Even with the large selection of streaming services like Netflix and available across the world, it can start to feel like they're all just recycling the same movies from one platform to another. There are free streaming platforms like Pluto TV and Tubi, but many people overlook one of the best sources of free movies: YouTube.
Originally boasting the slogan "Broadcast Yourself," the video-sharing platform started off by featuring amateur uploads from users, but quickly grew into a giant company, with premium ad-free subscriptions and the streaming service YouTube TV, with the company now owned by Google.
When it comes to horror movies, YouTube has a selection of free (with ads) and paid options available to stream. However, there are also numerous channels dedicated to uploading free horror movies for viewers to stream also, at no charge. Two of the most well-known channels are Kings of Horror and V Horror, both offering a library of over 100 movies.
If you're looking for something outside-the-streaming-box to watch, here are 10 of the best horror movies you can stream on YouTube for free.
The Mimic (2018)
In a classic Korean-style ghost story, The Mimic follows the parents of a missing child, Hee-yeon (Yum Jung-ah) and Min-ho (Park Hyuk-kwon), who decide to take in a lost girl they find in the woods. Unfortunately, they begin to suspect that the child is not human.
A Spooky and Acclaimed Korean Horror
Huh Jung writes and directs this little nightmare following his well-received film Hide and Seek. The movie is a melancholic meditation on domestic life and the loss of a child, but is structurally a classic folkloric kind of horror story. The use of mirrors and reflections, empty space, and peripheral imagery is masterful in The Mimic, keeping audiences on their toes the entire time even when nothing directly horrifying is happening.
Watch The Mimic Free on YouTube
Patient Seven (2016)
The horror anthology film Patient Seven stars the respected Michael Ironside as a dark psychologist interviewing patients at a psychiatric hospital. Each patient's unique condition and mental state give clues to how they are all interconnected with someone referred to as "Patient Seven." Every segment showcases Dr. Marcus' twisted methods, making this movie feel like a combination horror-thriller at times.
The patients all have unique stories that keep the pacing on point, while the surprise ending that comes out of left field leaves an impression that viewers seem to love or hate. In addition to Ironside, the cast features Jack Plotnick as Dr. Victor and Amanda Graeff as Sarah (Patient Four).
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An Atmospheric Watch With Solid Acting
Patient Seven is a testament to Ironside's incredible talent as an actor and his ability to give a truly convincing performance. That's not to say the movie is without faults, as there are several areas that have issues, especially the use of too many horror tropes and the controversial conclusion. But it's a great watch for anyone who's looking for a somewhat chaotic story they don't have to take seriously in order to enjoy.
âââââWatch Patient Seven for Free on YouTube
The Legend of Jack and Jill (2021)
Was the original "Jack and Jill" nursery rhyme not dark and gory enough for you? The Legend of Jack and Jill might just be the perfect watch to shake up your favorite childhood tale. This British horror movie was first released in 2021 and has since gained over 4.2 million views since its addition to the V Horror YouTube channel.
The plot follows Jack and Jill after escaping from a psychiatric facility with their mother, only to travel "up the hill" to where they will reside for the next decades. However, when people start going missing, and a group of hikers travels to the hill, it's clear they are going to come face-to-face with the feral siblings.
Lower Your Expectations and It Is an Entertaining Watch
It's no secret both critics and fans felt let down by this low-budget horror production. Yet, when you've already watched all the mainstream titles and need something new, it can be an entertaining choice. There's a lot of cliché to the characters, and the overall quality is lacking in some areas, but it is an interesting alternate universe for Jack and Jill, which includes some gore and a unique backstory.
Watch The Legend of Jack and Jill for Free on YouTube
Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption (2011)
Fans of post-apocalyptic B-list movies may already be familiar with Ryan Thompson's Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption, a 2011 film where the world is filled with zombies. The plot follows John Knox, played by Johnny Gel, who is struggling to survive among the living dead. He ends up meeting a group of survivors who take him in and make him an official member of their group.
Unfortunately, Knox's new love interest is kidnapped from their camp, leaving the group no choice but to head out and save their friend from the raiders while also avoiding the zombies.
A Fun and Cheesy Zombie Movie
Like many low-budget zombie productions, the special effects in this movie are questionable, and many of the scenes are far from realistic. It's not on the same level as a George Romero zombie film, but Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption has some fun and exciting scenes hidden throughout the scattered plot. There are some science fiction elements and a great performance from Fred Williamson that make this movie a fun watch.
