10 Underrated Horror Movies on Hulu Every Fan Should Watch

10 Underrated Horror Movies on Hulu Every Fan Should Watch

Streaming services have become treasure troves for horror fans looking to discover hidden gems beyond the usual blockbusters. Hulu especially offers a collection of lesser-known scary movies that deserve way more attention than they get. These films deliver genuine scares, creative storytelling, and fresh takes on horror that will stick with you long after the credits roll.

1. Agnes (2021)

Director Mickey Reece crafted something truly unsettling with this demonic possession tale set within convent walls. The story begins with what seems like a straightforward exorcism but quickly morphs into something far more psychologically complex.

What makes this film stand out is how it explores the intersection of faith, repression, and emotional breakdown. Rather than relying on jump scares, it builds dread through character study and atmosphere.

The nuns’ struggles feel painfully real as supernatural events trigger deeper questions about belief and sanity. This slow-burn approach won’t appeal to everyone, but patient viewers will find a haunting meditation on religious trauma. The film lingers in your mind, making you question what you actually witnessed.

2. Barbarian (2022)

A double-booked Airbnb in a sketchy Detroit neighborhood sounds like an awkward inconvenience, not the setup for pure terror. Yet this film transforms that simple premise into one of the most jaw-dropping horror experiences in recent memory.

Just when you think you understand where the story is heading, it pivots into completely unexpected territory. The genius lies in how each twist feels earned rather than cheap, building on what came before while constantly surprising you.

Dark humor punctuates the mounting dread without undercutting the genuine scares. Smart writing keeps you guessing throughout, making this essential viewing for anyone craving original horror. The escalation never stops, delivering shocks that’ll have you texting friends immediately after watching.

3. Clock (2023)

Society places enormous pressure on women regarding motherhood, and this Hulu original transforms that real-world anxiety into visceral body-horror. When a woman who doesn’t want children joins a clinical trial to supposedly fix her biological clock, things spiral into nightmare territory fast.

The film taps into fears about bodily autonomy and societal expectations in ways that feel uncomfortably relevant. Its feminist perspective gives the horror genuine weight beyond mere shock value. You’ll squirm as the protagonist loses control over her own body and mind.

Psychological terror blends with grotesque imagery to create something that sticks with you. This sharp, thought-provoking film proves horror can be both entertaining and socially conscious without feeling preachy.

4. The First Omen (2024)

Prequels rarely capture the magic of their predecessors, but this origin story for the classic Omen franchise succeeds brilliantly. Set within Vatican walls, it explores how evil first entered the world through conspiracies and corruption at Christianity’s highest levels.

The atmosphere drips with dread as the film builds tension through haunting visuals rather than cheap tricks. Religious iconography becomes genuinely frightening when twisted to serve darker purposes. Every shadowy corridor and whispered prayer feels loaded with sinister meaning.

Fans of the original films will appreciate how this prequel honors their tone while standing on its own. Newcomers can jump in without prior knowledge and still experience the chilling impact of watching evil take root.

5. Hatching (2022)

Finnish cinema delivers a masterclass in blending body-horror with emotional storytelling through this bizarre yet deeply affecting tale. A young gymnast discovers an egg that hatches into something monstrous, creating a creature that’s simultaneously repulsive and strangely sympathetic.

The film works as both literal monster movie and powerful allegory about perfectionism and family pressure. As the creature grows, it mirrors the protagonist’s own suppressed emotions and rebellion against impossible standards. The practical effects create something genuinely unsettling that CGI couldn’t match.

What could have been pure shock value becomes a touching exploration of identity and acceptance. You’ll find yourself oddly moved by this grotesque creation, proving horror can generate empathy alongside disgust.

6. Jagged Mind (2023)

Time-loop stories have become common, but this Hulu original finds fresh terror in the concept by adding toxic relationship dynamics. A woman realizes she’s trapped in repeating cycles, slowly uncovering disturbing truths about her partner that explain her temporal prison.

The stylish presentation keeps you visually engaged while the mystery deepens with each loop. Tension builds as the protagonist pieces together what’s really happening, with revelations that make you reconsider everything you’ve seen. The psychological horror hits harder than any monster could.

Strong performances sell the mounting paranoia and confusion of being gaslit across multiple timelines. This mind-bending thriller proves that relationship horror can be just as frightening as supernatural threats when executed with skill and intelligence.

7. Matriarch (2022)

Returning to your childhood home should feel comforting, but this folk-horror gem transforms homecoming into pure dread. A woman reconnects with her estranged mother in a rural village, only to discover terrifying supernatural forces and dark pagan traditions lurking beneath the surface.

The film explores inherited trauma through both literal and metaphorical horror, examining how darkness passes through generations. Rural England becomes genuinely creepy as old customs reveal sinister purposes. The mother-daughter dynamic adds emotional weight to the supernatural scares.

Folk-horror fans will recognize echoes of classics like The Wicker Man while appreciating this film’s unique voice. It proves that sometimes the scariest monsters are the ones your own family has been worshipping all along.

8. Mr. Crocket (2024)

Remember feeling safe watching kids’ shows? This recent Hulu horror shatters that innocence by turning a beloved children’s television host into something nightmarish. When a mother investigates a mysterious VHS tape, she discovers Mr. Crocket’s show hides horrifying secrets beneath its cheerful surface.

The film brilliantly exploits nostalgia, making familiar childhood imagery deeply unsettling. Reality and performance blur as the line between television and real life collapses in surreal, terrifying ways. The concept taps into primal fears about what we let into our homes through screens.

Surreal visuals and creative scares make this stand out from typical horror fare. You’ll never look at children’s entertainment the same way after watching this twisted take on wholesome programming.

9. In a Violent Nature (2024)

What if a slasher film followed the killer instead of the victims? This bold experiment delivers exactly that, spending most of its runtime from the monster’s perspective as he stalks through the woods. The approach creates an unexpectedly meditative atmosphere despite brutal violence.

Long takes show the killer’s methodical journey between murders, building dread through patience rather than constant action. When violence erupts, it hits harder because you’ve been anticipating it through the predator’s eyes. The cinematography turns familiar forest settings into hunting grounds.

Horror purists will appreciate this fresh spin on tired slasher conventions. It’s atmospheric, brutal, and genuinely original—proving the genre still has new perspectives to explore even within well-worn territory.

10. The Mill (2023)

Waking up in a mysterious facility forced to push a giant stone mill sounds like ancient punishment meets corporate nightmare. This psychological horror blends sci-fi dystopia with claustrophobic terror as a man tries to understand why he’s trapped and what happens if he stops working.

The film taps into modern anxieties about work culture and corporate control in genuinely chilling ways. As the protagonist seeks answers, the true horror of his situation becomes clear—this isn’t just physical imprisonment but existential dread. Minimalist settings amplify the sense of isolation and helplessness.

Smart viewers will catch social commentary about dehumanization in modern capitalism. This thought-provoking film proves horror works best when it reflects real-world fears through fantastical scenarios.