What could potentially become the future of streaming is niche services rather than big, broad platforms that cater to all viewers. Thehorrorgenre has led the way with multiple services, like horror and cult films. Other streaming platforms like Shudder, Midnight Pulp, The Midnight Picture Show, and other smaller ones have popped up all over the place. More recently, there has been a rise in the popularity ofScreambox.
With the acquisition of films of the past in terms of horror and the production and distribution of their own original films,Screambox is on the rise in the world of genre streaming services. Partnered with companies like Cineverse, Cinedigm, and Bloody Disgusting, there is a ton of content to stream on the service, with new acquisitions dropping monthly.
15The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Tobe Hooper’sThe Texas Chain Saw Massacrewas and remains one of horror’s definitive entries. And, to this day, it’s as terrifying as can be. There’s a purveying realism that makes it feelnot like a narrative but a documentary. In addition, it introduced a classic character in the realm of horror with Leatherface.
What Else Makes It Worth Watching?
That organic nature extends to (most) of the performances. But there’s also the gritty visual tone of the film, the well-written script, and, of course, the introduction of Leatherface. And, frankly, no one ever did Leatherface better than Gunnar Hansen the first time out.Stream onScreambox.
14Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Story (2023)
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmares: The Robert Englund Storyis an in-depth look at the life of one of horror cinema’s greatest icons. Not just his horrific creations but the sweet man he is when the cameras aren’t rolling. After all, as the doc makes clear, he never even wanted to be a Freddy-type (or, rather, just flat-out Freddy) actor. He just wanted to be an actor.
Read Our Review
What Makes It Worth Watching?
Hollywood Dreams & Nightmaresgives even die-hard Englund fans a good bit of info they hadn’t encountered before. And fortunately, it’s not all aboutA Nightmare on Elm Street(though there are plenty of charming little factoids regarding that IP throughout the doc). What makes this one of the best things to watch on Screambox, documentary or otherwise, is how it shows the human side of Hollywood…the little moments.Stream onScreambox.
13Sleepaway Camp (1983)
Of all theFriday the 13th-type films to be released in that film’s successful wake,Sleepaway Campis easily the best. It’s far less predictable. It’s also more brutal and, frankly, has a better ending than that (admittedly superior) film.
Is thefirst act a bit of a slog? Sure, it’s not nearly as well-paced asFriday the 13th. But it also isn’t actively trying tobethat film, even if it does end up being its even uglier cousin.Stream onScreambox.
12The Stepfather (1987)
The Stepfatheris perhaps the greatest showcase for Terry O’Quinn’s talent. Though, of course,Lostwas his biggest profile expander. The narrative follows a serial killer who goes from family to family, eventually eviscerating them. How does he do so? By adopting entirely new identities.
O’Quinn Is Horrifying
The Stepfather, unlike its lackluster remake, is a slow-build narrative. The shocking opening scene is about as bloody and on-the-nose as it gets. Plus, the moment when O’Quinn’s character asks himself, “Who am I?” in front of his new wife is an all-timer.Stream onScreambox.
11Hell Night (1981)
Hell Night
Linda Blair is, naturally, associated withThe Exorcist. And, basically,justthat film. But, she starred in quite a few other horrors, particularly throughout the ’80s. And, while almost none of them are remotely worthwhile,Hell Nightvery much is.
Many Entertaining Things Are Silly
An underappreciated slasher treat,Hell Nightis an atmospheric work with some solid kills. Plus, Blair’s terrific in it, as is Peter Barton ofFriday the 13th: The Final Chapterfame. The design of the antagonist could have used some work, but even what’s there manages to be fairly frightening.Stream onScreambox.
10Count Dracula and His Vampire Brides (1973)
When curating a horror streaming service, one must include some films from the golden era of Hammer Films, the U.K.-based horror film studio that had global success throughout the 1960s and 1970s.Count Dracula and His Vampire Brides(orThe Satanic Rites of Dracula, whatever you want to call it) is now streaming on Screambox. What makes it special? Besides its style, there’s the actor playing the dreaded Count.
The Best Films About Dracula, Ranked
Dracula has been reimagined in movies countless times, and each time is often different than the last. Here are some of the best.
Another Win For Christopher Lee as the Count
The great Christopher Lee playing the iconic role is something every movie lover must see. Bela Lugosi’s performance in the original Universal film is the major reference point for the image of Dracula, but you’d be surprised how many people prefer Lee in the role.Stream onScreambox.
9Cruel Jaws (1995)
Bruno Mattei is the master at making rip-offs of big American films. One of the most famous is 1995’sCruel Jaws,an Italian production clearly ripping off Spielberg’s blockbusterJaws.The cult following around this film has grown and grown as the study of Italian cinema has become an area of interest for cinephiles.
Aquatic horror and sharskploitation have always been sub-genres thathorror fans love, andCruel Jawscompletely delivers. In some countries,Cruel Jawswas actually marketed asJaws 5,even though the film has zero connections to the previous four installments.Cruel Jawsalso has a convoluted scenario in it. In some parts of the film, the killer shark is a great white; in others, it’s a tiger shark.Stream onScreambox.
8Gamera: The Giant Monster (1965)
We could list all theGamerafilms Screambox has on there at the time; they’re all a lot of fun, turn your brain off creature features. But, if you want to go do a binge of all of them, start with the one that started it all, the originalGamera: The Giant Monster.It’s a film about American and Japanese forces fighting for survival against a giant fire-breathing monster hell-bent on destruction and it’s a blast from front to back.Stream onScreambox.
7Who Done It: The Clue Documentary (2022)
More recently, a lot of Screambox original and exclusive films have made their way onto the streaming service. It certainly helps them stand apart. One of the more interesting relatively recent projects dropped was a behind-the-scenes look at the 1985 murder mystery cult classic and board game,Who Done It: The Clue Documentary.
Is Clue the Only Great Movie Based on a Board Game?
Is Clue the only board game that belongs on the big screen? The classic ’80s crime comedy seems to be the only great film of its kind.
With interviews from cast and crew, you may think this is just a generic documentary about a beloved film. But a real draw to the movie is the animated re-creation of analternate ending to the film. The actual footage of it is believed to be buried somewhere in Paramount Pictures' vault.Stream onScreambox.
6Victor Crowley (2017)
Adam Green’sfourth installment in his Hatchet franchise is 2017’sVictor Crowley.The franchise’s second and third installments also stream on Screambox, but the most recent one is worthy of discovery if you have yet to see it. Apparently, Green had such a tight window to make the film thathe did it in secrecy,which makes it even more impressive.
Jason Voorhees Actor Kane Hodder Pitches Idea for 13th Friday the 13th Movie
Friday the 13th series star Kane Hodder has some ideas for the inevitable 13th movie in the franchise.
The hatchet-wielding, inbred murderer Victor Crowley is brilliantly played by Kane Hodder. Not to mention, the makeup effects from the kills all the way to Crowley’s grizzly, terrifying appearance are worth pressing play on. And how can you not want to support a filmmaker like Adam Green? A guy who, first and foremost, is a horror fan and has got to live his dream by making films like this.Stream onScreambox.
