5 Essential Horror Movies on HBO Max for Your Halloween Marathon

In the Philippines, Halloween movie nights are serious business for horror fans. While jump scares and slasher flicks are fun, sometimes you need a movie with real backbone: critically acclaimed, award-winning horror that lingers long after the credits roll.

If you are looking for top-tier cinematic frights, HBO Max is home to some of the most celebrated and award-winning horror movies. Best experienced with your PLDT Home Fiber, here are some titles streaming on HBO Max that promise the ultimate spine-chilling binge session.

IT (2017)

(Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Starring Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, New Line Cinema’s horror thriller IT is based on the hugely popular Stephen King novel of the same name, which has been terrifying readers for decades. It is the highest-grossing horror film of all time, being nominated for and winning film and genre awards, including the MTV Movie & TV Awards and the IGN Awards for Best Horror Movie of 2017, as well as earning a high Rotten Tomatoes score.

When children begin to disappear in the town of Derry, Maine, a group of young kids are faced with their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, whose history of murder and violence dates back for centuries.

Weapons (2025)

(Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at 2:17 am, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance.

From Zach Cregger, the director behind Barbarian, Weapons is an intricate, sprawling horror epic that keeps viewers guessing until the final frame. Amy Madigan, who plays the film’s antagonist Aunt Gladys, earned the movie an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, among other awards and nominations, including the Actor Awards (Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role), the AACTA International Awards, and the Astra Film Awards (also Best Supporting Actress).

The Exorcist (1973)

(Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

Modern horror has come a long way, but sometimes, you can’t go wrong with the classics like The Exorcist, available to stream on HBO Max.

This one barely needs an introduction: the classic story of possession and its legacy of unforgettable scares is a proven winner. When a charming 12-year-old girl takes on the characteristics and voices of others, doctors say there is nothing they can do. As people begin to die, the girl's mother realizes her daughter has been possessed by the devil – and that her daughter's only possible hope lies with two priests and the ancient rite of demonic exorcism. The Exorcist has garnered prestigious accolades, including awards like the Oscars and the Golden Globes.

Doctor Sleep (2019)

(Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures)

The sequel to horror and Stanley Kubrick classic The Shining brings the familiar feeling of eerieness and dread. Ewan McGregor plays the grown-up Danny Torrance, the son of Jack Nicholson’s iconic character Jack Torrance from the 1980 original – and he must deal with the trauma and supernatural threats seeking his psychic power.

Horror master Mike Flanagan directed the highly acclaimed work, and Doctor Sleep garnered much praise from critics and a slew of nominations in the 2021 Saturn Awards, with supporting actress Kyliegh Curran winning Best Performance by a Younger Actor.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

(Credit: Paramount Pictures)   

This atmospheric gothic horror classic brings a dark, mesmerizing sense of dread and mystery to Washington Irving's classic tale. Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, an eccentric New York constable dispatched to the secluded village of Sleepy Hollow to investigate a series of gruesome decapitations attributed to the legendary Headless Horseman.   

Master of the macabre Tim Burton directed the critically acclaimed film, which earned widespread praise for its haunting visual style and cinematic craft. Sleepy Hollow won the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, along with two BAFTA Awards, and swept the Saturn Awards with wins for Best Music and Best Actress for Christina Ricci.

Stream more iconic and award-winning movies and enjoy unli entertainment when you apply for PLDT Home Fiber Unli All 1499, which comes bundled with an HBO Max Standard subscription, on top of high-speed fiber internet, Cignal TV, 9GB Smart data, and unlimited calls. Upgrade your home entertainment setup today and experience premium horror streaming and more at its best!