Spooky season is here. If you live for horror, you may have been in full fright mode since September 1 — trading late nights for back-to-back scary films and an oversized bowl of popcorn or candy. With Halloween still weeks away, you’ll want a steady stream of watchable chills; this list will help.
While Netflix and Shudder get a lot of attention, Prime Video quietly hides a rich trove of horror: from campy cult favorites and slick remakes to contemporary masterpieces and offbeat indie hits. Whether you prefer psychological dread, laugh-out-loud gore, or eerie atmosphere, the 20 films below — ranked from least to most terrifying — offer something for every kind of thrill seeker.
20 Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)
Two amiable hillbillies head to their dilapidated cabin for a peaceful retreat, only to be misread as murderous backwoods villains by a group of college kids. A brilliant satire of slasher conventions, this horror-comedy balances genuine warmth and broad physical comedy — think Shaun of the Dead’s affection for its genre, but aimed squarely at the woodland slasher.
19 The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
Equal parts camp and gore, The Return of the Living Dead helped cement the “brains” trope in zombie lore through the memorable Tarman. When a chemical accident reanimates corpses at a medical-supply warehouse, a motley band of survivors must contend with undead foes that are stubbornly persistent — and darkly funny.
18 Death Becomes Her (1992)
Madeline (Meryl Streep) and Helen (Goldie Hawn) are locked in a vicious rivalry that escalates when one discovers a potion promising eternal youth. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this black comedy pairs dazzling visual effects with body-horror gags and sharp performances, including a memorable turn from Bruce Willis as the hapless man caught between them.
17 Stir of Echoes (1999)
After a hypnosis session at a party, a man (Kevin Bacon) begins to experience escalating visions of a murdered girl (Jennifer Morrison). As he digs deeper to uncover the truth, buried secrets in his community surface. The film carries a Stephen King–adjacent atmosphere — haunted, small-town, and increasingly unnerving — drawn from Richard Matheson’s novel of the same name.
16 Old (2021)
M. Night Shyamalan’s Old strands strangers on a secluded beach where time accelerates, forcing them to age dramatically over hours. The premise is deceptively simple and leads to mounting dread as characters race to outwit biology and circumstance. It’s a high-concept thriller with a payoff that lingers — and features one of Aaron Pierce’s early film appearances in a memorably named role.
15 The Craft (1996)
A newcomer at a Los Angeles high school falls into a coven of ostracized girls who practice witchcraft. As their powers grow and temptations mount, friendship fractures into vengeance and dangerous consequences. Anchored by Fairuza Balk and Robin Tunney, The Craft is a stylish coming-of-age horror that still resonates more strongly than its later sequel.
14 When a Stranger Calls (1979)
Beginning with one of cinema’s most claustrophobic opening set pieces, this film follows a babysitter besieged by anonymous phone calls — only to discover the terrifying truth: the menace is already inside the house. The premise has been widely imitated, but the initial sequence remains a masterclass in tension.
13 Evil Dead 2 (1987)
Evil Dead 2 plays like the gonzo sibling of Sam Raimi’s original: pumped-up production values, more pronounced slapstick, and a gleeful embrace of brutality. Bruce Campbell returns as Ash Williams, whose weekend at a remote cabin spirals into demonic chaos after the Necronomicon’s dark influence is unleashed. It’s part sequel, part remake, and all-out fun — a direct lead-in to the loony Army of Darkness.
12 Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Equal parts corny and unsettling, the original Sleepaway Camp is a cult slasher with an unforgettable, bizarre twist. Shy teenager Angela arrives at summer camp with her cousin Ricky, and as a string of gruesome murders unfolds, the truth behind the killings fractures expectations and culminates in one of horror’s most notorious endings.
11 Alice, Sweet Alice (1976)
Alice, Sweet Alice is a 1970s gem that follows a troubled girl (Brooke Shields in her first credited role) who becomes the prime suspect after her younger sister is murdered during a First Communion. With vivid colors, a lingering sense of dread, and a shock that stays with you, the film channels giallo influences while remaining distinctly American and deeply unsettling.
Source: Polygon
