In keeping with last year’s goal to publish the annual watch list early to be inclusive of the month of September for full viewing potential, we are here early with an Extra Large Expanded Horror viewing list for 2023.

As many of y’all are aware, with the various strikes occurring within the film industry the regularly scheduled Fall tv shows are not being released, with fewer and fewer new shows and seasons hitting their respective streaming services. And what a better thing to do with our longing for something fabulous to watch, than fill our brain with the creepy, the crawly, and the outright horrifying horror movies on this list!

Before we carve up the 30 or so movies I’ve pulled to watch this year, I want to recap and share my favorite films and shows from the last year that won’t be making this year’s list but might be worthy additions to your own.

Alex’s Top 5 Horror Watches Since Last Halloween:

5. Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey (2023) – This one was pretty disliked by pretty much everyone but I would be lying to you if I said it wasn’t easily my favorite movie of the year. It was fun, it was slashy, and the ending is one to remember!

4. Ready or Not (2019) – One that completely slipped through my radar is this phenomenal wedding night hunting the bride fest. Grace easily makes the list of coolest, most badass final girls in all of horror.

3. Teen Wolf: The Movie (2023) – I greatly enjoyed the Teen Wolf series over the last few years, coming into the fandom very very late, but the revival of the franchise with the movie was an absolute multiple hours long delightful treat! Also with pretty mixed reviews, I really felt like I got everything I wanted out of this movie and am so glad it got to exist.

2. The Watcher (2022) – series – As an appreciator of architecture, this based on a true story series takes us through the most beautiful homes, twisting us up in some really dark storytelling as we follow a stalker of a home and the family that has moved into it.

1. From (2022) – series – Harold Perrineau is perhaps the most delightful person to watch in any horror series ever. This show is remarkably more like LOST than it should be, but it’s different and terrifying in it’s own right you wouldn’t really make the connection without Harold. Imagine you find yourself driving past a sad little town, you drive on out and then you find yourself driving past a sad little town…. you drive on out… and then you find yourself WAIT A MINUTE. Now you’ve taken too much time and whatever is out there is going to kill you. There’s two entire seasons available now and it is THE MUST WATCH maybe of the decade.

2023’s Horror Watch List:

This year, I’ve chosen a mix of movies I’ve seen before that deserve a rewatch, some deep dives into the Shudder originals archive, and a handful of new (2022 and 2023) releases both indie and big screen features. There’s a final section of “movies to be released” which will be hitting streaming (or exclusively in theaters) closer to Halloween.

28. The Babadook (2014)

Coming in as a must rewatch this year is The Babadook. An absolute instant classic in my opinion, the Babadook explores grief and fear while capturing a frustrating family dynamic.

Available for free on Tubi.

27. The Beach House (2019)

Getting a little bit into one of the themes for this year’s list and we begin to explore water/water adjacent horror. Following a more cabin in the woods like trope, this movie starts off with a fun loving family, but quickly turns dark when a perhaps alien like substance makes it’s way through the air bodies of our main characters.

Available on Shudder.

26. The Blackening (2023)

Heralded as one of the more fun, instant classic horror movies of the early summer The Blackening offers us a humorous take on common horror tropes and promises lots of thrills.

Available to rent.

25. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Often deemed as the original found footage film, The Blair Witch Project serves as the father of the subgenre. I admit, I have seen this movie only once many many years ago and it doesn’t come close to being on any “found footage faves” lists of mine, which I have been heavily critiqued for. So, I am giving it another go to see if this movie can stand the test of time and deliver on any of the things I’ve come to adore about found footage.

Available on Amazon Prime.

24. Camp Dread (2014)

From the director of Where The Scary Things Are – Harrison Smith – whom I greatly admire, comes Camp Dread. Smith’s movies tend to fly totally under the radar, but I really wanted to include something from his earlier grouping of work and this campy looking reality tv stars getting murdered in the woods plot is exactly my kind of movie.

Available on Tubi.

23. The Cannibal in the Jungle (2015)

Donned as the found footage movie you just can’t believe you missed, this story follows a doctor who was accused of cannibalizing his colleagues back in the 70s. The real story, and what might really be out there in the Indonesian jungle sounds pretty… terribly terrifying. But y’all know me, I can’t pass up found footage even if might be exceptionally awful.

22. Cobweb (2023)

One of the horror hit’s of the summer, Cobweb follows a young boy who seems to be terrorized by noised inside his walls. And perhaps his parent’s aren’t very innocent in how this all unfolds.

Available to rent.

