The slasher Film has become as American as apple pie. In some twisted way, audiences relate to these brutal movies depicting average, everyday citizens turning into heroes as they’re thrust into terrifying scenarios with chainsaws buzzing and knives gashing. Millions of horror fans tuning in to watch the latest showdown between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode or Freddy and Nancy or Jason and any unlucky camper makes one thing clear: scream queens and masked killers are not going out of fashion any time soon.

HBO Max has plenty of classic slashers, with fantastic films that every horror fan should see. From forgotten pre-Halloween classics to modern-day masterpieces, these slasher films promise to leave no knife unbloodied.

Looking for more horror recommendations? Check out our list of the best movies on HBO or the best horror movies on Netflix or Hulu.

Editor’s note: This article was updated April 2023 to include Cabin in the Woods.

RELATED: The Best Slasher Movies of the 21st Century So Far

Freddy vs. Jason (2003)

Run Time: 1 hr 37 min | Director: Ronny Yu

Cast: Robert England, Ken Kirzinger, Kelly Rowland, Monica Keena

Freddy Kruger has been banished to Hell and forgotten by the children of Springwood. He locates Jason Voorhees, also in Hell, and manipulates the masked slasher into a scheme to break them both out. The killings begin again, and when Jason realizes he has been used, his anger turns from nubile teens to Freddy himself. The film is great, mostly because what horror fan hasn’t wanted to see Freddy battle Jason? It is slightly cheesy, definitely silly, and super-gory. All the things you want out of a Freddy or Jason movie. – Alyse Wax

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Cabin in the Woods (2011)

Run Time: 1 hr 35 min | Director: Drew Goddard

Cast: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Bradley Whitford, Richard Jenkins

Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins star in the ultra-meta slasher flick Cabin in the Woods. In Drew Goddard’s directorial debut, Cabin in the Woods was co-written by the director and Joss Whedon. Cabin in the Woods blossoms from the traditional horror premise of attractive young people visiting a remote location for a weekend to partake in drinking, drugs, and sex. While this foundational plot often evolves into various expected tropes, Cabin in the Woods cleverly subverts expectations. Through intense action and thrilling suspense, Cabin in the Woods seamlessly merges genres like sci-fi, horror, and satire. Along with Whitford and Jenkins, Cabin in the Woods features early performances from Thor’s Chris Hemsworth, as well as Jesse Williams and Kristen Connolly. – Yael Tygiel

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House of Wax (2005)

Run Time: 1 hr 53 min | Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Cast: Chad Michael Murray, Paris Hilton, Elisha Cuthbert, Jared Padalecki, Robert Ri’chard

A who’s who of early aughts teen heartthrobs, House of Wax starred Chad Michael Murray, Paris Hilton, and Elisha Cuthbert, as well as Jared Padalecki (Walker). Although a remake loosely based on a remake, House of Wax is considered director Jaume Collet-Serra’s feature directorial debut. Taking place in a desert ghost town, House of Wax follows a group of college friends stranded and seeking help from eerie twins running the local wax museum, only to realize the current display is not what it seems as they are suddenly hunted for the next exhibit. A spooky film with fun performances, House of Wax is entertaining despite not being particularly groundbreaking. – Yael Tygiel

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My Bloody Valentine (1981)

Run Time: 1 hr 41 min | Director: George Mihalka

Cast: Paul Kelman, Lori Hallier, Neil Affleck, Don Francks, Cynthia Dale

Paul Kelman and Lori Hallier star in My Bloody Valentine, a heart-pumping slasher flick from a script by John Beaird and directed by George Mihalka. With a classic premise of a man returning to his hometown on the anniversary of a massacre, My Bloody Valentine is a brutally violent and gruesome mystery. In addition to leaning heavily into the grisly gore, the underlying story of My Bloody Valentine is built on a strong foundational mythology about a mining town accident, which resulted in a psychopath in a minor’s mask slaying townsfolk. Crafting the ideal balance of horror to mystery, My Bloody Valentine is a beloved staple in the thriller genre. – Yael Tygiel

