The Best Blumhouse Horror Movies And How To Watch Them

Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out
(Image credit: Universal)

To me, when it comes to some of the best horror movies out there, there has been one production company that stands above the rest, and that, my friends, is Blumhouse Productions. From some of the most recent horror films back to those from the early '00s, this company has been behind a lot of them. 

I’m talking about Paranormal Activity, Sinister, The Purge - so many great ones that have truly changed the genre from the ground up. If you’re like me and you’re looking for the best Blumhouse horror movies to watch right now, here are some of my picks. 

The couple on Paranormal Activity.

(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

Paranormal Activity (2009)

This iconic found footage horror film follows a young couple who are haunted by a supernatural presence in their home, all captured through found footage and security cameras.

Paranormal Activity is an iconic horror movie for its use of found footage, and I think it made found footage movies more popular than ever before. It created a horror series that has truly become so successful - even if some of the later entries aren’t as good as the first. Be sure to check out all the movies in order.

Stream Paranormal Activity on Paramount Plus.
Rent/Buy Paranormal Activity on Amazon. 

Ethan Hawke in The Purge

(Image credit: Universal)

The Purge (2013)

In a newly reformed America, The Purge tells the story of the one night in the country where all crime is allowed, including murder. A family that is trying to survive the night ends up helping a stranger - and, in turn, brings a whole new hell to their lives. 

I remember when I saw the first The Purge, I didn’t think it was that scary, but after re-watching it several times, what really makes this film so good is that it relies on the horror aspects of human nature, and what a person can do when they have no limits. Plus, Ethan Hawke’s performance is stellar - a horror movie master. It’s honestly one of Hawke’s best movies

Rent/Buy The Purge on Amazon.

James McAvoy in Split.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Split (2017)

M. Night Shyamalan is a master of his craft, and while he did have a bit of a career dip, he’s come back with some awesome films as of late, including Split. This horror film, starring James McAvoy in one of his best movies, follows a man who has several different personalities, and the girls that are captured by him and their struggle for survival. 

Split is genuinely a great time, featuring awesome performances from both McAvoy and the fabulous Anya Taylor-Joy in one of her best films. Shyamalan really gave his all making this film and I’ll never get over his classic twists and turns. 

Rent/Buy Split on Amazon.

Jessica Rothe in Happy Death Day with an axe

(Image credit: Blumhouse)

Happy Death Day (2017)

Happy Death Day, a hilarious horror-comedy, follows a young woman who has to relive the same day she was killed over and over again. With each death, she tries to piece together clues about who kills her so that she can stop her endless cycle of death. 

This movie is so funny, and it didn’t need to be, but I’m so happy it is. Not only are the scares good and the gore great as well, there’s just something about this movie that makes me snort every time. I love the line delivery from Jessica Rothe, too. Truly, such a great actress for the lead role. 

Rent/Buy Happy Death Day on Amazon.

Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites in Oculus

(Image credit: Relativity Media)

Oculus (2013)

Oculus features the gruesome tale of two siblings who suffered a horrible tragedy at a young age, but later on in their adult years, the young woman traces it back to an old mirror that she is completely convinced is the reason behind everything. 

Directed by the great Mike Flanagan, another master of horror with shows such as The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, this movie is not what you would expect it to be, as it has plenty of twists and turns that will surely make you gasp in surprise. Also, Karen Gillan is freaking fantastic in the lead role. I need more of her in horror movies, please. 

Stream Oculus on Plex.
Rent/Buy Oculus on Amazon.

Ethan Hawke in Sinister

(Image credit: Lionsgate)

Sinister (2012)

Sinister, starring Ethan Hawke, tells the story of a writer and his family who move into a home that is haunted by a supernatural presence, but he later discovers that it was the spot where murders took place decades ago. 

Let me tell you, Sinister was one of the first horror films I watched, and oh, what a film to start out on. This movie will shake you to your core and make you look at every dark corner of your house because it is fantastically directed and I can’t get enough of it. 

Stream Sinister on Tubi.
Rent/Buy Sinister on Amazon.

One of the main characters of The Visit.

