The 7 Most Terrifying Horror Movies On Max Right Now
Who doesn’t love a good scare every now and again?
Whether imparting mild goosebumps or elevating our heart rate tenfold, a truly successful horror movie leaves an immediate impression on every viewer watching from the comfort and safety of their home. In the moment, that impression could translate to gripping the arms of our chair or momentarily shutting our eyes in the midst of a jump scare. Yet in the case of extremely scary horror movies, that palpable fear only continues to linger on, eating away at the back of our minds as we try to sleep at night or drive down an isolated country road in the middle of nowhere.
Fortunately, for all those addicted to the thrills and chills that come with horror, Max has no shortage of exceptionally scary movies lining its digital library. From down-and-dirty slasher films to disturbing psychological horror movies, here are some of the most terrifying movies currently streaming on Max.
X (2022)
One of the greatest horror films from A24 yet, X kicks off a trilogy of worthwhile slasher films with a loud and resonating bang. Taking influence from classic horror films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Psycho, X focuses on the harrowing experiences of an amateur adult film crew as they shoot their latest project on a dilapidated 1970s Texas ranch. Though it possesses a handful of heart-stopping jump scares, X’s headier tone provides a dialed-back intensity that most other slasher films lack, ensuring a lasting impression that ranges from mild nausea to extreme discomfort every time audiences think back to the film’s narrative.
Funny Games (1997)
As with the aforementioned X, Funny Games doesn’t boast as many outright scares as viewers might be accustomed to. Instead, this 1997 horror thriller opts for a more psychologically disturbing approach, one that can prove every bit as haunting – if not more so – than most traditional horror films of its era. Following a young family as they grapple with a pair of mysterious home invaders holding them hostage, Funny Games is guaranteed to leave viewers locking their front door and checking their peephole every time they hear someone approach, serving as a first-rate horror film that veers left whenever you expect it to swerve right.
Malignant (2021)
If any director has come close to filling the shoes left empty by iconic horror directors like John Carpenter or Wes Craven, it’s James Wan. The creator of The Conjuring universe and original director behind Saw, Wan has given audiences an extensive lineup of chill-inducing horror films over the years, including 2021’s smash hit, Malignant. Taking liberal influence from Italian giallo films like Suspiria and Black Sabbath, Wan hands in a predictably suspenseful psychological horror movie with Malignant, hooking audiences’ attention from the very get-go and sustaining their interest through its thrilling central mystery.
Sinister (2012)
According to a 2020 study, scientists discovered that viewers’ heart rate rose drastically when watching 2012’s Sinister, effectively making it the scariest movie ever made. While perhaps not as original as other horror franchises like The Conjuring, Sinister still finds a way to revitalize the traditional haunted house story, juxtaposing its idyllic settings with gruesome murders, mysterious video tapes, and the otherworldly demon “Mr. Boogie.” Again, it may not exactly reinvent the wheel when it comes to horror films – but if you’re looking for an hour and 40 minutes of unrelenting jump scares, look no further than Sinister.
Evil Dead Rise (2023)
The Evil Dead franchise has never been altogether upbeat or light-hearted, especially when evaluating the horror-centric tone of the series’ most recent, non-Ash-related entries. Yet even when compared to its previous entries, Evil Dead Rise appears as an entirely different kind of animal (or, in this case, a demonic entity hellbent on possessing everyone’s souls). Pushing the boundaries of the Evil Dead universe forward, Evil Dead Rise evokes a far more startling tone than the original Evil Dead trilogy, likening itself more to the straightforward scares of 2013’s equally horrific Evil Dead.
The Conjuring (2013)
While none of its sequels, prequels, or spin-off films have come close to matching the original, The Conjuring itself remains a one-of-a-kind horror film capable of unnerving even the most dedicated horror fans in the audience. Drawing on the largely debunked investigations of paranormal researchers Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring traces a supposedly real haunting that occurred in 1970s Rhode Island. Whether you believe the story or not, The Conjuring’s budding air of suspense consistently takes viewers’ breath away from one scene to the next, measuring up to the eerier heights of earlier haunted house films like Paranormal Activity, Poltergeist, or The Amityville Horror.
It Follows (2014)
In theory, a film centered around a creature methodically chasing its main character shouldn’t be that scary, right? After all, if the creature’s relegated to merely walking behind its quarry, couldn’t you simply hop in a plane and jet off thousands of miles away? Yet by evoking a more dreamlike tone that blurs the line between reality and imagination, It Follows manages to present its main premise as a nightmare we’re unable to fully wake up from. Dark, disturbing, and terrifying to no ends, it’s a masterful psychological horror film that simply needs to be seen to be believed.
