7 Best Shudder Originals, Ranked
Shudder, the ultimate streaming platform for horror fans, initially launched in 2015, and secured itself as the destination streamer for horror with a healthy library of classics and original content.
With a diverse selection of spine-tingling tales, Shudder Originals offers a unique blend of terror, suspense, and creativity. From thought-provoking documentaries to pulse-pounding series, Shudder has become synonymous with top-tier horror entertainment.
Among the standout originals, Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror boldly explores the evolution of black horror cinema. For lovers of classic horror anthologies, Creepshow delivers a nostalgic yet fresh take on the beloved format. And let’s not forget The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time, a captivating journey through the most terrifying moments in cinematic history.
Join us as we dive into the darkest depths of horror with these 7 exceptional Shudder Originals. Or else.
Creepshow
This anthology series is based on the 1982 cult film of the same name, written by Stephen King and directed by Night of the Living Dead‘s George Romero. It also features several well-known horror icons stepping in for behind-the-scenes work, like King’s son, Joe Hill, Mike Flanagan‘s brother, Jamie, who serves as writer for the Season 4 premiere, “Twenty Minutes with Cassandra / Smile, and The Walking Dead‘s Greg Nicotero, who directs the same episode, serving as executive producer.
Slasher: Ripper
Slasher: Ripper is an eight-episode season of a larger season-based anthology series that flips the infamous Jack The Ripper story on its ear. There’s a killer stalking the mean streets, but instead of targeting the poor and downtrodden like Jacky Boy, The Widow is meting out justice against the rich and powerful. The only person standing in the way of this killer is the newly promoted detective, Kenneth Rijkers (Gabriel Darku), whose ironclad belief in justice may wind up being yet another victim of The Widow. Expect phenomenal performances from the latter and Eric McCormack being deliciously evil.
V/H/S/85
As staunch supporters of the V/H/S franchise, V/H/S/85 may be one of the anthology film franchise’s best outings. Utilizing the franchise’s found footage setup and the retro style of the 80s, this installment features a frightful journey into the grim underbelly of the forgotten decade through five tales of terror on a taped-over made-for-TV documentary.
Influencer
Slept on by many this year (probably due to the titular subject(s) of the film), Influencer sees social media pro-Madison (Emily Tennant) struggling on a solo backpacking trip in Thailand. Soon, she meets CW (Cassandra Naud), who travels easily and shows her a more uninhibited way of living, but CW’s interest in her takes a darker turn. It showcases how online personas don’t mix well in the real world, and its smartly woven story helps elevate the movie from being typical, gimmicky, or schlocky.
Queer for Fear
This 4-part docuseries delves into LGBTQ+ representation and queer coding in the horror genre across different eras by interviewing a range of LGBTQ+ creators. It examines influences from historical phenomena like the Pansy Craze and the Lavender Scare to how the AIDS epidemic shaped 1980s vampire films. It also won Best LGBTQ Documentary or Documentary Series and Best TV Documentary or Documentary Series at the 15th Annual Dorian Awards.
101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time
A modern-day take on Bravo’s countdown miniseries, Shudder’s 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time emphasizes “horror.” There’s insight from actors, creators, scholars, and enthusiasts, including, but not limited to, Keith David, Joe Dante, Mike Flanagan, and special effect wiz Greg Nicotero. The show originally premiered on Shudder on September 7, with new episodes streaming every Wednesday. Although it covers some of the same films as its spiritual predecessor, it also benefits from covering many new movies in the last 20 years. And Shudder doesn’t limit itself either, despite strictly covering horror. There are recent international entries and some terrifying television moments included as well. One of the best antidotes from the ongoing miniseries so far is Holland recalling how long it took to get the perfect shot of Chucky rolling under the sofa in the original Child’s Play.
Horror Noire
Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror is a documentary film released in 2019, directed by Xavier Burgin and adapted from Robin R. Means Coleman’s 2011 non-fiction book, “Horror Noire: Blacks in American Horror Films” from the 1890s to Present. This film delves into the development of black horror as a genre, featuring interviews with Coleman, as well as prominent figures such as actors Keith David, Tony Todd, and Rachel True, director Jordan Peele, and author Tananarive Due. It won Best Non-Theatrical Releases at the Online Film Critics Society Awards and Best Documentary at the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards.
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GoldTrumpet
So people who are intrested in black cinema, and horror history aren't regular people?? Says alot about what type of person you are. If you're definetion of a regular person is an A**hole than it's spot on.
OrangePin
They are regular folk's and maybe the question is why you have a problem with documentaries.
I have watched horror all my life which is about 35 years now
I personally like hearing about this stuff just like I enjoy hearing the stories about the production of horror movies.
Since you don't know those two groups are regular folk's unlike the people who get upset because not everything is about them
RedCarrot
Regular people can be black or lgbtq....
CyanFries
Hardly regular folks….. mentally ill and misguided
BlueFlower
Creepshow deserves to be on this list, the rest? Not so much.
PurpleHammer
No Last Drive In???
OrangeCherries
why do you clump yourself into "regular people?" You are in the group more commonly referred to as imbeciles.
BlueFlower
Shudder I believe, really is the best horror streaming service. I just watch what I want and avoid what doesn't interest me.
BlueCactus
who are regular people, please elaborate.
OrangePin
Do you think that LGBTQ and PoC didn't have impacts on movie's or that they weren't used in movie's.
I kinda have to wonder what your watching horror movie wise.