Are you sick of Netflix constantly raising its prices every few months? How about you watch your next horror movie on a service you’re probably already subscribed to?
When people think of Amazon Prime they usually think of free-two day shipping or Jeff Bezos’ bald head, but did you know that when you’re an Amazon Prime member you also have access to a vast library of amazing movies?
Prime Video actually has a stellar selection of horror movies, certainly better than Netflix in my opinion.
And instead of sending you on an inevitable voyage of doom-scrolling for the next few hours, I want to help you out with 13 amazing horror movie recommendations so that you know what to watch tonight.
If you missed my post about horror movies streaming on HBO Max, be sure to check that out as well.
Table of Contents
Vivarium (2019)
Imagine the American dream—homeownership, a peaceful neighborhood, a simple life. Now imagine that dream twisting into an endless, inescapable nightmare. Vivarium takes that concept and turns it into one of the most unsettling horror experiences in recent years.
The film follows a young couple, played by Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots, who are searching for their first home. They visit a seemingly perfect suburban neighborhood, where all the houses look exactly the same. But when they try to leave, they find themselves trapped in an infinite loop—no matter which direction they drive, they always end up back at the same house. Soon, a mysterious box appears on their doorstep containing a baby with a chilling note: “Raise the child and be released.”
The movie takes a deep dive into themes of existential horror, monotony, and the crushing weight of routine. It feels like an extended episode of Black Mirror or The Twilight Zone, where reality bends just enough to make everything feel slightly off, yet terrifyingly familiar.
Vivarium is not a jump-scare-heavy horror film—it’s a psychological slow burn that gets under your skin and stays there. Its eerie atmosphere, strange visuals, and disturbing themes make it one of the most unique horror films available on Prime. If you enjoy unsettling, mind-bending horror with an underlying social commentary, watch Vivarium.
Eden Lake (2008)
If you’re looking for a horror film that will leave you physically uncomfortable, Eden Lake is it. This British horror-thriller is as intense as they come, featuring relentless psychological and physical torment that will stick with you for days.
The film follows Jenny (Kelly Reilly, currently well known for Yellowstone) and her boyfriend Steve (Michael Fassbender), a couple looking for a quiet getaway in the countryside. They plan a romantic weekend at a remote lake, but their trip quickly turns into a nightmare when they encounter a gang of aggressive teenagers. What starts as a minor confrontation escalates into a horrifying game of survival, as the couple becomes the target of sadistic, unrelenting violence.
Unlike many horror films that rely on supernatural entities or masked killers, Eden Lake is terrifying because of how real it feels. The idea that a group of teenagers—kids, really—could be so ruthlessly violent without remorse makes it all the more disturbing. The film taps into primal fears of helplessness and being hunted, and the brutality on display is unflinching.
The performances are stellar, especially from Kelly Reilly, who delivers an emotionally devastating portrayal of a woman pushed to her absolute limits. The cinematography makes brilliant use of the remote setting, creating an eerie contrast between the beauty of nature and the horror unfolding within it.
Fair warning—Eden Lake is not an easy watch. It’s bleak, it’s cruel, and it doesn’t offer much in the way of relief. But if you’re into horror that punches you in the gut and leaves you rattled, this is one of the most effective survival horror films ever made.
Villains (2019)
If we have any fans of Bill Skarsgard or Maika Monroe in the building, listen up.
Sometimes, horror works best when it doesn’t take itself too seriously. That’s exactly what Villains delivers—a dark, twisted horror-comedy that keeps you on edge while making you laugh at the same time.
The film follows Mickey and Jules, played by Skarsgård and Monroe respectfully, a young couple on the run after a botched robbery. Their car breaks down, forcing them to seek shelter in what appears to be an abandoned house. But instead of finding a safe haven, they stumble upon a horrifying secret hidden in the basement—and soon realize the homeowners are far more dangerous than they are.
Jeffrey Donovan and Kyra Sedgwick play the seemingly normal suburban couple who own the house, and let’s just say they’re not what they seem. As Mickey and Jules try to escape, the story takes unexpected twists, blending tension, humor, and sheer chaos.
