Updated September 29, 2026. Streaming details below are based on U.S. platform announcements. Check your local app before watching, as libraries vary by country and can change.
The best Halloween movie night starts with the right kind of scare. Do you want a disturbing wish, a serial-killer mystery, a supernatural sequel, or a survival chase? This watchlist focuses on recent horror releases and newly added streaming picks you can look for now, with a quick warning about each film’s intensity.
At a glance: Pick your scare
| Movie | Where to look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Obsession (2026) | Peacock | A dark, original premise |
| The Whisper Man (2026) | Netflix | Serial-killer suspense |
| Strung (2026) | Peacock | A recent original horror film |
| Smile 2 (2024) | Netflix | Supernatural scares |
| Black Phone 2 (2025) | Peacock | A darker sequel night |
| Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 (2025) | Peacock | Game-inspired horror |
| Apex (2026) | Netflix | Survival-thriller tension |
Smile 2, Black Phone 2, and Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 are recent films newly available to stream in 2026; they are not 2026 theatrical releases. The Whisper Man and Apex lean toward thriller rather than supernatural horror.
1. Obsession — the original nightmare
Stream on: Peacock
A seemingly romantic wish becomes something much more frightening in Curry Barker’s Obsession. Its simple hook—a man wants his crush to love him, then breaks a mysterious wishing object—makes it an easy film to recommend without spoiling what follows. Start here if you want a recent horror movie built around one unsettling idea rather than a familiar franchise.
2. The Whisper Man — a mystery that gets under your skin
Stream on: Netflix
When a young boy disappears, his father turns to an estranged relative with a connection to an old serial-killer case. Robert De Niro, Adam Scott, and Michelle Monaghan star in this adaptation of Alex North’s novel. The Whisper Man is the choice for viewers who find whispered threats and a missing-person investigation more frightening than monsters.
3. Strung — a 2026 Peacock original
Stream on: Peacock
If you have already worked through the year’s bigger horror titles, add Strung to your list. The Peacock release offers a newer option for a late-night double feature. Watch its trailer first if you are choosing for a group: horror tastes differ sharply when it comes to disturbing imagery and tone.
4. Smile 2 — a star under supernatural pressure
Stream on: Netflix
A pop star preparing for a comeback begins to face a sinister, smiling presence after a traumatic event. Smile 2 arrived on Netflix in September 2026, making it a timely choice for October. Pick this one if you want an intense supernatural film with the pressure of fame layered into its scares.
5. Black Phone 2 — for fans of the first film
Stream on: Peacock
The follow-up to The Black Phone is available on Peacock. Its returning threat makes this the strongest pick for viewers who already know the first movie’s characters and want to continue their story. For a Halloween marathon, begin with the original before starting the sequel.
6. Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 — the game-inspired pick
Stream on: Peacock
Peacock added the sequel in April 2026. Its appeal is clear for viewers who enjoy the game’s world and want another encounter with its threatening animatronics. It is also an accessible group pick when everyone wants a recognizable horror franchise.
7. Apex — horror-adjacent survival tension
Stream on: Netflix
Apex is a survival thriller rather than a traditional horror film, but its premise belongs on a suspense-heavy Halloween watchlist. Charlize Theron plays a woman pursued through the Australian wilderness by a killer played by Taron Egerton. Choose it when you want a chase, outdoor danger, and sustained tension without a supernatural story.
Which movie should you play tonight?
- One new horror film: Obsession.
- A crime mystery: The Whisper Man.
- Supernatural intensity: Smile 2.
- A sequel marathon: The Black Phone followed by Black Phone 2.
- A survival chase: Apex.
CineGlams’ Halloween pick: Begin with Obsession if you want to discover a 2026 horror hit. Save Smile 2 for a night when everyone wants the scares turned up. Before sharing this list with friends abroad, confirm each title’s availability in their Netflix or Peacock app.