10 Best Horror Movies Coming To Streaming In August

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This month brings a fresh wave of streaming content for viewers to indulge in! Among the August offerings is the comeback of beloved series such as Netflix’s “Wednesday” and Hulu’s “King of the Hill.” Additionally, various horror films are being introduced as streaming platforms gear up early for Halloween.

If you’re in the mood for a thrilling horror movie marathon this August, streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Shudder, Paramount+, HBO Max, and others have plenty of chills to offer! Throughout the month, these streamers are expanding their horror collections with a mix of both contemporary and classic titles. Ranging from fresh theatrical releases to timeless favorites that have stood the test of time, here are the top 10 horror movies available for streaming in August 2025 and where you can catch them.

1) Urban Legend

As we entered a new decade, the horror genre experienced a resurgence. During this period, films like “Scream,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” and “The Blair Witch Project” became popular. However, among these notable titles, Jamie Blanks’ 1998 film, “Urban Legend,” stands out as a significant contribution of the decade.

The movie “Urban Legend” revolves around urban legends, those spooky tales we used to share among friends during our childhood nights, setting the stage for a chilling film that continues to frighten audiences. Featuring Jared Leto, Alicia Witt, Rebecca Gayheart, Tara Reid, and Michael Rosenbaum, this horror flick unfolds on a New England university campus where a string of grisly murders appears to be linked to urban legends. Not only did it rake in $72.5 million at the box office on a production budget of just $14 million, but “Urban Legend” also became a cult favorite slasher film. It even led to two sequels: “Urban Legends: Final Cut” from 2000 and “Urban Legends: Bloody Mary” in 2005.

Urban Legend is streaming on Shudder now.

2) Scarecrow

In simpler terms, the 2024 horror film “Scarecrow” or “Espantaho,” directed by Chito S. Roño and available on Netflix, combines family drama and grief with scary elements. The chilling story unfolds in a Filipino household after the loss of their father, where tensions arise over his land. As the family undergoes a nine-day funeral ritual, they start to be tormented by something ominous. Actresses Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino, and Chanda Romero star in this movie.

Stream Scarecrow on Netflix now.

3) Final Destination Bloodlines

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but express my excitement over the streaming premiere of “Final Destination Bloodlines” on HBO Max this past Friday. This chilling masterpiece graced the big screen mere weeks ago, and it’s already making waves with a staggering 93% critics’ rating and an impressive 87% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Not only does it top the franchise in terms of critical acclaim, but with a whopping $285.3 million global box office haul, “Final Destination Bloodlines” has also become the highest-grossing film in the series to date. If you haven’t had a chance to watch this masterpiece yet, I highly recommend carving out some time to do so – it’s not one to miss!

Title “Bloodlines” serves as the ninth chapter in the Final Destination series, maintaining its signature exploration of death through fresh and chilling perspectives. The narrative centers around Kaitlyn Santa Juana’s character, Stefani, a college student who repeatedly dreams about a tower collapsing in the 1960s. Upon learning that her grandmother also had this premonition, she becomes alarmed as her family members start meeting untimely and bizarre deaths. In an effort to halt this grim sequence of events, Stefani tries to put an end to it altogether.

Stream Final Destination Bloodlines on HBO Max now.

4) Evil Dead

Thirty-plus years after its initial release, the Evil Dead series was revitalized in 2013 under director Fede Álvarez’s Evil Dead. This movie, boasting a 63% approval rating among critics and 64% among audiences on Rotten Tomatoes, brings back the Necronomicon, the ancient book that has called forth demons throughout the series. A group goes to a secluded cabin in the woods to aid their friend with withdrawal, but chaos ensues when someone discovers the Necronomicon and starts reading from it.

In a different phrasing, “Evil Dead” features Jane Levy, Shiloh Fernandez, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jessica Lucas, and Elizabeth Blackmore in its cast. However, be mindful: “Evil Dead” is not for the sensitive or weak-hearted. The movie delves deeply into graphic violence, a trait that garnered positive feedback from viewers.

You can stream Evil Dead on Hulu now.

5) The Strangers: Prey At Night

Movies that depict home invasions can be genuinely terrifying, and this certainly holds true for “The Strangers: Prey At Night.” A follow-up to the 2008 film “The Strangers,” director Johannes Roberts’ 2018 slasher movie unfolds a nerve-wracking story about a family who are compelled to battle for their lives when three masked individuals unexpectedly knock at their isolated vacation home in the dead of night.

