3 Best Horror Movies To Stream for Free This Weekend (Oct 18–19)

The horror genre always enjoys a surge in popularity every October as people look to get into the Halloween spirit by putting on something spooky to watch. It’s the one time of the year that being scared feels like a festive activity, making the act of watching horror movies almost a cultural ritual that’s been passed down through the ages. Even people who aren’t big fans of the genre the other 11 months of the year can’t help but find themselves succumbing to the urge to follow the crowd and put on a movie they wouldn’t watch otherwise.

Whether you’re a huge fan of horror, or just someone looking for a shot of adrenaline this weekend in a safe, controlled environment, we’ve curated a list of three great horror movies you can stream for free to get those juices flowing. From the supernatural to the downright weird, these three flicks are guaranteed crowd-pleasers that are sure to make you jump at least once.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (Tubi)

Released in 2016, The Autopsy of Jane Doe is a supernatural masterpiece directed by André Øvredal that’s Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with an 86% rating. A favorite of many (including Stephen King), this one sometimes gets overlooked by the casual fan for something a little more commercial, but trust us, it’s definitely worth your time.

Starring Brian Cox and Emile Hirsch, The Autopsy of Jane Doe tells the story of two coroners who get more than they bargained for after being tasked with performing an autopsy on an unidentified woman. It’s a phenomenal supernatural mystery that’s not gory in the traditional sense, but there are moments of horror that will make you watch the film through splayed fingers if you’re not used to the genre.

It’s big on tension and suspense, and features a twist that will leave your jaw hanging on the floor. For someone looking to dip their toes into horror, you can’t do much better than The Autopsy of Jane Doe. For people who are already fans, you’ve most likely seen this one, but it’s still worth revisiting this weekend.

In the Mouth of Madness (Tubi)

Almost everyone has heard the name H.P. Lovecraft at least once in their life. The New England author is not only the father of Cthulhu, but he gave us such classic tales as Herbert West–Reanimator, The Color Out of Space, and The Rats in the Walls. His influence on today’s horror is undeniable, so it makes sense that one of the genre’s great directors would want to pay tribute to him with one of their movies. Enter In the Mouth of Madness.

Premiering 30 years ago, In the Mouth of Madness is John Carpenter’s homage to Lovecraft that’s as weird as it is fascinating. Starring the likes of Sam Neill, Julie Carmen, Jürgen Prochnow, David Warner and Charlton Heston, this one was meta before meta was cool. Not only does it explore the depths of horror fandom, but it’s a self-aware and sometimes satirical masterpiece that’s also a mind-bending journey into madness. Just like the title says.

Centered around an insurance investigator who visits a small town while looking into the disappearance of a horror novelist, In the Mouth of Madness has become a cult favorite of many, but often gets pushed to the side this time of year in favor of other Carpenter greats like Halloween and The Thing. Do yourself a solid and be sure to check this one out if you’ve never seen it.

The Taking of Deborah Logan (Tubi)

Even if you’re not familiar with the horror genre, chances are you’ve heard the term “found footage” before. That’s where a movie is presented as “real” by using different techniques to make audiences think that what they’re watching actually happened. One of the ways filmmakers achieve this is by shooting their movies like a documentary, and perhaps no other film in recent memory was as effective at this as The Taking of Deborah Logan.

Directed by Adam Robitel, The Taking of Deborah Logan tells the story of a crew shooting a documentary about Alzheimer’s who get in way over their heads when they discover something more sinister is at play. Featuring an incredible performance by Jill Larson as the titular character, this one blends possession horror with medical science to deliver what some critics called “one of the most disturbing horror films of the last decade.”

The Taking of Deborah Logan is not only a fantastic look at the way Alzheimer’s affects patients and loved ones, but it’s a surprisingly emotional film with an unforgettable ending that will stay with you long after the final credits roll. It’s full of good jump scares, and in a sea of found footage movies, manages to stand out thanks to its performances, cinematography, and pacing. At 90 minutes, it’s not a huge investment of time, so be sure to give this underrated gem a shot this weekend.