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Just because it’s spring (March 20-June 20, astronomically) doesn’t mean horror is slowing down. While theaters have already had a solid run this season with films like Forbidden Fruits, Hunting Matthew Nichols, and Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, and with plenty more on the horizon, including Obsession (May 15), Passenger (May 22), and Backrooms (May 29), the small screen is quietly stacking up its own slate of nightmares.

From chilling new bloody mysteries to bing-worthy true crime and pulse-pounding horrors, television this spring is overflowing with stories to keep you up in the dead of night. 

Here are ten horror, thriller, and true crime titles we’re most excited to watch this season, along with what they’re about, where to stream them, and when they premiere.

Unchosen — April 21st on Netflix

A tense, psychological drama, Unchosen follows Rosie, a wife and mother living within a tightly controlled, deeply conservative Christian community. Bound by rigid expectations and an increasingly suffocating home life with her husband, Adam, Rosie finds herself quietly unraveling beneath the surface.

Everything shifts when she crosses paths with Sam, an escaped convict on the run. What begins as a risky act of compassion soon turns into something far more complicated, as Rosie finds herself drawn to him in ways that challenge everything she’s been taught to believe.

As her connection with Sam deepens, Rosie is forced to confront a life-altering choice: remain within the safety and constraints of the world she’s always known, or risk everything for a chance at something freer, and far more dangerous.

Starring: Asa Butterfield (Sex Education, Ender’s Game), Molly Windsor (Three Girls, Make Up), and Christopher Eccleston (Doctor Who, Thor: The Dark World).

If Wishes Could Kill — April 24th on Netflix

At Seorin High School, a mysterious mobile app called “Girigo” begins circulating among students, promising to grant any wish. But after a classmate’s sudden death, the app’s true nature starts to come into focus, along with a series of chilling, supernatural warnings that seem to predict who will die next.

As fear spreads, a group of students band together to uncover the truth behind “Girigo” before the cycle claims more victims. But the deeper they dig, the clearer it becomes that some wishes were never meant to be granted.

Starring: Jeon So-young (My Youth, Honour), Kang Mi-na (Cafe Minamdang, Welcome to Samdalri), Baek Sun-ho (Between Him and Her, Dongjae, the Good or the Bastard), Hyn Woo-Seok (404 Still Remain, Aireul Wihan Ai), and Lee Hyo-Je (Good Person, Concrete Utopia).

My Killer Father: The Green Hollow Murders — April 28th on Paramount+

This true crime series explores the legend of the “Monster of Green Hollow,” a suspected serial killer believed by some to be responsible for dozens of murders decades ago.

At the center is Lucy Studey, who claims her father, Donald Studey, was the killer and that she knows where the bodies are buried. But another daughter disputes the accusations, insisting he was innocent.

With Donald Studey dead since 2013 and no confirmed human remains found, the truth remains uncertain, leaving one question hanging over the case: what really happened in Green Hollow?

Widow’s Bay — April 29th on AppleTV

Something isn’t right in Widow’s Bay. Mayor Tom Loftis is determined to revive his isolated island community despite its failing infrastructure,the  skeptical locals, and a long-standing belief that the town is cursed.

Against the odds, he succeeds in bringing tourists back. But as visitors arrive, so do the island’s buried secrets. After decades of silence, the stories once dismissed as superstition begin to resurface — this time, with very real consequences.

Starring: Matthew Rhys (The Americans, The Beast in Me) and Kylie McNeil (Belle, The Colors Within).

Lord of the Flies — May 4th on Netflix

From writer Jack Thorne (Adolescence), this new adaptation of William Golding’s 1954 novel Lord of the Flies brings the classic survival story back to the screen.

After a plane crash leaves a group of boys stranded on a remote island, they attempt to build their own society under the leadership of Ralph, with guidance from the thoughtful Piggy. But as fear and power struggles take hold, order begins to collapse and something far more dangerous emerges.

Starring: Winston Sawyers (The Crow Girl), Lox Pratt (Harry Potter), David McKenna, and Ike Talbut — all part of a largely young cast, with several actors making their on-screen debut. 

M.I.A. — May 7th on Peacock

Set against the backdrop of the Florida Keys and Miami, M.I.A. follows Etta Tiger Jonze, a restless young woman desperate for something more than her family’s dangerous, drug-running life.

When that world is torn apart by a brutal attack, Etta emerges as the sole survivor. Forced into hiding under a new identity, she sets out on a path of revenge, tracking down the twelve men responsible and discovering just how far she’s willing to go.

Starring: Wynn Everett (Palmer, The Newsroom), Tracey Reynolds (Bird Brain, Black Widow), and Dawn Noel (Game of Deceit, All Rise).