As a seasoned movie critic, I had the pleasure of watching “The Strangers: Chapter 2,” the second installment in an intriguing franchise that is now embarking on a three-film revival. This autumn, get ready to experience the continuation of the chilling tale with the second chapter of this trilogy, aptly titled “The Strangers: Chapter 2.” In this gripping sequel, Christina Hendricks, Bailee Madison, Lewis Pullman, Martin Henderson, Emma Bellomy, Lea Enslin, and Damian Maffei deliver captivating performances that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Stream The Strangers: Prey At Night on Tubi now.

6) The Ruins

Stepping foot in Mexico, a paradise renowned for its sun-kissed beaches, I found myself and my companions immersed in an entirely different world – one that started as an idyllic retreat but swiftly transformed into a harrowing battle for existence. In the 2008 cinematic offering of the eco-horror genre titled The Ruins, we, a group of vacationers, stumbled upon a secluded archaeological excavation nestled within the heart of the jungle. However, when confronted by locals urging us to isolate, we were thrust headlong into a struggle for our lives against man-eating vines. Carter Smith skillfully guided this film as his directorial debut, featuring a talented ensemble cast including Jonathan Tucker, Jena Malone, Shawn Ashmore, Laura Ramsey, and Joe Anderson.

The Ruins is now streaming on Paramount+.

7) The Exorcism of Emily Rose

If you’re searching for a movie that combines elements of possession and courtroom drama, I recommend watching “The Exorcism of Emily Rose“. Directed by Scott Derrickson and co-written with Paul Harris Boardman, this 2005 film is inspired by the true story of Anneliese Michel, a young woman who underwent numerous exorcisms before her death. The movie follows lawyer Erin Christine Bruner, played by Laura Linney, as she defends a priest accused of negligent homicide for performing an attempted exorcism on 19-year-old student Emily Rose. Featuring an impressive cast that includes Tom Wilkinson, Campbell Scott, Colm Feore, Jennifer Carpenter, Mary Beth Hurt, Henry Czerny, and Shohreh Aghdashloo, the film earned a staggering $145.2 million at the box office against a budget of just $19 million, making it a financial success.

You can stream The Exorcism of Emily Rose on Hulu now.

8) Paranormal Activity

If you’re a fan of spine-tingling horror movies, you might want to catch up on the “Paranormal Activity” series this August! The first six films from the franchise will be available for streaming on Paramount+. So, grab some popcorn and get ready for a terrifying movie marathon!

In 2007, I found myself utterly spellbound by the low-budget horror gem, “Paranormal Activity.” With a staggering gross of $194 million against a mere $15,000 investment, it’s safe to say this film left an indelible mark on cinema history. The unique blend of found-footage style and a genuinely chilling premise catapulted it into the realm of pop culture iconography.

The narrative unfolds around a young couple who, in a bid to document a supernatural presence haunting their home, employ cameras as their primary recording devices. This original masterpiece paved the way for six subsequent films: “Paranormal Activity 2” (2010), “Paranormal Activity 3” (2011), “Paranormal Activity 4” (2012), “Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones” (2014), “Paranormal Activity: The Ghost Dimension” (2015), and most recently, “Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin” (2021). Each installment further explored the enigmatic world of these spectral forces, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats.

The first six Paranormal Activity films can now be streamed on Paramount+.

9) Clown in A Corn Field

What’s even more terrifying than a homicidal clown? A homicidal clown lurking in a cornfield. Director Eli Craig’s 2025 film adaptation of Adam Cesare’s 2020 novel, “Clown in a Cornfield,” promises an ideal summer slasher movie experience. When Quinn and her father move to the small midwestern town of Kettle Springs seeking a new beginning, they uncover deep-seated animosity as the town’s mascot, Frendo, emerges from the cornfields to carry out a brutal purge. The film, which features Katie Douglas, Aaron Abrams, Carson MacCormac, Kevin Durand, and Will Sasso, premiered in theaters last May.

Clown in A Corn Field streams on Shudder beginning Friday, Aug. 8.

10) Thanksgiving

In contrast to the abundance of horror films set during the holidays like “My Bloody Valentine” and “Black Christmas”, director Eli Roth presents a grisly spectacle in the 2023 release, “Thanksgiving”. The R-rated movie boasts a stellar cast including Patrick Dempsey, Addison Rae, Milo Manheim, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Nell Verlaque, Rick Hoffman, and Gina Gershon. The plot unfolds in Plymouth, Massachusetts, a year after the Black Friday riot disaster. As the anniversary of the tragic event approaches, a malevolent figure dressed as a masked maniac carries out a chilling series of vengeful killings.

Even though Thanksgiving is still several months off, Hulu is providing a prelude to horror enthusiasts with an early serving when Thanksgiving becomes available on their streaming service later this month, prior to the release of the sequel, Thanksgiving 2.

Stream Thanksgiving on Hulu beginning Sunday, Aug. 17.

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2025-08-04 18:44