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Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013)

Run Time: 1 hr 32 min | Director: John Luessenhop

Cast: Alexandra Daddario, Tania Raymonde, Scott Eastwood, Trey Songz

The legend continues with Texas Chainsaw 3D as the newest generation of young adults travel to Newt, Texas. Alexandra Daddario (The White Lotus) stars as Heather, the inheritor of a lavish, isolated Texas estate who unfortunately discovers her Victorian mansion comes with a few dark secrets, including a chainsaw-wielding monster in the cellar. Director John Luessenhop rebooted the franchise and, along with writers Adam Marcus, Debra Sullivan, and Kirsten Elms, connected Texas Chainsaw 3D seamlessly to the events of Tobe Hooper’s original 1974 film, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Texas Chainsaw 3D is a ghastly sequel keeping the legend alive. – Yael Tygiel

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A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Run Time: 1 hr 31 min | Director: Wes Craven

Cast: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Johnny Depp

Growing up can be a nightmare. Parents are controlling, school is hard, and sleep is all too fleeting. The 1984 fantasy slasher film Nightmare on Elm Streetis a full-blown waking nightmare as a bunch of teenagers begin sharing the same disturbing dream. The nightmares are of the serial killer Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a dead man who uses dreams as an opportunity to hunt teenagers down and kill them. High school students begin getting murdered in their dreams as Freddy gets closer and closer to crossing over into the real world. Final girl and fellow classmate Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) refuses to go to sleep and makes it her mission to bring Freddy down even if it means she has to burn in hell herself. Written and directed by Wes Craven, Nightmare On Elm Street features Johnny Depp in his feature film debut alongside John Saxon, Amanda Wyss, and Ronee Blakley in a timeless classic about the horrors of being a teenager trapped in a superficial world.

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A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge (1985)

Run Time: 1 hr 27 min | Director: Jack Sholder

Cast: Mark Patton, Kim Myers, Robert Rusler, Clu Gulager, Hope Lange, Robert Englund

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revengeis a much different film from the 1984 classic. While the first film deals with genuinely terrifying societal horror, Freddy’s Revenge tackles all the wacky hijinks that come with going through puberty. Robert Englund became the campier version of Freddy Krueger that the subsequent sequels would adopt; the various sequences where Freddy transforms his body show a far goofier version of the iconic killer. Freddy’s Revenge has rightfully earned a cult appreciation in recent years. The 2019 documentary Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street explored the homoerotic subtext of the film and featured fascinating insights from actor Mark Patton. –Liam Gaughan

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The Purge (2013)

Run Time: 1 hr 25 min | Director: James DeMonaco

Cast: Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, Max Burkholder

The film that kickstarted the dystopian franchise a decade ago, the original Purge thrives due to its fascinating and terrifyingly relevant premise. The concept is rather simple: all crime is made legal for 12 hours every year. The film follows a wealthy family who, despite their new security system, ends up held hostage. Offering both biting social commentary and a thrilling home invasion thriller, The Purge went on to make nearly $90 million on a budget of only $3 million. – Taylor Gates

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The Forever Purge (2021)

Run Time: 1 hr 43 min | Director: Everardo Valerio Gout

Cast: Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Cassidy Freeman, Leven Rambin, Will Patton

The fifth film in the extremely popular Purge franchise, The Forever Purge picks up where The Purge: Election Year leaves off by following a group of people attempting to escape the US after some people continue committing crimes after the Purge is over. The story is especially timely, touching on themes of racism, classism, immigration, and greed. If you’re looking for a truly frightening dystopian horror movie with a unique concept and surprising twists that will keep you on your toes, you’ll find it in this flick. – Taylor Gates

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Final Destination (2000)

Run Time: 1 hr 38 min | Director: James Wong

Cast: Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, Kristen Cloke, Seann William Scott, Tony Todd, Chad Donella

