Summary

• Paramount+ offers a diverse selection of horror movies from various periods of Hollywood history, catering to genre fans of all kinds.
• The best horror movies on Paramount+ showcase great titles from big franchises like Scream, as well as hidden gems like Significant Other.
• The horror movies on Paramount+ provide thrilling scares and reminders of the entertainment and elevated quality of the genre.

The best horror movies on Paramount+ are a varied and exciting collection of some of the genre's best titles. Paramount is one of the oldest and most prestigious studios in Hollywood history, allowing Paramount+ to have an extensive library of movies to offer its subscribers. While there are genres of all kinds to choose from, those looking for some great horror movies will be pleased with the great selection from various periods of Hollywood history.

The best horror movies on Paramount+ show off titles for genre fans of all kinds. Those looking for older classics can find Invasion of the Body Snatchers, while there are also brand-new titles like Smile. There are entries from big horror franchises like the Scream movies, as well as smaller underseen gems like Significant Other. Each of the best horror movies on Paramount+ offers thrills and scares that serve as reminders of how entertaining the horror genre can be as well as how it can be elevated.

15 The Relic (1997)

The creature feature is one of the oldest and most entertaining subgenre of horror movies. A truly memorable entry into the subgenre relies on a great creature and, luckily, The Relic delivers one that helps the movie overcome its lesser qualities. The movie centers around a lizard-like creature who is taken out of the Amazon and arrives at a Chicago museum where it begins a deadly rampage. There are some standout characters in the otherwise unmemorable script, but the star of the show is the monster itself brought to life by the legendary Stan Winston and makes for a terrifying villain for this Paramount+ movie.

14 The Gift (2015)

A Star-Studded Horror From Genre Legend Sam Raimi

Sam Raimi is known for his wild forays into the horror genre as much as he is for his superhero movies. However, The Gift is a surprisingly more reserved movie for him that makes for one of his most divisive horror projects. Written by Billy Bob Thorton, the movie stars Cate Blanchette as a woman with psychic abilities who ends up involved in a murder investigation. While it initially received mixed reviews from critics, there were quickly many defenders with the writing being singled out as particularly intriguing, along with the performances of the all-star cast that included Keanu Reeves, Giovanni Ribisi, Hilary Swank, Katie Holmes, and Greg Kinnear.

13 Scream IV (2011)

Wes Craven's Final Scream Movie

The final Wes Craven-directed Scream movie is perhaps the most divisive of the iconic horror franchise. 2011's Scream 4 sees Neve Campbell return as Sidney Prescott while also featuring a cast of younger stars who make up the would-be victims of the piece. When Ghostface returns and begins targeting Sidney's young niece (Emma Roberts), Neve seeks to unmask this latest copycat killer. With the original cast no longer feeling like the helpless teens of the original, the movie missed some of its magic, but with some great twists and endearing new characters, including Hayden Panettiere's Kirby, it makes for a worthy final bow for Craven.

12 Significant Other (2022)

A Trip To The Woods Turns Deadly For A Couple Trying To Fix Their Relationship

Maika Monroe continues to make a case for herself as the modern scream queen with roles in the underseen and underrated Significant Other. Monroe and Jake Lacy star as a couple who attempt to deal with their recent relationship woes by going on a hiking trip in the woods, only for the outing to turn dangerous when a meteor shower brings an alien being. The mix of an alien invasion movie and a wilderness survival story makes for a unique combination. The more intimate elements of the story also help elevate it beyond the familiarity of those genre stories, making Significant Other one of the most innovative horror movies on Paramount+.

11 Orphan: First Kill (2022)

Esther Returns In The Unexpected Prequel

2009's Orphan is something of a cult classic in the horror genre with one of the wildest plot twists of all time. The unexpected 2022 prequel Orphan: First Kill dives into that iconic reveal and Esther's past prior to the 2009 original. With the help of de-aging technology, Isabelle Fuhrman returns to the role of Esther as the movie takes a look at her twisted backstory and further cements her as an unforgettable horror movie villain. Like the first movie, Orphan: First Kill excels thanks to its shocking twists and Fuhrman's committed performance.

10 World War Z (2013)

Brad Pitt's Blockbuster Zombie Movie Is On Paramount+

Though zombie movies have been a big part of the horror genre for decades, 2013's World War Z was one of the first attempts to do a big-budget take on that type of story. Inspired by Max Brooks' novel of the same name, World War Z stars Brad Pitt as a former UN officer who is called back into action to investigate the origins of a zombie outbreak and find a cure. The globe-trotting and expansive scope of the story makes for a blockbuster-budgeted entry into the very familiar genre. While the movie is watered down with a PG-13 rating and the CGI hasn't always held up, it is an exciting blend of action and horror.

9 Annihilation (2018)

Unforgettable Sci-Fi Horror From Alex Garland

Following his stunning directorial debut with Ex Machina, Alex Garland's second movie was a challenging and thought-provoking sci-fi horror movie. Annihilation stars Natalie Portman as a scientist who is recruited to a team sent to investigate a mysterious dome that has formed on Earth that is gradually growing. Inside the dome is a strange and dangerous version of their world with a chilling mystery at its center. While the cerebral and ambiguous horror movie will not be for every Paramount+ subscriber, critics praised it as a bold and visually stunning masterpiece.

