Scary movies and TV shows aren’t for everyone, but those who genuinely enjoy spooky content have much to choose from on Max. Max, formally known as HBO Max, is full of awesome movies and TV shows based on your interests. Max offers different plans based on your budget and price range as well. If you want to watch Max without advertisements in between scenes, it costs $15.99 to sign up.
If you don’t mind seeing ads every once in a while, Max will cost you $9.99. With such a wide variety of movies and TV shows, most of Max’s current subscribers already have a great appreciation for the platform. Plenty of people rely on Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime for their entertainment needs. Since Max has loads of great shows and movies to watch, it stands up against its competitors every year.
The scary movie and TV show selection on Max is impeccable. If you’re ready to shake in your boots a bit, Max has a long list of attention-grabbing titles to consider. Some movies were released decades ago, while others are more modern.
To compile this list of the scariest movies and shows now streaming on Max, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment sources. These include Collider, ScreenRant, Entertainment Weekly, Vulture, and Movie Web. (While we’re on the topic of scary content, click here for the best horror TV series of all time.)
Eraserhead (1977)
- IMDb score: 7.3/10
- Director/Creator: David Lynch
- Cast: Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph
Even though “Eraserhead” premiered in 1977, people who adore horror movies still have a lot of respect for it today. The 90-minute movie was filmed in black-and-white, which adds to its creepiness. The unsettling sounds and bizarre imagery will make you feel a tad uncomfortable as you watch the terror unfold.
At the core of it, “Eraserhead” is supposed to be about the reality of entering parenthood and what it means to be a man. The way the producers approached such heavy-hitting topics was incredibly eerie and dark. They didn’t hold back when opting for a freaky-looking infant.
Wellington Paranormal (2018-2022)
- IMDb score: 7.6/10
- Director/Creator: Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi
- Cast: Mike Minogue, Karen O’Leary, Maaka Pohatu
Cop shows have great reputations for being interesting and attention-grabbing among viewers. They get even better when producers add a paranormal twist to them. “Wellington Paranormal” is a creepy show available for streaming on Max now. It aired from 2018 until 2022.
The cops in the show reside in New Zealand and specialize in the investigation of supernatural criminality. Although there are plenty of comedic moments in “Wellington Paranormal,” the show is extremely creepy for folks hoping to achieve some an adrenaline rush.
Black Swan (2010)
- IMDb score: 8/10
- Director/Creator: Darren Aronofsky
- Cast: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel
Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis did an incredible job as the leading actresses in “Black Swan” in 2010. On the surface, it seems this movie is about two competitive ballerinas who are struggling with jealousy issues. The storyline goes a lot deeper than that as a full-fledged psychological thriller.
Portman’s character starts out as an innocent ballerina who gets pulled down a dark path by a sensual competitor who doesn’t have her best interest at heart. The dramatic and disturbed villain of the movie is played by Kunis. This is the type of film you might watch more than once to fully comprehend its depth.
The Conjuring (2013)
- IMDb score: 7.5/10
- Director/Creator: James Wan
- Cast: Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Ron Livingston
Audiences might want to brace themselves for the creepiness of “The Conjuring.” This movie premiered in theaters in 2013 with James Wan as the director. It was one of the biggest horror films to come out in the 2010s since it gave a realistic depiction of what true paranormal occurrences are like.
Plenty of viewers can agree that the first movie from the franchise is the best. It was followed up by a couple of sequels and several spinoffs. The original movie paved the way for the haunting story to press on. Audiences should be on the lookout for paranormal entities such as evil ghosts in “The Conjuring.”
The Outsider (2020)
- IMDb score: 7.6/10
- Director/Creator: Richard Price
- Cast: Ben Mendelsohn, Bill Camp, Jeremy Bobb
People who love scary movies and TV shows will appreciate “The Outsider.” Season 1 premiered in 2020 telling the story of a detective from Georgia doing everything in his power to solve a despicable crime. The body of an 11-year-old boy was discovered after his brutal murder.
At first, no one in the town had any answers regarding what happened to him. The detective realized that the boy’s Little League coach and teacher was the most likely culprit. Unfortunately for him, making his case wasn’t as cut and dry as it should’ve been. The intriguing crime-solving process of this show makes it worth watching.
True Blood (2008-2014)
- IMDb score: 7.9/10
- Director/Creator: Alan Ball
- Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell
If you’re interested in vampire-themed TV shows and movies, “True Blood” is definitely the series for you. “True Blood” aired from 2008 until 2014 diving deep into the world of vampires. It goes beyond the likes of “The Vampire Diaries” and the Twilight Saga. This focuses on individuals living in a world where vampires and humans can safely coexist.
The invention of a drink that substitutes blood is the reason vampires were finally comfortable leaving human beings alone. The depth of this show sheds light on love between different species, revenge, and murder. Stars like Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, and Sam Trammell make the show worthwhile.
The Lodge (2020)
- IMDb score: 6/10
- Director/Creator: Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz
- Cast: Riley Keough, Jaeden Martell, Lia McHugh
The idea of marrying someone who already has children is something plenty of adults consider every year. What would you do if the children in question absolutely despised you, though? What if the kids wanted you dead? That happens to be the case in “The Lodge,” a horror movie from 2020.
