Crunchy leaves, late nights, and that certain bite in the air—there is no better season to get into indie horror. If you’re a die-hard genre buff or simply want to include something spooky on your watchlist, indie horror movies provide some of the most unique, risk-taking scare-tastic films out there. From mind games to gore-splattered slashers, below are 13 of the best indie horror movies available to stream now.
1. The Witch (2015)
Robert Eggers’s unsettling debut immerses audiences amid 1630s New England, where religious terror and loneliness give way to paranoia. Led by Anya Taylor-Joy’s standout performance, The Witch is a creeping investigation into terror, providing disturbing images and a haunting conclusion. Now available to stream on Max as part of its A24 collection.
2. Saint Maud (2019)
In this extremely disturbing psychological horror, Morfydd Clark stars as a righteous hospice nurse whose religious fixation descends into madness. With a slow-building sense of foreboding and a conclusion that lingers with you, Saint Maud is an absolute must-see. Streaming on Prime Video and Max.
3. Terrifier (2016)
Damien Leone’s Terrifier brought the world Art the Clown, a fresh horror icon of gore-fest terror. Gruesome, savage, and utterly repulsive, it’s a movie that pushes the boundaries of even the most jaded horror enthusiasts. Both Terrifier movies are on Freevee.
4. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
This Halloween anthology weaves together linked tales of werewolves, ghosts, and revenge spirits into a chic package. With its fall backdrop and troublesome mascot Sam, Trick ‘r Treat is a holiday classic. Available to stream on Netflix (US) and Prime Video (UK and Australia).
5. Watcher (2022)
Maika Monroe plays a woman who’s just moved to Bucharest and thinks someone is watching her. Director Chloe Okuno ratchets up the tension with a Hitchcockian flair, ending in a gripping, satisfying conclusion. Streaming on Shudder and Hulu.
6. In a Violent Nature (2024)
This slasher subverts expectations by keeping the killer’s point of view during a meditative, blood-soaked trek through the forest. Director Chris Nash takes a creative, experimental approach to horror conventions, featuring one of the year’s most buzzed-about conclusions. Streaming on Shudder.
7. Oddity (2024)
From Caveat director Damian McCarthy, this is a truly unsettling story of a blind clairvoyant, a sinister mannequin, and fundamental sadness. It’s intelligent, frightening, and potentially one of the standout horror movies of the year. See it on Shudder.
8. I Saw the TV Glow (2024)
Jane Schoenbrun’s follow-up to We’re All Going to the World’s Fair is a genre-defying meditation on identity and isolation. Dreamy, melancholic, and quietly horrifying, it lingers long after the credits roll. Now streaming on Max.
9. Happy Death Day (2017)
A witty twist on the slasher genre, this time-loop horror-comedy sees a college student repeatedly dying at the hands of her killer. Jessica Rothe is game for laughs and pathos in a movie that’s as fun as it is inventive. Available to stream on Peacock.
10. Handling the Undead (2024)
More melancholic than frightening, this Norwegian remake of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s book emphasizes the emotional impact of the resurrected dead. It’s a slow and mournful examination of love and loss, out now on Hulu.
11. Apartment 7A (2024)
This slow-burning prequel to Rosemary’s Baby features Julia Garner as a dancer who discovers a malevolent presence in her new apartment complex. Directed by Relic helmer Natalie Erika James, the film goes full-on creeping dread. Streaming on Paramount+.
12. New Life (2024)
John Rosman’s directorial debut tracks a fugitive woman and the pursuing agent, both of whom carry secrets that unravel surprisingly. Tense, suspenseful, with an edge of sci-fi, New Life is a riveting watch. Streaming today on Prime Video.
13. V/H/S/85 (2024)
The latest addition to the found-footage series of anthologies offers a bumpy ride of horrors, but the standout is Justin Martinez’s “Live and Let Dive.” Skydivers find themselves face-to-face with something monstrous in mid-air in a clip that’s as clever as it is disturbing. Streaming on Shudder.
No matter if you’re in the mood for slow-burning cerebral exercises or full-on carnage, these indie horror classics show you don’t have to break the bank to give you frights that will stick with you. Max is your destination for arthouse terror and A24 releases, but Shudder is still where it’s at for uncompromising, boundary-pushing horror. Get out the blanket, turn out the lights, and hit play—there’s no better time of year for screams.