If the thought of horror movies doesn't send a chill down your spine, then you're either lying to yourself or you're already one of the demons. Don't worry, you don't have to look for the perfect nightmare this year - we've put together a list of the best horror movies to watch from the comfort of your couch in October 2025. And yes, they're all on HBO Max, which means you have an excuse to stay home and avoid people (and the unknown forces in the corners of your living room).
Halloween 2025 Coming: Get your popcorn ready, not your nerves. Who says classics are boring? These best horror movies are tried and tested, have stood the test of time, and are still giving you insomnia – both in the audience and in the closets.
Best Horror Movies: Face Your Own Demons
The Conjuring (2013)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 3
The first stop in James Wan's horror universe. The Warrens are ghost hunters who aren't exactly your typical Airbnb guests. When they help the Perron family on a secluded farm, they discover a presence of evil that's more persistent than unwanted relatives. The film is based on true events, which means that creaking noises in your house might be... it is not from the wind.
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 3
Forget the quiet British suburbs, because the ghosts of Enfield can't keep their distance. Lorraine and Ed Warren investigate a case involving levitation, possession and talking ghosts. If you think English houses are just creaking from age, think again.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 3
The most legally bizarre case in the history of occult investigations: the defendant claims to have murdered by order of SatanThe Warrens delve deep into a chilling investigation where demonic forces no longer lurk in corners, but in the courtroom itself. A detective thriller with a supernatural twist and enough suspense to keep you out of the basement for a long time to come.
Annabelle (2014)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 17
Before Annabelle ended up in the Warrens' glass cabinet, she was an innocent (okay, almost) gift to a pregnant wife. But when a Satanic cult breaks into the couple's home and draws some blood, a force awakens within the doll that would make even Chucky give up. Classic story: buy an antique doll, end up with a curse.
Annabelle: Creation (2017)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 17
We return to the beginning. After the tragic loss of their daughter, a dollmaker and his wife open their home to girls from an orphanage. Mistake. Annabelle returns with a mission - to scare everyone who comes across her. A visually masterful and psychologically sinister story that shows that every creation carries its own shadow.
Annabelle Comes Home (2019)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 17
If you think a doll is safe under lock and key, then you clearly haven't seen what Annabelle can do. When the Warrens entrust their daughter to a teenage nanny for one night (classic mistake number 1), the inevitable happens - demonic energy is unleashed and a night of terror begins. A witty, yet still uncomfortably scary, trilogy finale.
The Nun (2018)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 10
A dark monastery in the middle of nowhere, the Vatican in a panic, sending a priest with a shabby past and a young novice. Sounds like the beginning of a joke - until Valak comes along. This demonic nun is not exactly a mother figure - unless you mean the one who locks you in a basement and summons hell. A superbly atmospheric film with a gothic visual style and bone-chilling horror.
The Nun II (2023)
Premiere on HBO Max: October 10
Sister Irene clearly didn't deserve a peaceful retirement. This time, she's called by a new terrifying series of events across Europe, where Valak returns, even angrier and more theatrical. The sequel is darker, with more mythology and a lot more creepy "jump scare" moments - ideal for fans of visually luxurious but devilishly scary stories.
Conclusion: Halloween 2025 will teach you fear (again)
Whether you're a fan of classic ghosts, demonic dolls, or a nun you'd rather meet in your dreams than in real life - this year's picks for the best horror movies on HBO Max is all you need for a night full of screaming (your neighbors will for sure grateful).
Get ready. Turn off the lights. Ears on the stalks. And watch out… something is moving behind you.
