The 10 Best Haunted House and Ghost Story Movies to Stream This Halloween
Halloween night calls for a good haunting, and these ten films deliver. Whether you want a slow-burn mansion mystery, a suburban house that turns against its family, or a pure jump-scare marathon, there is something here for the kind of scare you're in the mood for. All ten are streaming right now across a mix of free and subscription services, so you can pick one that fits your budget and get the lights down before midnight.
Quick picks
- The Haunting (1963)
- The Changeling (1980)
- Poltergeist (1982)
- The Amityville Horror (1979)
- House on Haunted Hill (1959)
- 13 Ghosts (1960)
- The Conjuring (2013)
- Insidious (2011)
- The Awakening (2011)
- Crimson Peak (2015)
1. The Haunting (1963)
A doctor gathers three strangers for a sleep study at Hill House, an isolated mansion with a sinister past. As the days pass, it becomes clear his real interest is the house itself, and the guests are forced to face what truly lives inside its walls. A classic that rewards patience and close attention.
Directed by Robert Wise. Starring Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson, Russ Tamblyn. Horror. Rated G.
Subscription: AMC+, Shudder · Where to watch
2. The Changeling (1980)
A composer seeking peace after a tragedy moves into a lonely old mansion that has sat empty for years. Soon the house's obscure history and his own buried past begin to close in on him. A deliberate, unsettling slow burn built on atmosphere and a strong central performance.
Directed by Peter Medak. Starring George C. Scott, Trish Van Devere, Melvyn Douglas, John Colicos. Horror. Rated R.
Free with ads on Tubi, Fandango at Home, Pluto TV, YouTube, Plex · Where to watch
3. Poltergeist (1982)
Strange events begin to unfold in an ordinary suburban home until it becomes the center of paranormal activity that opens a door to the other side. When their daughter is taken, the family has to find a way across to bring her back. A crowd-pleasing blend of family drama and eerie set pieces.
Directed by Tobe Hooper. Starring JoBeth Williams, Craig T. Nelson, Beatrice Straight, Dominique Dunne. Horror. Rated PG.
Subscription: Max · Where to watch
4. The Amityville Horror (1979)
A young family moves into a beautiful Victorian house on Long Island, drawn by a price that seems too good to be true. Its hidden past soon begins to take hold, and each family member is pulled into increasingly strange and violent visions. A creeping, paranoid chiller that makes a quiet home feel anything but safe.
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg. Starring James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger, Don Stroud. Horror. Rated R.
Subscription: Prime Video, AMC+ · Where to watch
5. House on Haunted Hill (1959)
A wealthy host offers five strangers a fortune to spend a single night in a reportedly haunted mansion. Each guest arrives with a gun for protection, and the stakes turn grim quickly. A playful, gimmick-driven haunted house romp that is pure old-school Halloween fun.
Directed by William Castle. Starring Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long, Alan Marshal. Horror, Mystery. Rated NR.
Free with ads on Tubi, The Roku Channel, Fandango at Home, Pluto TV, YouTube, Plex, Xumo Play. Subscription: Prime Video, AMC+, MGM+, Shudder, Max · Where to watch
6. 13 Ghosts (1960)
A family inherits a sprawling mansion from an eccentric doctor, along with the occultist's collection of thirteen ghosts. They must search the house for the hidden fortune while the spirits stir around them. Another lively, theatrical gothic thriller with a playful spirit for a Halloween crowd.
Directed by William Castle. Starring Charles Herbert, Jo Morrow, Martin Milner, Rosemary DeCamp. Horror. Rated NR.
Free with ads on Tubi, The Roku Channel, YouTube, Plex · Where to watch
7. The Conjuring (2013)
Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren take on a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. The case pushes them toward a powerful entity and the most frightening work of their careers. A carefully crafted haunting with strong performances and a long, tense exorcism sequence.
Directed by James Wan. Starring Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston. Horror, Thriller. Rated R.
Subscription: Max · Where to watch
On Ride The Wave: Courtney Pearl and Just Blane break down why The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2 feel so alike, looking at the Warrens and how the "based on a true story" framing heightens the dread. The Ghost Movie Project: The Conjuring Movies: Real Warrens, Real Demons?
8. Insidious (2011)
A family's son falls into an endless sleep, and the household soon realizes that dark spirits have invaded their home. When they turn to a professional for help, they discover the threat is far more personal than they feared. A chilling, inventive supernatural story that builds to a memorable final act.
Directed by James Wan. Starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye, Ty Simpkins. Horror, Thriller. Rated PG-13.
Free with ads on Tubi. Subscription: Shudder · Where to watch
9. The Awakening (2011)
In postwar England, a writer who has made a name exposing fake hauntings is called to a boys boarding school where a haunting has been reported. Her skepticism is tested as the school's secrets come to light. A moody, atmospheric mystery with a haunting sense of place.
Directed by Nick Murphy. Starring Rebecca Hall, Dominic West, Imelda Staunton, Isaac Hempstead Wright. Horror, Thriller, Mystery. Rated R.
Free with ads on Tubi. Subscription: Prime Video · Where to watch
10. Crimson Peak (2015)
An aspiring author is torn between a childhood friend and a mysterious outsider, then is swept away to a house that seems alive and holds the memories of its own dark history. A lush, gothic romance with a richly designed house that feels like a character in its own right.
Directed by Guillermo del Toro. Starring Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston, Charlie Hunnam. Horror, Romance. Rated R.
Subscription: Netflix · Where to watch
Pick the film that matches how brave you feel tonight, whether that means a slow mansion mystery or a full-throttle scare. Streaming availability changes often, so check the service before you press play.
More movie lists
Streaming catalogs change often. Availability was checked the morning this was published. Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDB; this product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
