It's the new year! Time to set some New Year's resolutions that involve overly ambitious movie-watching lists! Luckily, we're here to help you make progress on that goal, because honestly, what better way to kick-start 2024 than by settling in for a slew of the best horror movies on the likes of Netflix, Paramount Plus, and Peacock .
Whatever you're into, there's something for you on this list. This month's selection offers something for everyone, with a '90s sci-fi classic, recent hits from James Wan and Jordan Peele, and a handful of brand new films from horror streamer Shudder that shouldn't be missed if you're a genre fan.
Event Horizon (1997)
When: January 1st
Where can you stream it: Paramount Plus (US, UK), Rent or Buy (AU)
If Alien then mastered the haunted house in space concept Event horizon imbued that idea with blood and horror and dragged it through space and time. Paul WS Anderson's late '90s sci-fi horror is a beautiful exercise in over-the-top performances and stomach-churning caverns. Set in 2047, the film follows the crew of the rescue ship Lewis and Clark, tasked with investigating the long-lost spaceship Event Horizon when it mysteriously reappears.
Although the plot resembles direct-to-video flick flame, this ensemble cast and its commitment to bloodshed is a cult classic. Sam Neill steals the show as Dr. Weir, chews all the scenery and dishes out a wealth of one-liners.
Evil (2021)
When: January 1st
Where can you stream it: Netflix (US, UK), Foxtel Now (AU)
Take a break Aquarius In films, James Wan delves back into horror for a crazy body horror that seems to have been lifted from the 2000s. Akela Cooper's screenplay deserves praise for its ability to simultaneously create a maelstrom of twists and wild set pieces. Annabelle Wallis stars as Madison Mitchell, a woman whose life begins to unravel with the onset of visions detailing the actions of a serial killer. Of course, nothing is as it seems, and soon Madison realizes she may be connected to the killer. If you haven't ruined the twist yet, don't read anything else about this campy horror and enjoy the silly reveals.
The Lodge (2020)
When: January 1st
Where can you stream it: Max (US), Netflix (UK), Rent or Buy (AU)
Snow-covered landscapes! Christmas time! A picturesque holiday village! Don't be fooled by the wintry components of this 2020 thriller – this is not a warm and fuzzy horror film. The Lodge is an uncomfortable and deeply disturbing watch that revolves around a family who ventures to a remote cabin for the holidays. When Richard (Richard Armitage) has to leave due to a work commitment, he leaves his two children with their stepmother Grace (Riley Keough) for the duration.
What follows is a twisted nightmare as a snowstorm traps Grace and the children indoors, where it is unclear who or what is happening. Don't expect a happy ending but a journey into the abyss that ends with a wild final act.
Destroy All Neighbors (2023)
When: January 12
Where can you stream it: Shudder (UK, US, AU)
Travel into 2024 with this wild and crazy horror comedy, directed by Josh Forbes. Destroy all neighbors evokes Peter Jackson's early films (think gross, dreary FX) with a musical twist. William Brown (Jonah Ray Rodrigues) is a rocker whose mission in life is to create a prog opus, despite everyone in his life refusing to support his goals.
This also applies to his new neighbor from hell Vlad (an unrecognizable Alex Winters) whom he accidentally decapitates during a heated confrontation over the noise. William is then taunted by Vlad's corpse, who refuses to leave him alone while he tries to create his masterpiece, which, honestly, fair?
The Passenger (2023)
When: January 15
Where can you stream it: Shudder (UK, US, AU)
Are we in the age of Kyle Gallner? The indie actor continues to dominate horror with standout performances in recent pics Scream, Smile, Mother, may I? (I remember him in the phenomenal but under-watched movie Veronica Mars! -Ed) and now The passenger in which he takes on the role of an out-of-control fast food worker.
The critically acclaimed film follows Gallner's character Benson, who goes on a rampage in the workplace in an attempt to support his co-worker Randy (Johnny Berchtold), but instead makes his life a living hell. Horror hounds will recognize director Carter Smith, who co-wrote Plant Horror in 2008 The ruins, Jamie Marks is dead and 2022 Swallowed. Expect this to be part of the social media talk when it releases mid-month.
No (2022)
When: January 18
Where can you stream it: Peacock (US), Sky Cinema (UK), Netflix (AU)
Proof that lightning strikes three times for Jordan Peele. The comedy and horror filmmaker delivers another winning entry in the genre canon No. Despite its unabashed horror tropes, it has a summer blockbuster aesthetic thanks to its location; sunny Agua Dulce in California.
Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer play siblings Em and OJ Haywood, who inherit their family's horse training business after the mysterious death of their father. The couple discovers a mysterious object flying over their house that may be responsible. To say more would ruin one of last year's most surprising and truly creepy horror films. Watch and be amazed at the lengths Peele goes to prove his monster's villainy.
Suitable meat (2023)
When: January 26
Where can you stream it: Shudder (UK, US, AU)
A Lovecraft adaptation that sheds light on a key factor that most of the modern world has overlooked: Heather Graham deserves to be a bigger genre star. In this modern retelling of The thing on the doorstepGraham plays the lead role of psychiatrist Elizabeth Derby who becomes embroiled in the world of one of her patients Asa Waite (The babysitter's Judah Lewis) who comes to her with a strange proposition: he believes his body is sporadically inhabited by his father. Joe Lynch directs this otherworldly premise starring horror legend and Lovecraft stalwart Barbara Crampton.