We’re just about halfway through the year and we’ve already had a surfeit of remarkable horror releases. Some of the most hotly-anticipated, including Longlegs and Nosferatu, aren’t here quite yet, though the midway point is a great time to catch up on what you’ve missed before the end of the year. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me. I spend every December frantically trying to watch everything I’ve missed. So, to make things a little easier for you horror hounds, here are five of the scariest movies of 2024 and where you can currently stream them for free.
Infested (Shudder)
Infested is the scariest spider movie in years. Sébastien Vaniček’s creepy-crawly thriller boasts some sensational scares and spider effects, but it never loses sight of its characters In our review, we wrote, “With amazing creature effects and a story that cares about its characters, Infested is the best spider horror film in recent memory.” You can catch it on Shudder now.
Stopmotion (Shudder)
Robert Morgan’s Stopmotion is going to rank as one of the grimmest horror movies of the year, and star Aisling Franciosi’s performance is one of the finest in some time. This blend of stellar practical effects work and a frightening descent into madness is a must-watch. In our review, we wrote, “Between delightfully repulsive puppets, a stellar central performance, and impeccable sound design, Morgan creates a deeply upsetting and utterly enthralling cinematic experience that taps into the insecurities that haunt us all.” You can catch it on Shudder now.
Under Paris (Netflix)
While Under Paris director Xavier Gens got his start in the French Extremity movement, Under Paris is a notable shift in tone. While never exactly scary (minus a subterranean bloodbath that calls to mind Piranha 3D), Under Paris is the freshest, most fun shark movie in years.
The First Omen (Hulu)
If you told me this time last year The First Omen would be arguably the best movie in The Omen franchise, I’d have had a hard time believing you. Don’t bet against Arkasha Stevenson, though. Genuinely, The First Omen might rank as my favorite horror movie of the year. It’s that good. Don’t believe me? Well, in our review, Mary Beth McAndrews called it the “perfect religious horror film.” You can stream it now on Hulu.
Exhuma (Shudder)
This list is Shudder-heavy, but seriously, their catalog is unmatched. Exhuma is the most recent release on this list and also one of the best. South Korean horror always delivers something fresh, and with Exhuma, director Jang Jae-hyun unearths some of the year’s best scares. Check out our review here, and be sure to stream it on Shudder.
What do you think? What’s the scariest movie of 2024 so far? Let me know over on Twitter @Chadiscollins where I’m always done for recommendations.
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