10 Terrifying John Carpenter Movies You Can Stream Now
One thing all horror fans agree on is that John Carpenter is one of the best things to happen to the genre. Whether you’re a fan of his writing, direction, or the soundtracks he’s composed with the sole intention of giving us nightmares, odds are you are part of the millions who enjoy his work. Carpenter’s films span decades, and each seems geared at making genre nerds remember why we go to the cinema. So, I felt it was time to honor the man who gave us Michael Myers, wrote Eyes of Laura Mars, and co-directed Body Bags with a streaming guide. After all, it is the season his most beloved creation comes home.
Here are 10 films John Carpenter-helmed films that you might want to sneak into your Halloween viewing list.
Christine
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Peacock, Tubi
A nerd begins to change for the worse after buying a car that seems to have a mind of its own. Many filmmakers have attempted to adapt the various works of Stephen King. However, few end up with anything as cool as what John Carpenter gave us. Not only did Christine have some fun kills, but the director also managed to make a 1958 Plymouth Fury menacing even while stationary. He gave us a film that is literally hell on wheels, and we are a better society for his efforts. No movie about a killer car has any business being this good, but here we are.
Dark Star
Where You Can Watch: Peacock, Plex, Prime Video, Pluto TV, The Roku Channel, Sling TV, and Tubi
A bumbling crew of astronauts experience problems during their mission to destroy a rogue planet. Some of you pretend this sci-fi comedy doesn’t belong under the horror umbrella. However, I’m not listening. Dark Star was John Carpenter’s first feature film, which he directed, produced, and co-wrote with Dan O’Bannon. Oh and did I mention he composed the score? So, it’s a true glimpse at the beginning of our favorite living horror grandpa’s legacy. The aspiring horror historian in me is telling you to hit play and immediately watch your favorite movie from the maestro afterward. You’re welcome for this chaotic double feature!
The Fog
Where You Can Watch: VOD
A coastal town preparing for its centennial finds itself under attack by a mysterious fog and the things that hide within it. I was late to The Fog, but I am here to tell you it is a great Saturday afternoon popcorn flick. Much like with Christine, Carpenter makes the ordinary unnerving as you find yourself frightened as you stare into the fog. I also have to point out that this is one of the movies he co-wrote with frequent collaborator Debra Hill. While she left us way too soon in 2005, her contributions to the horror genre deserve way more respect. I don’t think this movie would work half as well as it does if it wasn’t for Hill and Carpenter tag-teaming it.
Ghosts of Mars
Where You Can Watch: AMC+ and Tubi
Two officers head to a mining outpost to retrieve a prisoner but discover the colony has been taken over by an ancient Martian civilization possessing the people who inhabit the land. Carpenter took Natasha Henstridge, Joanna Cassidy, Clea DuVall, and THEE Pam Grier to space in this piece of horror-sci-fi, and you want me to act normal about it. I think not. I don’t care what critics think. If Ghost Of Mars is on the TV I have to cancel my plans and rewatch it. This is one of those movies I cannot stop watching. No, I will not be taking any questions at this time.
Halloween (1978)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Plex, and Shudder
Six-year-old Michael Myers killed his older sister on Halloween and was sent away. 17 years later, he’s broken out and is on his way home to finish what he started. This is one of my favorite things John Carpenter has ever gifted the world. Not only did this movie reset the slasher genre, but it spawned a horror icon. Michael Myers was so cool that he was one of my imaginary friends when I was a kid. Clearly, none of us can quit him because we keep showing up for every reboot, reimagining, record scratch, etc. While this franchise might be harder to kill than Michael Myers himself, the original is the reason for the Halloween season.
Prince of Darkness
Where You Can Watch: Peacock
A priest finds a vial of slime that turns out to be the essence of Satan. When the slime gets loose, it turns people into zombified killers and makes one student Satan personified. This wild movie saw Donald Pleasence and John Carpenter work together again, and that always makes for some unhinged magic. I am also living for this supernatural horror movie because Susan Blanchard plays the student who becomes Satan So, even in 1987, Carpenter was doing the Lord’s work because we’re still not getting enough women playing the devil in this genre, if you ask me.
They Live
Where You Can Watch: Peacock and Tubi
A wanderer finds a pair of sunglasses that reveal the truth about the world around him. As he discovers the subliminal messages and skull-faced aliens attempting world domination, he realizes he must fight to free humanity from these sinister extraterrestrials. They Live is based on the short story Eight O’Clock in the Morning by Ray Nelson. This 1988 film saw Keith David in another Carpenter-helmed vehicle and made the world a better place. This would also see them both get back into the sci-fi horror arena, which is clearly a subgenre that looks good on them.
The Thing (1982)
Where You Can Watch: AMC+, Peacock, and Prime Video
A research team stranded in Antarctica finds themselves hunted by a shape-shifting alien that takes on the appearance of its victims. Depending on the day, this is my favorite John Carpenter film. I’m here for the paranoia, practical effects, flame throwers, and that ambiguous ending. The Thing also brought together the two legends known as Kurt Russell and Keith David. I love this movie so much that it hurts. When I found out people let it flop when it premiered, I wished time travel was a thing because I would go back in time and fight all of our parents and grandparents. Believe me when I tell you that had I been alive, I would have been living in the theater watching this goopy movie for days.
Village of the Damned (1995)
Where You Can Watch: Peacock and Tubi
A local doctor and an FBI agent must battle a town of alien children. I know this remake isn’t for everybody, but it’s the first time I saw the late Christopher Reeve on screen as a kid. I’ve never been big on Superman, so I missed him in those and didn’t get to explore his filmography until I was older. So, this John Carpenter movie is the first thing I think of when I hear his name. It holds a special place because I found it around the time many of my favorite actors were pretending they were better than my favorite genre. Yet, Reeve, who seemed to be everywhere, was here battling creepy kids with elegance and grace.
The Ward
Where You Can Watch: Fandango At Home, Peacock, Plex, Pluto TV, Prime Video, and Tubi
A woman is committed to a psych ward where the spirit of a former patient haunts the girls being treated there. I stumbled across this movie this year, and I hit play because I saw John Carpenter listed as the director. I was shocked to see this 1960s period piece starred Amber Heard and had Sydney Sweeney in a supporting role. The direction is the best part of the movie and probably why I was able to see it through to the end. While it is not my favorite on the list, it reminded me why Carpenter is one of the best horror directors we’ve ever had in the genre.
Are you also a lowkey John Carpenter stan account? Then we should probably be friends at @misssharai.
Categorized:Editorials Streaming Guides
