The 20 Best Shudder Original Movies

"No streaming service has established a clearer sense of self than Shudder, which has assembled an impressive catalogue of horror and horror-adjacent films over the past ten years of its existence. While many of these movies are newer releases, there are also countless titles from decades past, both hidden gems and beloved classics. And then there are the Shudder Originals, movies (and TV series!) distributed by the streamer."

"If you spend enough time on Letterboxd, you're almost certain to see Shudder Originals tossed around as a pejorative. Yes, there are plenty of lackluster movies that fall under that umbrella, but to dismiss Shudder's original content entirely is to miss out on some great (and regrettably under-seen) films. The streaming service has a knack for finding and elevating low-budget horror that doesn't feel cheap, international titles crying out for a wider audience, and talented first-time filmmakers poised to break through."

"Technically speaking, only Shudder Originals are "original" Shudder productions, but since distribution deals are complex and the logistics of streaming have further blurred the lines, I've included a handful of Shudder Exclusives on the list. (They're all grouped together in one category on the site anyway.) While this kind of ranking largely comes down to personal preference, I've done my best to present an eclectic list of subgenres, countries of origin, and filmmakers, if only to capture that Shudder Originals have the range."

Shudder operates a focused streaming identity, assembling an extensive catalogue of horror and horror-adjacent films across ten years. As of October 2025, Shudder hosts over 150 original films plus more than 100 Shudder Exclusives. Critical dismissal of Shudder Originals exists, but many originals include under-seen high-quality films. The service specializes in elevating low-budget horror that avoids cheapness, promoting international titles to wider audiences, and supporting first-time filmmakers. Original output began in 2018 and accelerated from 2020, producing works that often reflect pandemic anxieties. Curated selections of originals and exclusives reveal an eclectic range of subgenres, countries, and filmmakers.

Read at Vulture