Horror lovers have embraced the streaming platform Shudder, and with good reason, as it has a wealth of horror movies and TV shows for Halloween 2021. The platform, which also operates as an Amazon Prime Video channel alongside an individual subscription service, is introducing an impressive host of original, exclusive content as well as boasting an array of scary classics that will fascinate the curious horror historian.
Although the selection isn’t as vast as more mainstream services, Shudder is unique in the sense that it is solely devoted to horror. More, real people curate its content, making the experience of browsing its library feel like stalking the shelves of the local, independently run video stores of the pre-streaming past. The service offers scary classics, but the horror aficionado will also find the type of deep cuts and cult oddities that are beloved. That includes uncovered never-before-released films as well as features that are newly restored and presented in their uncut editions for the first time.
The Best Horror Movies On Netflix For Halloween 2021
Shudder has also become the home of a sizeable block of original programming. The anthology series Creepshow has received a second life on the service, documentary films present horror history to supplement viewings, and regular group watch parties are hosted by legendary horror icons like Joe Bob Briggs and Elvira. The platform unsurprisingly celebrates Halloween with gusto, often premiering its most popular and anticipated content just in time for the season. Here are all the new releases that have arrived and will be arriving on Shudder for the month of October.
V/H/S 94
The fourth installment in the found-footage horror anthology series is a Shudder Original Film and sees the return of directors Simon Barrett and Timo Tjahjanto, both of which have contributed work to previous entries. The film also introduces filmmakers Jennifer Reeder, Ryan Prows, and Chloe Okuno in five shorts, including a frame narrative segment that explains the other stories as videos found in an evil cult compound. Like the previous entries, V/H/S 94 explores the different techniques of found-footage style horror, allowing its filmmakers to experiment with capturing frights on a limited budget and hopefully highlighting potential and upcoming talent.
The Medium
Korean film and television have arguably never been as popular as it is in the present zeitgeist, with cultural phenomena like Parasite and Squid Game taking the world by storm. Korean horror movies thankfully also have a chance to shine in the current craze, with films like Train to Busan and The Wailing making strong cases for being modern horror classics. The Medium was a huge box office hit in South Korea upon its release in July this year, becoming the country’s highest-grossing horror movie, so it’s only a matter of time before American audiences catch on, too. The film is, in fact, a Korean-Thai co-production, with Thai director Banjong Pisanthanakun helming the supernatural tale of possession and Na Hong-jin, the filmmaker behind The Wailing, co-writing the screenplay.
Creepshow Season 3
The third season of Shudder’s modern-day, televised sequel to the 1982 cult classic Creepshow movie is currently airing every Thursday until October 28th. Creepshow season 2 aired earlier this year after a delayed production schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the series is officially back on track to coincide with the Halloween season. Special effects artist and director Greg Nicotero, who has a several decades-long pedigree of work but is best known for The Walking Dead, produces the show and directs and writes several of the show’s segments. Other horror creatives include Stephen King’s son Joe Hill and Joe Lynch (Wrong Turn 2: Dead End and Mayhem).
Joe Bob’s Halloween Hoedown – Angel and Terror Train
It wouldn’t be Halloween on Shudder without another special from Joe Bob Briggs, the iconic redneck B-movie expert whose hosting of The Last Drive-In has become one of Shudder’s biggest hits and most beloved staples. This year, Joe Bob and Darcie the Mail Girl take a look at the revenge thriller Angel and the slasher Terror Train, the latter of which stars Jamie Lee Curtis. Joining the presentation are David Gordon Green and Jason Blum, fresh off the release of Halloween Kills, who also selected the two films shown. Joe Bob’s shows are livestreams, but the special is still available to watch on Shudder.
The Ghoul Log – 2021 Edition
In a cheeky alternative to the usual Holiday Yule Log, Shudder has its own “Ghoul Log” featuring a burning Jack-o’-lantern instead of a cheery fireplace. Autumnal sounds like ominous wind accompany the cozy, spooky, atmospheric visual, perfect for throwing on in the background while carving your own pumpkin, sorting out Halloween candy, or waiting for trick-or-treaters. The experience is slightly different each year, incorporating locales like a leaf-strewn front porch to a decorated garage. Last year even had a Trick ‘r Treat movie-themed Jack-o’-lantern with the face of Sam and sounds from the film.
The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula Season 4 – October 19
A macabre mashup of Drag Race and Fear Factor, The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula takes a decidedly spooky approach to reality drag competition. Not only must contestants participate in a Floor Show segment to show off their drag chops, but the unlucky lowest-rated participants must also move on to an “Extermination Challenge” in which they must “survive” horrifying and harrowing ordeals like eating sickening food or being buried alive. The series has traveled between platforms like YouTube, Amazon Prime, and Netflix, but season 4 marks Dragula‘s move to Shudder after airing the Dragula: Resurrection special. Guest judges include Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical), Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows), and masked queer country musician Orville Peck.
Behind the Monsters – October 27
Shudder’s documentary series that exploring the history and legacy of the most iconic horror icons will premiere just before Halloween with new episodes released weekly. The show will focus on six significant killers that have left their mark on horror culture, consisting of Michael Myers, Pinhead, Chucky, Jason Vorhees, Freddy Krueger, and Candyman. Each episode includes interviews with creators, actors, and experts associated with each franchise. Shudder has even brought in crossover guests from its other content, such as the brothers Drac and Swan Boulet from Dragula and writer and producer Ashlee Blackwell from Horror Noire.
Horror Noire – October 28
Shudder’s 2019 documentary Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror gained critical acclaim for its insightful look into the long, complicated, and significant role of African-Americans within the horror genre. The follow-up is an anthology of six shorts meant to showcase black filmmakers and actors, all while covering different horror subgenres. A healthy portion of the talent involved consists of returning faces, such as film historian Tananarive Due, who co-wrote one of the segments with her husband Steven Barnes and was an executive producer for the documentary. Stars include Lesley Ann-Brandt (Lucifer), Erica Ash (MADtv, The Big Gay Sketch Show), Luke James (The Chi), Brandon Mychal Smith (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Sean Patrick Thomas (The Curse of La Llorona), and Malcolm Barrett (Timeless), as well as horror legends and returning interview subjects Tony Todd (Candyman) and Rachel True (The Craft).
Other Content
Besides Shudder’s original offerings, the streamer has also licensed and curated a bevy of horror goodies for the Halloween season. These include cult classics like Children of the Corn, Motel Hell, and Night of the Demons, blaxploitation artifacts like Blacula, J.D.’s Revenge, and Sugar Hill, and foreign-language films like Nosferatu, the Vampyre, Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, and Pulse. The good news is that Shudder has released most of these titles for the month, meaning the following films are currently available to watch.
Escape From New York
Motel Hell
Razorback
Blacula and Scream Blacula Scream
JD’s Revenge
Sugar Hill
The House That Screamed
The Poughkeepsie Tapes
The Shout
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
The Endless
Night of the Demons (1988)
Witchboard
The Mutilator
Nosferatu, the Vampyre and Nosferatu in Venice
Possum
Wake Wood
House and House II
The Autopsy Of Jane Doe
Available October 18
Pulse
Children of the Corn (1984)
Blood and Black Lace
Available October 25
The Addiction
Just Before Dawn
Rituals
Shudder is the place to be for horror all year, but clearly, the streaming platform has upped its game for the spookiest season.
The Best Horror Movies on Shudder Right Now
About The Author
