February often evokes thoughts of romance, yet major streaming platforms deliver a thrilling lineup of horror films this month. This selection includes horror-romance blends, timeless classics, and fresh releases on specialized services like Shudder. From slashers to supernatural tales, these seven standout horror movies offer something for every fright enthusiast.
Heart Eyes
Where: Paramount+ (worldwide)
When: Streaming now
Heart Eyes arrives on Paramount+ as a timely Valentine’s Day slasher romantic comedy. The story centers on the Heart Eyes Killer, who preys on couples across the U.S. on the holiday. Directed by Josh Ruben, this genre-mixing film delivers laughs, scares, and awkward moments in equal measure, making it a wildly engaging watch.
Insidious: Chapter 3
Where: HBO Max (US); rent or buy (UK); Netflix (AU)
When: February 1
The Insidious series, a hallmark collaboration between filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell, continues to captivate. As anticipation builds for the new installment, Insidious: The Bleeding World, revisiting earlier entries proves essential. This prequel explores a fresh family’s ordeal, following young Quinn as she seeks a psychic’s aid to connect with her late mother. The ritual unleashes a malevolent spirit that possesses her, building unrelenting tension ideal for franchise newcomers.
Birdeater
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
When: February 9
Australian horror continues its strong streak with titles like Talk to Me and Bring Her Back setting a high bar. Birdeater, the debut from Jack Clark and Jim Weir, garners a solid 74% on Rotten Tomatoes following its festival debut. The plot tracks a bride-to-be who attends her fiancé’s bachelor party in the isolated Australian Outback, where events spiral into terrifying chaos.
The Black Phone
Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK); Prime Video (AU)
When: February 11
Adapted from a short story by Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, The Black Phone taps into familial horror roots. Ethan Hawke delivers a chilling performance as The Grabber, a serial killer. The narrative follows teenager Finney, kidnapped and imprisoned, who discovers a mysterious disconnected phone that rings with voices from The Grabber’s previous victims, aiding his desperate bid for survival and escape. For fans, the sequel, The Black Phone 2, streams on Peacock.
The Pope’s Exorcist
Where: Max (US); rent or buy (UK); Netflix (AU)
When: February 11
Russell Crowe portrays Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s renowned chief exorcist, in this gripping supernatural thriller. The film delves into the real-life priest’s career, marked by over 100,000 exorcisms. Regardless of one’s views on the paranormal, the detailed depiction of his high-stakes battles against demonic forces offers eerie fascination for supernatural horror lovers.
Life After Beth
Where: Netflix (US); MGM+ (UK); Prime Video (AU)
When: February 19
Drawing inspiration from the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Life After Beth mixes horror with romance. Grieving young man Zach faces an unimaginable twist when his deceased girlfriend, Beth, returns as a zombie. As she begins to decay, Zach grapples with denial and the harsh reality of loss in this darkly comedic, offbeat tale that balances humor and heartbreak.
History of Evil
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
When: February 23
Shudder rounds out the month with History of Evil, a film receiving varied critical responses that invite personal judgment. Set in a dystopian America ravaged by war and corruption, resistance fighter Alegre Dyer escapes political imprisonment to reunite with her family. Seeking shelter in a haunted safe house, they confront horrifying events tied to its sinister history.
