Best Movies On HBO Max To Stream This Halloween

If you are planning a spooky night in, Max has a deep bench of horror favorites and new chills from the HBO umbrella that make October watching easy. You will find everything from atmospheric classics to modern franchise entries, along with a few recent theatrical hits landing right in time for the holiday. The picks below cover different flavors of fear so you can build a lineup that fits the vibe. Grab some candy, dim the lights, and queue these up on Max for a solid Halloween watchlist.

‘Weapons’ (2025)

Zach Cregger follows his breakout with a sprawling mystery about a community reeling after a shocking disappearance and the strange events that ripple out from it. The film features Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, and Alden Ehrenreich, and it rewards close attention as threads connect across characters and timelines. It had a strong theatrical run before shifting to streaming, and it arrives on Max right on schedule for Halloween viewing under the HBO banner. This one is a timely add if you want something brand new in your queue.

‘Final Destination: Bloodlines’ (2025)

The franchise returns with a story that tracks the descendants of a woman who cheated death in the late 1960s as fate comes calling again in elaborate set pieces. Tony Todd is back as William Bludworth, giving the new chapter a direct link to the original runs. The film became available on Max after its theatrical release, making it an easy Halloween season pick on HBO’s streaming home. It is designed so newcomers can jump in while longtime fans catch the callbacks.

‘Evil Dead Rise’ (2023)

This entry moves the action from a cabin to a crumbling Los Angeles apartment where a family faces the Deadites after a Book of the Dead turns up. Writer director Lee Cronin pushes practical gore and tight suspense while nodding to series staples like the chainsaw and the infamous incantations. It is part of Max’s horror lineup, which keeps several ‘Evil Dead’ titles in rotation for HBO viewers. The movie stands alone but also connects through the franchise mythology.

‘It Follows’ (2014)

A cursed presence stalks its victim at walking pace after a seemingly ordinary encounter, creating a slow pressure that builds from scene to scene. Director David Robert Mitchell uses wide frames and a synth score to keep you scanning the background for movement. The film is a Max mainstay during spooky season, so it is easy to find alongside other HBO picked thrillers. It has also influenced a wave of atmospheric horror over the last decade.

‘Insidious’ (2010)

A family battles a force from the Further after their son falls into an unexplained coma and strange phenomena escalate at home. Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne anchor the story while the red faced entity and the Tiptoe song became horror touchstones. It shows up in Max’s Halloween carousel and pairs well with later entries that HBO cycles through. The film’s blend of domestic scares and astral lore still plays well for first timers.

‘The Conjuring’ (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work a haunted farmhouse case that spirals into one of the signature possession stories of the decade. The movie sets up artifacts and cases that later fuel sequels and spinoffs across a connected universe. It is regularly available in Max’s horror section, which makes it a reliable HBO pick for October marathons. The period detail and careful buildup make it easy to slot into any lineup.

‘Annabelle’ (2014)

The creepy doll from the Warrens’ case files gets a focused origin tale that ties into the broader ‘Conjuring’ timeline. Set in late 1960s California, it traces how the doll becomes a conduit after a violent incident involving a cult. You can stream it alongside other franchise entries on Max as part of HBO’s curated universe hub. That makes it convenient to watch in chronological or release order.

‘Drag Me To Hell’ (2009)

A bank officer denies a loan extension and finds herself under a relentless curse that escalates with each passing day. Director Sam Raimi leans into kinetic set pieces, grotesque gags, and sharp sound cues that keep the pace brisk. The film slots into Max’s Halloween collections so HBO viewers can catch Raimi’s return to pure horror. It also works as a tight ninety minute shocker for a double feature.

‘It Comes At Night’ (2017)

Two families share a remote home after a mysterious outbreak, and tension rises as trust erodes and rules tighten. Trey Edward Shults uses limited information and careful framing to create dread without leaning on jump scares. It is part of Max’s rotating list of modern indie horror picks alongside other titles selected for HBO’s platform. The contained setting makes it a strong late night watch.

‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me’ (1992)

The prequel to ‘Twin Peaks’ follows Laura Palmer through her final days, filling in the emotional and supernatural details that the series only hinted at. David Lynch brings back key cast members while expanding the mythology of the Black Lodge. The film often appears in Max’s horror corridors due to its nightmarish imagery, and HBO fans of the series can easily find it there. It also plays as a standalone if you have not seen the show.

‘Eraserhead’ (1977)

David Lynch’s debut unfolds a surreal portrait of industrial gloom, uneasy parenthood, and creatures that defy simple explanation. The sound design and stark black and white photography do much of the storytelling as scenes build by association. It is a fixture in Max’s Halloween shelves, which treat it as a must for HBO subscribers who like offbeat classics. The short runtime makes it a bold opener for a marathon.

‘Night Of The Living Dead’ (1968)

A group is trapped in a farmhouse as the dead rise outside and human conflict grows inside. Its independent production and later availability led to countless releases, yet Max regularly presents a strong transfer for HBO audiences. The movie set the rules for modern zombie stories and remains efficient and tense. It also pairs well with later Romero titles for a mini retrospective.

‘Invasion Of The Body Snatchers’ (1978)

A San Francisco health inspector uncovers a quiet takeover where people are replaced by emotionless doubles grown from pods. Donald Sutherland leads the cast in a remake that updates the fear with chilly urban locations and practical effects. It shows up in Max’s Halloween rows that HBO refreshes each October. The ending remains one of the genre’s most memorable stingers.

‘Alien: Covenant’ (2017)

A colonization mission answers a distress signal that leads to a familiar planet and a reunion with David as the xenomorph threat evolves. Ridley Scott connects this chapter to ‘Prometheus’ through themes of creation and control while delivering gruesome creature work. Max often groups it with other franchise entries for HBO viewers who want a sci fi slant to their scares. It is a slick option for mixing genres on Halloween night.

‘Prometheus’ (2012)

Scientists follow ancient star maps to a distant world in search of humanity’s origins and instead uncover a dangerous truth. The film introduces Engineers and black goo lore that feeds directly into later entries. It is available on Max and frequently appears near ‘Alien’ titles in HBO’s browsing rails. Watching it with ‘Alien: Covenant’ gives you a tidy two film arc.

‘The Shining’ (1980)

A writer becomes winter caretaker of a remote hotel with his family as strange events grow more intense. Stanley Kubrick adapts Stephen King and uses the Overlook’s maze and long hallways to frame escalating tension. Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall lead a cast that anchors the hotel’s unsettling history. It streams on Max as part of a strong HBO collection of classic horror.

‘Doctor Sleep’ (2019)

An adult Dan Torrance crosses paths with a young girl who has the shining while a traveling cult hunts those with similar gifts. Mike Flanagan bridges the original novel and the earlier film through recreated sets and new story threads. Ewan McGregor and Rebecca Ferguson headline with a focus on recovery and mentorship inside a supernatural conflict. It is available on Max alongside other HBO backed Stephen King adaptations.

‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ (1984)

Teens in Springwood are attacked in their dreams by a burned figure who turns nightmares lethal. Wes Craven introduces Freddy Krueger and builds rules around sleep and shared fears. Heather Langenkamp and Robert Englund became franchise fixtures after this debut. You can find it on Max where HBO keeps key New Line horror titles in rotation.

‘It’ (2017)

A group of kids in Derry bands together to face a shape shifting entity that often appears as Pennywise the clown. Andy Muschietti adapts the childhood half of the novel with a focus on the Losers Club and their personal fears. Bill Skarsgård’s performance anchors set pieces in sewers, houses, and school hallways. It streams on Max with HBO’s Stephen King library.

‘It Chapter Two’ (2019)

The Losers return to Derry as adults after a blood oath brings them back to finish what they started. The story intercuts present day events with earlier memories to recover missing pieces of their first fight. The cast includes Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, and Bill Hader alongside the younger ensemble. Max lists it next to the first film for an easy HBO double feature.