21. Cocaine Bear (2023)

This movie pretty much everyone has heard of and numerous jokes about various spinoffs of other animals consuming illicit drugs have been born from the popularity of the cocaine bear. I am admittedly a big fan of bear horror, or scary scenes like The Revenant, so this movie definitely has made the cut for this year’s list.

Available on Amazon Prime.

20. Crawl (2019)

Venturing back to our water theme, Crawl takes us on a wild hurricane adventure trapped in a home with a murderous alligator. Or multiple murderous alligators? Really gives a whole new meaning to “don’t swim in the flood waters” I guess.

Available on Youtube.

19. Devilreaux (2023)

Anything with Tony Todd is pretty much a must watch, but I am equally as intrigued by the legend of Devilreaux that is explored as a voodoo figure awoken by a group of teens.

Available to rent.

18. Haunting of the Queen Mary (2023)

Is it a found footage kind of movie? Is it a really haunted ship and a historical retelling? Or is the Haunting part the actual museum and perhaps that goes terribly wrong? I have always enjoyed a good tour through an old ship, but the idea of turning it into a haunted house experience makes it so much more delightful and engaging. I have unreasonably high hopes for this one.

Available for rent.

17. Hellraiser (1987)

I have truthfully never seen this movie in it’s entirety, and although I seem deeply aware of some of the plot and the little objects that remind folks of this classic, I think it’s about time I actually get the whole picture. I vividly remember being quite interested in last years Hellraiser movie, but having never really been familiar with the whole franchise I want to start at the beginning.

Available on Tubi.

16. Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror (2019)

This addition to the list is actually more of a documentary that explores the history of black people within the horror genre. I think this is a critical piece for any horror fan to watch, as knowing the history of the genre and those who have been harmed and exploited at times allows us to be more aware of how we engage as fans. I recently learned that the lore of zombie actually comes out of slavery in Haiti, further spread by the occupation by US Soldier of Haiti, and then the lore continued completely divorced from it’s origins to what we have today. I don’t know if this will be touched on in the documentary, but it’s a critical example of how interwoven horror is to history and why it’s important to learn alongside our enjoyment of the genre.

Available on Shudder.

15. Insidious: The Red Door (2023)

I am such a big fan of the Insidious franchise so it is no surprise that I held off a little bit on watching the newest installation to include it here – though spoiler alert I will probably watch this one first! I think both Insidious and the Conjuring franchises came out at the perfect movie going teen age for me that it’s something I got to share with friends and family so it’s got special memories. The cast crossover and some nearly identical scenes have made them both interesting rewatches as well. I fully expect however foolish it may be, this movie will once again make my skin crawl.

Available for rent.

14. Little Bone Lodge (2023)

I’ll admit it is the name of this movie that has drawn me in. The general plot suggests that two runaway criminals have chosen the wrong house to seek refuge in but nothing really explains WHY, so we must simply watch it to find out.

Available on Max.

13. Older Gods (2023)

Leaning a bit more towards the psychological horror realm, this film introduces us to a cult surrounding the idea of Gods. Older Gods. The idea seems very compelling and the cult members look exceptionally creepy.

Available on Tubi.

12. The Passenger (2023)

Perhaps taking the “more of a crime movie” title for this year’s list, The Passenger has already garnered a lot of positive coverage across the horror community. I expect this one may lean a bit towards Bones and All in the way we explore the human condition and relationships with others.

Available to rent.

11. Prey for the Devil (2022)

I vividly remember the preview for this movie and for that reason alone I wanted to check it out. It isn’t all too often that traditional exorcism type movies center a female lead, especially not a compassionate young girl who emotionally connects with those who may be in need of exercise.

Available on Starz.

10. Quicksand (2023)

We spend our whole childhood deeply aware of the idea of quicksand and never actually have to deal with it as an adult… except this feuding couple who are probably in for a divorce. Hiking in Columbia, these two find themselves in a lot of trouble, not heeding the warnings of the locals, but something gives me the feeling the quicksand isn’t going to be their biggest concern.

Available on Shudder.

9. Sea Fever (2019)

Back to the water we go, following a biology student on a fishing boat as she conducts research. Aliens in the water really seems to be a pattern here, as the boat runs into something strange which soon begins to infect all those aboard. Will they return to land, infecting the whole world? Or will our brave biology student save the day, sacrificing herself and her research? I think I already know…

Available on Tubi.

8. Talk to Me (2023)

Although this movie is getting a lot of comparisons to Ari Aster’s work I am choosing to totally ignore that – since I am not a fan of his – and lean into all that looks promising with a group of friends who once again mess around with objects to another realm that they definitely shouldn’t have. This looks like a classic séance gone terribly wrong.

