Shudder is here to help us start 2024 off with a bang! They’re handing us two movies from one of the greatest horror minds on the first day of the month. The streamer is giving us international gems from the past and present. They even have some recent movies that many of us still need to cross off our lists, like 2023’s Suitable Flesh and 2024’s Destroy All Neighbors. Our beloved app is making sure we stay fed this frosty January. However, there are five movies that I’m specifically excited to put onto your radar. Let’s get into it!
The Best Movies to Stream on Shudder in January
Prince Of Darkness (1987)
Grad students uncover a strange canister and accidentally unleash an evil force on humanity. Shudder knows the only way to start the new year is with a John Carpenter party. This one sees him reteam with Donald Pleasence after they rocked our worlds in a little film that reset the slasher subgenre. You might’ve heard of it. It’s called Halloween, which they followed up with Halloween II. Name a better horror duo from that era. I dare you.
You can watch Prince Of Darkness on January 1st.
The Thing (1982)
A research team stranded in the Antarctic must battle a shape-shifting alien. This is arguably John Carpenter’s best film from a resume overflowing with favorites (looks at my beloved Michael Myers). The cast is iconic, the ending is cinema, and the practical effects still put CGI to shame over forty years later. It’s a near-perfect movie and is required viewing during the winter. I plan to watch it again as if I haven’t seen it twice in the last six months.
You can watch The Thing on January 1st.
The Passenger (2023)
A young man must face his past when he finds himself the lone witness to a co-worker’s violent spree. When I tell you that this feels like the most slept-on movie of 2023, I’m not kidding. Carter Smith (Swallowed (2022) and The Ruins) directed the hell out of this thing. I also don’t think enough people are talking about Johnny Berchtold and Kyle Gallner when we discuss performances from last year. This movie cracked my face, and I am still recovering all these months later.
You can watch The Passenger on January 15th.
The Elderly (2022)
A man battles dementia after his wife’s suicide, which is only the beginning of paranormal events that leave his family in danger. I saw this movie a couple of years ago at a festival and lived my best life! I have been impatiently waiting for someone to let my friends see this chaotic and weirdly beautiful nightmare. I plan to make everyone watch it immediately.
You can watch The Elderly on January 15th.
Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll (1973)
An ex-convict is hired to look after an estate where three strange sisters live. Upon his arrival, a serial killer begins murdering blonde, blue-eyed women and removing their eyes. This is a Spanish horror giallo from the 70s, so you know I need to see it the second it hits Shudder. I am excited to finally cross this gem off my list this month.
You can watch Blue Eyes of the Broken Doll on January 15th.
I feel like Shudder knew my New Year’s resolution was to watch more horror. I will not leave my apartment this month because this line-up will keep me pretty busy.