‘The Nun’ (2018)

A priest and a novice travel to a Romanian abbey to investigate a death and uncover a demonic presence linked to the wider case files. Corin Hardy connects this origin to the larger series through relics and recurring names. The film expands the timeline that surrounds Ed and Lorraine Warren’s universe. It is part of Max’s HBO collection of connected ‘Conjuring’ entries.

‘The Nun II’ (2023)

The story follows Sister Irene to France where familiar signs point to the return of Valak. Michael Chaves continues the thread with locations that tie back to earlier cases. Taissa Farmiga and Bonnie Aarons reprise key roles to keep continuity intact. It sits on Max with other HBO hosted installments from the same universe.

‘Annabelle: Creation’ (2017)

A grieving dollmaker and his wife open their home to orphaned girls and a nun as the infamous doll reappears. David F Sandberg sets the origin around a locked room, a forbidden closet, and a set of rules that soon unravel. The film links directly to the events that lead into the first ‘Annabelle’. It is grouped with the franchise on Max under HBO’s horror hubs.

‘The Conjuring 2’ (2016)

The Warrens travel to London to investigate the Enfield case centered on a single mother and her children. James Wan recreates period details and builds sequences around a crooked figure and a sinister nun. Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga return with case files that feed later spinoffs. It is available on Max where HBO highlights the mainline entries.

‘The Curse of La Llorona’ (2019)

A social worker in Los Angeles encounters a legend tied to a mourning spirit who stalks children at night. The film places the haunting within the same continuity as other cases through a shared priest character. Set pieces use household protection methods and rituals drawn from folklore. It streams on Max alongside HBO’s other connected titles.

‘Malignant’ (2021)

A woman begins to see violent visions that turn out to be real time events linked to her past. The plot unpacks a medical history that explains a unique killer and a set of unusual abilities. James Wan stages police station and hospital sequences that showcase the story’s twist. You can watch it on Max with HBO’s modern horror slate.

‘Trick ‘r Treat’ (2007)

An anthology follows several Halloween night stories that intersect around a small figure who enforces seasonal rules. The film weaves school events, neighborhood pranks, and local legends into a single timeline. Practical effects and in camera gags connect the segments without breaking continuity. It is a perennial Max pick supported by HBO each October.

‘Gremlins’ (1984)

A small town faces chaos after simple rules for caring for a new pet are broken. Joe Dante mixes creature effects with holiday settings and a memorable set of guidelines that drive the plot. The story introduces mogwai and the gremlins’ transformation cycle. It is part of Max’s HBO catalog for fans of horror comedies.

‘Gremlins 2: The New Batch’ (1990)

The mayhem moves to a high tech skyscraper where the creatures experiment with new forms. The sequel expands on the original’s rules with labs, broadcasts, and a new location that traps characters inside. Familiar faces return while the film adds media and corporate satire to the creature chaos. It streams on Max alongside HBO’s other franchise entries.

‘The Exorcist’ (1973)

A mother seeks help for her daughter after a series of unexplained events escalate in their Georgetown home. William Friedkin charts the investigation through medical tests, consultations, and a final rite conducted by two priests. The production drew on the novel and real case notes to structure the steps toward an exorcism. It appears on Max as part of HBO’s cornerstone classics for the season.

‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

A couple hires a mischievous bio exorcist to scare off the new owners of their home and chaos follows. Tim Burton mixes practical effects with playful hauntings that still look great today. Michael Keaton’s wild performance anchors a parade of unforgettable set pieces. It is an easy Halloween choice on Max for HBO viewers who want spooky with a grin.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ (2024)

Three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River when an old door to the Afterlife swings open again. New faces join familiar ones as the rules of the waiting room and handbook come roaring back. The film carries over the handmade look with modern flair and a lively score. It lands on Max under the HBO umbrella right in time for seasonal marathons.

‘The Lost Boys’ (1987)

Two brothers move to a coastal town where a vampire gang rules the boardwalk after dark. Comic book lore and a cave hideout build a breezy mythos that still feels cool. The Frog brothers bring garlic and stakes while a sax filled beach concert sets the mood. You can stream it on Max where HBO keeps this stylish cult favorite in rotation.