8 Scream VI (2023)

The Sequel That Proves The Slasher Franchise Is Still Relevant

Following the successful revitalization of the franchise in 2022, Scream VI leaned more into the new cast of characters to move the series into the future. This time around, the action is moved out of Woodboro and into New York City where Sam, Tara and their friends are hunted by a new Ghostface. While the big city setting isn't used to its full potential and the killer reveal is not very clever, Scream VI plays around with the formula of slasher movies in some innovative ways and delivers some of the bloodiest and most intense sequences of the series.

7 Jacob's Ladder (1990)

The Cult Classic From Fatal Attraction Director Adrian Lyne

Director Adrian Lyne is best known for his erotic thrillers like Fatal Attraction. However, he memorably stepped into the horror genre with the haunting Jacob's Ladder in 1990, a classic that now lives on as one of the best horror movies on Paramount+. Tim Robbins gives a harrowing performance as a Vietnam veteran who experiences terrifying hallucinations and breaks from reality as he searches for the truth behind it all. While the movie was only a moderate success initially, it has grown in popularity and influence, serving as a main source of inspiration for Silent Hill while also being parodied in the likes of The Simpsons and Rick and Morty.

6 Smile (2022)

One Of The Most Disturbing Modern Horror Movies Is On Paramount+

2022 was a terrific year for horror movies, and Smile was one of the genre's standout examples. The modern horror movie on Paramount+ follows Rose (Sosie Bacon), a psychiatrist who loses a young patient to a supposed suicide only to begin suspecting that there may have been something deeper and perhaps supernatural at play. The movie is a grim and disturbing horror tale that excels at delivering its themes with some intensely disturbing visuals. While certainly not for the faint of heart, it is one more example of how the horror genre continues to be a strong draw, as Smile earned over $200 million at the box office (via Box Office Mojo).

5 Scream (2022)

The Reboot That Paid Homage To Wes Craven's Legacy

Many were dubious whether the Scream franchise could survive after Wes Craven's death, given how integral he was to the tone and vision of the films. The fifth entry in the series, therefore, went down all the better thanks to its clear adherence to – and admiration for – Craven's style. As the original Scream dissected classic slasher clichés, 2022's Scream examines the current state of so-called legacy movies in Hollywood, not just in the horror genre. It's a sharp film, elevated by its returning cast members rather than dragged down by them, and, perhaps most importantly, still insightfully funny.

4 A Quiet Place Part II (2021)

The Sequel To John Krasinski's Tense Alien Invasion Horror

John Krasinksi brought back the cast of A Quiet Place to deliver an even bigger and more action-packed sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, which builds on the familial struggles and alien horror of the original. The movie follows the surviving members of the Abbott family as they must venture outside their farm, and before long they come across a neighbor (Cillian Murphy), hoping for his help. Krasinski continues to impress as a director, delivering another incredibly tense thriller with memorable set pieces. Murphy makes for an excellent new addition, almost becoming the protagonist of the sequel. The movie earned the biggest opening during the pandemic and grossed nearly $300 million (via Box Office Mojo).

3 Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)

Cold War Anxieties Bubble Forth In This Classic Horror

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a book that has been adapted several times, but in many ways, the original 1956 film is still unmatched. This classic horror movie on Paramount+ perfectly captures the anxieties of Cold War America, particularly the fear that neighbors might actually be hidden enemies. As alien pods start to take over a small Californian town, a small group of people discover the truth and attempt to stop the invasion before it spreads to the rest of the country. The compelling allegories are mixed with the genre thrills to make for one of the greatest entries into the 1950s sci-fi genre.

2 A Quiet Place (2018)

John Krasinski's Chilling Tale Of A Family Living Through Alien Invasion

A Quiet Place follows a family as they struggle to survive after Earth has been taken over by murderous creatures that hunt by sound. Its first half is especially unsettling, as the various characters try to keep from making a peep while also dealing with their own family issues. The small ensemble cast makes for a surprisingly intimate story of survival with great performances all around.

Thanks to some deft directing by John Krasinski, the movie is as thrilling as it is touching, elevating A Quiet Place beyond just being another concept-driven genre thriller. The movie was selected by the National Board of Review and American Film Institute as one of the top movies of 2018 while Emily Blunt won a SAG Award for her performance.

1 The Ring (2002)

Gore Verbinski's Remake Of A J-Horror Classic

An American remake of the classic J-horror film Ringu, The Ring is a horror movie that relies less on gore and blood and more on atmosphere. With its story about a videotape that seems to kill anyone who watches it, it’s also a commentary on the power of the media and entertainment. In addition to the twists and turns of the story, The Ring is a must-see horror movie on Paramount+ because of its stunning visuals and chilling sound design, a rare kind of remake that matches and even sometimes surpasses the brilliance of the original version. The movie is one of the highest-grossing horror remakes of all time with nearly $250 million (via Box Office Mojo).