Horror television has been something of a mystery over the last couple decades. The first network I can remember getting excited about was The Horror Channel, a cable station that promised 24/7 films, shows, and original content. Sadly, it didn’t live up to its promises, and The Horror Channel turned into something nobody really wanted and it eventually went belly-up before it truly got off the ground.
The next chapter in the history of 24-hour horror channels belonged to Fearnet, which was launched as a video on demand service by Comcast in 2006. It had the same promises as The Horror Channel, but now the internet was more prevalent than ever, and it would be factored into its offerings. In 2014, Comcast acquired Lionsgate and Sony Entertainment, and moved Fearnet’s programming into the Sci-Fi Channel (which at the time was being rebranded as SyFy) and Chiller, Comcast’s premium cable channel. This upset fans who liked Fearnet’s online setup where viewers could join in chats with other horror fans and discuss their favorite films while watching their favorite programming.
Chiller sadly became a watered-down horror channel filled with ads and censor edits. (Because that’s what horror fans are looking for — censored content, right?) It soon became difficult for the company to ignore subscriber numbers dropping, when users decided Netflix and (illegally) downloading content were their best alternatives. So this was when physical media reigned: Companies like Criterion and Shout Factory began offering exclusive content for their films, such as behind-the-scenes features, documentaries, and more — all in 1080p on these upgraded DVDs called Blu-rays.
The Birth of Shudder
Luckily in 2015, something was growing in the dark. Something so sinister (but accessible!) that horror fans would be silly not to indulge in. The very next year, invites started to go out for a new online streaming service from AMC for our favorite genre. It was called Shudder.
Shudder beat out its competitor Screambox by offering 500 films at launch and quality content that only the streaming service could provide. Rob Zombie’s 31 premiered on the platform two weeks before its wide release. Shudder also offered fans a chance to see the full release of The Devils, Ken Russell’s 1971 horror classic.
Since then, Shudder has been working closely with acclaimed filmmakers like Don Coscarelli and Joe Lynch, and since 2018, it has continued to release exclusive and original films and series.
Shudder Originals and Exclusives
Just last year the horror streaming service reached out to cult film historian and host Joe Bob Briggs to bring back his popular 90s horror commentary series Monster Vision, which aired on TNT from 1991 to 2000. Everything was recreated to the nines, minus the name. The special event was like cozying up on your parents basement couch again and watching Phantasm for the first time. Fans were ecstatic about the news and when the first episode aired, fans broke the servers. This was a good problem. Shudder would then bring Joe Bob back for special holiday commentary, which would then spawn the first season of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs.
These exclusive movie events on top of Joe Bob’s return boosted the popularity of streaming service among horror fans. Soon after, announcements of an original Creepshow series from makeup effects artist and close AMC development director Greg Nicotaro began circulating. He then officially announced the project, teasing out a first look of the animated Creepshow host in June. The new series is set to premiere on September 26. This move shows Shudder was taking the right steps to bring in even more horror fans with quality content as well as classic content.
Best Movies to Stream on Shudder
This past week I have been working on a project and ended up binge watching all of the Nightmare on Elm Street films that were recently added. I’ve owned the Blu-ray collection for years, but because Freddy was at my fingertips as the evenings drew near, I could not resist.
The streaming service is also currently releasing Joe Hill’s AMC adaptation of N0S4A2. Sadly, this is not “bingeable” since it is being released episode by episode weekly — but hell if it isn’t bringing me back each and every week!
The film selection alone will keep you watching for hours on end. Here are just a few suggestions to help send a tingle down your spine this fall.
Documentaries:
Never Sleep Again
Eli Roth’s History of Horror
Horror Noire
Why Horror?
Films That Will Scare You:
Terrified
The Exorcist Three
Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer
Hell House LLC
Classics:
Halloween III
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Chopping Mall
Phantom of the Paradise
Why You Should Subscribe to Shudder
It has taken a lot to get here. We went through broken promises to overly priced (and censored) cable networks. But horror finally has a place to rest its wonderfully terrifying head and we, the fans, could not be more pleased.
When you sign up directly on Shudder’s website for a new membership, you can stream Shudder unlimited for $5.99 per month, or save with a yearly membership for $56.99 (only $4.75 a month).
You can start your free 7-day trial of Shudder here.
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