The Terror: Devil in Silver — May 7th on AMC/Shudder

The latest installment in The Terror anthology follows Pepper, an ordinary man whose temper lands him involuntarily committed to New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital. But what should be a temporary stay quickly turns into something far more unsettling.

Inside, Pepper finds himself surrounded by hostile patients and staff hiding disturbing secrets. And lurking within the hospital walls is something even worse: an unseen force that feeds on the pain and suffering around it.

Starring: Dan Stevens (Abigail, Downton Abbey).

The Killer Among Us — May 17th on Oxygen

Hosted by Alan Cumming, this true crime series examines shocking murders that unfold within tight-knit communities across the United States.

From small towns and universities to places of worship and close social circles, each case unravels the same unsettling truth that reveals the suspect is often someone familiar — a friend, neighbor, colleague, or classmate.

You’re Killing Me — Spring 2026 on AcornTV

This six-episode murder mystery follows bestselling novelist Allie and aspiring writer/podcaster Andi, who form an unlikely partnership after the murder of a close friend pulls them into a twisting small-town investigation.

As they dig deeper, they’re forced to work alongside Detective Jack Cavanagh, a former city cop adjusting to the quirks and secrets of rural policing. But in a town where everyone knows everyone, trust is in short supply, and the truth is even harder to pin down.

An exact premiere date has yet to be announced, but You’re Killing Me is currently slated for Spring 2026.

Starring: Brooke Shields (The Blue Lagoon, Endless Love), Amalia Williamson (Northern Rescue, Sullivan’s Crossing), and Tom Cavanagh (Ed, Scrubs).

The Vampire Lestat — June 7th on AMC

The third season of Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire adapts Anne Rice’s second novel, The Vampire Lestat, continuing the story of both Louis and Lestat, but this time with Lestat taking on the role of narrator and telling of his past.

In this rock-and-roll–infused chapter, Lestat embarks on a high-profile, multi-city music tour while haunted by muses and figures from his past. As his fame grows, so does his influence over both humans and vampires, igniting unrest amid the so-called “Great Conversion” — a surge in the vampire population that threatens to destabilize their world.

Starring: Sam Reid (The Newsreader, Belle), Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones, Doctor Who), Eric Bogosian (Uncut Gems, Succession), Assad Zaman (Hotel Portofino), Jennifer Ehle (Pride and Prejudice, Zero Dark Thirty), and Delainey Hayles (Holby City, Carrie).

Spring may be warming up the outside, but on the small screen, things are only getting darker. From cursed apps and small-town mysteries to psychological horror and returning fan favorites, this season’s television slate proves that horror is thriving well beyond the theater.

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Have you ever been to London? If so, you might have taken the Underground, the city’s subterranean public transit system. When they announce Whitechapel as the next stop, it’s exciting, especially if you have a taste for the macabre. Whitechapel is the location of the Jack the Ripper serial murders that started in its fog-choked streets back in 1888. 

The identity of the sadistic slasher was never confirmed, much like the U.S.’s Zodiac killer almost 100 years later. Jack has been the inspiration for many films. And because his crimes are still a mystery, it’s a storytelling canvas that’s both true and rife with creative license. 

Below are some films that tackle the Ripper in different ways. They’re all entertaining in their own right, even if they take liberties with the true story. Check out JustWatch to see where they are streaming.

From Hell (2001)

This is perhaps the most well-known modern take on the Ripper story, starring Johnny Depp as an opium-using inspector investigating the murders. The film leans heavily into conspiracy, suggesting a royal cover-up tied to secret societies. What makes it stand out is its thick, oppressive atmosphere and its willingness to turn the mystery into something almost mythic. It’s less about solving the case and more about the inevitability of horror embedded in power structures.

Murder by Decree (1979)

A fascinating crossover, this film imagines Sherlock Holmes taking on the Ripper case. Christopher Plummer’s Holmes approaches the murders with intellect and moral outrage, while the film itself builds toward a conspiracy involving high society. It’s a slower burn, but incredibly effective in portraying the idea that the truth behind the Ripper could be far more disturbing than a lone killer.

Jack the Ripper (1988)

This made-for-TV miniseries starring Michael Caine offers a more procedural approach, following the investigation step-by-step. It’s grounded compared to other entries, focusing on realism and the painstaking nature of detective work. The length allows it to explore suspects and theories in depth, making it one of the more comprehensive dramatizations of the case.

The Lodger (1944)

One of the earliest and most influential Ripper-inspired films, this version stars Laird Cregar as a mysterious tenant who may—or may not—be the killer. It’s less explicit about Jack the Ripper by name, but clearly draws from the legend. The film thrives on paranoia and suspicion, turning the idea of the Ripper into a psychological presence that infects everyone around him.

