The 17 Highest-Grossing Horror Movies of All Time
Find 17 horror picks to queue up now, from The Exorcist and It to Alien: Romulus, A Quiet Place, and fresh thrillers for your next scary night.
If you’re searching for the best horror titles to stream, this list gives you a mix of classic scares, modern creature features, and tense thrillers that lean into dread in different ways. You’ll find familiar names like It, The Exorcist, and The Conjuring alongside newer picks such as Alien: Romulus, Sinners, and Obsession. There’s also room here for horror with sci-fi edges, like A Quiet Place and World War Z, plus mystery-driven choices such as The Sixth Sense and Hannibal. Whether you want demons, zombies, or a slow-burn supernatural case, these picks make it easy to match the mood you’re after.
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01
It
horror
In a small town in Maine, seven children known as The Losers Club come face to face with life problems, bullies and a monster that takes the shape of a clown called Pennywise.
Why watch: If you like crowd-pleasing horror with a monster at its center, this is an easy pick. The small-town setting and coming-of-age angle give it a broad appeal beyond straight scares.
Directed by Andy MuschiettiCast Jaeden Martell, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Chosen JacobsMaxMore details on IMDb → -
02
The Sixth Sense
6 Oscar nominations Best Picture (2000)
drama · mystery · thriller
Following an unexpected tragedy, child psychologist Malcolm Crowe meets a nine year old boy named Cole Sear, who is hiding a dark secret.
Why watch: If you enjoy mystery-driven stories with a dramatic edge, this one fits well. It’s a strong choice when you want suspense and a more emotional setup than a pure horror film.
Directed by M. Night ShyamalanCast Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Trevor MorganNetflixHuluApple TV PlusMore details on IMDb → -
03
World War Z
action · adventure · horror · sci-fi
Life for former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and his family seems content. Suddenly, the world is plagued by a mysterious infection turning whole human populations into rampaging mindless zombies. After barely escaping the chaos, Lane is persuaded to go on a mission to investigate this disease. What follows is a perilous trek around the world where Lane must brave horrific dangers and long odds to find answers before human civilization falls.
Why watch: If you like horror mixed with action and global-scale danger, this is a good match. The zombie-infection premise should appeal to viewers who want a fast-moving survival story.
Directed by Marc ForsterCast Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz, James Badge Dale, Ludi BoekenPeacock PremiumParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
04
Obsession
horror · romance · thriller
After breaking the mysterious "One Wish Willow" to win his crush's heart, a hopeless romantic finds himself getting exactly what he asked for but soon discovers that some desires come at a dark, sinister price.
Why watch: If you enjoy horror that blends romance and thriller elements, this sounds like a good fit. The premise centers on desire gone wrong, which may appeal to viewers who like a darker twist on a love story.
Directed by Curry BarkerCast Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Cooper Tomlinson, Megan Lawless, Andy RichterPeacock PremiumMore details on IMDb → -
05
The Conjuring: Last Rites
horror · mystery · thriller
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on one last terrifying case involving mysterious entities they must confront.
Why watch: If you like paranormal investigations and mystery-heavy horror, this should be on your list. The setup suggests a classic confrontation with unsettling forces.
Directed by Michael ChavesCast Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Mia Tomlinson, Ben Hardy, Steve CoulterMaxMore details on IMDb →
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06
It: Chapter Two
drama · fantasy · horror
27 years after overcoming the malevolent supernatural entity Pennywise, the former members of the Losers' Club, who have grown up and moved away from Derry, are brought back together by a devastating phone call.
Why watch: If you enjoyed the earlier story and want to follow the Losers' Club again, this is the natural continuation. Its drama, fantasy, and horror mix may appeal to viewers who like character-driven scares.
Directed by Andy MuschiettiCast Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa, Jay RyanMaxMore details on IMDb → -
07
The Exorcist
Won 2 Oscars Best Picture (1974) · 10 nominations
horror
When a mysterious entity possesses a young girl, her mother seeks the help of two Catholic priests to save her life.
Why watch: If you want a classic possession story, this is one of the most direct choices here. It suits viewers looking for a serious, high-profile horror premise centered on a family in crisis.
Directed by William FriedkinCast Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Lee J. Cobb, Kitty Winn, Jack MacGowranMaxMore details on IMDb → -
08
Backrooms
horror · mystery & thriller · science-fiction
A strange doorway appears in the basement of a furniture showroom.
Why watch: If you like horror with mystery and science-fiction elements, this is worth a look. The unusual doorway premise suggests an eerie setup with an exploratory edge.
Directed by Kane ParsonsCast Chiwetel Ejiofor, Renate Reinsve, Mark Duplass, Finn Bennett, Lukita MaxwellMaxMore details on IMDb → -
09
Sinners
Won 4 Oscars 16 nominations
action · drama · horror · music · thriller
Trying to leave their troubled lives behind, twin brothers return to their hometown to start again, only to discover that an even greater evil is waiting to welcome them back.
