Halloween has arrived, and for those planning a spooky night in, several horror films are available to stream for free in the UK with a TV licence. BBC iPlayer and ITVX both offer a selection of terrifying titles, from psychological thrillers to body horror classics.
Get Out on BBC iPlayer
Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, follows a man, played by Daniel Kaluuya, whose worst fears come true during a weekend visit to his girlfriend's parents' house. The film relies on psychological scares rather than gore, and its reputation has grown since it was nominated for four Oscars.
Halloween on BBC iPlayer
John Carpenter's 1978 film Halloween introduced Michael Myers and Jamie Lee Curtis to audiences. The story follows escaped mental patient Michael Myers, who returns to stalk teenage babysitter Laurie Strode, played by Curtis, while his psychiatrist, Dr. Samuel Loomis, portrayed by Donald Pleasence, pursues him. The original remains the best choice, as some sequels, such as Halloween: Resurrection, have been poorly received.
The Substance on BBC iPlayer
Released in 2024 and written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, The Substance is a body horror film about a fading celebrity, played by Demi Moore, who is fired by her producer, Dennis Quaid, due to her age. She uses a black market drug that creates a younger woman, portrayed by Margaret Qualley, with unexpected side effects. The film explores themes of cosmetic surgery and self-image.
The Babadook on ITVX
The 2014 Australian psychological horror film The Babadook, written and directed by Jennifer Kent, follows a widowed single mother and her son as they confront a mysterious humanoid monster in their home. The film, which runs for 94 minutes, is credited with helping to popularise indie horror and influenced later Australian films such as Talk To Me, Relic, and Little Monsters.
It Follows on ITVX
David Robert Mitchell's 2014 film It Follows stars Maika Monroe as a young woman pursued by a supernatural entity. The only way to escape the entity is by sleeping with another person. A sequel, They Follow, was filmed earlier this year and is expected to be released within the next 12 months.
