19 Best Horror Movies on Peacock to Watch Right Now

Peacock is a streamer to watch, with a terrific mix of television favorites like The Office and Yellowstone along with plenty of Peacock originals like Love Island. Moreover, there is an impressive selection of movies, with big titles like The Fall Guy acting as Peacock exclusives. But what about movies for the spooky season or just people who wish it was Halloween all the time?

These are the best of the best when it comes to scary movies on Peacock. Whether the viewer wants a '70s or '80s classic or a more modern shocker, NBC's streamer has what horror film fans need. So grab the popcorn, dim the lights, and put yourself in the position to have some nightmares.

19 Hell Night (1981)

Release Date: August 28, 1981
Director: Tom DeSimone
Cast: Linda Blair , Vincent Van Patten , Peter Barton , Kevin Brophy , Jenny Neumann
Runtime: 101 Minutes
Main Genre: Horror
Writers: Randy Feldman

When you're looking at a streaming service and see a Linda Blair movie that's not The Exorcist, it's usually for the best to keep on scrolling. However, there's an exception to that, and it's the fraternity-hazing haunted house flick Hell Night. Co-starring Vincent Van Patton and Kevin Brophy, Hell Night sees a group of college students undergoing a hazing session during a night-long stay in an ancient mansion. However, a mass murder committed at that very location may spell doom for its newfound residents, as a monstrous killer begins to make his rounds.

Hell Night Is Loaded with Ambiance

Hell Night is riddled with ambiance just as it's laced with a nice balance of horror and comedy, in that order. While Blair has rarely shined outside The Exorcist, she does well in Hell Night (as does Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter's Peter Barton). It's also worth noting that Frank Darabont of The Shawshank Redemption and Green Mile fame worked on this film as a production assistant. While it wouldn't be a major hit both commercially and critically, it remains a standout role in Blair's filmography.

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18 Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Release Date: October 4, 1968
Cast: Duane Jones , Judith O'Dea , Karl Hardman , Marilyn Eastman , Keith Wayne , Judith Ridley

George A. Romero's seminal Night of the Living Dead is as terrifying and moving now as it was in the '60s. It's amazing how well this story of a few strangers isolated in a farmhouse as zombies close in has held up, though it's also sad that its core theme is as relevant now as it was then. Shot on a miniscule budget, the film's shocking amount of violence and gore, as well as its progressive casting for the time, would set the stage for the rest of Romero's career as well as the zombie subgenre as a whole.

The Original Zombie Film

The decision to shoot in black and white gives Night of the Living Dead a timeless ambiance that aligns the movie's Gothic themes with its appearance. Even if every scene leading up to the conclusion was weak, one scene alone would be enough to make it a film worth watching. But, its gut-punch of an ending (which was incredibly ahead of its time) is just one of a great many scenes that work in the film, because they alldo.

17 Black Christmas (1974)

Release Date: December 20, 1974
Director: Bob Clark

Bob Clark directed two very different Christmas films throughout his career, and they both went on to become classics. The first was Black Christmas with the second being 1983's A Christmas Story. Black Christmastells the nightmarish story of a sorority terrorized by an unknown assailant — and he's in the house. Olivia Hussey plays our lead sorority sister, with Keir Dullea, Margot Kidder, and John Saxon making up the rest of the cast.

More Than a Grim Christmas Story

Clark's A Christmas Story, in and of itself, has its dark moments. But they're nothing compared to Black Christmas, which has lost absolutely none of its impact even after nearly 50 years. This is primarily due to the movie's subtlety, where much of the intensity comes from seeing a single eye peak through a wall or a phone call that is, for the '70s or any other decade of cinema, utterly horrifying. This shocking film would predate John Carpenter's Halloween by four years, cementing itself as one of the earliest and most hauntingly effective slasher films.

16 Magic (1978)

Magic

Release Date: November 8, 1978
Director: Richard Attenborough
Cast: Ann-Margret , Anthony Hopkins , Burgess Meredith , Ed Lauter , E.J. André , Jerry Houser , David Ogden Stiers , Lillian Randolph , Joe Lowry , Robert Hackman , Mary Munday
Runtime: 107 minutes
Writers: William Goldman

The psychological horror movie Magic tells the daunting story of Corky, who is a magician’s assistant but straight-up fails his first solo performance. When Corky, who is portrayed by none other than Anthony Hopkins, receives a ventriloquist dummy called Fats in order to perform better, he turns into a successful entertainer in only a couple of years and is enjoying the height of his fame. What Corky didn’t plan, however, was that Fats would have a mind of his own, steering his own life, even if the outcome is filled with cruelty and the desire to control his owner.