Watch Zombie Apocalypse: Redemption for Free on YouTube
Krampus: The Devil Returns (2016)
Krampus: The Devil Returns, also called Krampus 2: The Devil Returns, is a sequel to the holiday horror movie Krampus: The Christmas Devil, not to be confused with 2015's successful film Krampus. This installment takes place several years after the first movie's events and follows former Officer Jeremy Duffin as he tries to deal with life in the aftermath of his wife's murder and his daughter's abduction.
Duffin ends up returning to his roots to try and stop Krampus from terrorizing more children in their town, while also hoping to save his own daughter again in the process.
Related: 15 Best Horror Movies on Peacock to Watch Right Now
'Tis the Season to Watch a Krampus Movie
The folklore of Krampus is a staple with horror fans looking for a genre movie to watch during the holiday season. Krampus is an anthropomorphic monster believed to originate from Germany that appears during the Advent season to punish children who have misbehaved throughout the year.
The consensus from audiences is that this sequel is an improvement from the first film, with scares and a good plot, though the acting is less than believable. Overall, Krampus: The Devil Returns is a solid free watch available on YouTube.
Watch Krampus: The Devil Returns for Free on YouTube
The Evil Down the Street (2019)
The Evil Down the Street is a demonic horror movie that's said to be inspired by real events. The plot follows the typical trope where a family moves into a new home, only for strange things to start happening. There's pretty much every horror cliché stuffed into this just-over-90-minute story, but the mysterious Ouija board that appears in the basement does help tie some of the events together. Compared to other horror movies, this is a tame watch that doesn't have a lot of gore or jump scares.
A Light Watch for Fans of Thrillers
There's a horror film for every type of fan, and this one is best for those just getting into the genre or those who don't want something too traumatizing. Most of the movie's scenes feel more like a thriller than anything, with unpredictable characters and interesting cinematography. It's a fairly quick watch that's free on the Kings of Horror YouTube channel.
Watch The Evil Down the Street for Free on YouTube
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
Release Date 1998-08-05
Director Steve Miner
Cast Jamie Lee Curtis, Josh Hartnett, Jodi Lyn O'Keefe, Adam Arkin, Michelle Williams, LL Cool J
Rating R
Runtime 83
Genres Thriller, Horror
In the Halloween multiverse, Halloween H20: 20 Years Later takes place 20 years after the original massacre that ensued on Halloween night. The film saw the return of Laurie Strode, reprised by Jamie Lee Curtis, and shows that Laurie now lives under a new identity. The events of Halloween H20 sit closely with what the plot of Blumhouse's Halloween from 2018 intended, only in director Steve Miner's 1998 version, Laurie seems to be living a much more productive life.
One of the Best Halloween Movies
Halloween H20 tapped into the '90s horror boom and is arguably the first legacy sequel. In retrospect, the film was probably the third most acclaimed Halloween film after the first and the third installments. When David Gordon Green's 2018 Halloween came out, though, it may have knocked this film off its pedestal. Though considering how Green's Halloween trilogy worked out, H20 is looking pretty good these days.
Watch Halloween H20 Free on YouTube
Hell House LLC (2015)
Fans of found footage movies that are presented as documentaries should check out Hell House LLC. The movie has inspired several sequels and was generally well-received among the horror community. The documentary in the film is investigating an abandoned hotel that was once the site of a haunted attraction that left fifteen dead on its opening night. The documentary crew is able to interview the only survivor from the Hell House staff, which leads them on a terrifying journey to learn what really happened at Hell House that night.
Well-Done Found Footage Mockumentary
Hell House LLC does an incredible job of creating a consistently creepy atmosphere throughout the film's entirety. On the surface, it's a found footage mockumentary, but once you get into the meat of the plot, it becomes clear it's more of a haunted house movie than anything. There's quite a bit of shaky camera movement, but as a whole, Hell House LLC is an underrated addition to the genre and is well worth a watch.
Watch Hell House LLC for Free on YouTube
The Corrupted (2010)
The 2010 horror movie The Corrupted is a lesser-known production from writer-directors John Klappstein and Knighten Richman. The plot follows a group of friends who head out for a weekend of partying at a lake house in rural Alberta, Canada. While playing the guitar by the lake one night, one character is approached by an unknown woman who summons him to follow her.
