2026 horror film rankings released

JustWatch, a streaming platform that tracks what people watch online, released a list of the ten most popular horror films from 2026 on October 28. The list was published as Halloween, a holiday centered on spooky themes, approaches on October 31.

Low-budget films dominate

The data show that several low-budget films had major success in 2026. These include Obsession and Backrooms, which became big hits despite their relatively small production costs. This trend highlights how quality storytelling can overcome limited budgets in the horror genre.

Top film is a psychological thriller

Obsession, directed by Curry Barker, was the top film on the list. It is a psychological thriller that explores the consequences of a wish that goes wrong within a love story. The film was made for $750,000 but earned over $500 million globally.

YouTube origins in the top ten

Backrooms, adapted from Kane Parsons’ YouTube series, also made the top ten. The film follows a furniture store owner who stumbles upon a mysterious yellow maze. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars in the film, adding to its credibility and appeal.

Diverse range of horror subgenres

Other top films include The House in the Middle of the Forest, a psychological horror directed by Damian McCarthy, and The New Blood, a horror comedy that mixes 1980s slasher tropes with modern humor. These films show the variety of horror subgenres that resonated with audiences in 2026.

Franchises and tech horror featured

From sixth to tenth place, the list includes both established horror franchises and newer technological horror films. Scream 7 and Ready or Not 2: Here I Come continue popular series, while M3GAN explores the dangers of advanced artificial intelligence in a thriller format.