An Underrated ‘70s Horror Movie That Stephen King Loves Is Streaming Free

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In uncommon instances, a horror movie manages to earn the endorsement from the Horror’s Monarch, Stephen King, but a film from 1971 holds this unique honor. The ’70s was a trailblazing era for the genre, with masterpieces such as “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” “Halloween,” “The Exorcist,” and “The Omen” shaping horror cinema, making it mainstream, and establishing the foundation for future generations of horror films. Few among these classics have the privilege of being recommended by King, who since the 1976 adaptation of his novel “Carrie” has greatly influenced the genre. Now, one of King’s ’70s-era horror movie picks is available to stream for free.

King recently declared “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” as one of his preferred horror movies. This chilling movie initially sent shivers down viewers’ spines in August 1971 and is now available for streaming on Pluto TV, as part of Paramount’s free streaming service’s lineup for August 2025. Directed by John Hancock during his directorial debut, the film revolves around Jessica, a young woman who recently left a mental institution, seeking a fresh start at a countryside farmhouse. However, her peace is disrupted as she begins to believe that a peculiar, enigmatic young woman might be a vampire. The movie features Zohra Lampert, Barton Heyman, Kevin O’Connor, Gretchen Corbett, and Mariclare Costello in key roles.

Why You Should Watch Let’s Scare Jessica to Death

In contrast to many horror films from the 1970s, “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” stood out for its distinct approach. Despite being released during a time when horror movies were pushing boundaries with explicit content due to the decline of the Hays Code and the rise of the MPAA’s rating system, this film was unique in that it contained minimal gore and no nudity. Instead, the film focused heavily on character development, delving into Jessica’s delicate mental state and utilizing her unreliable perception to mold both the narrative and the frightening elements. The terror experienced by the audience through Jessica was intensified by the movie’s eerie atmosphere and soundscapes, including Orville Stoeber’s haunting soundtrack and atmospheric sounds, which collectively created an unsettling mood and tone.

The movie, titled “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death,” initially received mixed reviews from critics upon its release in 1971. At present, it has a critics’ score of 36% and an audience score of 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, over time, the film has gained recognition as one of the most significant horror movies. Stephen King himself labeled it as “one of the best ghost stories ever filmed” in Horror News, praising its smart script, numerous genuine scares, moody atmosphere, insightful commentary on 1960s drug culture, and standout female performance in the horror genre. Furthermore, in 2006, the Chicago Film Critics Association listed “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” among the scariest films ever made.

Other Horror Movies Now On Pluto TV

As a cinephile delving into the realm of chills and thrills, I’m excited to share that “Let’s Scare Jessica to Death” is one of the many spine-tingling horrors now available for your viewing pleasure on Pluto TV as of this August. For those in search of a good fright, feast your eyes on the petrifying list of newly streamed horror films on the platform below.

1. Christine (1983) – A chilling tale from 1983, centered around a haunted car named Christine.
2. Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973, remade in 2010) – A suspenseful tale about a young girl who encounters strange creatures living in the darkness.
3. Fright Night (1985) – A thrilling horror film from 1985 that revolves around a teenager suspecting his neighbor is a vampire.
4. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) – A wild and bloody adventure from 1996, where two criminals end up in a nightclub full of vampires.
5. My Bloody Valentine (1981) – A chilling horror film from 1981 set in a small mining town plagued by a serial killer known as Valentine.
6. Quarantine (2008) – A tense horror movie about a group of journalists trapped in a building surrounded by zombies.
7. Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011) – The sequel to Quarantine, following the same premise but set in an airport terminal instead of an apartment building.
8. The Ring (2002) – A chilling horror film about a mysterious videotape that causes the death of anyone who watches it, with seven days left until their demise.

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2025-08-27 16:16