Best Movies on Amazon Prime to Stream This Halloween

If you want a solid Halloween watchlist on Prime, this roundup keeps things simple and practical. Each pick includes quick details like who made it, what it’s about, and a gentle nod to who handled distribution so you know where it came from. No spoilers and no fluff, just the essentials to help you line up a night of reliable scares and thrills. Settle in, press play, and let these titles carry the evening.

‘Hereditary’ (2018)

A family grapples with unsettling secrets after the death of a reclusive matriarch and strange events escalate inside their home. Ari Aster directs with Toni Collette leading a cast that also includes Alex Wolff and Milly Shapiro. Released by A24, it became a breakout modern horror title with strong word of mouth. The film blends domestic drama and the supernatural with carefully staged set pieces.

‘The Witch’ (2015)

A Puritan family living on the edge of a New England forest begins to fracture as unexplained occurrences mount. Robert Eggers directs and Anya Taylor-Joy anchors the story with a focused debut performance. Distributed by A24, it is known for period accurate language and stark rural imagery. The film leans on atmosphere and folklore to build its dread.

‘The Black Phone’ (2022)

A kidnapped teenager discovers a disconnected phone that allows him to hear voices from previous victims who want to help him escape. Scott Derrickson directs with Mason Thames and Ethan Hawke in pivotal roles. Released by Universal Pictures through the Blumhouse banner, it blends coming of age tension with a resourceful survival angle. The story expands a short tale by Joe Hill with new beats and character detail.

‘A Quiet Place’ (2018)

A family survives by staying silent while creatures with hypersensitive hearing hunt anything that makes a sound. John Krasinski directs and stars alongside Emily Blunt with tightly choreographed sequences built around quiet movement and hand signals. Paramount Pictures handled distribution and supported a strong theatrical rollout. The film uses sound design as a primary storytelling tool.

‘Train to Busan’ (2016)

Commuters on a high speed train face a fast moving outbreak as the infection spreads from car to car. Yeon Sang-ho directs with Gong Yoo and Ma Dong-seok among the ensemble. Well Go USA distributed the film in North America and helped bring Korean genre cinema to wider streaming audiences. The confined setting keeps the action clear and the stakes immediate.

‘Ready or Not’ (2019)

A new bride is forced into a deadly game by her wealthy in-laws during a strange family ritual at an isolated estate. Samara Weaving leads a cast that navigates a mix of pursuit and dark humor. Fox Searchlight Pictures handled distribution and gave the film a strong late summer platform. The script uses cat and mouse beats with inventive set pieces inside the mansion.

‘Nope’ (2022)

Siblings who run a small horse ranch notice something unexplained in the sky and try to document it. Jordan Peele directs Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer with a focus on spectacle and image making. Universal Pictures distributed the film with an emphasis on premium formats that highlight its large scale vistas. The narrative weaves showmanship, surveillance, and survival into one thread.

‘Don’t Breathe’ (2016)

Three Detroit burglars break into a house expecting an easy score and instead face a meticulous homeowner who turns the tables. Fede Álvarez directs with Stephen Lang as the central presence inside the darkened space. Screen Gems released the film for Sony Pictures and built it around tense home invasion mechanics. The layout of the house drives the choreography of each encounter.

‘The Invisible Man’ (2020)

A woman escapes an abusive tech entrepreneur and begins to suspect he found a way to stalk her without being seen. Leigh Whannell directs with Elisabeth Moss carrying a story that uses practical effects and camera blocking to suggest an unseen presence. Universal Pictures handled distribution and updated a classic concept with contemporary technology. The production leans on negative space and sound cues to shape each scare.

‘Talk to Me’ (2023)

Teenagers discover a preserved hand that lets them invite spirits in for short controlled possessions that quickly spiral out of control. Danny and Michael Philippou direct a young ensemble led by Sophie Wilde. A24 released the film and positioned it as a buzzy genre debut from online creators moving into features. The rules of the ritual are central and drive every major turn.