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

The Visit (2015)

The second Shyamalan movie on this list, The Visit, features the story of two children who are staying at their grandparents' place for a little while - but something doesn’t seem right with grandma and grandpa. Before long, it’s a fight for their lives. 

I do think Split is just slightly better than The Visit because the performances are stronger, but The Visit has a fantastic story and moments that will make your toes curl, and the two children, played by Olivia DeJonge and Ed Oxenbould, are great.

Stream The Visit on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The Visit on Amazon. 

Joseph Bishara and Patrick Wilson in Insidious

(Image credit: FilmDistrict)

Insidious (2011)

Insidious began another great horror franchise. In this iconic horror film, a mother and father are trying to seek help when their son falls into a coma, and later learn it’s because of a strange demon in their home. Now, they must prevent evil spirits from trapping their son in a different world. 

Insidious, at least the first one, is so well done. While the later sequels lost some of their horror aspects, there’s just something about the first that just does it for me. The scars, the story, the acting; everything is just *chef’s kiss.* You can even check out our ranking of all the Insidious movies

Stream Insidious on Max.
Rent/Buy Insidious on Amazon.

betty gilpin in The Hunt

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

The Hunt (2020)

When I tell you The Hunt surprised me with how good it was, I mean it. The Hunt is an action horror movie that tells the story of a group of elites who kidnap working class people in order to hunt them down, but the prey becomes the predator as they try to stay alive. 

The Hunt was such a fun movie, for so many reasons. Not only does it feature a darkly humorous story that features satire about the political divide in today’s politics, but it’s honestly one of the goriest movies on this list. It’s a shame that it came out right as the COVID-19 pandemic started because it didn’t get the theater love it deserved. Here’s hoping more people will check out this movie now that it’s streaming. 

Stream The Hunt on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The Hunt on Amazon. 

Logan Marshall Green in Upgrade

(Image credit: Blumhouse)

Upgrade (2018)

In Upgrade we follow a young man who isn’t the biggest fan of technology, but when a mugging leaves him paralyzed, he learns to rely on it when a chip is implanted in his head, allowing him to control his movements - which leads to a crazy adventure. 

While Upgrade isn’t necessarily classified as a horror film - more an action film with dark humor - there are still plenty of horror aspects to it that make it stand out as a horror movie, and I really loved the action sequences as an action fan. Plus, Logan Marshall-Green is super good in the lead role. 

Rent/Buy Upgrade on Amazon.

The main star of Cam.

(Image credit: Netflix)

Cam (2018)

Ever wonder how a webcam could control your life? That’s what Cam aims to answer, as it follows a young woman who performs erotic acts on a webcam, but one day, she finds that her identity has been stolen because an exact clone of herself has replaced her on camera. 

I put Cam on here because like Paranormal Activity, I feel like it really does something different with the horror genre by exploring something that not a lot of horror movies have done - how technology can be scary as hell. Something else I really love about it is the psychological aspect. It really messes with your mind.

Stream Cam on Netflix.

Elisabeth Moss in The Invisible Man

(Image credit: Universal)

The Invisible Man (2020)

Starring Elisabeth Moss, The Invisible Man is based on the novel of the same name and follows the story of a young woman who believes she is being stalked by her manipulative and abusive ex-boyfriend, who has somehow turned himself invisible, while also taking out those close to her. 

I remember watching The Invisible Man when it was released on streaming in my college apartment, and I enjoyed the heck out of it. Not only does Elisbaeth Moss give a compelling performance, but the idea itself is unsettling enough where you’ll be thinking someone is somehow watching you, even though it’s impossible. It’s truly one of a kind. 

Stream The Invisible Man on Peacock.
Rent/Buy The Invisible Man on Amazon.

Lakeith Stanfield in Get Out

(Image credit: Universal)

Get Out (2017)

You knew this would be on here. In Get Out, a young Black man travels with his white girlfriend to her family’s home, and while at first everything seems to be normal, he slowly starts to discover that this place is not what he thought it was - and now, he needs to get out. 

This is a movie where I don’t even want to say much, because it’ll spoil the twists if you haven’t seen it. Just know that Get Out won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (which Jordan Peele had a relatable reaction to), which was written by first-time director (at the time), Jordan Peele. It’s one of the decade’s best horror films, with a fantastic leading performance from Daniel Kaluuya.

