Best Classic Horror Movies and Where to Stream Them!

Don’t miss out on these essential horror films while they are (mostly) available on popular streaming services!

1. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, the first of two silent German Expressionist films on this list, is perhaps the most influential film for American horror and film noir. With a unique vision that holds up to this day, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari tells the story of an ominous hypnotist whose menacing presence in a small town seems to correlate with suspicious deaths.

Streaming on: Shudder, Roku, Tubi

A giant killer shark forces the star power of Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, and Richard Dreyfuss to unite and take it down.

Streaming on: Apple, Amazon, Google, YouTube, Vudu, Microsoft, Redbox for $3.99 rental

3. Alien (1979)

Alien captured the atmosphere of its essential horror predecessors combined with a truly monstrous creation that is basically fear incarnate and neutralizes all movie monsters before and after.

Streaming on: Showtime

Many consider this the greatest of the Frankenstein movies (it certainly only has the first Frankenstein to compete with). With a bigger budget, The Bride of Frankenstein capitalizes on its sci-fi potential and injects some humor into the proceedings while nailing the themes of the first outing.

Streaming on: Shudder

5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956)

The original Invasion of the Body Snatchers beats the two remakes by focusing on psychological horror and social commentary, sending an unusually bleak message for the time.

Streaming on: Hulu, Paramout+, Epix

Though based on the Mary Shelley classic, Frankenstein entirely reinvented the story for motion picture audiences, and the results became more iconic than the book itself. Not much more needs to be said about it.

Streaming on: Shudder

7. Halloween (1978)

Suburban paranoia has never concentrated so effectively into one being. As the folks of a small Illinois town go about trick ‘r treating in their seemingly safe neighborhood, a few children get murdered by Michael Meyers, an escaped deranged killer.

Streaming on: Roku, Redbox, Shudder

Not only is this one not an actual horror movie, but it’s also not streaming anywhere at the moment! Let’s call attention to this atrocity right now!

9. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Night of the Living Dead’s gory, atmospheric terror lives on in its many copycats as the most influential zombie film.

Streaming on: HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Roku, Vudu, Starz, Tubi, Epix, Shudder, IMDbTV

Nosferatu is the most famous silent horror film, with an iconic villain that has stood the test of time after 100 years.

Streaming on: Roku, Tubi, Shudder

Nosferatu (1922) - Trailer

Eight out of ten are streaming here for no extra cost (if you're already subscribed). As well, Roku, Tubi, and IMDb TV are some that do not require a subscription at all. Happy watching!