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As a life-long lover of horror, I watch scary movies year-round, but every time October comes around, I get asked by friends and family, “What scary movies should I watch this month?”
Peacock is home to a wonderful selection of horror films: they’ve got contemporaries, classics and options spanning all the great subgenres like slashers, zombies, supernatural, and more. If you haven’t signed up yet, what are you waiting for?
Here are some of the top horror films on the platform, all available to stream this month.
CAST: Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Kevin Bacon, Jeannine Taylor, Mark Nelson, Robbi Morgan, Walter Gotell
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: Friday the 13th is easily considered one of the most iconic slasher films of all time. If you haven’t seen it, you’re in for a treat, but it’s one of those films you can watch and rewatch. The film takes place at Camp Crystal Lake, where, years before, a camper tragically drowned in the lake, seemingly because his counselors weren’t paying attention as they were busy fooling around. Flash forward to the present, and the current counselors find themselves being hunted down one by one by a mysterious murderer. Featuring a young Kevin Bacon, this classic is not to be missed and always a welcome watch in October, or whenever a Friday the 13th rolls around.
CAST: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, Brian Cox, Daveigh Chase, Jane Alexander, Amber Tamblyn, Elizabeth Perkins, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
RATING: PG-13
DESCRIPTION: The Ring is a remake of a Japanese horror movie of the same name, and it helped usher in a trend of J-Horror in the United States back in the early 2000s. The movie is undeniably creepy, centering around a mysterious film where, rumor has it, once you’ve seen it, you have seven days to live. This film has left a huge impact on the genre, and like Friday the 13th, it is a must-watch.
CAST (SCREAM 1): Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Jamie Kennedy, Drew Barrymore, W. Earl Brown, Liev Schreiber
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: Peacock is the home of Scream 1-4: the perfect setup for a slasher marathon. Wes Craven’s Ghostface has permeated pop culture and has continued to have a lasting impact. The latest installment of the franchise is due to come out early next year; all the more reason to begin catching up, or reacquainting, with these classic films now.
CAST: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Watson, Tracey Ullman, Michael Gough, Joanna Lumley, Albert Finney, Christopher Lee, Richard E. Grant, Paul Whitehouse, Danny Elfman
RATING: PG
DESCRIPTION: A true-to-form Tim Burton film that is also a kid-friendly pick, there’s a lot to love about Corpse Bride. This movie was quite popular when it first debuted, but it hasn’t had as much staying power as The Nightmare Before Christmas. With a similar visual style and themes to Nightmare, like the interplay of the living and the dead and loneliness, especially despite social class and privilege, if you haven’t seen this one or it’s been a while, it is a great Halloween watch.
CAST: Anna Faris, Jon Abraham, Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Regina Hall, Shannon Elizabeth, Lochlyn Munro, Cheri Oteri, Dave Sheridan, Kurt Fuller, Rick Ducommun
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: This movie hilariously lampoons horror films of the late 1990s — like the aforementioned Scream — and is a gem of a time capsule for that fantastic era in film. With heavy involvement from the Wayans family in the form of writing and directing, and an incredible cast, including Anna Faris, this nostalgic treat is always a funny watch with a dash of spooky.
CAST: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Jared Leto, Josh Lucas, Samantha Mathis, Chloë Sevigny, Reese Witherspoon, Justin Theroux, Guinevere Turner, Matt Ross, Bill Sage, Cara Seymour
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: Patrick Bateman is arguably one of the most iconic roles from Christian Bale, who has racked up many iconic roles over his career. Chances are you will see at least one person dressed up as him for Halloween, so it’s probably a good idea to brush up on this classic, bloody satirical look at consumerism and vanity before the parties begin.
CAST: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne Wiest, Anthony Michael Hall, Kathy Baker, Vincent Price, Alan Arkin, Robert Oliveri, Conchata Ferrell, Caroline Aaron, Dick Anthony Williams, O-Lan Jones
RATING: PG-13
DESCRIPTION: Another classic starring Johnny Depp as the title role. Heartbreaking, romantic, sometimes funny, and often macabre, this film has a standout cast of 1990s stars and the Danny Elfman music we expect from a Tim Burton film.
CAST: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton, Peter Serafinowicz, Martin Freeman, Julia Deakin, Rafe Spall
RATING: R
DESCRIPTION: A hilarious take on zombie films from Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright, this is easily one of the best horror comedy films of all time. With many laugh-out-loud moments and a gratifying ending, this early 2000s classic is a great watch in October or really anytime.
CAST: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts, William Atherton, Slavitza Jovan, David Margulies
RATING: PG
DESCRIPTION: Who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS! This movie’s impact on pop culture is undeniable, with references in many other films and TV shows, and it makes for a great spooky season watch that is fun and funny for the (perhaps slightly older) family you can come back to year after year.
CAST (SEASON 1): Shannen Doherty, Holly Marie Combs, Alyssa Milano, Brian Krause, Dorian Gregory, Ted King
RATING: TV-PG
DESCRIPTION: A television entry for good measure. This cult classic witchy favorite makes for a great Halloween watch as the sisters, played by Alyssa Milano, Shannen Doherty, and Holly Marie Combs, hone their powers and fight evil beings.
