2026 is off to a great start, as the best streaming services are packed with new horror movies to help you beat the January blues.
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to watch more horror movies, I’m here to help. There’s plenty of new original movies, including a Texas Chain Saw massacre documentary and a new Netflix mystery, as well as some classics to revisit.
Marshmallow
Where: Shudder (US)
When: January 1
Marshmallow is a new entry into Shudder’s original library, and it’s a must-watch for those who love creepy campfire tales.
Following a traumatic experience involving his grandfather, a young boy named Morgan is sent to a summer camp. He’s plagued by nightmares and visions involving a fear of water and drowning, and soon hears a story about a doctor who takes children at night and performs horrible operations on them in the basement of his building.
But is this doctor just a story, or is he real? You’ll have to watch and find out.
Misery
Where: Peacock (US); Prime Video (UK, AU)
When: January 1
Misery is my favorite Stephen King novel, and the movie adaptation is just as terrifying. Kathy Bates delivers a chilling performance as Annie Wilkes, a woman who rescues author Paul Sheldon from a car crash. She happens to be a nurse and Paul’s number one fan, so what could possibly go wrong?
A lot, as it happens. When she finds out he’s just killed off her favorite book character, she’s not happy at all. And things go terribly wrong. It’s largely a one-location movie, focusing entirely on Annie’s house where Paul is captive, and you’ll be on the edge of your seat.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
Where: HBO Max (US); Prime Video (UK); 7Plus (AU)
When: January 1
2022’s Bodies Bodies Bodies is now available on HBO Max, and it’s well worth checking out. This A24 horror comedy was a hit with the critics, with plenty of laughs and scares.
The movie follows a group of rich young adults who plan a hurricane party at a remote family mansion, where they play a party game called Bodies Bodies Bodies. It goes horribly wrong, naturally. You’ll have fun trying to find out why someone ended up dying for real, but you might be surprised by the result.
This joins plenty of other great A24 horrors streaming on Max, so be sure to check out the streamer’s vast movie library.
Scream
Where: Paramount+ (worldwide)
When: January 1
I watch Scream once a year, and I might bring my annual rewatch forward now that it’s streaming on Paramount+. Wes Craven’s horror comedy is iconic for a reason, and it inspired a new genre of horror fans. With Scream 7 on the way this year, the slasher franchise is still going strong, too.
Set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, high school students are targeted by a masked serial killer. One in particular, Sidney, is especially spooked as it’s taking place on the anniversary of her mother’s murder.
The whole Scream franchise is on Paramount+ if you want to binge-watch them, too.
Bone Lake
Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK, AU)
When: January 15
I do love a remote getaway, don’t you? Unfortunately, it does seem to be the premise of many horror movies, which is less than idyllic.
Netflix’s new movie Bone Lake follows Diego and Sage, who are on a romantic vacation at a secluded lakeside estate. It quickly gets disrupted when they’re forced to share a mansion with a mysterious and attractive couple, and it all spirals into a “nightmarish maze of sex, lies, and manipulation,” according to the plot.
It currently looks like it’s only coming to US Netflix, but hopefully other territories will get it soon.
Chain Reactions
Where: Shudder (US, AU)
When: January 16
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the most well known horror movies of all time, and this documentary takes a look at its impact.
Artists Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama were all interviewed for this film, where they discuss what Tobe Hooper’s movie means to them.
This is a fun addition to Shudder this month, and I’m excited to check it out.
The Funhouse
Where: Prime Video (US); rent or buy (US, AU)
When: January 31
Another of Tobe Hooper’s movies arrives at the end of January, and if you haven’t seen The Funhouse, now’s the perfect time. It’s just joined Prime Video’s horror line-up.
This slasher is just as good as The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and follows four teenagers who become trapped in a ghost train ride at a traveling carnival and are soon stalked by a killer.
It’s a solid 80s slasher and will make you fear carnivals, trust me.
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lucy.buglass@futurenet.com (Lucy Buglass)
