Thought13 was your unlucky number? How about 16?
For film fans, it’s the season for hiding under blankets and pressing play on something that makes your heart hammer. Forget the familiar slasher reboots and viral streaming hits - there’s a world of hidden horror waiting, films that sneak under the radar but will leave you sleepless, unsettled, and utterly hooked.
Halloween is here, and with it comes the annual ritual of filling your screen with scares. But if you’ve already ploughed through the obvious classics, it’s time to dig deeper. This year, we’ve rounded up 16 hidden-gem horror films available to stream in the UK that promise fresh frights, clever storytelling, and moments that will make you jump, shiver, or hide behind the sofa.
Watch alone, watch with friends... just be ready for things that linger long after the credits roll. Bwahahahaha...
1. Daddy’s Head (2023) – Shudder UK
A grieving woman and her stepson confront a sinister presence mirroring their deceased loved one. The combination of psychological trauma and supernatural horror makes it an emotionally charged, spine-tingling watch that lingers long after the screen goes dark.
2. MadS (2023) – Shudder UK
A frenetic French zombie thriller shot in one continuous take, where a night of partying turns into a desperate fight for survival. Its relentless pace and inventive camera work make it feel like you’re right there in the chaos, heart racing with every scene.
3. The Coffee Table (2023) – Shudder UK
Domestic life collides with absurd horror when a couple’s furniture trip spirals out of control. The film’s pitch-black humour and mounting dread keep you laughing nervously while inching closer to the edge of your seat.
4. The Tunnel (2011) – Shudder & Tubi UK
Found-footage horror follows a film crew exploring abandoned Sydney train tunnels. The claustrophobic corridors, flickering lights, and one-by-one disappearances make it a tense and immersive experience that keeps you second-guessing every shadow.
5. The Devil’s Doorway (2018) – Prime Video & Apple TV UK
Two priests investigating a supposed miracle in an Irish Magdalene asylum uncover terrifying truths. The blend of historical context with supernatural horror gives it a chilling realism that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.
6. Amulet (2020) – Apple TV & Amazon Prime UK
A homeless ex-soldier finds shelter with a mysterious woman and her dying mother, only to face paranormal occurrences. The film’s haunting visuals and slow-burning suspense make every quiet moment feel loaded with dread.
7. Be My Cat: A Film for Anne (2015) – FOUND UK
A Romanian filmmaker’s obsession with Anne Hathaway spirals into psychological nightmare territory. Its self-aware found-footage style makes the tension unbearable, delivering a uniquely disturbing experience for horror aficionados.
8. Daniel Isn’t Real (2019) – Shudder & Arrow Player UK
A young man’s imaginary friend becomes dangerously real, blurring fantasy and trauma. The film’s psychological complexity and creeping dread keep you unsettled and questioning what’s real until the very last frame.
9. Summer of ’84 (2018) – Apple TV & Prime Video UK
Four teens suspect a local police officer of serial killings during their summer break. Its eighties nostalgia, combined with mounting suspense and clever twists, makes it a cult-worthy thriller for fans of both horror and retro storytelling.
10. Door (2023 re-release) – Shudder UK
A mother and her child are terrorised by an unrelenting door-to-door salesman. Minimalist but effective, the film builds a creeping tension that transforms ordinary domestic life into an unnerving nightmare.
11. Carved: The Slit-Mouthed Woman (2007) – Arrow Player UK
A Japanese teacher investigates child abductions and uncovers a vengeful spirit. Its chilling folklore, methodical pacing, and unnerving atmosphere make it a standout in J-Horror that rewards patient viewers.
12. M.O.M.: Mothers of Monsters (2022) – Prime Video UK
A mother discovers her teenage son may be plotting a school shooting, leading her into a disturbing online network. Its tense, realistic portrayal of parental fear makes the horror deeply personal and hard to shake.
13. Vicious (2025) – Paramount+ UK
Dakota Fanning faces a cursed box that turns desires into horrifying nightmares. The intense, character-driven storytelling and inventive scares make this a must-watch for anyone craving a fresh, psychological thriller.
14. 28 Years Later (2025) – Amazon Prime Video UK (rent/buy)
So, perhaps not quite your hidden gem, but still a must-watch. The zombie virus from the original saga has mutated, and survivors must face both human and inhuman threats. Its relentless pacing, shocking set pieces, and world-building deliver a gripping, apocalyptic ride that’s hard to pause.
15. Suspiria (2018) – Amazon Prime Video UK (rent/buy)
At a Berlin dance academy, a new student uncovers a cult-like secret. Its stunning visuals, shocking twists, and unnerving soundscape turn this horror remake into an artistic yet genuinely terrifying experience.
16: Martyrs (2008) Streaming service: Optimum Releasing Blu-ray (UK) / DVD
This French psychological horror shocks with relentless intensity, following Lucie, a traumatized young woman seeking revenge on those who tortured her as a child, alongside her friend Anna. Martyrs isn’t just gore - it’s a deeply disturbing meditation on trauma and faith, and transcendence, with unforgettable performances and a narrative that lingers long after the credits roll. For anyone ready to experience horror that challenges as much as it terrifies, this is essential viewing.