Stream Get Out on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Get Out on Amazon.

Lupita Nyong'o as Red in Us

(Image credit: Universal)

Us (2019)

Another Jordan Peele feature on this list, and one of Peele’s best movies, Us follows a family that gets away for a weekend to their family’s summer cabin, but while they’re there, doppelgangers that look exactly like them start to wreak havoc on their lives. 

Again, Jordan Peele is becoming a master of twists, and the last thing I want to do is spoil this for you. Just know that the Us cast is phenomenal and the story will have you gripping your seats from start to end. Go watch it now.

Stream Us on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Us on Amazon.

Michael Myers strangles a woman in Halloween Kills

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Halloween (2018)

Hear me out. Halloween, which is a sequel to the iconic 1978 horror film of the same name, follows Laurie Strode, now an older woman preparing herself and her family for the return of Michael Myers. He ends up breaking free due to a bus crashing during his transfer - and he is coming right home to her. 

I love this franchise. It was one of the first films I ever watched, and I have seen all the Halloween sequels and ranked them, and this one is, hands down, the best sequel. Jamie Lee Curtis is freaking amazing in the lead role, and Michael is somehow even scarier.

Stream Halloween on Peacock.
Rent/Buy Halloween on Amazon.

Kathryn Newton in Freaky

(Image credit: Universal Pictures)

Freaky (2020)

Freaky is basically Freaky Friday, but with murder. When a serial killer and a teenage girl end up switching bodies, it’s up to the teenager - now stuck in the body of a murderer - to get her body back and stop the actual killer from taking more lives - while in her body. 

Freaky is so funny. The first time I heard the concept I couldn't believe it was an actual thing, but upon watching, I really enjoyed it. Vince Vaughn honestly gives a great performance, and Kathryn Newton is fantastic, as well. I loved both of them. 

Stream Freaky on FreeVee (via Amazon).
Rent/Buy Freaky on Amazon. 

Ethan Hawke's Grabber carrying Finney in The Black Phone

(Image credit: Blumhouse/ Universal Pictures)

The Black Phone (2022)

I freaking loved The Black Phone when I saw it in theaters in 2022. When a series of kids are nabbed by someone called “The Grabber,” his latest victim must find a way out, with the help of a mysterious black phone in his cage. 

Another Ethan Hawke performance that is stellar, but what makes this movie so good, to be honest, is that it’s more suspenseful than scary. I genuinely loved every second of this, from beginning to end, and The Black Phone ending is just perfect. 

Stream The Black Phone on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy The Black Phone on Amazon.

M3GAN in M3GAN.

(Image credit: Blumhouse Productions)

M3GAN (2023)

Last but not least, we have to bring up M3GAN. If you were into horror at the beginning of 2023, you knew about this dang dancing doll. The horror movie tells the story of an A.I. Doll that is used to be a companion to a girl who recently lost her parents, but soon, the doll becomes obsessed with its child – and will take out anyone that dares step in her way. 

M3GAN was the campy story that everyone loved and needed. While I wasn’t the hugest fan of it before and didn’t quite get the movie, I’ve given it some time to marinate inside my brain and I have to admit, it’s one of the best horror movies of this year, if not for the hilariously bloody moments it inspired. There’s even a M3GAN 2.0 sequel in development, so you might as well check it out now. I’m linking out to the unrated cut because I personally think it’s better than the theatrical release – so many great differences from the first movie.

Stream M3GAN (Unrated) on Amazon Prime.
Rent/Buy M3GAN (Unrated) on Amazon.

Which one of these are you going to watch next? With spooky season right around the corner, I think it’s time for a scary movie marathon.

Alexandra Ramos
Content Producer

A self-proclaimed nerd and lover of Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire, Alexandra Ramos is a Content Producer at CinemaBlend. She first started off working in December 2020 as a Freelance Writer after graduating from the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Journalism and a minor in English. She primarily works in features for movies, TV, and sometimes video games. (Please don't debate her on The Last of Us 2, it was amazing!) She is also the main person who runs both our daily newsletter, The CinemaBlend Daily, and our ReelBlend newsletter.