in this smartly written horror drama. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Anthony, a Chicago artist who becomes obsessed with the legend of Candyman, a vengeful ghost who can be summoned by saying his name five times in a mirror. In tandem with a script co-written by Jordan Peele, DaCosta cleverly connects the myth to the history of racial violence in America, while also earning its dread-inducing scares. —K.J.
Where to watch Candyman: Peacock
Director: Nia DaCosta
Cast: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo
05 of 15
Day of the Dead (1985)
Everett Collection Various zombies in 'Day of the Dead'
In the third installment of George Romero's Night of the Living Dead franchise, a motley crew of scientists and military types is holed up in an underground Florida bunker, mulling over their options as the zombie apocalypse sweeps the world. The studio's belt-tightening — squeezing the budget down to $3.5 million due to Romero's unwavering artistic stance — left the director to later lament the divergence from his original ambitions. Still, the '80s horror classic is chock-full of cinematic wonders, including Bub the human-like ghoul, an appearance by The Walking Dead executive producer Greg Nicotero, and Joe Pilato's iconic, off-the-cuff delivery of "Choke on 'em!" —J.M.
Where to watch Day of the Dead: Peacock
Director: George Romero
Cast: Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, Joe Pilato, Jarlath Conroy, Richard Liberty
06 of 15
The Endless (2018)
Well Go USA/Courtesy Everett
Aaron Moorhead as Aaron Smith and Justin Benson as Justin Smith in 'The Endless'
What would happen if two brothers returned to a "UFO death cult" they once called home? After receiving a cryptic video message, Justin and Aaron Smith go back to the unsettling, utopian Camp Arcadia to find answers in a place that only conjures more questions. Blending elements of sci-fi and horror, The Endless balances a lower budget with a lofty and well-executed concept that will hold your interest while keeping you on edge. As EW's critic writes, "Even as the circumstances get increasingly strange and the plot veers into over-the-top territory, the story stays grounded by focusing on the relationship between the two brothers." —H.W.
Where to watch The Endless: Peacock
EW grade: B
Directors: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead
Cast: Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Callie Hernandez, Tate Ellington, Lew Temple
07 of 15
The Exorcist III (1990)
Everett Collection George C. Scott as Lt. William F. Kinderman in 'The Exorcist III'
While it may not bask in the same revered spotlight as its iconic 1973 predecessor, The Exorcist III shattered the threequel curse, gleefully sidestepping the lazy pitfalls that plagued the second chapter. Adapted by Exorcist author William Peter Blatty, this third installment acts as a continuation of the original film, following a clever police detective who sifts through a chain of gruesome murders that mirror the sadistic signature of the Gemini Killer, who died 15 years prior. Elevated by a powerhouse performance from George C. Scott, spine-tingling soundscapes, and one of the most unforgettable jump scares in cinematic history, The Exorcist III firmly asserts itself as a standalone, campy horror classic. —J.M.
Where to watch The Exorcist III: Peacock
Director: William Peter Blatty
Cast: George C. Scott, Ed Flanders, Jason Miller, Scott Wilson, Nicol Williamson
08 of 15
The Invisible Man (2020)
Universal Pictures Elisabeth Moss as Cecilia Kass in 'The Invisible Man'
Reviving a horror classic is not always wise, but casting a fearless force like Elisabeth Moss as the lead in Blumhouse's feminist reimagining of the 1933 flick was a stroke of genius (her Golden Globe-winning performances in Top of the Lake and The Handmaid's Tale had already proven she's a pro at facing terror head-on). Moss plays Cecilia Kass, a woman who suspects she's trapped in a gaslighting nightmare courtesy of her "dead" and now-invisible ex. If you're looking for something spooky that goes beyond the realm of gimmicky jump scares, The Invisible Man summons spine-chilling dread while deftly dissecting the atrocities of domestic abuse and surveillance in the digital age. —J.M.
Where to watch The Invisible Man: Peacock
EW grade: B
Director: Leigh Whannell
Cast: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Harriet Dyer
09 of 15
The Invitation (2015)
Drafthouse Films Logan Marshall-Green as Will in 'The Invitation'
Before The Menu graced the silver screen in 2022, there existed another gripping tale of dining peril. Following the tragic loss of his young son, Will boldly returns to his former abode, drawn into a convivial dinner party orchestrated by his ex-wife, Eden, and her new spouse, David. While Will's enduring sorrow is palpable, Eden veils her own torment beneath a newfound spiritual facade, leading her and David down a dark path that propels the evening into a nightmarish ordeal.
Helmed by Jennifer's Body director and Yellowjackets executive producer Karyn Kusama, The Invitation serves up a brilliant exploration of existential horror intertwined with grief and mental health, all set against the backdrop of insidious manipulation via groupthink. —J.M.
Where to watch The Invitation: Peacock
Director: Karyn Kusama
Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Lindsay Burdge
10 of 15
The Love Witch (2016)
Oscilloscope Samantha Robinson as Elaine Parks in 'The Love Witch'
Elaine is a femme fatale-type siren with an insatiable desire for love. Inside her Gothic Victorian sanctuary, she brews mystical potions and ensnares her paramours in her seductive tricks, leaving them lovelorn (or worse). But when she finally finds her dream partner, she goes to extreme lengths for his affection, proving that a woman's intrinsic prowess can be a man's most dreaded nightmare.
