February often evokes thoughts of romance, yet major streaming platforms deliver a thrilling lineup of horror films this month. This selection includes horror-romance blends, timeless classics, and fresh releases on Shudder, the premier horror streaming destination. Explore these seven standout horror movies available throughout February.
Heart Eyes
Where: Paramount+ (worldwide)
When: Streaming now
Heart Eyes arrives on Paramount+ and fits perfectly into February’s romantic vibe, unfolding on Valentine’s Day. The story centers on the Heart Eyes Killer, who preys on couples nationwide on this holiday. While some avoid romance entirely, this approach takes it to extremes. This slasher romantic comedy delivers entertainment through a seamless mix of genres, prompting laughs, jumps, and cringes along the way.
Insidious: Chapter 3
Where: HBO Max (US); rent or buy (UK); Netflix (AU)
When: February 1
The Insidious series stands out as a key collaboration between horror directors James Wan and Leigh Whannell. With Insidious: The Bleeding World set for release this year, revisiting earlier entries proves timely. As a prequel to the initial films (also on HBO Max), Insidious: Chapter 3 introduces a fresh family and narrative. It tracks Quinn, a teenager seeking a psychic’s aid to connect with her late mother, only for an evil spirit to possess her instead. The film builds intense tension and serves as an excellent gateway to the franchise.
Birdeater
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
When: February 9
Australian horror continues to impress, following successes like Talk to Me and Bring Her Back. Birdeater joins Shudder’s roster, directed by newcomers Jack Clark and Jim Weir, who earned a solid 74% Rotten Tomatoes score at festivals. The plot follows a bride-to-be attending her fiancé’s bachelor party in the remote Australian Outback, where events spiral into disorder.
The Black Phone
Where: Netflix (US); rent or buy (UK); Prime Video (AU)
When: February 11
Adapted from a short story by Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, The Black Phone underscores the family’s horror legacy. Ethan Hawke portrays The Grabber, a chilling serial killer, in one of his most menacing roles. The narrative follows Finney, a teen abducted by The Grabber, who fights to endure and escape. Confined in the killer’s basement, Finney discovers a disconnected phone that rings, allowing ghostly conversations with prior victims. For more, the sequel The Black Phone 2 streams on Peacock.
The Pope’s Exorcist
Where: Max (US); rent or buy (UK); Netflix (AU)
When: February 11
Russell Crowe embodies Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican’s lead exorcist, in this gripping tale. The role involves immense peril, making it far from enviable. The film offers an in-depth look at a priest who conducted over 100,000 exorcisms in his lifetime. Regardless of views on the supernatural, the subject matter captivates. Supernatural horror fans will find this essential viewing.
Life After Beth
Where: Netflix (US); MGM+ (UK); Prime Video (AU)
When: February 19
Drawing from the Orpheus and Eurydice myth, Life After Beth delivers another horror-romance twist. It depicts Zach, a young man mourning his girlfriend Beth’s sudden death—until she reanimates as a zombie. Zach grapples with halting her decay while accepting her altered state. The movie combines dark humor and oddity for a lighthearted yet eerie horror experience.
History of Evil
Where: Shudder (worldwide)
When: February 23
Shudder rounds out the month with History of Evil, which has garnered varied critical responses—viewers can decide for themselves upon release. In a dystopian America gripped by war and corruption, resistance fighter Alegre Dyer escapes political imprisonment to rejoin her husband and daughter. The family hides in a safe house haunted by a sinister history, unleashing horrifying events.