Hands of the Ripper (1971)

This Hammer Horror entry takes a bold, almost operatic approach: what if the Ripper’s violence was inherited? The story follows his daughter, who becomes a killer herself under psychological triggers. It’s less about the original crimes and more about legacy, trauma, and the idea that evil can be passed down like a curse.

Time After Time (1979)

This one’s a wild card—in the best way. The film imagines author H.G. Wells pursuing Jack the Ripper through time to modern-day San Francisco. It blends sci-fi, romance, and thriller elements while still keeping the Ripper as a cold, calculating force. What’s compelling here is how easily the killer adapts to a new era, suggesting that his kind of violence isn’t confined to the past.

Ripper: Letter from Hell (2001)

A more modern, slasher-style interpretation, this film follows a group of students being stalked by a killer inspired by Jack the Ripper. It leans into the idea of obsession and copycat violence, showing how the Ripper’s legend continues to influence—and corrupt—future generations. It’s less refined than others on the list, but it underscores the enduring cultural grip of the name.

Conclusion

If there’s one thing these films make clear, it’s that Jack the Ripper isn’t just a figure of history—he’s a storytelling archetype. Whether he’s portrayed as a man, a myth, or something in between, the shadow he casts is long, and filmmakers keep finding new ways to step into it.

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There’s nothing that can aompare to Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street: it’s hard to replicate. The dream realm he created was surreal and the villian, Freddy Krueger, added both a psychological and physical threat. Not many can capture that kind of intesity. Which is why movies that tried were never able to. But that doesn’t mean Hollywood didn’t try. When horror leans into a space where dreams, hallucinations, or fractured realities take over—you get something that feels eerily adjacent to Freddy Krueger’s world, even if he’s nowhere in sight.

The films here are the deep cuts—the ones that didn’t dominate the box office or become household names, but absolutely tap into that same nightmare trope. They feel a little like copycats but that’s only because Craven did it perfectly the first time. That’s not to say they don’t have their merits — they are actually good — let’s call them spiritual cousins to Craven’s original. If you’re curious about these films head over to JustWatch to see where, and if, they are streaming.

Bad Dreams

Bad Dreams is probably the closest thing to an unofficial Elm Street sequel you’ll ever find. The film follows a woman who survives a cult mass suicide, only to wake up years later and find herself being stalked in her dreams by the cult leader who died. He invades her sleep, manipulates her reality, and begins killing her friends one by one.

Dream Demon

This is Elm Street stripped of structure and pushed into a Dali painting. The dream sequences are chaotic and disorienting, with sudden violence and shifting environments that feel straight out of Freddy’s playbook. The rules change so frequently, you’re never quite sure what’s real and what’s not.

The Outing

Also known as The Lamp, this one blends supernatural horror with dreamlike possession. It’s not strictly about dreams, but the entity operates like Freddy—appearing suddenly, bending reality, and killing his victims in creative ways. It shifts between the eerie and surreal.

Shocker

Directed by Wes Craven himself, Shocker could be considered a sibling to A Nightmare on Elm Street. An angry serial killer who dies as a result of being put to death in the electric chair, gains the ability to travel through electricity and possess people

You can feel Craven playing within the same sandbox here. The villain is over-the-top and full of Krueger-like sass and everything is exagerrated, almost cartoonish. It’s not as well-rounded as Elm Street, but it’s so corny (in a good way) that it could have been a rejected script in the Elm Street franchise.

Brainscan

Brainscan takes Craven’s dream invasion idea and adds in an early ‘90s tech paranoia. A teenager plays a mysterious video game that immerses him in hyper-realistic murders—but are they happening in real life? The game’s host, Trickster, acts like a gleeful, Freddy-esque villian pushing the gamer deeper into a nightmare.

CD’s, mechanical keyboards and assarole dish-sized hard drives are going to age this kinda Elm Street, kinda-not ripoff. Trickster’s presence feels like a horror RPG that emerges from the computer CRT and into the real world.

The Vagrant

The Vagrant follows a man who becomes convinced that a strange drifter is invading his life. It’s less about literal dreams and more about a waking nightmare. This isn’t a straight bllue pring copy of Craven’s classic, but it lives within its spirit. It’s the kind of film where you feel trapped inside someone else’s unraveling mind.

Anguish

Anguish is a meta-horror deep cut that plays with perception in a way that feels genuinely unsettling. The film follows a disturbed man committing murders under his mother’s control—but it’s framed through layers of reality that begin to collapse in on themselves, especially in its infamous theater-set sequences. It weaponizes perception just like in Freddy’s dream world. Anguish creates a space where the audience—and the characters—can’t trust what they’re experiencing. It’s psychological, disorienting, and laced with that same creeping dread that something is very, very wrong beneath the surface.