Best Horror Movies Streaming on Max in June 2023
Written by on June 2, 2023
Max, formerly known as HBO Max, has always been a fantastic haven for horror in its lengthy lifespan. Serving up both vintage and modern classics from big studios and independent creators alike, there’s a little bit of everything for everyone. Even if you get a bit squeamish at the sight of blood, you can still get those cold chills blood-free with Max’s prolific horror library.
Bolstered by their TCM offerings, these are just a handful of our picks for the best of the best that Max has to offer. From killer dolls to punk rock thrillers, you may be surprised to see some titles available this June.
Barbarian
A horror film that took the internet by storm, Barbarian is one of those few films that work best when you know as little as possible going into it. It may be a bit harder to do that nowadays, but it’s still a chilling experience regardless. The feature film debut of Zach Cregger, this thriller sees a woman rent out a home that has accidentally been double-booked. While it doesn’t seem like a horrible thing by itself, there are secrets held within the house itself that may prove to be too much for either occupant.
Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgard, and Justin Long all make up a stellar cast in this fright-fest. Just know that if you’re expecting an actual Greco-Roman barbarian to show up, you may feel a little disappointed.
Eyes Without a Face
Not all horror has to be outwardly grotesque and grim. Eyes Without a Face, despite featuring some gruesome imagery at points, is a film that is shockingly ahead of its time, delivering amazing practical effects and fantastic storytelling from as early as 1960. A French film directed by Georges Franju, Eyes Without a Face tells a story of a mad scientist and his deceased daughter, Christiane — at least, she’s perceived to be deceased. In reality, a horrible accident has left her without a face, and through kidnapping various women off the streets, our scientist attempts to replace her daughter’s gory visage with someone else’s.
Even if it reminds you of Face/Off, there’s something particularly mesmerizing about Eyes Without a Face. Maybe it’s the odd mask that Christiane is forced to wear, maybe it’s the slow-burn pacing, or maybe it’s how eerily real each surgery feels. Eyes Without a Face is a classic horror film for those looking to broaden their horizons.
Child’s Play
What is likely “the” killer doll franchise, Child’s Play has gone from seriousness to silliness and back throughout its 30+ years of existence. However, if you have to see just one of these movies, the original still reigns supreme. When a violent criminal transports his soul into the body of a “Good Guy” doll, a young boy and his unassuming mother are in for a terrifying surprise when the doll starts walking and talking on his own accord.
Is it an inherently goofy concept? Sure. But Brad Dourif commits to his voice performance with such a fervent ferociousness it makes this plastic monster feel genuinely threatening. That, and the contrast between this innocent-looking doll and a constant spewing of foul language is pretty funny. It’s a fantastic time if you’re looking for a unique take on the slasher genre.
Scanners
A David Cronenberg classic, Scanners is a movie that can be crudely boiled down into a single head-explosion scene. As amazing as that scene is, there’s a compelling science-fiction horror film underneath it. Featuring the titular “scanners,” a group of individuals with psychic powers, the film examines a power struggle between ConSec — a company seeking to use scanners as a form of weaponry — and those who aim to rebel against them.
Scanners is arguably one of the films that put Cronenberg on the map, not only for that amazing head explosion but for the surrounding body horror and inventive filmmaking he brought to the table. Featuring terrific performances from both Michael Ironside and Stephen Lack, as well as compelling science-fiction elements, Scanners is the perfect gateway to the wonderful world of Cronenberg’s filmography.
Green Room
Featuring an elusive villain role played by none other than Patrick Stewart, Green Room also marks one of the last films starring Anton Yelchin, who tragically passed away in 2016. Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, Green Room follows a down-on-their-luck punk rock band who find themselves playing an unconventional gig: a remote club entirely made up of Neo-Nazi skinheads. After witnessing something they shouldn’t have in the accompanying green room, they face a fight for survival as the skinheads attempt to get rid of the “evidence.”
Featuring some of the most uncomfortable practical effects put to film in recent memory, as well as some of the most palpable tension in any single-location thriller, Green Room is another hit from A24 that’s guaranteed to keep you up at night.
From Dusk Till Dawn
One of those rare movies that starts as one thing, then veers into completely uncharted territory, From Dusk Till Dawn is easily one of Robert Rodriguez’s best movies. Starring an unusual duo in the form of George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino, a pair of bank robbers take an innocent family hostage as they seek refuge in Mexico. However, as they stop to rest at a saloon, things take a sudden turn into sanguine horror.
From Dusk Till Dawn features some traditional hallmarks of Rodriguez’s filmography, including over-the-top action and memorable quotes. But make no mistake; once things go south, it becomes a whole different movie with an interesting dynamic between our villainous protagonists and their hostages.
Would you consider yourself a “foodie?” Maybe you’re an amateur chef on the side? If so, The Menu may be the perfect dish for a terrifying evening. Directed by Mark Mylod, this comedy horror sees a celebrity chef with an ensemble cast attending his exclusive restaurant. However, come the third course, a series of grim games are played with both the guests and staff, leaving who will eventually escape the island alive a mystery.
For a movie about how societal classes and food intersect, there’s absolutely no cannibalism to be found throughout. In fact, the film seems to instead tackle the idol-like adoration of celebrity chefs, the pretentiousness that comes with fine dining, and other obnoxiousness that you can expect from the world of cooking. It’s a film that never gets dull, with an ending that reminds us that sometimes the simplest of things is often the most satisfying.
Jennifer’s Body
Despite middling reviews during its original release, Jennifer’s Body has undergone a modern reevaluation, cementing this Megan Fox horror film as a feminist classic. Written by Diablo Cody and directed by Karyn Kusama, Jennifer’s Body is about a teenage girl who finds herself possessed by a demon after a concert goes up in flames, leaving her best friend to figure out what really happened — and how to stop her male classmates from being subsequently murdered.
Featuring plenty of morbid humor, some quotable lines, terrific effects, and an ultimately satisfying conclusion, Jennifer’s Body is a horror film that purposefully escapes some of the tired tropes associated with the genre in lieu of doing something different and refreshing. Suffice it to say, the end result is a terrific film.
The Silence of the Lambs
A classic that has seen countless parodies and references, Silence of the Lambs is a murder-thriller that gets just about everything right. Jodi Foster plays an FBI agent tasked with catching a vicious serial killer named Buffalo Bill. But, when multiple leads turn into dead ends, she finds herself forced to follow the cryptic advice of Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), an incarcerated cannibalistic killer, in order to catch Buffalo Bill.
As an absolutely iconic film, chances are you’ve already seen how the film plays out through cultural osmosis. However, the craft in the cinematography, performances, and score blend into one of the most compelling horror films of the early 90s.
Hereditary
Ari Aster is an established name for a lot of film nerds nowadays. But, before Midsommar and Beau is Afraid, he made a huge splash with his absolutely terrifying debut, Hereditary. Featuring an Oscar-worthy performance by Toni Collette, she plays a mother of two mourning the recent loss of the family’s grandmother. But after another family tragedy strikes, secrets will be unearthed that plunge everyone into traumatic depths beyond imagination.
Punctuated with a terrifying score and some of the most unsettling moments in contemporary horror, this psychological film will both shock and terrify you in equal measure. Underneath the scares, however, is a degree of artistic detail you may only recognize with repeat viewings. The film would also be lumped in with projects like Get Out and Aster’s later film, Midsommar, as part of the “elevated horror” subgenre.
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