‘It’ (2017)

Kids in a small town band together to confront a shape shifting entity that appears as a clown and preys on fear. Andy Muschietti directs with Bill Skarsgård and a young cast that tracks a summer of investigations and confrontations. New Line Cinema released the film through Warner Bros. Pictures and introduced a new generation to the story. The narrative follows a cycle of sightings, clues, and group planning.

‘Smile’ (2022)

A therapist witnesses a shocking incident and begins to experience disturbing visions that follow a specific pattern from victim to victim. Parker Finn directs Sosie Bacon in a story that structures its investigation around a chain of cases. Paramount Pictures distributed the film and supported an inventive marketing push tied to public appearances. The case files and recorded footage become key pieces of the puzzle.

‘X’ (2022)

A small film crew rents a farmhouse and hides their project from the elderly owners until tensions escalate overnight. Ti West directs with Mia Goth and Jenna Ortega in a period set slasher that uses practical locations. A24 released the film and later supported a connected follow up that expands the backstory. The production design and rural setting guide the choreography of each sequence.

‘Pearl’ (2022)

A farm girl dreams of stardom while caring for her ailing father and clashing with a strict mother as her behavior grows more violent. Ti West directs with Mia Goth co-writing and leading in a character focused prequel to an earlier story. A24 handled distribution and emphasized its technicolor inspired look. The monologues and auditions become anchors for the character’s unraveling.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)

Estranged sisters and a group of kids in a city apartment face a demonic presence after an old book and recordings are played. Lee Cronin directs with Lily Sullivan and Alyssa Sutherland at the center of close quarters horror. New Line Cinema released the film through Warner Bros. Pictures after early screenings sparked interest. The set uses elevators, cramped hallways, and a parking structure to stage the action.

‘Midsommar’ (2019)

A couple travels to a remote Swedish commune to observe a midsummer festival that happens once every many decades. Ari Aster directs with Florence Pugh and Jack Reynor leading a story built around rituals in constant daylight. A24 handled distribution for its theatrical release. The production uses folk traditions and communal ceremonies to push the story forward.

‘Candyman’ (1992)

A graduate student researches an urban legend tied to a historical tragedy and a public housing community. Bernard Rose directs with Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd anchoring the investigation that crosses academic fieldwork and folklore. TriStar Pictures released the film in North America. The narrative traces a link between a thesis project and a series of unexplained incidents.

‘The Ring’ (2002)

A reporter looks into a videotape that appears to cause a fatal countdown for anyone who watches it. Gore Verbinski directs with Naomi Watts following a trail of evidence that leads to a rural mystery. DreamWorks Pictures backed the release and introduced the story to a wide U.S. audience. The investigation moves through phone records, hospital files, and an orphaned case history.

‘Sinister’ (2012)

A true crime writer finds reels of home movies in his attic that reveal a pattern connecting several families. Scott Derrickson directs with Ethan Hawke piecing together clues from the footage and police reports. Summit Entertainment brought the film to theaters as part of its genre slate. The case builds around analysis of film stock, recurring symbols, and dates.

‘The Conjuring’ (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren assist a family who report escalating activity inside a farmhouse. James Wan directs with Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson applying a methodical approach to each incident. New Line Cinema released the film through Warner Bros. Pictures after strong test screenings. The case file structure includes interviews, recordings, and a staged house study.

‘Insidious’ (2010)

Parents seek help when their son falls into an unexplained coma and strange events begin around the home. James Wan directs with Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson coordinating with a team that documents the activity. FilmDistrict handled distribution in the U.S. market. The plot introduces a metaphysical realm that is mapped through rules explained by the investigators.

‘The Descent’ (2005)

A group of friends goes spelunking and becomes trapped in an uncharted cave system where they encounter hostile creatures. Neil Marshall directs with Shauna Macdonald leading the ensemble through tight spaces and vertical drops. Lionsgate released the film for U.S. audiences with an alternate ending. The geography of the caverns shapes every tactical choice the group makes.