What makes Villains stand out is its ability to balance humor and horror without undercutting the tension. The chemistry between Skarsgård and Monroe is fantastic, making their characters both charming and relatable despite their criminal background, and Jeffrey Donovan steals the spotlight anytime he’s on screen.
The film also plays with audience expectations—just when you think you know where it’s going, it takes a sharp left turn into madness.
If you’re a fan of movies like Ready or Not or Don’t Breathe, this one is a must-watch. It’s a fast-paced, stylish, and wickedly fun ride that proves horror doesn’t always have to be doom and gloom.
I Saw the Devil (2010)
Few films are as relentlessly brutal and emotionally devastating as I Saw the Devil. This South Korean masterpiece, directed by Kim Jee-woon (A Tale of Two Sisters), takes the revenge thriller genre and pushes it to its absolute limit.
The film follows a secret agent, Soo-hyun (Lee Byung-hun), whose fiancée is murdered by a sadistic serial killer, Kyung-chul (Choi Min-sik, of Oldboy fame). Instead of simply hunting him down and killing him, Soo-hyun devises a far more twisted plan—he captures the killer, tortures him, and then releases him, only to track him down again and repeat the process. What follows is a disturbing, high-stakes game of cat-and-mouse where the lines between justice and vengeance blur into something far more horrifying.
This is not a film for the faint of heart. The violence is graphic, the psychological torment is relentless, and the moral ambiguity leaves you questioning everything. What starts as a standard revenge story quickly turns into something far darker, exploring themes of obsession, the cost of vengeance, and the nature of true evil.
Choi Min-sik delivers an absolutely chilling performance as the remorseless serial killer, making him one of the most terrifying villains in modern horror. The cinematography is sleek, the action sequences are intense, and the film’s pacing never lets up. I Saw the Devil doesn’t just show you horror—it forces you to feel it.
If you can handle its unrelenting brutality, this is one of the most powerful horror-thrillers ever made. Just be warned: once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee it.
The Mist (2007)
Few horror films have endings so devastating that they leave audiences in stunned silence, but The Mist achieves just that. Directed by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile), this adaptation of Stephen King’s novella is a masterclass in tension, paranoia, and human desperation.
The film begins with a strange, otherworldly mist rolling into a small town, cutting off visibility and trapping a group of people inside a grocery store. As they soon discover, the mist isn’t just an eerie weather phenomenon—it’s alive, filled with monstrous, Lovecraftian creatures that tear apart anyone who steps outside.
But as terrifying as the creatures are, The Mist is just as much about the horrors of human nature. The people inside the grocery store begin to turn on each other, driven by fear, desperation, and religious fanaticism. Mrs. Carmody (Marcia Gay Harden), a fire-and-brimstone zealot, seizes control of the terrified survivors, proving that sometimes the real monsters aren’t lurking outside, but standing right beside you.
Then there’s the ending. Without giving anything away, let’s just say that The Mist delivers one of the most shocking and gut-wrenching conclusions in horror history—one so dark that even Stephen King himself admitted it was more horrifying than his original story.
If you love cosmic horror, psychological tension, and creature features with a strong emotional core, The Mist is essential viewing. Just… prepare yourself.
The Ninth Gate (1999)
There’s something about ancient books and secret cults that makes for a chilling horror story, and The Ninth Gate takes full advantage of that eerie premise. Directed by Roman Polanski (Rosemary’s Baby), this supernatural thriller follows Dean Corso (Johnny Depp), a rare book dealer hired to authenticate an ancient manuscript rumored to summon the devil himself.
Corso’s investigation takes him across Europe, leading him into a shadowy world of secret societies, cryptic symbols, and satanic rituals. As he delves deeper, strange occurrences start happening around him, and he soon realizes that the book may be more powerful—and dangerous—than he ever imagined.
Unlike many horror films that rely on gore and jump scares, The Ninth Gate builds its tension through atmosphere and slow-burning mystery. The cinematography is dark and moody, the score is hauntingly elegant, and the sense of unease steadily grows as Corso inches closer to unlocking the book’s secrets.
Depp delivers a subdued yet compelling performance, portraying Corso as a morally ambiguous character who isn’t entirely innocent himself. The film raises intriguing questions about power, knowledge, and the dangers of seeking the truth—especially when that truth might cost you your soul.
