Spooky Season in January: Horror Content to Watch and Stream in 2020
Vampires, witches, and a certain Swedish cult are all here to keep you on the edge of your seat all month.
The holidays are over, and if you thought that meant it's time for Valentine's Day, you are wrong. What to watch and stream this January is instead about going right back to Spooky Season, as a surprising amount of horror content is releasing. If the Oscar nominations have you angry and nothing will give you post-holiday energy like a good scare, new movies, shows, and streaming releases are here to satisfy your dark soul. And there's no better place to start than Dracula, which has been biting its way into our hearts since it released on New Year's Day. Read all about it below, as well as several other ideas to watch and stream for a horror-filled start to 2020.
It has certainly been a while since we have gotten the chance to indulge in our vampire obsession. Frankly, we have even started to miss our sharp-toothed friends, who were everywhere less than a decade ago with the success of Twilight and The Vampire Diaries. After an apparent mass disappearance, Netflix has positioned vampires for a return to the spotlight with its new original series, Dracula, which sticks closely to the original book by Bran Stoker, published in 1897. While viewers are certainly excited about the return of some good vampire entertainment, the title character is not your shy boy next door, i.e. Edward Cullen or any of his friends-slash-chosen-family from the 2010s. Here, Dracula is vile, cruel, and delightfully sadistic.
Netflix has long proven that it has the miracle recipe for a successful series: a flawless cast, a powerful atmosphere, a soundtrack you can't get out of your head, and a story that is timeless and well-known. Insert Dracula, the classic tale of a chilling vampire complete with stunning chateau scenery, period costumes, and of course, blood. The short series includes three 90-minute episodes recounting three different periods of the Count's life, from Transylvania to England.
We found the series to have just enough gore, though those with more sensitive eyes may be inclined to disagree. However, if you are a more seasoned horror fanatic, you might not find anything to scream about here, as the most chilling scenes are either few and far between or very predictable. All in all, this new rendition of the classic vampire story is perfect for both devoted Dracula fans and newcomers alike, and an ideally great starting point if you're looking on digging deeper into the history of this ghastly figure.
If you're like us, and this short-but-sweet series leaves you hungry for more haunts, check out some more chillers coming to big and small screens alike below:
It's no surprise to see the classic German fairytale, the Grimm Brothers' Hansel & Gretel, take an even darker turn in movie theaters this winter. The equally beautiful and terrifying cinematography has us intrigued, as does star Sophia Lillis, who takes her next spooky step after rising to horror prominence in the It movies.
Gretel & Hansel releases in theaters on January 31, 2020.
Our favorite witch (played by Kiernan Shipka) is back for a third season on the Netflix original series, and our favorite pajamas and couch cushion could not be more excited. Get ready to binge-watch this eight-episode season later this January.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina returns to Netflix on January 24, 2020.
While Midsommar was the horror film of, well, mid-summer, it's getting renewed attention thanks to the fact that it just dropped on Amazon Prime. If you have a newfound obsession with queen Florence Pugh or are such a horror junkie that you want to see the scary potential of broad daylight, this is the film for you.
Midsommar is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video as of January 10, 2020.
Revisiting the widely loved original from 2004, The Grudge is back thanks to Nicolas Pesce. A familiar, particularly menacing ghost spreads a curse to all those who enter a single house, leading to a thrilling investigation as the police try to figure out what is going on.
The Grudge released in theaters on January 3rd, 2020.
While Kristen Stewart recently took on a role as one of Charlie's Angels in the latest remake, the actress is back to her spooky roots, though this time, she's exploring something entirely different from Bella Swan. In the film Underwater, Stewart and a team of underwater researchers seek shelter after an earthquake devastates their sub-aquatic laboratory. Unfortunately, they meet more than a few surprises in this 95-minute slasher film.
Underwater released on January 14th, 2020.
While all horror movies aim to terrorize, films that feature creepy children always feel especially sinister. The Turning, starring Mackenzie Davis and Stranger Things star Finn Wolfhard, delivers a healthy dose of demonic minors and will probably have you questioning your next babysitting gig.
The Turning releases in theaters on January 24, 2020.
