Discover the 10 Scariest Horror Movies on Apple TV That Will Keep You Up All Night!

Nowadays, you have a multitude of streaming platforms at your disposal, with Apple TV being one of them that boasts a wealth of high-quality content. Ranging from dramas, comedies, science fiction, and mysteries, Apple TV stands out for its collection of spine-tingling and genuinely scary horror films.

As a fan of chilling horror flicks, I’ve put together a list of top-notch horror movies available on Apple TV. You might just discover your next spine-tingling obsession from this collection. Here are ten terrifying masterpieces that you should definitely watch (with the lights off for maximum effect).

(Note: The original text has a more casual tone, but I’ve tried to maintain that while also making it easier to read and understand.)

1. ‘The Lighthouse’

In the 1890s, Ephraim Winslow takes up a job as a lighthouse keeper on a secluded island under the watchful eye of Thomas Wake. Wake assigns Winslow arduous tasks and limits his access to the lighthouse’s tower, where the lantern is kept. Tormented by hallucinations such as sea monsters and floating logs, Winslow becomes obsessed with a mermaid carving he has.

As a one-eyed seagull persistently harasses Winslow, friction builds up, eventually leading to a fierce altercation. In the midst of the tempest, both men lose themselves in alcohol, and their solitude becomes all the more surreal when they stumble upon a beached mermaid’s corpse. For weeks on end, they are stranded, with reality itself starting to feel unclear and bizarre.

‘The Lighthouse’, initially planned as an adaptation of Poe’s untitled short story, carries some distinct Lovecraftian elements. If you enjoy horror stories set in New England, I highly recommend you watch ‘The Lighthouse’.

2. ‘Don’t Breathe’ (2016)

‘Don’t Breathe’ is a chilling horror-thriller centered on three Detroit burglars – Rocky, Alex, and Money – seeking an escape from their challenging lives. Stumbling upon a wealthy blind veteran named Norma Nordstrom who supposedly has a fortune at home, they decide to break in. However, things take a terrifying turn as Norman, using his heightened senses, retaliates against the intruders, putting them in a nightmarish predicament from which escape seems impossible.

As a cinephile who’s had the pleasure of appreciating Fede Álvarez’s work on “Don’t Breathe,” I must say that while it shares a director with the iconic “Evil Dead” series, it offers a distinct and exhilarating cinematic journey. Álvarez masterfully forgoes the gory spectacle and supernatural elements of his previous work to craft an intense, suspenseful tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

3. ‘Shutter’ (2004)

The story revolves around an incident: Jane and Tun were involved in a hit-and-run accident following a party. They abandoned the scene, leaving the victim and the aftermath unattended. Later, Tun’s photos show mysterious shadows and faces, potentially linked to the accident. As Tun undergoes physical transformations and unsettling occurrences, Jane discovers that Tun had an unusual bond with Natre in the past. Subsequently, Tun’s friends start meeting with misfortune, leaving Tun petrified by the suspicion that his end might be imminent.

Why you might want to watch it: A haunting tale is essential for any quality horror collection, and ‘Shutter’, a Thai supernatural horror film, delivers just that. Although it follows conventional methods of storytelling in the “haunted” genre, it introduces unique ideas that set it apart. Overall, it’s a well-crafted and commendable movie worth checking out.

4. ‘NOPE’ (2022)

The narrative unfolds in Agua Dulce, California, where the Haywood family specializes in horse training for movies. After an unexplained incident involving a falling metallic object that claims their father’s life, Em and OJ are let go from a film production due to their horse reacting unpredictably to a chrome sphere used for special effects.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it like this: Facing severe financial troubles, I, an equestrian owner, sell my beloved horses to a Western-themed amusement park run by Jupe. However, as mysterious events unfold, my siblings and I uncover a shocking truth: our horses are being abducted by UFOs! We’re now on a mission to delve deeper into this terrifying mystery, collecting evidence of something far more horrifying than we ever could have imagined.

Why you should give it a watch: In this film, Jordan Peele continues his knack for crafting suspense in the horror genre, showcased once again in ‘NOPE’. Unlike many sci-fi horror movies, it skillfully avoids common tropes and offers a fresh, distinctive take on the genre.

5. ‘The Deep House’ (2021)

The focus is on Ben and Tina, an energetic duo who are both an engaged couple and YouTube influencers, embarking on a journey across Europe, investigating spooky houses. In southwest France, they stumble upon Pierre, a native guide, leading them to a mansion mysteriously submerged within a lake.

Upon entering, they find the house seemingly untouched but encounter unsettling phenomena such as mysterious whispers and inexplicable humming noises. As they continue to explore, they stumble upon chilling images of missing children, occult markings, decaying bodies, and dismembered body parts. Their plans to leave are thwarted when the house’s exits mysteriously seal off, leaving them trapped inside.

Reasons to watch: ‘The Deep House’ might not be suitable for those fearful of deep waters since the plot centers around being trapped underwater with no means of escape. You can anticipate some jump scares and allusions to Lovecraft, as is common in films that delve into cult-related themes.

