Mindhunter, Stranger Things and most recently the third season of Squid Game — many of the most popular shows in streaming come from the thriller and horror genres.
But what if you could cut the cost of your subscriptions by paying for one streaming service that has hundreds of these gripping titles all in one place?
Let us introduce you to Shudder. It’s a lesser-known video on demand (VOD) service that works similarly to Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and the like.
Users pay a subscription fee for access to the content library, but, unlike the more mainstream streaming services, Shudder has a more niche catalogue.
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It calls itself ‘a premium streaming service offering the best selection of horror, thriller and supernatural movies, series and specials’ — but horror is probably the genre it’s known best for.
Shudder’s general manager, Craig Engler, previously told Mashable: ‘Most streaming services are trying to be all things to all viewers. We’re focused on one thing.
‘The result is that, even though we’re not as big as Netflix or Prime Video, our shows and movies are ranked right up alongside theirs, or in many cases ahead of theirs.’
And unlike free streaming services such as Tubi and Pluto, which some TV fans are using as alternatives or supplements to the bigger streamers, Shudder has no ad breaks.
It costs £4.99 per month, or subscribers can pay £49.99 annually, which works out at roughly £4.17 per month.
That makes it 60% cheaper than Netflix, which costs £12.99 per month for the ad-free plan.
Meanwhile, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime and Apple TV Plus all currently cost £8.99 per month without ads, roughly 30% more than the cost of Shudder.
If you’re unsure whether to commit, you can sign up to Shudder’s seven-day free trial.
How to watch Shudder
Horror fans can subscribe via Shudder.com and watch on a desktop or the Shudder app.
It’s also possible to watch on a TV screen with Google Chromecast or Apple AirPlay, or via Amazon Prime Video.
For the latter option, users will need to already have Prime Video and purchase an extra subscription to Shudder on top. With this, all of Shudder’s content will appear when browsing Prime Video on the TV.
However, it’s worth bearing in mind that you’re unlikely to find recent box office hits on Shudder — it’s offering focuses more on indie and cult-classics, making it better suited to true horror and thriller buffs than mainstream audiences.
Halloween, Day of the Dead and Insidious are some of the best-known titles on the streamer, while more recent releases include Grafted and The Ugly Stepsister.
When it comes to TV shows, Shudder’s offering is fairly light compared to its movie catalogue.
Popular series include Hannibal, starring Mads Mikkelsen, horror anthology series Channel Zero and Creepshow (the latter of which is based on the 1982 horror comedy classic), as well as reality competition show Dragula.
Documentaries such as Cursed Films, which explores the myths and legends behind some of Hollywood’s biggest horror movies, and The 101 Scariest Horror Movie Moments of All Time are also popular TV shows on the streamer.
Shudder produces its own original and exclusive content too, and in addition to the online library there’s Shudder TV, a 24/7 channel with an endless stream of horror movies that’s updated weekly.
Metro’s review of Shudder
Metro reporter and resident horror fan, Rebecca Sayce, uses Shudder and gives it a glowing review.
‘As an avid horror fan (from big blockbuster haunted house flicks to extreme niche indie splatterfests), Shudder is an essential for me. The streaming service compiles everything from the latest huge feature films to shorts, original documentaries, and hidden gems otherwise lost among their peers. The curation of titles is a testament to the Shudder team’s passion for horror, offering a variety for genre fans not seen with other streaming services — and for just £5 a month, a bargain at that.
‘I’ve discovered many titles I wouldn’t otherwise have seen thanks to Shudder, like their incredibly informative Horror Noire documentary exploring the history of Black horror cinema, and films that have fast become constant watches for me (like 2023 smash hit Late Night With The Devil, and Demian Rugna’s unbelievably brutal When Evil Lurks). If you’re a fan of all things that go bump in the night, you need to invest in Shudder.’
Reviews of Shudder are mostly positive, with fans praising the low cost and unique content offering.
On Reddit, one user said of the streamer: ‘They have a pretty varied variety of films. Classics, B-movie, modern. It runs the gamut. You’re bound to find something that interests you.’
Another added: ‘Most of the critically acclaimed festival movies seem to end up on Shudder first. So I’m all about it.’
One fan wrote: ‘I have it and always used it. They have good stuff and it’s cheaper than most other services,’ while another said: ‘Insane deal. I have had Shudder since it was first released and never felt the need to cancel.’
But others said they tend to only use Shudder for a few months at a time, mostly around Halloween.
Reddit user RestlessAstronaut wrote: ‘I’ve had Shudder on and off for the last few years. It has some great content on there…but…there’s not a whole lot of new content uploads per month.
‘I’ve found it’s better for me personally to get it for a month or two, watch what’s new then put it on pause for a few months and come back later.’
Another user agreed: ‘This is exactly what I do with it…over the Halloween period it’s great to grab for a month, but I agree I wouldn’t have a constant sub to it without more new content a month.’
And one added: ‘I’m also one of those who orders Shudder on October 2 and cancels it on November 2.’
Others suggested that fans of horror and thrillers can save money by using Tubi instead.
‘Honestly, Tubi is where it’s at for horror in my opinion. If you already have Netflix or another service, Tubi fills in the gaps for a lot of horror movies. And it’s free,’ one user said.
Another added: ‘[Shudder] has some great stuff, but Tubi has just as good if not a better selection AND it’s free.’
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