Ever found yourself browsing different streaming platforms, trying to find the perfect scary movie to watch? While you’ll have no trouble accessing the more popular titles, finding those lesser-known hidden gems can be a real struggle. Over time, though, I’ve found a few ways to discover the best scary movies on any platform.
1 Using Netflix’s Secret Codes
If you’re subscribed to Netflix, you likely find scary movies by typing a keyword like “horror” or “paranormal” into the search bar or picking the genre from the category menu. While this can give you a few suggestions, it might not unlock specific sub-genres of horror.
The good news is that as long as you know Netflix’s secret codes, you won’t have to rely solely on the algorithm’s recommendations. Keying in these codes can give you access to very specific collections of horror movies.
So, say you’re in the mood for 90-minute horror flicks, simply type “netflix.com/browse/genre/81466239” into your browser (the code at the end of the URL is key here). Or, if you want to watch witchcraft-related movies, use the code “81552046”. To access more codes, check out our Netflix secret codes guide and make a note of your favorite ones. This is one of Netflix’s most useful features, so take advantage of it to discover new titles.
2 Browsing Curated Playlists
Most streaming services create a few curated playlists based on your viewing preferences, which is great if you’re a horror fan and have already built up a watch history on the platform. These sites and apps also put together playlists for seasonal events. For instance, Netflix has curated a special “Ready for Something Spooky?” playlist for Halloween.
Likewise, Peacock also has a horror-themed collection. Most platforms do something similar for events. Curated playlists like these are a great way to find trending scary movies and hidden gems. So be sure to scroll through your streaming platform’s homepage and browse the different collections.
3 Using the “More Like This” or “Similar Titles” Feature
Streaming platforms, like Netflix and Prime Video, have a pretty nifty feature that recommends a selection of movies that are similar to the one you watched. So, if you just watched a scary movie you really like, check if the platform has a “More Like This” or “Similar Titles” section to skip the hassle of having to manually research movies like the one you watched.
4 Checking Out the “New & Popular” or “Recently Added” Sections for New Releases
Horror movies are added from time to time to your streaming service’s library, and more frequently during times like Halloween.
So be sure to check the recent additions section to catch the latest horror films that might be added to the platform. Whether it’s a brand-new movie or an old classic, it’s fresh content that you might just enjoy streaming.
If there’s a specific movie you want to watch but have a bunch of subscriptions and don’t want to look through each, it’s easiest to do a quick Google Search for the title and check the “Where to watch” section. Google will list exactly which platforms have the movie, saving you time on your search. This way, you can head to the platform to watch it.
If you’re a horror movie fan, remember that you don’t have to subscribe to multiple streaming platforms to get your fill of paranormal content. With these tips, you should be able to discover a variety of scary movies on any service you’re already subscribed to. But some sites have better horror content than others, so be sure to check these platforms to watch horror movies online.
