Plenty of people love the easy access they have when watching movies and TV shows on Amazon Prime Video, also known as Prime. The subscription-based platform is perfect for streaming the most interesting entertainment in circulation, and there are tons of fabulous genres to choose from. Some people prefer lighthearted entertainment that fits into the comedy genre because they want to laugh at funny jokes.
Others prefer dramatic entertainment that tells deep and thought-provoking stories. Others are into romances because they adore lovey-dovey scenes depicting couples falling head over heels in love with each other. Another common genre people obsess over is horror. There’s something beyond exciting about watching horror movies and TV shows. It’s the type of entertainment that keeps you on the edge of your seat, brimming with anticipation.
Scary movies and TV shows can be creepy and unsettling, but that’s exactly what audiences are hoping for when they’re intentionally seeking content from the horror genre. Viewers know that watching the scariest movies and TV shows can potentially lead to uncontrollable nightmares and occasional flashbacks. Nightmares and flashbacks simply come with the territory. (While we’re on the topic of horror, uncover the scariest movies and shows now streaming on Max.)
To compile this list of the scariest movies and TV shows now streaming on Prime, 24/7 Tempo consulted several entertainment sources. These include IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Collider.
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
- Director/Creator: Roman Polanski
- Cast: Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
“Rosemary’s Baby” hit theaters in 1968, and although it’s an older movie, it still has the power to creep out audiences in 2024. The horror film pulled in an R-rating with the help of Roman Polanski as the director. It tells the story of a young woman named Rosemary dealing with a troublesome pregnancy.
Throughout her pregnancy, she has recurring nightmares that prove something is wrong with the baby in her womb. Later on, it’s revealed that Rosemary is bearing none other than Satan’s spawn. Mia Farrow is the actress who took on the titular role with elegance and believability. Her facial expressions after waking up from such horrific nightmares were always incredibly realistic.
Dead Ringers (2023-Present)
- Director/Creator: Sean Durkin, Lauren Wolkstein, Karyn Kusama
- Cast: Kitty Hawthorne, Rachel Weisz, Emily Meade, Britne Oldford
The first season of “Dead Ringers” landed on Prime in 2023. The dramatic show tells the story of two twin sisters named the Mantles. They’re completely identical from head to toe, and it’s nearly impossible for anyone to tell them apart. Rachel Weisz is the actress who takes on the matching identities, similarly to the way Lindsay Lohan played twins in “The Parent Trap” back in 1998.
The Mantle twins have one sole mission in life, and it’s to alter the way women give birth. Their approaches to the mission are different since one of them is far more disturbed and dangerous than the other. Weisz, who has a history of starring in movies that are highly intense, does an excellent job handling the duality of the complicated role.
The Descent (2005)
- Director/Creator: Neil Marshall
- Cast: Shauna Macdonald, Natalie Mendoza, Alex Reid
In 2005, “The Descent” hit theaters with an R-rating. The movie focuses on a group of female friends trapped in a cave full of monsters. The dread of the main characters potentially getting caught and slaughtered by cave monsters drags on throughout the entire film. The further the young women descend into the cave, the greater their claustrophobia grows.
Beyond the obvious spookiness of “The Descent,” this movie also sheds light on the strength of female friendship when it comes to true camaraderie and shared empathy. Another interesting aspect of “The Descent” comes into play when viewers notice how resourceful the main characters are throughout their deadly journey.
American Horror Story (2011-Present)
- Director/Creator: Ryan Murphy
- Cast: Sarah Paulson, Kathy Bates, Lady Gaga
The first episode of “American Horror Story” premiered in 2011. Now, it’s possible to stream the show on Prime. Twelve seasons of horror make for great spooky entertainment. “American Horror Story” has raked in an IMDb rating of 8 out of 10, which says a lot about how well-received it is among audiences. The A-list actors included in the lineup make “American Horror Story” an even more enjoyable show to binge-watch.
At first, the most recognizable face from the show was Sarah Paulson. Later on, other big names like Evan Peters and Macaulay Culkin joined in on the fun. Lady Gaga has starred in episodes of “American Horror Story” as well. Most recently, it’s become possible to catch episodes of the creepy show with reality TV star Kim Kardashian in the cast. It’s highly unlikely “American Horror Story” will slow down anytime soon since fans seem to appreciate the haunting vibe of the series.