Horror With Dolls Kept Realistic

Magic is a '70s classic, without a doubt, as it laid the foundation for other horror movies with creepy dolls such as Child’s Play or Bride of Chucky. The main difference, though, is that Magic doesn’t take the story into the depths of fiction, but much rather stays in the realms of realism. Corky finds love, but everything turns rather sinister, as he uses his dummy to express his schizophrenia. Fats doesn’t turn into a Chucky, walking around with a knife killing people, but he is much rather tied to Corky’s mind.

15 The Evil (1978)

A ghost behind a woman in The Evil (1978) — New World Pictures

Another underrated film, The Evil tells the story of a husband-and-wife doctor team that opens a brand-new rehab center in a mansion. Unfortunately, not unlike in The Amityville Horror, that structure is built over the gateway to Hell. Gus Trikonis directed this film, having made his mark on Hollywood via directing several "exploitation" films as well as directing episodes of Baywatch and Quantum Leap.

An Engaging Haunted House Film

First Blood's Richard Crenna carries the film very well as half the central duo of doctors. He's a reliable presence that helps keep the audience at ease, at least until ghost boys start strolling over the premises. It's an engaging take on the haunted house subgenre, complete with unique and surprising death scenes.

14 Nosferatu the Vampyre (1979)

Release Date: January 17, 1979
Runtime: 107 Minutes

Directed by the great Werner Herzog and led by his always-problematic muse Klaus Kinski, Nosferatu the Vampyre is a sterling remake of F. W. Murnau's 1922 classic. Again, the narrative follows writer Renfield as he journeys out to the Count's property to take down the man's story, only to learn that the far-fetched story he's being fed isn't so far-fetched, and it's less about him being fed as it is someone feeding on him. Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, and Roland Topor co-star alongside Kinski in this incredible remake.

A Beautiful Remake of a Classic Horror Film

Make no mistake, whether it was his behavior on the set of Fitzcarraldo or his abuse of his daughters, Kinski was decidedly not a good man. But darn if he didn't have the perfect visage (and range) to play a sinister vampire. Kinski would return to the role in Vampire in Venice, but that was not an official sequel and did not include the participation of Herzog. Nosferatu the Vampyre is a slow-burner, but it creates an incredible series of memorable shots that rivals that rival those found in the original film.

13 Night of the Demons (1988)

Release Date: August 30, 2009
Director: Adam Gierasch

A gory, creepy cult favorite with an interesting pace, Night of the Demons is one of the late '80s' more underappreciated cult favorites. The plot concerns a small group of high school students as they crash in an abandoned funeral parlor on Halloween night. Unfortunately, once boredom sets in and the jukebox breaks down, party host Angela (Amelia Kinkade) decides it's time for a séance. Cathy Podewell and Linnea Quigley co-star alongside Kinkade in this film, which would later spawn a modest franchise.

Night of the Demons Is Incredibly Brutal

There's a brutality to Night of the Demons that transcends most other quasi-mainstream films of its era. From bitten-out tongues to coffins slammed on arms until they fall off, it's a movie that is probably not for the faint of heart. But, for those who can get on its fast-paced and ultra-icky wavelength, it should prove to be a nice treat. Not to mention, the final scene will stick with you.

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12 Sleepaway Camp (1983)

Release Date: November 18, 1983
Director: Robert Hiltzik
Runtime: 88
Writers: Robert Hiltzik

The classic '80s slasher film Sleepaway Camp centers on the life of Angela, who tragically lost her family in a boating accident. Wrapped up in grief, she moves in with her strange Aunt Martha and her cousin Ricky, who tends to be overly protective. When Martha sends Angela and Ricky to a camp during one summer, strange and deadly incidents turn their time there sinister. Young children are slaughtered under mysterious circumstances. Finding out the identity of the gruesome murderer is of the highest priority, but, rest assured, there are no proper words to describe the shock regarding the revelation of the killer.

A Shocking Reveal

Sleepaway Camp is one of those classic slasher movies, which features iconic '80s trends regarding hairstyles and outfit choices. Apart from bringing back the '80s, the horror movie also stands out with one of the most shocking movie twists in history, which will undoubtedly hit you out of nowhere and leave you analyzing every moment leading up to the revelation. Sleepaway Camp offers an exhilarating combination of experiencing a different era, dealing with the shock of gruesome murders, and putting on those detective glasses in order to find out the truth before it is revealed.

11 Nightbreed (1990)

Release Date: February 16, 1990
Cast: Craig Sheffer , Anne Bobby , David Cronenberg , Charles Haid , Hugh Quarshie , Hugh Ross

The plot of Clive Barker's Nightbreed concerns loner Aaron Boone (Craig Sheffer), who is being convinced he's a serial killer by his therapist, who is himself a serial killer. As he's evading the not-so-good doctor and the police, Boone learns of Meridian, a place below the local cemetery where outcast humanoid creatures reside. Once the doctor tricks the police into shooting down Boone, it's only a matter of time before they storm Meridian itself. What the doctor could've never expected, however, is that Boone would become Meridian's new larder.

