The Black Phone (2021)
Set in the late 1970s, The Black Phone stars four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke (The Northman, Before Midnight) in the most disturbing role of his career as a sadistic killer who kidnaps Finney, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy.
Trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use, Finney finds a lifeline when a disconnected phone on the wall begins to ring and he discovers that he can hear the voices of the killer's previous victims, who are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn't happen to Finney.
Produced by Oscar-nominated horror legend Jason Blum (Get Out, The Invisible Man), The Black Phone was the third highest-grossing horror film of 2022, with an 83% critics' rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
As Finney, rising star Mason Thames won at this year’s Fangoria Chainsaw Awards, where young fan-favourite Madeleine McGraw (Young Hope in Ant-Man and the Wasp ) beat Hawke for Best Supporting Performance.
Based on a short story by Stephen King’s son, award-winning author Joe Hill (Heart-Shaped Box, NOS4A2), The Black Phone also won the 2023 Chainsaw Award for Best Wide-release Film, as well as Best Screenplay for C Robert Cargill and co-writer and director Scott Derrickson, the team behind Marvel’s Doctor Strange and the Sinister movies. The Black Phone was also nominated for 2023 Critics' Choice Super Awards for Best Horror Movie and Best Actor in a Horror Movie (Hawke).
More like this
Smurfs (2025)
When Papa Smurf is abducted by the evil wizard siblings, Smurfette and the other Smurfs travel to the real world to rescue him.
How to Train Your Dragon: Bringing Hiccup and Astrid to life
Mason Thames and Nico Parker talk about playing the leads in the 2025 live-action adaptation of the fantasy classic How To Train Your Dragon.
How To Train Your Dragon (2025)
In this live-action adaptation, Hiccup's friendship with Toothless becomes the key to forging a new future for dragons and Vikings.
Maria (2024)
In this biopic. Maria Callas, the world's greatest opera singer, confronts her identity as she lives the last days of her life in 1970s Paris.
Dear Santa (2024)
When a boy mistakenly writes to Satan instead of Santa Claus, he summons the devil (Jack Black), who offers him three wishes for his soul.
The King of Kings (2025)
A devoted father vividly recalls Jesus' life through storytelling while guiding his son on a transformative journey.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s South African stunts
Tom Cruise, director Christopher McQuarrie, and Durban-born stunt co-ordinator Wade Eastwood unpack the Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s death-defying biplane stunts.
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (2025)
The spy escapades of Ethan Hunt and the IMF come to an end. They must stop a rogue AI called The Entity before it destroys the world.
Single Kiasi S4, now streaming
Reckless S1, now streaming
More of the best movies to stream
Mathew Ngugi on Adam to Eve & His Fast-Rising Acting Career
Adam to Eve star Mathew Ngugi opens up on about his breakout role in MTV Shuga and his journey to becoming Kenya’s most promising new stars.
What to watch on Showmax this January
Kick off 2026 with How To Train Your Dragon and Jurassic Park Rebirth, as well as the new season of The Housewives of Beverly Hills.
The Mindy Project S1-6
Dr Mindy Lahiri (Mindy Kaling from 'The Office') juggles her personal dreams and professional duties in a quirky New York medical practice.
Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online
Showmax is the home of The Real Housewives, giving an inside look at the lives of these glam women from Durban, Abuja, Lagos, Joburg, Nairobi and more. Plus, go on vacation with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip!
Latest Stories
From Poverty to Purpose: The Redemption of Emmanuel Adebayor: Why Saving Lives Trumps Scoring Goals
Christall on The Ultimate Girls Trip, Evodia and more
Manchester City vs Liverpool: The Rivalry Reignites
What to watch on Showmax in Kenya in November 2025
Annie Mthembu opens up about The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa
Can LFC rediscover the form that saw them crowned champions?
Conor Bradley on Liverpool's difficult run and the path back
Must-watch trailer: The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Creating The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
From The Office to The Paper
Dexter's deadly to-do list in Dexter: Resurrection
Bafana Bafana composed for Durban showdown against Zimbabwe
Arsenal and Liverpool early front-runners ahead of Premier League international break
Inside spy movie Black Bag
The Premier League canvas: a Saturday masterpiece painted in blue and red
What to watch on Showmax in Kenya in October 2025
Godfrey Odhiambo on Reckless, his career, and the evolution of Kenyan film
The clash of the new number 9s: Gyökeres vs Woltemade
June Squibb wins Best Actress award at age 95 for Thelma
Red vs Blue: Showmax Premier League serves up a blockbuster weekend
Blockbuster Premier League weekend: Red vs Blue
Minne Kariuki on Single Kiasi, motherhood and being a “gold digger”
Gerard Butler and O’Shea Jackson Jr chat about Den of Thieves 2: Pantera
From doubt to dynamo: Micky van de Ven's rise at Tottenham
