Max’s Best Horror Movies

A young woman travels to Detroit for a job interview and discovers that Airbnb is double booked. Perhaps that’s how this gripping horror film begins, but it soon descends into utter chaos. With story twists and superb acting throughout, Barbarian is a freaky, five-star horror.

Anya Taylor-Joy shines in this horror satire about sophisticated dining with a dark twist. It features an assortment of guests congregating at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant on an island. Celebrity chef Julian Slovik, played by the magnetic Ralph Fiennes, planned every detail of the evening, except for the inclusion of Taylor-Joy’s Margot. Doling out thrills and social commentary, The Menu will have you begging for seconds.

For surprises and plenty of nightmare fuel, The Cabin in the Woods is the way to go. The rollicking and terrifying horror comedy features a group of unsuspecting college students, including Chris Hemsworth, who head to a remote cabin for a weekend of fun. The first half hour is relatively calm, but when the horror show starts, it doesn’t let up.

When this adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel hit theaters in 2017, it made moviegoers like me look twice at rain gutters and fear red balloons. With a cast of spunky kids and plenty of heart, it makes a compelling case for more supernatural coming-of-age stories. And a strong argument against clowns.

This historical horror film pretty much guarantees nightmares. The disturbing film centers on a family in 1630 New England and marks the film debut of Anya Taylor-Joy. In the 90-minute film, strange and shocking things happen to a farmer, his wife and their five children who have moved to a remote area at the edge of the forest.

Love psychological horror movies? Wait for this movement to knock. The night house is home to a woman (Rebecca Hall) who is grieving after the death of her husband. As she uncovers a dark mystery, she begins to question what she thought she knew about her marriage. This haunting film is a standout in HBO Max’s horror portfolio.

George Romero’s first horror film is an easy recommendation. A group of survivors take refuge in a house as members of the undead stampede outside. The impactful film is often considered the first modern zombie film, and while it may not offer Freddy Krueger-level scares, you’ll be drawn to the characters at the center of its story. You’ll want to leave the door open for this (but in the event of a true apocalypse, keep it very, very closed).

David Lynch’s first feature film will make you feel like you’re in a strange nightmare. The 90-minute black-and-white horror film is full of strange sounds and images, and the result is incredibly creepy. Don’t even get me started on the main character’s strange, otherworldly-looking “baby” (which is strangely still cute?). There are messages here about men and parenting, but bigger picture aside, the surreal world of Eraserhead is absolutely worth a visit.