Children of the Corn (1984)
- Director/Creator: Fritz Kiersch
- Cast: Peter Horton, Linda Hamilton
“Children of the Corn” made waves in 1984 as a creepy horror movie. Today, it’s possible to enjoy the charming spookiness of “Children of the Corn” on Prime. One thing that makes this particular horror movie stand out is that it focuses on a group of unruly children living in a town called Gatlin, Nebraska.
It sheds light on a cult of destructive kids who’ve decided that adults over the age of 18 should be murdered. The slasher sequences in this movie are undeniable, but the deeper commentary about ageism in society is what makes “Children of the Corn” so iconic. The two main characters, Vicky and Burt, spend the bulk of the film trying to escape Gatlin because they know it’s being run by a conniving child preacher named Isaac.
Todd and the Book Of Pure Evil (2010-2011)
- Director/Creator: Craig David Wallace, Charles Picco, Anthony Leo
- Cast: Alex House, Maggie Castle, Bill Turnbull, Melanie Leishman
“Todd and the Book Of Pure Evil” is a creepy show that ran for two seasons starting in 2010. Although the show is full of horrific moments, it also includes loads of scenes that will probably make you laugh. For that reason, it’s considered a horror-comedy. It focuses on a high school kid named Todd Smith who spends his time listening to metal music and smoking marijuana.
He links up with his on-campus crush, his childhood best friend, and the school’s designated nerd to wreak havoc using a satanic spell book they stumble upon. The idea of multiple misfit teenagers chilling together with the same goal in mind is reminiscent of “The Breakfast Club” from 1985. The main difference is that in “Todd and the Book Of Pure Evil,” the satanic book of spells is their biggest connector.
Chopping Mall (1986)
- Director/Creator: Jim Wynorski
- Cast: Kelli Maroney, Tony O’Dell, John Terlesky, Suzee Slater
Jim Wynorski directed “Chopping Mall” in 1986 as an ’80s horror movie that’s now considered a cult classic. One detail that might draw viewers in today is the neon fashion and the relatable storyline of rebellion. “Chopping Mall” focuses on a group of teenagers who devise a plan to spend the night at their local mall.
The teens stay past closing time because they know they’ll have a chance to party it up at all their favorite shops and even hook up with each other on beds at one of the furniture stores. Unfortunately for them, a fleet of deadly security robots has been strategically placed around the mall to prevent robberies throughout the night. The robots are so intelligent, they make it nearly impossible for the teenagers to survive until morning.
Tokyo Vampire Hotel (2018)
- Director/Creator: Sion Sono
- Cast: Ami Tomite, Hirotatsu Terabayashi, Megumi Kagurazaka, Shinnosuke Mitsushima
“Tokyo Vampire Hotel” snagged one horrific season in 2018. The show is now available for streaming on Prime. Throughout all 10 episodes of Season 1, viewers watch a young woman getting chased by a group of insatiable vampires as she’s trying to celebrate her 22nd birthday. The vampires are relentless, but so is she.
All she wants is a fun and enjoyable night to honor the fact that she’s turning another year older. Instead, her celebratory spirit turns into pure survival mode as she outruns vampires who are on the prowl. The vampires targeting her find themselves attracted to a matchmaking event where young singles are in attendance to find potential soulmates.
Totally Killer (2023)
- Director/Creator: Nahnatchka Khan
- Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Julie Bowen
Most people recognize Kiernan Shipka from her time filming “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” between 2018 and 2020. The show certainly put a creepy spin on the classic story of Sabrina. Comic book lovers have been reading about the fictional teenage witch for decades. Shipka graduated beyond her role as Sabrina to star in a movie called “Totally Killer” in 2023.
She filmed the movie alongside Julie Bowen and Olivia Holt. “Totally Killer” tells the story of a 17-year-old girl named Jamie who crosses paths with a masked murderer. It happens after she accidentally travels back in time to the ’80s when he’s at the height of a murder spree. In 1987, he murdered three teenagers and made plans to murder a fourth victim on Halloween. Shipka’s character puts a massive wrench in his plans.