One of Clive Barker's Few Directorial Credits

Nightbreed is the only film Barker has directed that can rival his masterful Hellraiser. As surreal and uniquely morbid as that film or Candyman, if not more so, Nightbreed won't be for every viewer out there, but it's a well-constructed nightmare with much to say about society. It's a fantastic film that places David Cronenberg in a directly villainous role, along with Doug Bradley and Anne Bobby in distinctive supporting roles. In Barker's unique filmography, Nightbreed is up there as one of his most inventive stories.

10 The Exorcist III (1990)

Release Date: August 17, 1990

A wildly underrated sequel if only because it's naturally compared to the original, The Exorcist III is a methodical and very smart horror film. The narrative follows the first film's Lieutenant William F. Kinderman (now played by George C. Scott) as he investigates a series of strange murders within a hospital's walls. Soon he hears a familiar name and sees a familiar face, but is it really Father Karras?

A Surprisingly Effective Sequel

Along with having what is almost certainly cinema's greatest jump scare, The Exorcist III is an overall effectively atmospheric film. Being a standalone sequel, one that ignores the events of Exorcist 2, it allows for a surprising shakeup when you consider that director William Peter Blatty wrote both the original novel and the screenplay for the first Exorcist. It makes for a sequel that feels like a proper follow-up to the first film. Toss in Scott delivering his A-game, and it's a sequel worthy of an audience. It may not be the original Exorcist, but, nothing is.

9 Ginger Snaps (2000)

Release Date: August 1, 2000

Ginger Snaps tells the lycanthropic tale of teen sisters Brigitte (Emily Perkins) and Ginger Fitzgerald (Katharine Isabelle), both of whom are outcasts in their school. However, when the latter is bitten by a werewolf, the two find themselves even more ostracized by their peers. Along with Perkins and Isabelle, Kris Lemche and Mimi Rogers make up the rest of the principal cast.

A Mix of High School Drama and Werewolves

The film is a wonderful look at the struggles of high school life. In a way, it treads the same territory as films like Mean Girls, it just does so in a very different, yet equally effective, way. Furthermore, both Perkins and Isabelle were perfectly cast in their respective roles. All in all, Ginger Snaps is a fun, neat way to expand on a done-to-death movie monster, and the things it has to say about bullying are just a plus.

8 The House of the Devil (2009)

Release Date: October 30, 2009

Ti West has fast become one of horror cinema's biggest names, especially with his recent hits X and Pearl, and his 2009 The House of the Devil is a major reason why. The plot follows a young woman who is hired to serve as a babysitter when she isn't taking college courses. Unfortunately, the individuals who hired her are also stone-cold Satanists. In addition to directing, Ti West also penned the script in addition to handling the editing.

A 1970s Throwback With Incredible Atmosphere

The House of the Devil is a wonderfully subtle, creepy-as-can-be chiller with dynamite performances from Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, and Greta Gerwig. Rather than leaning too heavily on gore and violence, the horror builds steadily through an incredibly well-constructed atmosphere. It's a masterclass in tension and practical effects, even if its basis on a real story might be a little overblown.

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6 The Changeling (1980)

Release Date: March 28, 1980
Cast: George C. Scott , Trish Van Devere , Melvyn Douglas , Jean Marsh , John Colicos
Runtime: 1hr 47min
Writers: Russell Hunter , William Gray , Diana Maddox

The Changeling is a classic horror movie from the '80s, which follows as tragedy strikes and John Russell, a successful composer, loses his wife and daughter in a car accident. His friends convince John to rent an old house and use the time and space there to compose and navigate through his grief. Even though John believes that he is the only soul wandering the house, there is actually a second one. The soul of a young boy who drowned in the bathtub resides under the same roof. Worried about the presence of the ghost, Russell brings in Claire Noman, who initially found the house for him. Together, they try to uncover the dark secrets behind the boy’s tragic death, but danger grows as they come closer to the truth.

A Classic Ghost Story with a Daunting Atmosphere

What makes The Changeling one of the scariest horror movies is that it is heavy as well as successfully relies on creating a sinister atmosphere through sounds and subtle images. Whereas other famous horror movies use tons of blood and stomach-churning visuals to move viewers, this 1980 classic horror movie doesn’t even need any of that. The Changeling is all about diving into the classic features of a ghost story, delivering spooky scenes without drifting off into the absurd.

5 The Void (2016)

Release Date: September 22, 2016
Cast: Kathleen Munroe , Ellen Wong , Kenneth Welsh , Aaron Poole , Mik Byskov , Stephanie Belding

After finding a young man fleeing a farmhouse and expecting him to be responsible for a crime, Deputy Sheriff Daniel Carter (Aaron Poole) brings him to the local hospital, which has been largely abandoned after a fire. However, as the night goes on, Daniel finds him and a small group of staff surrounded by cult members who won't let them leave, and bizarre entities hunting them from within the hospital's depths.

