Shudder Review 2023

Calling all fans of zombies, ghosts and Freddy Krueger: if you’re looking for the scary version of Netflix, look no further than Shudder.

Shudder is a subscription-based streaming service exclusively dedicated to horror, thriller, and suspense content. It offers a wide range of films, TV series’, and original content, with a vast library of classic and modern horror movies from around the world, with new titles added every month.

What Content Does Shudder Have?

Shudder's library of over 600+ titles includes a wide range of horror sub-genres. If you can think of it, it’s probably there. Beyond the typical supernatural, slasher, creature features, and psychological, you can even find very niche micro-genres like Queer Horror for queer stories and creators, Horror Noire for all things black horror, and Love Sick for the fine line between love and obsession.

In addition to popular horror titles like Halloween, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and The Exorcist, you’ll find tons of lesser-known, indie horror films to sink your teeth into, particularly ones that may be difficult to find elsewhere.

Shudder also offers a live-streaming feature called "Shudder TV," which plays a curated selection of horror content on a 24/7 schedule, providing you with a constant stream of horror content. You have to be a paying subscriber to get access to Shudder TV’s carefully curated channels:

• It Came From Shudder: Shudder exclusives and originals
• Folk Horror: Haunting landscapes, rural communities, and all things folklore
• Slashics: Slasher movies

Shudder also produces its own original content, including original movies and series like Creepshow, Cursed Films, and The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs. Whether you’re looking for “so bad it’s good” slasher flicks or well-scripted elevated horror, you’re in for a treat with Shudder.

Shudder Interface And Usability

We love Shudder’s interface because it’s straightforward and easy to navigate, with a dark, horror-themed design that sets the mood for the platform.

The home screen features 4 sections: Collections, Movies, Series, and Shudder TV. Once you click into a section, it’s easy to scroll through and get an overview of what is available on the platform.

Collections is the category that really stood out to us, and one of Shudder’s coolest features. This section allows users to explore specific sub-genres or themes of horror, making it easy to find shows and movies that match your niched-down tastes. Some sub-genres you’ll find in Shudder’s horror repertoire are Folk Horror, Bloodthirsty, and Neo Slashers. You can also browse by actor, director, or keyword.

When you click on a title, you’ll be able to see a description of the movie or show, the trailer (if it’s available), and the rating (in skulls, not stars!) that other Shudder members have given it along with reviews you can scroll through. If it tickles your fancy, you can hit play, and it’s easy as that.

How Does Shudder Compare To Other Services?

If you’re considering Shudder, you’re probably a big horror fan. But if horror isn’t all you’re looking for, then you’d better look elsewhere, because that’s basically all Shudder’s packing.

Some worthy competitors include Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. Each of these on-demand streaming services carry loads of horror content, including their own original dark movies and series’. You won’t find as much horror-focused content as Shudder, but you will find comedies, dramas, reality shows, documentaries, and more. They’re slightly pricier than Shudder, but they also come with more features, and more content.

Shudder Is Not The Best For Sharing

Unfortunately, a subscription to Shudder only gets you one stream at a time. Currently, there is no option to upgrade your account to get more streams. To be able to watch on more than one device at a time, you’ll need to sign up for another subscription.

In other words, Shudder is not ideal for sharing, unless you plan on watching with a partner or friend.

Great For Horror Fans, Bad For People Who Want More Variety

Shudder only offers horror, thriller, and suspense content. If you’re looking for more variety in terms of genre, you won’t find that with Shudder.

Shudder is more affordable than many other streaming services, but that’s because it caters to a specific audience who wants all things scary. Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime are all great options if you’re looking for on-demand streaming services with a healthy dose of horror along with plenty of other genres everyone can enjoy.

Shudder Doesn’t Support 4K Streaming

Another important factor to note is that Shudder doesn’t have the capabilities to deliver a fantastic home theater experience.

Unlike many other streaming services including Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime, Shudder doesn’t support 4K streaming. The highest resolution that Shudder supports is 720p streaming quality, with no support for Dolby Atmos.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a streaming service that offers more variety beyond horror, you may want to consider another option like Hulu or Amazon Prime Video. But for those who adore jump scares and urban legends, Shudder was made just for you.