You’ve no doubt devoured some of the October horror movies already, and I’m happy to report the scares keep coming as there’s a packed month ahead.
Those of you counting down the days until the holiday season are in for a treat, as Christmas horror movies have already started rolling out across the best streaming services.
I Know What You Did Last Summer
When: November 1
Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK); Paramount+ (AU)
You can’t beat a classic slasher movie, and I Know What You Did Last Summer remains as entertaining as ever. I love the cast too, as Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Johnny Galecki all make a great ensemble.
The movie centers on four teenage friends who are stalked by a hook-wielding killer. A year ago, they covered up a car accident that reportedly killed a man, and someone knows about it. That’s a terrifying way to spend your summer.
The Purge: Anarchy
When: November 1
Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK; AU)
As far as horror sequels go, The Purge: Anarchy is very good indeed. It’s also 11 years old if you want to feel old. I can’t believe it’s been that long since The Purge first landed on our screens.
If you’re in the mood for some bleak, dystopian dread, what better place to start than here? It actually scored higher critically than its predecessor; it’s always interesting when that happens.
Following the same government sanction that makes crime legal for 12 hours, including murder, a sergeant who lost his son plans a vigilante mission of revenge during the mayhem. I really love this one.
Child’s Play
When: November 1
Where: Prime Video (worldwide)
Both versions of Child’s Play are on Prime Video this month, so whether you watch the original 1988 movie or the 2019 remake is up to you. Funnily enough, they have the exact same Rotten Tomatoes score of 64%, so maybe you’ll want to watch them both.
As the first movie in the Chucky franchise, you’ll uncover his origin story no matter which route you go down. When the character first came on the scene in the 80s, we saw dying murderer Charles Lee Ray using black magic to put his soul inside the doll, and the rest is history.
The Poughkeepsie Tapes
When: November 1
Where: Prime Video (worldwide)
Widely regarded as one of the nastiest found footage movies out there, this one isn’t for the faint-hearted. With its low-budget VHS aesthetic and realistic-looking scenes, this might be the grittiest recommendation of the bunch.
If you’re curious, the plot centers on a serial killer’s murders, with his crimes told through interviews and footage of his murders, which he filmed and kept for himself. It’s a disturbing watch, but has gained notoriety for good reason.
House of 1000 Corpses
When: November 1
Where: HBO Max (US); Shudder (UK); Stan (AU)
Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses bombed critically, but I think you should give the black comedy horror a go. It’s not quite as bad as the critics claim, especially if you enjoyed Zombie’s other work.
Here, we follow a group of teenagers who are kidnapped and tortured by a psychopathic family during Halloween. This movie has a cult following and was even turned into an attraction at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios, so it’s worth trying out.
Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story
When: November 7
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
If you loved The Black Phone, you won’t want to miss Abraham’s Boys: A Dracula Story, as it was penned by the same person. The short story by writer Joe Hill follows siblings Max and Rudy Van Helsing, who have spent their lives under the strict and overprotective rule of their father, Abraham.
Both are unaware of his dark past and struggle to understand his increasingly erratic behavior. This leads them to unearth the truth about his history with Dracula, forcing them to inherit the terrifying family legacy.
Krampus
When: November 15
Where: Shudder (US); Prime Video (UK); Rent or buy (AU)
Christmas movies are often known for being cozy and wholesome, so it’s fun when they aren’t. Inspired by the horned beast from ancient European folklore, this movie follows a dysfunctional family whose squabbling causes a young boy to lose his festive spirit enough to unleash the wrath of Krampus.
Starring Severance‘s Adam Scott, Wayward’s Toni Collette and The Office’s David Koechner, there’s an excellent cast here, and it’s an entertaining watch as you prepare for your celebrations. Hey, it might even convince the family not to get into any arguments, just in case Krampus appears.