A Cosmic Horror Loaded with Practical Effects

The Void offers a wonderful piece of cosmic horror inspired by a mix of Lovecraftian horrors, '80s special effects, and Italian shock cinema; the film even gives a nod to Lucio Fulci in its final moments. Those who romanticize past eras of cinema will find the approach here oddly charming and nostalgic, yet it still offers a fresh and exciting take on familiar tropes to craft a unique experience of terror.

4 Freaky (2020)

Release Date: November 13, 2020

A wonderful take on the body swap genre, Freaky sees a teenage girl named Millie Kessler (Kathryn Newton) trade bodies with the Blissfield Butcher (Vince Vaughn), after he stabs her with an ancient Mayan dagger called La Dola. Millie must then convince her friends of who she is, while also figuring out how to get her body back as the kill count rises, with the Butcher using her to lure in new victims.

A Body Swap Horror Comedy

For those who are squeamish and enjoy some comedy to help make the horror more palatable, Freaky offers a fun balance of slasher and teenage comedy. The 'body swap' concept, in particular, works amazingly well for the movie, as both Kathryn Newton and Vince Vaughn commit to their roles despite the absurdity of it all. Director Christopher Landon previously directed Happy Death Day and Happy Death Day 2U prior to Freaky, allowing his experience in horror comedy to shine through.

3 The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Release Date: October 11, 1974
Cast: Marilyn Burns , Allen Danziger , Paul A. Partain , William Vail , Teri McMinn , Edwin Neal
Runtime: 83 minutes
Main Genre: Horror

Undeniably, one of the best horror movies and an iconic classic is director Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, which was released in 1974. An idyllic summer night turned into an unimaginable, deadly horror when five friends headed out to the rural side of Texas. While they had planned on visiting an old farm, they decided to make a stop at a seemingly deserted house. Unfortunately, though, the house was anything but empty, as they found themselves being hunted down by a masked man with a chainsaw. Instead of enjoying their trip, the four friends have to fight for their lives before falling victim to an entire family of cannibals.

Stuck Inside a House of Deadly Cannibals

Every breakdown, every scream of panic captures primal fear in a believable way. This daunting horror movie won’t just make you feel scared of the characters, but it will also have you look around your own shoulder. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre manages to blur the lines between fiction and reality, since the horror movie is inspired by the serial killer Ed Gain, who is much rather known as the Butcher of Plainfield. This movie takes a realistic setting and adds a lot of gore, turning it into a chilling display of what some humans are actually capable of.

2 Let the Right One In (2008)

Release Date: January 26, 2008
Cast: Kåre Hedebrant , Lina Leandersson , Per Ragnar , Henrik Dahl , Karin Bergquist , Peter Carlberg

Set in the suburbs of Stockholm in the early 1980s, Let the Right One In tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Oscar (Kåre Hedebrant) who befriends a peculiar girl who has just moved in next door. As the two become closer, Oscar learns that she is a vampire, and he soon gets involved with helping her stay hidden as he develops feelings for her.

A Vampire Film With an Engaging Story

The vampire genre has certainly had its ups and downs. It is one of the creatures that has felt stagnant for long periods in its history. However, a movie occasionally reinvigorates the fan base, and Let the Right One In did just that. Melding coming-of-age elements with childhood romance at the center, the movie presented a deeply engaging story. At the same time, the movie was not short on shocks or gore, finding that perfect balance between drama and horror. Let the Right One In also got an American remake in 2010's Let Me In, which is comparable in quality. But, if you are going to watch only one, stick with the original.

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1 Get Out (2017)

Release Date: February 24, 2017
Runtime: 103

In Get Out, African-American Chris and his white girlfriend Rose have finally reached the next stage in their relationship. When Rose takes Chris to meet her family, Chris thinks the relative's strange attempts to make him feel comfortable are due to their interracial relationship. However, as time passes by, increasingly upsetting situations unfold right in front of Chris, leading him closer to revealing the utterly shocking truth about his girlfriend's family.

The Deadly Meet the Parents Stage

Just like Chris and Rose took their relationship further to the meet the parents stage, Get Out takes horror to a whole different level. While usually the genre is known for its jump scares or stomach-churning gore, Get Out is a seducing and provocative masterpiece that centers on heavy manipulation. Executed in a slow-burn way, which simply works as it reveals the psychological terror Chris is going through, Get Out's ending wraps up in a shocking way. With Jordan Peele winning an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, there is barely better confirmation that this horror movie is an exhilarating and simultaneously chilling display of deadly family affairs.