A woman engaged to become a stepmom realizes she’s in danger after getting stuck in a remote lodge with the two children. Since she’s stuck there for an extended period of time, she realizes she has nowhere to turn or hide. As the children start to manipulate her mind, she questions if she’ll be able to survive.
The Menu (2022)
- IMDb score: 7.2/10
- Director/Creator: Mark Mylod
- Cast: Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult
“The Menu” is arguably one of the creepiest and most haunting movies to hit theaters in 2022. It came from the creative mind of director Mark Milad, who also took the lead in “Succession.” The movie is about a talented celebrity chef who decides to do something radical with his clientele.
His wealthy guests are about to be cooked and served many items based on his own bizarre agenda. “The Menu” certainly has funny moments to laugh at, but for the most part, it will keep you on the edge of your seat. Anya Taylor-Joy does a fabulous job as the leading female actress.
Orphan (2009)
- IMDb score: 7/10
- Director/Creator: Jaume Collet-Serra
- Cast: Vera Farmiga, Peter Sarsgaard, Isabelle Fuhrman
“Orphan” is an incredible horror movie that hit theaters in 2009. It tells the story of a grieving couple who decides they’re ready to move forward with their life by adopting a child. The death of their natural-born child distracts them from making the best decision in the adoption process.
They bring home a little girl named Esther who proves to be incredibly evil and twisted. Interestingly enough, “Orphan” is based on the true story of an adult woman who posed as a 13-year-old child in Norway with hopes of getting adopted so she could be taken care of.
Lovecraft Country (2020)
- IMDb score: Misha Green
- Director/Creator: Jonathan Majors, Jurnee Smollett, Courtney B. Vance
- Cast: 7.1/10
“Lovecraft Country” is an amazing show to stream on Max if you don’t mind getting spooked while watching each episode. It premiered in 2020 telling the story of an African-American man returning home from the Korean War. Suddenly, the fantasy stories he always enjoyed reading start coming to life in front of his eyes in a scarier way than he could’ve ever imagined. “Lovecraft Country” wasn’t renewed for Season 2, but that doesn’t mean the first season isn’t worth watching for all of its mystical horrors.
Friday the 13th (1980)
- IMDb score: 6.4/10
- Director/Creator: Sean S. Cunningham
- Cast: Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Jeannine Taylor
Horror movie lovers are welcome to stream “Friday the 13th” from 1980 on Max right now. This slasher film is one of the most iconic movies in history. It focuses on a group of camp counselors in charge of summer camp festivities in a woodsy area called Crystal Lake.
Despite the fact that Crystal Lake has a bad reputation for being quite dangerous, the counselors are collectively convinced they’ll be just fine. One by one, they’re stalked and brutally murdered by a slasher who’s addicted to the excitement of murder. The way each camp counselor gets taken down is creative and shocking every time.
30 Coins (2020-Present)
- IMDb score: 7.1/10
- Director/Creator: Álex de la Iglesia
- Cast: Eduard Fernández, Megan Montaner, Miguel Ángel Silvestre
“30 Coins” first premiered in 2020 with new episodes still airing today. It focuses on an ex-convict who turned his life around to become a priest. Instead of continuing to live a life of crime, he decided he was ready to move forward in an honorable manner. Unfortunately for him, his past ghosts weren’t ready to let him go. The demons of his past tracked him down to a remote Spanish village to make him answer for all of his dirty deeds. Topics of forgiveness, betrayal, and terror are heavily on display in this show.
Carrie (1976)
- IMDb score: 7.4/10
- Director/Creator: Brian De Palma
- Cast: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
“Carrie” from 1976 is recognized for its jaw-dropping and gruesome horror scenes. It was so intense that it inspired a remake in 2013 starring Chloe Grace Moretz in the leading role. The original movie tells the story of a teenage girl who doesn’t have any friends on her high school campus.
The kids at her school constantly bully her and make her feel like an outcast. Over time, she starts noticing that she has supernatural powers most other individuals can only dream of. After getting a grasp on her true mental and emotional strength, it becomes easy for her to enact revenge on everyone who ever treated her poorly – including her own abusive mother.
The Last of Us (2023-Present)
- IMDb score: 8.7/10
- Director/Creator: Neil Druckmann, Craig Mazin
- Cast: Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Anna Torv
There are plenty of zombie-themed movies and TV shows to watch, but many of them don’t compare to “The Last of Us.” For example “The Walking Dead” isn’t nearly as horrific. The first episode of “The Last of Us” premiered in 2023, and new episodes are still airing today.
The show focuses on the intense drama of trying to survive a massive zombie apocalypse. It takes place decades after a disgusting virus has already begun morphing human beings into vicious mutants with insatiable appetites. Bella Ramsey and Pedro Pascal lead the way as the intriguing main characters.
Midsommar (2019)
- IMDb score: 7.1/10
- Director/Creator: Ari Aster
- Cast: Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren
“Midsommar” made waves in 2019 when it first hit theaters. The movie depicts life for people living in a remote Swedish Village. Every 90 years they celebrate the Midsommar festival, which isn’t as charming as it sounds. Florence Pugh plays one of the lead characters traveling to the stunning Swedish destination with her romantic partner and his friends.
Their intention is to enjoy a festival that’s designed to resemble a retreat full of music, dancing, and socializing. Instead, they’re forced to fight for their lives against a vicious pagan cult. These scary movies and TV shows on Max are certainly worth watching at least once. (Next, click here for old horror films that still haunt audiences today.)