‘REC’ (2007)

A television crew follows firefighters to an apartment building that is soon sealed by authorities during a rapidly spreading incident. Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza direct with Manuela Velasco carrying the story through a constantly rolling camera. Magnet Releasing distributed the film in the U.S. as part of its international label. The real time approach uses floor by floor searches and quarantine rules.

‘Hellraiser’ (1987)

A man opens a puzzle box that summons otherworldly beings who pursue new experiences through extreme sensation. Clive Barker writes and directs with Doug Bradley portraying the lead Cenobite. New World Pictures handled the original release in the U.S. The narrative revolves around the box’s mechanics and a bargain that drags more people into its orbit.

‘The Babadook’ (2014)

A widow and her young son begin to experience disturbances after reading a strange pop up book. Jennifer Kent directs with Essie Davis navigating a series of nightly events that escalate in specificity. IFC Midnight released the film in North America and positioned it through specialty platforms. The household routine becomes the framework for tracking each new manifestation.

‘Under the Skin’ (2013)

A mysterious woman drives through Scotland picking up men while following a mission that is slowly revealed. Jonathan Glazer directs with Scarlett Johansson moving between scripted scenes and hidden camera moments. A24 distributed the film in the U.S. after its festival run. The score and location work guide the rhythm of encounters and the shifts in her behavior.

‘Annihilation’ (2018)

A biologist joins a team entering a quarantined zone where natural laws appear to be changing. Alex Garland directs with Natalie Portman and a small group documenting phenomena with cameras and samples. Paramount Pictures released the film domestically after a limited marketing window. The expedition’s journals, maps, and recorded anomalies structure the narrative.

‘The Cabin in the Woods’ (2011)

College friends arrive at a remote cabin and unknowingly trigger a system that controls what happens next. Drew Goddard directs with Kristen Connolly and Chris Hemsworth among the ensemble. Lionsgate handled distribution and highlighted its meta setup in promotions. The story tracks choices inside the cabin while another team monitors outcomes from a control facility.

‘Scream’ (1996)

A masked attacker targets high school students as a town approaches the anniversary of a past crime. Wes Craven directs with Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette coordinating with local police. Dimension Films released the movie and extended the story through sequels. The script uses phone calls, curfews, and campus security to map each escalation.

‘Halloween’ (1978)

On a quiet holiday night, an escaped patient returns to his hometown as a babysitter and her friends find themselves in danger. John Carpenter directs with Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence at the center of the pursuit. Compass International Pictures financed and distributed the original release with a gradual rollout. The film’s route through neighborhood streets and houses creates a clear timeline of events.

‘Suspiria’ (2018)

A young dancer joins a prestigious Berlin academy and discovers a hidden world tied to the school’s founders. Luca Guadagnino directs with Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, and Mia Goth guiding a story built around rituals, rehearsals, and late night meetings. Amazon Studios handled distribution after the film’s festival run. The choreography, archival materials, and school politics steadily reveal the scope of the coven.

‘The Blair Witch Project’ (1999)

Three student filmmakers enter the Maryland woods to document a local legend and leave behind tapes that reconstruct their final days. Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez structure the story through found footage, maps, and on camera interviews. Artisan Entertainment distributed the film and built a campaign around its discovered materials angle. The timeline follows missing person notices, campsite searches, and fragmented recordings.

‘The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’ (1974)

Travelers stop at a rural home and encounter a family whose routines spiral into violence. Tobe Hooper directs with Gunnar Hansen’s masked figure at the center of a daylong ordeal. Bryanston Distributing Company handled the original release and helped turn it into a midnight movie staple. The route from gas station to farmhouse lays out a clear path through each confrontation.

‘Carrie’ (1976)

A shy teen faces relentless bullying at school and strict control at home as a prom invitation sets events in motion. Brian De Palma directs with Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie portraying a fraught mother daughter dynamic. United Artists released the film and positioned it as a character driven adaptation of a breakout novel. The story moves from detention and gym class plans to a gymnasium finale shaped by a cruel prank.