When he meets back up with his friends, it's clear something is different about him. The second half of the film finds the characters fighting to survive and not become one of the corrupted themselves.
A High-Energy Horror/Sci-Fi Combo
If you're a fan of science fiction movies with a touch of horror/thriller, The Corrupted checks all the boxes. It has an independent film feel with a truly creative take on the genre. The movie's special effects are impressive for what it is as a whole, and there's a palpable tension in most of the scenes. The Corrupted only has a runtime of 76 minutes, so it's well-paced, and a quick watch.
Watch The Corrupted for Free on YouTube
The Changeling (1980)
The Changeling (1980)
Release Date 1980-00-00
Director Peter Medak
Cast Trish Van Devere, George C. Scott
The Changeling is a 1980 supernatural horror mystery starring George C. Scott as the film's main character, John Russell. The plot begins with Russell losing his wife and daughter in a tragic car accident, which prompts him to uproot his life and relocate to Seattle. He ends up renting a mansion that's sat vacant for many years, which only adds to his lonely existence as a musician.
Russell starts experiencing strange occurrences in the mansion that take him on a terrifying yet entrancing journey to learn the source behind the strange haunting events.
The Changeling is a Canadian Classic
One of the best things about The Changeling is that it doesn't need blood, gore, or over-the-top effects for the story to be effective. The cinematography is hauntingly beautiful, and creates an atmosphere that makes this one of the most unsettling yet underappreciated films of the early '80s. It has elements of a psychological mystery thriller that make the story impactful, so much so that it stays with many viewers long after their first watch.
Watch The Changeling for Free on YouTube
Blood Cult (1985)
Known as one of the first direct-to-video horror movies, Blood Cult was first released in 1985 by Christopher Lewis. The movie follows police detective Ron Wilbois as he tries to solve a group of recent murders at a Midwestern college campus. However, it doesn't take long for Ron to become a target himself, leaving the detective unsure of who he can trust in his own personal life. It's soon revealed that the murders are due to a satanic cult and their need for human sacrifices.
Related: 10 Most Terrifying Movies About Cults on Netflix
An '80s Horror B-Movie to Watch at Least Once
When it comes to Blood Cult, the low quality is part of the movie's charm. The gore is so over the top that it looks incredibly unrealistic in the best way, and has a lot of entertaining scenes that make for solid pacing in this slasher flick. It has a moody cinematography that enhances the film visually and helps to make it a cult classic among genre fans.
Watch Blood Cult for Free on YouTube
Nosferatu, the Vampyre (1979)
The legendary Werner Herzog gave the groundbreaking German silent film a stylistic remake with the 1979 film Nosferatu the Vampyre, which stars Klaus Kinski as Count Dracula and follows the blood-craving creature as he travels to Wismar, Germany where he brings chaos and the Black Plague. When Dracula sets his sights on Lucy Harker, he must face off against her husband Jonathan and his longtime nemesis, Abraham Van Helsing, if he wishes to have the love he desperately craves.
A Sympathetic Monster
Nosferatu the Vampyre paints the iconic bloodsucking movie monster in a more sympathetic manner, with Kinski explaining, "He is a man without free will. He cannot choose, and he cannot cease to be. He is a kind of incarnation of evil, but he is also a man who is suffering, suffering for love. This makes it so much more dramatic, more doubleâedged." The reimagining was a smash hit with critics and audiences, with many praising it for its depiction of Dracula as a weary, doomed ghoul and for its eerie atmosphere.
Watch Nosferatue, the Vampyre Free on YouTube
The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)
The Taking of Deborah Logan stars Jill Larson in the titular role as Deborah, an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The plot follows a student documentary crew as they film Deborah and her daughter, Sarah, to document the condition and its progression.
Yet, the longer the team works with Deborah, the clearer it becomes for them that something supernatural has a hold on her, and she's not just suffering from Alzheimer's disease. The movie's slow pacing and convincing performances make The Taking of Deborah Logan a diamond in the rough when it comes to found footage-style horror documentaries.
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A Great Example of a Mockumentary Done Right
The Taking of Deborah Logan is a unique movie in that it perfectly blends different types of horror cinema. It's a consistently scary and tense story about possession, supernatural elements, and has a plot with a good amount of depth. There's no shortage of jump scares, which some may view as overdone at times, and the first and second half of the film are both incredibly disturbing in different ways.
Watch The Taking of Deborah Logan for Free on YouTube