If you’re a fan of slow-burn, occult-themed horror like The Omen or Angel Heart, The Ninth Gate is a must-watch. Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself double-checking your bookshelves afterward.
Prince of Darkness (1987)
John Carpenter is a legend in the horror genre, known for Halloween, The Thing, and They Live. But one of his most underrated films is Prince of Darkness—a chilling, cerebral horror movie that blends science, religion, and cosmic dread into one eerie package.
The story follows a group of scientists and theologians who investigate a mysterious, glowing green liquid found in the basement of an abandoned church. As they analyze it, they discover that it’s not just an ancient relic—it’s the literal essence of Satan, and it’s waking up.
As strange events begin to unfold, the team realizes they’re dealing with something beyond human understanding. People start becoming possessed, time itself seems to be warping, and disturbing messages from the future warn of impending doom. It all culminates in a terrifying finale that leaves more questions than answers—exactly the kind of existential horror that Carpenter excels at.
While Prince of Darkness doesn’t have the widespread recognition of The Thing, it’s an atmospheric nightmare that delivers a unique blend of psychological and supernatural horror. The visuals are haunting, the practical effects are unsettling, and the film’s slow descent into madness is downright chilling.
If you’re a fan of cosmic horror or stories that blur the line between science and the supernatural, Prince of Darkness deserves a spot on your watchlist.
Abigail (2024)
Vampires have been a staple of horror for decades, but Abigail injects fresh blood—literally—into the genre with a wild, action-packed, and stylish take on the undead. If you love horror movies that mix intense suspense with blood-soaked carnage, this one’s a must-watch.
The story follows a group of criminals who kidnap the young daughter of a powerful crime boss, hoping to collect a massive ransom. Their plan is simple: keep the girl locked in a remote mansion until they get paid. But there’s a small problem lying beneath the surface of this plot that may prevent them from doing so.
I’m not going to say much more than that, and if you haven’t seen this movie, don’t know anything about it, just go watch it. Don’t watch a trailer, nothing, and going into it with just the info from this video will amplify your experience with it.
The film wastes no time turning up the tension, delivering brutal kills, claustrophobic set pieces, and an escalating sense of dread as the criminals realize just how doomed they are.
With stylish cinematography, slick action sequences, and a wicked sense of humor, Abigail feels like From Dusk Till Dawn meets Don’t Breathe. It’s gory, fast-paced, and packed with inventive kills, making it an absolute blast for horror fans who love a little chaos with their carnage.
Dead End (2003)
Dead End is a very underappreciated horror flick, and is vaguely regarded as a Christmas horror by some as well, so it’s perfect for the winter months.
There’s nothing more unsettling than a road trip gone wrong, and Dead End takes that concept and turns it into a nightmarish fever dream.
On Christmas Eve, a family is driving to a holiday gathering when they decide to take a shortcut through a deserted road in the middle of the woods. But something is off. They keep passing the same eerie landmarks, strange figures appear and vanish into the darkness, and one by one, they begin to disappear. The deeper they drive, the more it seems like they’re trapped in some kind of supernatural loop, with no way out.
What makes Dead End so effective is its eerie simplicity. The film takes place almost entirely inside the family’s car and along the endless, fog-covered road, creating an atmosphere of inescapable dread. The black humor sprinkled throughout only adds to the unsettling vibe—so prepare for that, it is very goofy and silly at times.
This is the kind of horror movie that plays with your perception, keeping you questioning reality right up until the final twist. Fans of psychological horror and Twilight Zone-style mysteries will find a lot to love here. It’s a hidden gem that proves you don’t need a massive budget to craft an unforgettable horror experience.
The Collector (2009)
If you’re a fan of the Saw franchise, The Collector is absolutely up your alley. In fact, this film was originally pitched as a Saw prequel before it evolved into its own unique brand of brutal, trap-filled terror.
The story follows Arkin, a skilled thief who breaks into a wealthy family’s home, planning to rob them while they’re away. But when he steps inside, he realizes he’s not alone. Someone far worse got there first—a masked killer known as The Collector, who has rigged the entire house with deadly, inescapable traps.
