Prime Nightmares: 20 Must-Watch Horror Movies on Amazon Prime, Ranked from Mildly Funny to Utterly Terrifying
Spooky season is here, so we ranked 20 horror films available on Amazon Prime Video from least to most scary. Below you’ll find concise, factual descriptions, release years, notable cast or creators, and why each film made the list.
- Stir of Echoes (1999)
- Old (2021)
- The Craft (1996)
- When a Stranger Calls (1979)
- Evil Dead 2 (1987)
- Sleepaway Camp (1983)
- Alice Sweet Alice (1976)
- Let the Right One In (2008)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
- American Psycho (2000)
- Oculus (2013)
- Nosferatu (2024)
- Suspiria (2018)
- Smile 2 (2024)
- Saint Maud (2019)
- The First Omen (2024)
- The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – 50th Anniversary
Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)
Directed by Eli Craig and starring Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk, this horror-comedy reverses the typical backwoods slasher setup. Two well-meaning hillbillies are mistaken for killers by college students, which leads to a string of misunderstandings and comedic violence.
Why it’s here: It’s primarily a comedy with genre affection, so it ranks as the least scary entry on this Prime Video list.
The Return of the Living Dead (1985)
This 1985 film was directed by Dan O’Bannon and combines horror with dark comedy. A chemical accident at a medical supply warehouse reanimates the dead and unleashes zombies that explicitly crave brains.
Notably, the film introduced the undead character known as Tarman, which helped popularize the “eating brains” trope in zombie media.
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this 1992 dark comedy stars Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, and Bruce Willis. The plot centers on a mysterious elixir that grants eternal youth and immortality, and the story features elements of body horror mixed with satire.
Caution: The film contains practical effects and visual gags that verge into unsettling territory for some viewers.
Stir of Echoes (1999)
Peter Medak directed this 1999 supernatural thriller based on a 1958 novel. Kevin Bacon stars as a man who experiences escalating visions after a hypnosis session, and the plot follows his attempts to uncover a local murder.
The film is often compared to works by Richard Matheson and evokes Stephen King–style small-town dread, though it is an independent adaptation.
Old (2021)
M. Night Shyamalan wrote and directed Old (2021), a film about people stranded on a beach where time accelerates dramatically, causing rapid aging over hours. The film stars a large ensemble cast and centers on survival and medical/ethical questions about accelerated aging.
The Craft (1996)
This 1996 teen supernatural film was directed by Andrew Fleming and follows a group of high school girls who form a coven and explore witchcraft. The cast includes Fairuza Balk and Robin Tunney.
Over time, the film became a cultural touchstone for teen occult narratives, and it led to later attempts at franchise continuation.
When a Stranger Calls (1979)
Directed by Fred Walton, this 1979 thriller opens with a widely cited babysitter sequence: a young woman receives disturbing calls that escalate into the discovery that the caller is inside the house. That opening scene is often noted for its tension and craftsmanship.
The remainder of the film shifts between slasher elements and a procedural character study of the main characters.
Evil Dead 2 (1987)
Sam Raimi directed this 1987 film, which stars Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams. Evil Dead 2 functions as both a sequel and a partial remake of the first film, increasing the emphasis on slapstick horror and exaggerated effects.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzOIHOjYcqMv
The film’s practical effects and aggressive tonal shifts helped define the franchise’s blend of comedy and ultraviolence, and it leads into Army of Darkness.
Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Directed by Robert Hiltzik, Sleepaway Camp (1983) is a summer-camp slasher known for its campy tone and a twist ending that remains widely discussed. The plot follows a shy teenager, Angela, who attends summer camp as murders occur among campers and staff.
Alice Sweet Alice (1976)
This 1976 film, directed by Alfred Sole, is an American thriller with stylistic links to Italian giallo cinema. It features Brooke Shields in her first film role and centers on murder and suspicion surrounding a young girl after a violent crime at a First Communion.
The film’s color palette and mood are often cited as reasons it stands out among 1970s horror.
Let the Right One In (2008)
Directed by Tomas Alfredson and released in 2008, this Swedish film follows a lonely boy, Oskar, who befriends Eli, a child vampire. The film is noted for its minimalist visual style and its focus on emotional complexity rather than spectacle.
It is frequently referenced as a modern benchmark for vampire storytelling.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986)
Released in 1986 and directed by Tobe Hooper, this sequel takes a different tonal approach from the 1974 original by incorporating dark humor and amplified gore. The story follows a radio DJ and an ex–Texas Ranger who pursue Leatherface in a setting that includes an abandoned amusement park.
The film is less grounded than its predecessor but remains part of the franchise’s evolution.
American Psycho (2000)
Mary Harron directed American Psycho (2000), adapted from Bret Easton Ellis’s novel. Christian Bale stars as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker whose double life involves increasingly violent actions and psychological unreliability.
The film is often discussed for its social satire and depictions of narcissism alongside explicit violent scenes.
Oculus (2013)
Directed by Mike Flanagan, Oculus (2013) stars Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites as siblings confronting a haunted mirror they believe caused their family tragedy. The narrative alternates between past and present as reality becomes increasingly uncertain.
The film is frequently noted for its editing and structure that blur memory and supernatural influence.
Nosferatu (2024)
Nosferatu (2024) is directed by Robert Eggers and stars Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok, along with Lily-Rose Depp and Nicholas Hoult. Set in a medieval European context, the film portrays a vampiric plague and the consequences of a pact made by a husband that affects his town.
Suspiria (2018)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Suspiria (2018) is a reimagining of Dario Argento’s 1977 film. It follows a young dancer who joins a prestigious Berlin dance academy that is run by a coven of witches, and it emphasizes political and psychological themes alongside ritual horror.
Smile 2 (2024)
Released in 2024 and directed by Parker Finn, Smile 2 follows Naomi Scott as a pop star experiencing disturbing visions tied to an entity known for inducing a malevolent smile. The film ties back to the original Smile through its prologue while expanding the curse’s scope to a new protagonist.
Saint Maud (2019)
Directed by Rose Glass and released in 2019, Saint Maud follows a hospice nurse whose devotion spirals into fanaticism. The film focuses on isolation, religious obsession, and the deterioration of the protagonist’s mental state.
Critics and viewers have repeatedly cited its intense final act as a significant factor in its impact.
The First Omen (2024)
The First Omen (2024) is a period prequel set in 1971 that follows Margaret Daino, played by Nell Tiger Free, as she uncovers a plot centered on the Antichrist in a Catholic orphanage. The film is positioned as a standalone prequel that connects to the classic Omen mythology.
It explores religious themes and moral ambiguity while expanding the franchise’s backstory.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) – 50th Anniversary
Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) is one of the most influential horror films in cinema history. The 50th Anniversary 4K restoration was released in 2024 and offers improved clarity while retaining the film’s gritty aesthetic.
Note: Some observers have compared this restoration to other 4K editions, such as the Second Sight 4K, when discussing picture fidelity and preservation choices.
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