6. ‘Insidious’ (2010)

As a cinephile, let me share with you the plot of a chilling tale: My family, consisting of my wife Renai, our sons Dalton, Foster, and Cali, and I, relocate to a fresh abode. Life seems peaceful until our son Dalton, driven by curiosity, explores the attic and encounters an enigmatic presence. The next day, this eerie experience leaves Dalton in a coma.

After being discharged from the hospital, Dalton remains in a coma with no signs of recovery, causing his family to continue enduring distressing ordeals, long after they’ve moved into a fresh residence.

Here’s a reason to check it out: This haunted house film on Apple TV is likely one of the best you’ll find there. Despite some criticisms about its second half, it’s still a worthwhile watch. Plus, if you enjoy the ‘Insidious’ series, which is available on Apple TV as well, you can turn it into a marathon session.

7. ‘The Black Phone’ (2021)

1978 finds a notorious child abductor, known as ‘The Grabber’, instilling fear in a Denver suburb. The Blake siblings, Finney and Gwen, endure an abusive father at home, while Finney himself grapples with bullying at school. When the Grabber snatches Bruce, a fellow student, Robin, one of Finney’s friends, is taken next. Unfortunate events lead to Finney becoming the latest victim, ensnared in a soundproof basement with an unusable phone.

Eventually, the telephone rings, and on the line is the departed friend of Finney’s, Bruce, who attempts to instruct him on how to flee and make it through this predicament.

One reason you might want to watch ‘The Black Phone’: this supernatural horror film is an adaptation of a short story, and it has been widely praised for its adherence to the original material. The movie offers more than just cheap jump scares or a spooky premise; it’s a well-crafted film that delves deeper into the story.

8. ‘Us’ (2019)

Main Topic: In 1986, the young girl Adelaide has an unsettling encounter with her look-alike in a fairground funhouse, which leaves her scarred emotionally and unable to speak. Thirty years later, Adelaide, now married to Gabe and parents of children Zora and Jason, decide to revisit Santa Cruz. As time passes, bizarre occurrences intensify when a family that looks identical to them shows up at their holiday home, with Adelaide’s double, Red, leading the way.

In this scenario, the duplicates, referred to as “the Tethered,” make themselves known and strive to break free from their bonds. As family members encounter their counterparts, tension escalates; for instance, Jason recognizes that Pluto is his mirror image, while Gabe eliminates Abraham, his double. Eventually, the Wilsons manage to flee the assault of their doubles, yet the doubles begin wreaking havoc across the city.

Despite moments when Peele’s film veers towards preachiness, ‘Us’ is a skillfully crafted metaphor for deeper themes, cloaked in the engaging wrapper of a psychological horror movie with elements of great terror. Unlike other films, the doppelgängers in ‘Us’ bring a chilling twist that transcends the supernatural realm.

9. ‘The Others’ (2001)

In the aftermath of World War II, 1945 finds Grace Stewart residing with her sun-averse children Anne and Nicholas in a secluded island home that was previously under German occupation. To assist with household chores, she employs fresh staff members such as Mrs. Bertha Mills (housekeeper), Edmund Tuttle (gardener), and a silent girl named Lydia.

Strange events within the home leave Grace feeling unsettled, more so after Anne reports seeing shadowy figures. Mrs. Mills, who has prior experience with the residence, shares a tale of a previous tuberculosis epidemic. As Grace encounters inexplicable happenings such as the piano playing on its own, she grows convinced that the house is inhabited by ghosts.

Here’s why I think you should watch it: I’m absolutely captivated by Nicole Kidman’s performance in this chilling haunted house movie. Although the initial pace might be leisurely, the climax is truly worth the wait. Unlike many horror films, this one shuns traditional visual effects and jump scares to create an unsettling atmosphere. If you’re a fan of haunted house movies that offer a deeper layer of intrigue, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this one a go.

10. ‘Old’ (2021)

Main Topic: Facing separation, Guy and Prisca Cappa decide to go on a final family vacation with their children at a tropical resort. There, the kids strike up a friendship with the resort manager who, fond of them, invites them to a beach. However, upon arrival at the beach, something peculiar occurs – the kids suddenly grow older into teenagers and the rest of the group either succumbs to age-related deaths or develops chronic illnesses over time. They soon realize that each half hour they spend in this strange locale equates to one year of their life.

They try to depart from the beach, yet they’re confronted with a chilling reality – they can’t move. Each time they make an effort to break free, they lose consciousness and find themselves back in their original spot.

Here’s why you might want to watch it: ‘Old’ is an adaptation of the comic ‘Sandcastle’ by Pierre Oscar Levy and Frederik Peeters, and was directed by M. Night Shyamalan. If these names are familiar, you can guess that this film will deliver as promised. It’s a mystery with a twist, but if the idea of existence itself sends chills down your spine, and contemplating life’s passage and aging gives you anxiety, then this suspenseful horror could be just what you’re looking for.

2025-05-25 13:16