As Arkin tries to survive and find a way out, he discovers that the family he intended to rob is still inside, held captive by the sadistic killer. What follows is a nightmarish battle of wits, as Arkin navigates the maze of deadly contraptions, trying to outmaneuver a predator who seems to be one step ahead at all times.
Unlike Saw, where victims have a (small) chance of escape if they follow the killer’s twisted rules, The Collector plays by his own set of rules—ones that offer no mercy. The film is fast-paced, unrelentingly tense, and filled with jaw-dropping moments of brutality. If you’re into intense survival horror with a side of sadistic creativity, The Collector is one of the best of its kind.
Synchronic (2019)
Horror doesn’t always have to be about ghosts and monsters—sometimes, the scariest thing is the unknown. Synchronic is a mind-bending sci-fi horror film that plays with time, perception, and reality itself, delivering one of the most unique horror experiences in recent years. It’s brought to us by the filmmaking duo Justin Benson and Aaron Morehead, who made The Endless, Resolution, and There’s Something In The Dirt.
The film follows two paramedics, played by Anthony Mackie and Jamie Dornan, who begin encountering bizarre and inexplicable deaths across New Orleans. The victims all have one thing in common—a mysterious new designer drug called Synchronic.
As the paramedics dig deeper, they uncover something terrifying: Synchronic doesn’t just cause hallucinations—it alters time. The drug sends users into different points in history, but without any control over where or when they’ll land. Some find themselves in prehistoric times, others in war zones, and many never return at all.
When Mackie’s character takes the drug himself, he’s thrown into a desperate race against time to solve the mystery before it’s too late. What follows is a fascinating, mind-warping journey filled with suspense, existential horror, and some truly breathtaking visuals.
If you love films like Coherence, The Endless, or Inception, Synchronic is a must-watch. It’s horror, sci-fi, and mystery all rolled into one.
Sleepaway Camp (1983)
If you’re a fan of classic slashers, Sleepaway Camp is essential viewing. On the surface, it may seem like just another Friday the 13th clone, but don’t be fooled—this movie has one of the most shocking twist endings in horror history.
The film follows Angela, a shy, awkward girl who is sent to a summer camp with her cousin. From the very beginning, something feels off—Angela barely speaks, her cousin is overly protective, and the other campers seem unusually cruel. Then, the bodies start piling up.
At first, the deaths seem like tragic accidents—drownings, bee stings, kitchen mishaps. But as the camp counselors scramble to keep the chaos under control, it becomes clear that someone is picking off campers one by one. And when the killer is finally revealed… well, let’s just say you will not be prepared.
Sleepaway Camp is a perfect mix of 80s campiness, over-the-top performances, and genuinely eerie moments. It’s got all the classic slasher tropes—cheesy dialogue, ridiculous kills, and questionable fashion choices—but it also has an edge that sets it apart. That final scene? It’s the stuff of nightmares.
If you love classic horror and haven’t seen Sleepaway Camp, watch it immediately—just avoid spoilers at all costs.
The Neon Demon (2016)
Few horror films are as visually stunning—or as psychologically disturbing—as The Neon Demon. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Only God Forgives), this is a film that doesn’t just show horror—it immerses you in it.
Elle Fanning stars as Jesse, a young aspiring model who moves to Los Angeles, hoping to break into the industry. She’s beautiful, innocent, and seemingly perfect. But the fashion world is a cruel place, and Jesse soon finds herself surrounded by jealous, predatory women who will literally do anything to consume her beauty.
The Neon Demon is more of a surreal nightmare than a traditional horror film. It’s filled with hypnotic imagery, dreamlike sequences, and moments of shocking violence that hit like a punch to the gut. The entire film plays like a twisted fairy tale, exploring themes of vanity, obsession, and the dark side of perfection.
If you’re a fan of psychological horror, Suspiria (both the original and the remake), or the eerie, slow-burn dread of David Lynch, The Neon Demon is a must-watch. It’s a mesmerizing, unsettling experience that lingers long after it ends.
Now it’s your turn. Let me know if you’ve seen these or which ones you’re adding to your playlist. And are there any other potentially hidden gems on Prime Video that you think other horror fans should know about? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
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