Why watch: If you enjoy horror mixed with drama, action, and thriller energy, this seems like a strong option. The twin-brother setup and return-home premise may appeal to viewers who like personal stakes in their scares.
Directed by Ryan CooglerCast Miles Caton, Saul Williams, Andrene Ward-Hammond, Jack O'Connell, Tenaj L. JacksonMaxMore details on IMDb → -
10
The Nun
horror · mystery · thriller
A priest with a dark past and a novice nearing her final vows are sent by the Vatican to Romania to investigate a nun's death and face a demonic force.
Why watch: If you prefer supernatural horror with a strong mystery component, this is a solid pick. The Vatican investigation angle and demonic-force premise point to a more traditional possession-style scare.
Directed by Corin HardyCast Demián Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet, Bonnie Aarons, Ingrid BisuMaxMore details on IMDb → -
11
Hannibal
crime · drama · thriller
Living in exile, Dr. Hannibal Lecter tries to reconnect with now disgraced F.B.I. Agent Clarice Starling, and finds himself a target of revenge from a powerful victim.
Why watch: If you like thriller-heavy stories with crime and drama elements, this one may fit your taste. It’s a better choice for viewers who want psychological tension rather than overt horror.
Directed by Ridley ScottCast Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Frankie FaisonPeacock PremiumFreeveeMore details on IMDb → -
12
Alien: Romulus
1 Oscar nomination
horror · sci-fi · thriller
While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Why watch: If you enjoy horror set in space, this is an obvious pick. The sci-fi thriller mix and derelict-station setup should suit fans of isolated, high-stakes tension.
Directed by Fede AlvarezCast Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike FearnHuluMore details on IMDb → -
13
A Quiet Place
1 Oscar nomination
drama · horror · sci-fi
A family is forced to live in silence while hiding from creatures that hunt by sound.
Why watch: If you like tense, minimalist horror with a sci-fi angle, this is a strong match. The silence-and-survival concept makes it a good pick for viewers who want sustained suspense.
Directed by John KrasinskiCast Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Cade WoodwardParamount PlusMore details on IMDb → -
14
The Conjuring 2
horror · mystery · thriller
Lorraine and Ed Warren travel to north London to help a single mother raising four children alone in a house plagued by malicious spirits.
Why watch: If you enjoy haunted-house stories with mystery and thriller elements, this is a reliable choice. It’s well suited to viewers who like paranormal cases and a family-centered setup.
Directed by James WanCast Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, Madison Wolfe, Frances O'Connor, Lauren EspositoMaxMore details on IMDb → -
15
The Conjuring
horror · mystery · thriller
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.
Why watch: If you want another Warren investigation, this is the one to choose. The family-in-distress premise and mystery-thriller blend make it a good fit for supernatural horror fans.
Directed by James WanCast Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston, Shanley CaswellMaxMore details on IMDb → -
16
Final Destination: Bloodlines
horror · thriller
Plagued by a violent recurring nightmare, college student Stefanie heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.
Why watch: If you like horror built around a chilling cycle and a race against time, this should grab your attention. The recurring-nightmare premise leans into suspense and family stakes.
Directed by Zach Lipovsky, Adam B. SteinCast Kaitlyn Santa Juana, Teo Briones, Rya Kihlstedt, Richard Harmon, Owen Patrick JoynerMaxMore details on IMDb → -
17
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
action · horror · sci-fi · thriller
Picking up immediately after the events in Resident Evil: Retribution, Alice is the only survivor of what was meant to be humanity's final stand against the undead. Now, she must return to where the nightmare began - The Hive in Raccoon City, where the Umbrella Corporation is gathering its forces for a final strike against the only remaining survivors of the apocalypse.
Why watch: If you prefer action-heavy horror with sci-fi and thriller elements, this is a straightforward pick. The undead apocalypse setup works best for viewers who want fast-moving genre energy.
Directed by Paul W.S. AndersonCast Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Eoin MackenNetflixMore details on IMDb →
Wrapping Up
This lineup covers a wide range of horror, from haunted-house stories and demonic confrontations to zombie outbreaks and sci-fi terror. It also includes a few genre blends, so you can choose something more thriller-focused, more emotional, or more action-heavy depending on your night. Bookmark this page if you like having a ready-made watchlist, and check back when you want another handpicked round of scary streaming options. We update this page regularly so it stays useful as your next watchlist starts to grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the #1 horror movie?
Our No. 1 pick is It (2017).
What are the top 5 horror movies of all time?
Our top 5 right now: It (2017), World War Z (2013), Obsession (2025), The Conjuring: Last Rites (2025) and It: Chapter Two (2019).