Final Destinationis not your typical slasher flick. Instead of a masked figure stalking a group of people, this movie features a less conspicuous killer. While preparing for a class trip to Paris, Alex (Devon Sawa) has a premonition of the plane exploding on takeoff. He freaks out and gets himself, one of his teachers, and a few of his classmates kicked off the plane. After his premonition comes true and the plane explodes, they try to move on with their lives and take advantage of their second chance. However, they soon discover that Death won’t let them off so easily. As the survivors start to die in increasingly bizarre accidents, Alex tries to find a way to fend off this malevolent force and save his friends from its wrath. Even though we never physically see the killer, their presence is everywhere. Death makes everyday objects deadly, which is its own special brand of terrifying. – Brynna Arens

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Final Destination 2 (2003)

Run Time: 1 hr 30 min | Director: David R. Ellis

Cast: A.J. Cook, Ali Larter, Tony Todd, Michael Landes, Keegan Connor Tracy, James Kirk, David Paetkau, Justina Machado, Terrence ‘T.C’ Carson, Jonathan Cherry

On the one-year anniversary of the Flight 180 explosion from the first Final Destination, Kimberly (A.J. Cook) has a premonition of a deadly and explosive pileup on the highway. When she wakes up, she freaks out and blocks the on-ramp, effectively saving herself and others from dying. However, as with the first film, Death isn’t ready to just let them walk away. The deaths are somehow even more bizarre than the first film and will likely have you avoiding dentists, elevators, and driving behind log trucks for a while after watching it. As the bodies pile up, Kimberly tries her best to defeat Death once again to save herself and the others. But even with the help of Flight 180 survivor Clear Rivers (Ali Larter), she can’t save everyone. – Brynna Arens

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Halloween Kills (2021)

Run Time: 1 hr 45 min | Director: David Gordon Green

Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, Thomas Mann, Anthony Michael Hall, Kyle Richards

You’d be forgiven if you’ve found the Halloween timeline a bit confusing. To be clear, Halloween Kills is the sequel to 2018’s Halloween, which ignored all of the previous sequels outside of the original Halloween from 1978. Halloween Kills somehow makes it even more complicated by adding in digitally remastered footage of the original film, as well as new scenes. Look, Michael Meyers is killing people again; that’s all you really need to know. Halloween Kills is certainly one of the most brutal films in the franchise thus far and introduced an eerily accurate depiction of mob justice. –Liam Gaughan

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Malignant (2021)

Run Time: 1 hr 52 min | Director: James Wan

Cast: Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young, Susanna Thompson, Michole Brianna White

While Malignantcombines elements of supernatural-thriller and slasher genres, there is truly nothing out there like this movie. After Madison’s (Annabelle Wallis) abusive husband is mysteriously murdered in their home, she discovers that a presence from her childhood is back with a vengeance. Haunted by visions of other murders this entity is committing, Madison goes to the police for help. With the help of her sister Sydney (Maddie Hasson) and Detectives Shaw (George Young) and Moss (Michole Brianna White), Madison starts to uncover secrets from her past that connect her to this ruthless killer. If you haven’t had the big plot twist of Malignant spoiled for you yet, I highly suggest going into the movie without reading anything else about it. It’s truly one of the most jaw-dropping killer reveals in recent history. – Brynna Arens

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Sisters (1973)

Run Time: 1 hr 32 min | Director: Brian De Palma

Cast: Margot Kidder, Jennifer Salt

Before Brian De Palma was known for directing horror classics like Carrie and Dressed to Kill, he first began terrifying audiences in 1973 with his slasher film, Sisters. Serving as an homage to AlfredHitchcock’s Rear Window, political journalist Grace Collier (Jennifer Salt) believes she’s witnessed the brutal murder of a next-door neighbor, but nobody believes her. Her investigation leads her down a dangerous rabbit hole as she attempts to uncover the truth, and the results are disturbing. Though it came out almost fifty years ago, Sisters carries a timeless weight as it follows one woman’s determination to tell the truth, no matter the cost. Deliriously frightening with a beating pulse of paranoia, Sisters relentlessly creeps throughout its 90-minute runtime and goes for the jugular as the end credits start to roll.

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