Truth Seekers (2020)
- Director/Creator: Jim Field Smith
- Cast: Nick Frost, Malcolm McDowell, Samson Kayo, Susan Wokoma
“Truth Seekers” only lasted for one season in 2020, but that doesn’t mean this horror show isn’t worth binge-watching on Prime today. It tells the story of a group of paranormal investigators who still work other full-time jobs. Their main career paths keep them busy, but they still make time to serve as ghost hunters.
Hunting ghosts is something they do on a part-time basis. The paranormal investigators construct handmade gizmos and gadgets to track down figures and supernatural entities. Anytime they come across something worth sharing, they post about their terrifying adventures online. In an era when so many people care about posting viral content on the internet, this show is as relevant as ever.
Dark Harvest (2023)
- Director/Creator: David Slade
- Cast: Jeremy Davies, Emyri Crutchfield, Casey Likes
“Dark Harvest” is an attention-grabbing horror movie that premiered in 2023. With director David Slade on the job, the movie pulled in an R-rating. “Dark Harvest” was originally set to premiere in theaters, but it was delayed for two years, which then led to its digital release. As of now, it’s available for streaming on Prime.
The fantasy-horror movie tells the story of a group of teenagers forced to face off against supernatural entities in the cornfields of their small Midwestern hometown. Every fall, creepy things randomly occur around those cornfields. The bravely heroic teenagers decide they want to do something about it – once and for all.
The Horror Of Dolores Roach (2023-Present)
- Director/Creator: Aaron Mark
- Cast: Justina Machado, Alejandro Hernandez, K. Todd Freeman
Season 1 of “The Horror Of Dolores Roach” is available for streaming on Prime as a jaw-dropping horror show to watch. It tells the story of a woman named Dolores who finally gets released from prison after spending years behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit. She was unfairly tried in court, and the sentence she was given was life-changing.
To get back on her feet in the real world, she connects with an old friend who hires her as a massage therapist. Dolores starts believing her life might return to normal until events at her new job make her feel threatened and unsafe. She begins questioning whether or not she’ll be able to survive if she maintains her position as a masseuse.
House (1985)
- Director/Creator: Steve Miner
- Cast: William Katt, George Wendt, Richard Moll, Kay Lenz
“House” is a horror movie available for streaming on Prime for scary movie lovers to enjoy. “House” first premiered in 1986 with Steve Minor as the director. His vision was to create a horror movie that could also make viewers laugh — and he successfully accomplished that feat. The scary scenes in the movie still ensure that it’s too haunting to be thought of solely as a comedy.
It tells the story of a man who returns from fighting the war in Vietnam. After moving into a creepy mansion, he starts having flashbacks of his time at war fighting for his life. He also struggles with the reality that his son disappeared without an explanation while he was away in Vietnam. In his nightmares, the man lays eyes on various creatures that leave him terrified every time he wakes up.
Dark/Web (2019)
- Director/Creator: Stephen Susco
- Cast: Brian Elerding, Lana McKissack, Michael Nardelli
“Dark/Web” is a haunting show that lasted for one season in 2019. Despite the fact that it didn’t get picked up for another season, it’s still worth watching on Prime. “Dark/Web” is about a programmer who mysteriously disappears without an explanation. Her old friends reunite to try and track her down by following a trail of clues.
In an attempt to find their missing friend, they uncover secrets about the dark web that put all their lives on the line. As they continue their relentless search for their friend, they continue yanking skeletons out of every metaphorical closet. Some people think of the internet as a scary black hole that goes on forever. This show doesn’t take away from that belief system in the slightest.
Smile (2022)
- Director/Creator: Parker Finn
- Cast: Sosie Bacon, Kyle Gallner
“Smile” premiered in 2022 as a horror movie about a doctor named Rose Cotter. After facing a traumatic incident with one of her patients, she notices that her life starts significantly changing for the worst. “Smile” is filled to the brim with jump scares that will leave viewers feeling anxious and edgy.
On a deeper level, this horror movie represents themes of hopelessness, dread, and fear that you’ll never be able to escape the inevitable tragedies that naturally come with the human experience. (Now that you know about the scariest movies currently streaming on Prime, click here for the scariest movies and shows that are currently on Netflix.)