‘Constantine’ (2005)

A cynical exorcist who sees the unseen investigates a case that points to a larger demonic scheme. The story threads biblical artifacts with noir investigations across L A and a hospital with a hidden wing. Keanu Reeves leads a cast that includes an unforgettable take on several celestial figures. It sits on Max as a dark supernatural pick in HBO’s lineup.

‘The Devil’s Advocate’ (1997)

A rising attorney joins a powerful New York firm and slowly discovers who is really running the show. The film layers courtroom wins with strange requests and luxurious apartments that come with a price. Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves play a smooth game of mentorship and temptation. Look for it on Max where HBO highlights sleek supernatural thrillers.

‘Se7en’ (1995)

Two detectives follow a killer whose crimes mirror a set of old sins and each scene reveals a new clue. David Fincher builds a rain soaked city that feels endless and tired. The investigation moves through libraries, notebooks, and an apartment with a metronome. It streams on Max as a gripping option in HBO’s dark crime corner for Halloween night.

‘Final Destination’ (2000)

A student has a horrific premonition and saves classmates before a disaster strikes, only to learn that something still wants balance. Elaborate accidents turn everyday objects into threats. The rules emerge through newspaper clippings and a morgue conversation that fans still quote. It is a staple on Max where HBO keeps the series starter close at hand.

‘Final Destination 2’ (2003)

A freeway pileup vision sets off another chain as a new group tries to break the order they think they understand. The sequel plays with timing, rearranged turns, and a well planned apartment scene. Familiar faces connect the story back to the earlier case without slowing the pace. You can line it up on Max as part of HBO’s franchise shelf.

‘Final Destination 3’ (2006)

A roller coaster premonition kicks off a set of inventive set pieces that lean into photo clues and yearbook foreshadowing. The high school setting allows the film to bounce between parties, jobs, and a gym with dangerous gear. The rules are the same but the design is sharper and meaner. It streams on Max so HBO viewers can keep the marathon going.

‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It’ (2021)

Ed and Lorraine Warren take on a case that extends beyond a single home and into legal territory. The investigation follows cursed totems, a tunnel, and a trail that points to a dedicated adversary. New locations expand the series while keeping the couple’s core dynamic intact. It is available on Max with HBO’s mainline entries grouped together.

‘Annabelle Comes Home’ (2019)

The Warrens secure the doll in their artifact room but a night of babysitting turns into a showcase of haunted items. The story uses the museum setting to introduce new entities without losing focus. Set pieces move through a board game, a ferryman, and a bridal gown that will not stay put. It sits on Max where HBO gathers the connected chapters.

‘House on Haunted Hill’ (1999)

A theme park mogul invites strangers to an abandoned asylum for a party that quickly becomes deadly. Surveillance rooms, electric therapy gear, and old reels reveal what happened inside. The production leans into metallic sets and vivid ghosts that fit the late era aesthetic. You can find it on Max among HBO’s Dark Castle selections.

‘Thirteen Ghosts’ (2001)

An eccentric collector leaves a glass house powered by Latin inscriptions to a family who has no idea what is locked inside. Sliding walls and a pair of special glasses become the tools for survival. Each ghost gets a distinct backstory that turns the home into a trap. It streams on Max as part of HBO’s early 2000s horror wave.

‘Lights Out’ (2016)

A shadowy figure appears only when the lights go off and a family must piece together why this is happening. Clever staging uses lamps, neon signs, and a warehouse to play with visibility. The story connects a childhood friend to the presence in a way that feels immediate. It is on Max where HBO showcases modern supernatural chillers.

‘Orphan’ (2009)

A grieving couple adopts a quiet girl whose past does not add up and trouble grows at school and home. Suspicion builds through small accidents, a missing record, and a hospital visit that changes everything. Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard ground the twists with lived in performances. It is a reliable Halloween pick on Max within HBO’s thriller catalog.

Tell us which Max picks you are lining up for Halloween in the comments and share the hidden gems we should add next.