Currently in theaters, will likely be streaming on Max

7. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

With the release of the latest movie and the video game, TCM has been the talk of the town for a good year or so. This movie falls somewhere between rewatch and watch for the first time as I know I have seen it but I don’t remember it one bit, and I have got to get with the program on some of the classics.

Available on Tubi, Amazon, and Peacock.

6. There’s Something Wrong With the Children (2023)

This enticing film takes us on an adventure in the woods with a few families only to discover the kids returned to a place they shouldn’t and something is very very wrong. Haunted kids are always very good horror fodder.

Available on MGM+.

5. Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)

Melding tragic reality with a blend of a magical world of imagination and horror undertones, this film is full of promise. Perhaps this movie will stray a little from traditional horror movies on this list, but I am really looking forward to how the fantasy aspects contribute to the storytelling.

Available on Shudder and AMC+.

4. Unseen (2023)

This movie had all the critics raving from film festivals and early releases at the start of the year, and it’s not surprise given the new and compelling premise: a total stranger must guide a blind woman through the woods aware from an abusive (murderous ?) boyfriend (?) and help her survive all from her gas station cashiers booth. It certainly is a new idea.

Available on Shudder and MGM+.

3. Unwelcome (2023)

One of my favorite types of romantic comedies is the classic “escape your life to some far away property where you’ll start fresh” but of course, that never goes according to plan when you jump over to the horror genre. And these little garden variety goblins that appear to be cause for concern at this Irish property definitely appear unwelcome and horrirfying.

Available on Shudder and AMC+.

2. The Wrath of Becky (2023)

I absolutely love a woman seeks revenge plot, and this time a formerly traumatized woman takes out her wrath on a bunch of neo nazi looking asshats who took her dog. This movie looks messy and bloody and like good fun.

Available to rent.

1. You’re Killing Me (2023)

College mixers and fraternity parties and the campus life have been home to some fun horror films like Happy Death Day and Initiation and classics like Sorority Row. This movie takes us into a party where the attendee is hoping to get a letter of recommendation but instead finds herself mixed up in murder, secrets, and lies and maybe her precious little recommendation isn’t worth compromising all her morals for.

Available on Showtime.

Coming This Season:

Last Voyage of the Demeter – August 2023

Released for Rent this week to kick off the horror season, crew members and unsuspecting passengers find themselves trapped at sea on the Demeter in the presence of the one and only Dracula.

Pet Sematary: Bloodlines – October 6th 2023

Coming exclusively to Paramount + this October is the prequel to the 2019 remake of the original Pet Sematary. This movie will introduce us to a young Jud Crandall and his encounters with the Sematary.

Five Nights at Freddy’s – October 27th 2023

Hitting Peacock just before Halloween, my beloved Josh Hutcherson will be one of the cast members of the video game adaptation of Five Nights at Freddy’s. Also starring Matthew Lillard, this movie will give us a little bit Night at the Museum with a horror twist.

The Nun 2 – September 8th 2023

Our latest Conjuring franchise installment: The Nun II will be hitting theaters this September. Many hold The Nun as the worst movie in the entire franchise, criticizing the less than accurate representation of Valek and the overall departure from the main movies, but I frankly had a blast with the first one and am very much looking forward to seeing what this hideous looking nun demon does next.

This film will likely not be available to stream until after Halloween.

The Exorcist: Believer – October 13th

Poised to be THE Halloween movie of the year, this follow up to the original Exorcist movie exactly 50 years later gives us a modern twist on the concept. It follows two young girls who disappear into the woods and emerge a little bit haunted, causing lots of troubling visuals for the parents as they try to figure out what happened.

This will be a theatrical only release, likely not available for streaming until after Thanksgiving.

This year for me has been a bit of a lull in terms of horror content, although the year started off with some incredible releases I haven’t watched nearly as much as I normally do. Judging by the size of the list I have pulled together I have missed SO much, and this of course is the skimmed down version of the list – down from at least 50 titles at one point – to try and prioritize the best and the most underrated films. We of course don’t always want to have too many repeats of Gags the Clown where I was so horribly mislead.

Don’t forget if you want even more horror content you can head on over to my Horror Corner which houses exclusive best of the 2010’s essays, previous horror lists, and the original 31 days of horror collections. You can also check out the new master list if you’ve ever wondering “has she seen it, did she like it?”

I hope you enjoy this list and I can’t wait to hear what movies y’all be watching this Halloween season!

If you want to see the exclusive horror reviews, all $1 patrons over on patreon will be getting biweekly summaries and reactions as I make my way through this years list! Normal expanded horror content is also a $1 tier perk throughout the rest of the year.

Lets get to haunting!

A.