Directed by Anna Biller, The Love Witch playfully tips its hat to the Technicolor allure of 1960s horror, all while adding a dash of contemporary spice. Per EW's critic, this feminist horror-comedy is "gorgeous to look at," as "Biller fills every frame with Pucci bursts of color, kitschy Stepford Wives-era artifacts, and tame Frederick's of Hollywood kink." — J.M.
Where to watch The Love Witch: Peacock
Director: Anna Biller
Cast: Samantha Robinson, Gian Keys, Laura Waddell, Jeffrey Vincent Parise, Jared Sanford
11 of 15
Nope (2022)
Universal
Daniel Kaluuya as Otis 'OJ' Haywood Jr. in 'Nope'
Jordan Peele continued his hot streak with Nope, his third directorial feature and first cinematic venture into the world of science fiction. Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer play siblings who own a horse-wrangling business in California and soon discover that a UFO is consuming their steeds. They decide to film further incidents as proof, enlisting a tech expert and a renowned cinematographer, but capturing the footage proves surprisingly difficult as the entity does not like being provoked. Of course, Peele injects some horror into the proceedings, using sound to great effect while delivering old-school alien thrills reminiscent of 1977's Close Encounters of the Third Kind or 2002's Signs. —K.J.
Where to watch Nope: Peacock
EW grade: B+
Director: Jordan Peele
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Keke Palmer, Steven Yeun, Michael Wincott, Brandon Perea
12 of 15
Phantasm (1979)
Everett Collection Bill Thornbury as Jody Pearson and Angus Scrimm as the Tall Man in 'Phantasm'
Haunted by the loss of his parents, Mike cannot leave his older brother Jody's side, which leads him to a funeral where he sees the Tall Man, a mortician who miniaturizes the dead and brings them back as macabre minions. With their family friend Reggie in tow, the trio faces off against the man whose always-raised eyebrows speak louder than words. Don Coscarelli directed, wrote, edited, produced, and shot this film himself — pushing the boundaries of a limited budget to craft this surreal and mind-bending dreamscape that meditates on grief and loss. Just when you think Phantasm can't get any more confusing, its out-of-left-field antics hit you harder than a deadly silver sphere. —J.M.
Where to watch Phantasm: Peacock
Director: Don Coscarelli
Cast: Michael Baldwin, Bill Thornbury, Reggie Bannister, Kathy Lester, Angus Scrimm
13 of 15
Prom Night (1980)
Everett Collection Anne-Marie Martin as Wendy in 'Prom Night'
Having faced off against the relentless Michael Myers in the Halloween franchise and battled sorority-slashing killers on Scream Queens, Oscar-winner Jamie Lee Curtis has proven herself to be the scream queen. Here, Curtis steps into the glittering shoes of Kim, a soon-to-be-crowned prom queen haunted by her younger sister's tragic death. As the fateful night approaches, an unmasked killer avenges Kim's sister and targets those connected to her demise. Surprisingly, for those with queasy stomachs, Prom Night doesn't drench you in gratuitous gore. And though the film initially received critical disdain, it has since carved out a place of honor among EW's top 21 slasher films of all time. —J.M.
Where to watch Prom Night: Peacock
Director: Paul Lynch
Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Leslie Nielsen, Casey Stevens, Eddie Benton, Mary Beth Rubens
14 of 15
Sleepaway Camp (1983)
United Film Distribution Company Felissa Rose as Angela Baker in 'Sleepaway Camp'
It's hard to imagine the horror genre without the summer camp setting. While Friday the 13th's Jason may be the sharpest tool in the shed, there's still room for Sleepaway Camp's killer to make the cut. Both movies have inspired numerous sequels, but this series brings not only the gore and body count but also the moody camp mise-en-scène, bizarre characters, innovative killings, and a sneakily queer underpinning. Well known for its plot twist finale, this movie will make you one happy camper. —H.W.
Where to watch Sleepaway Camp: Peacock
Director: Robert Hiltzik
Cast: Mike Kellin, Katherine Kamhi, Paul DeAngelo, Jonathan Tiersten, Felissa Rose
15 of 15
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Everett Collection Gunnar Hansen as Leatherface in 'The Texas Chain Saw Massacre'
Securing the second spot on EW's list for the scariest movies of all time, Tobe Hooper's cult classic horror flick didn't just elicit fear, it revved up the terror with a revolutionary slasher genre weapon: the chainsaw. Leatherface — a sadistic Ed Gein-esque killer armed with the titular power tool and donning a mask made of human skin — and his murderous cannibal family find their new victims in free-spirited friends cruising through rural Texas. Despite an absence of blood and gore, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre's unbridled violence triggered bans in multiple countries and ignited controversy for brutalizing women. —J.M.
Where to watch The Texas Chain Saw Massacre: Peacock
Director: Tobe Hooper
Cast: Marilyn Burns, Paul A. Partain, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen
on Entertainment Weekly
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