’28 Days Later’ (2002)

A courier wakes up in an abandoned hospital and discovers a virus has emptied London of normal life. Danny Boyle directs with Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, and Brendan Gleeson navigating checkpoints and survivor hideouts. Fox Searchlight Pictures distributed the film in the U.S. and emphasized its digital video look. Roadblocks, safe houses, and an outpost outside the city define the group’s route.

‘Let the Right One In’ (2008)

A lonely boy befriends a mysterious new neighbor who arrives with a guardian and a strict after dark routine. Tomas Alfredson directs with Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson grounding the winter setting. Magnolia Pictures distributed the film in North America and broadened its reach through specialty venues. The story tracks schoolyard confrontations, apartment visits, and a series of unexplained incidents in the area.

‘The Wailing’ (2016)

A rural police officer investigates a string of illnesses and deaths that begin after a stranger arrives in the village. Na Hong jin directs with Kwak Do won leading a case that brings in shamanic rituals and forensic details. Well Go USA handled U.S. distribution and introduced it to genre fans through limited runs. The investigation moves from contaminated sites and autopsies to a ritual that tests loyalties.

‘Raw’ (2016)

A first year veterinary student experiences strange cravings after a hazing ritual at her new school. Julia Ducournau directs with Garance Marillier and Ella Rumpf charting changes that affect family dynamics and coursework. Focus World distributed the film in the U.S. with a targeted rollout. Class labs, dorm inspections, and campus parties mark each step in the transformation.

‘The Autopsy of Jane Doe’ (2016)

A father son team of coroners receives a body with no external injuries and a series of impossible findings. André Øvredal directs with Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch working through the examination room overnight. IFC Midnight distributed the film in North America and framed it as a contained mystery. The procedure notes, X rays, and found objects inside the body turn the autopsy into an investigation.

‘It Follows’ (2014)

A college student learns she is being stalked by a presence that can look like anyone and only stops when it catches up. David Robert Mitchell directs with Maika Monroe and a group of friends tracing the rules behind the threat. RADiUS TWC distributed the film and expanded it after strong interest. The plan relies on handoffs, safe locations, and a risky trap at a familiar site.

‘Paranormal Activity’ (2007)

A couple sets up cameras around their home to document strange events that intensify each night. Oren Peli directs with Katie Featherston and Micah Sloat interacting mostly through static setups and time stamps. Paramount Pictures distributed the film and used midnight screenings to build momentum. The evidence grows through audio spikes, footprints, and sudden movement caught on video.

‘The Others’ (2001)

A mother keeps her light sensitive children inside a seaside mansion as unseen forces begin to play with the house’s rules. Alejandro Amenábar directs with Nicole Kidman guiding a story told through housekeepers, locked rooms, and old photographs. Dimension Films brought the film to U.S. audiences under the Miramax banner. The narrative uses a strict routine of curtains, keys, and a registry of former staff.

‘The Exorcist III’ (1990)

A detective reopens a case when new murders resemble a killer who was executed years earlier. William Peter Blatty directs with George C. Scott following clues through hospitals, churches, and prison interviews. 20th Century Fox handled distribution in the U.S. after changes during production. The case notes connect patient transfers, confession patterns, and a familiar name from an earlier file.

‘Jennifer’s Body’ (2009)

After a high school concert goes wrong, a cheerleader begins to change and her best friend notices something is very off. Karyn Kusama directs with Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried navigating the fallout around classrooms, hallways, and a small town scene. 20th Century Fox distributed the film and marketed it toward teen audiences at the time. Diaries, missing person reports, and a school dance converge on the final confrontation.

‘Saint Maud’ (2019)

A home care nurse becomes fixated on the spiritual well being of her patient while signs of strain appear in her daily life. Rose Glass directs with Morfydd Clark and Jennifer Ehle shaping a close quarters character study. A24 handled distribution and positioned it as an intimate psychological horror entry. Shift logs, patient notes, and a series of solitary rituals trace the build to its final moments.

Share your go to Prime picks for spooky season in the comments so everyone can build an even better Halloween queue.