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
Sweethearts (2024)
Two college freshmen make a pact to break up with their high school sweethearts during the "Drunksgiving" holiday break, but their plan goes awry.
How M3GAN 2.0 blurred the lines between human and AI
Allison Williams, Ivanna Sakhno and M3GAN 2.0 writer-creator Gerard Johnstone talk about how the back-and-forth between humans, robots, and AI turned creepy on set.
M3GAN 2.0 (2025)
Killer doll M3GAN is resurrected to face a new threat: Amelia, a military-grade robot created using M3GAN's technology.
The Naked Gun (2025)
In this slapstick comedy reboot, Frank Drebin Jr follows in his father's footsteps to prevent the closure of Police Squad.
Dino-mite comes in big packages in Jurassic World: Rebirth
Find out about the big three, the movie’s most adorable newcomer, and all your favourites who’re stomping and chomping in Jurassic World: Rebirth
Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025)
Scarlett Johansson leads a stellar cast in the seventh instalment in the iconic dinosaur franchise, about a team that needs to extract dinosaur DNA.
The Copenhagen Test S1
An analyst realises his brain has been hacked, allowing access to his senses, leaving him stuck between the agency and hackers.
Fall in love with romantic drama Touch, now on Showmax
Director Baltasar Kormákur talks about bringing a personal touch to the romantic drama Touch, which was Iceland’s entry for the 2026 Oscars.
Ultimate Girls Trip Africa, now streaming on Showmax
Wizkid: Love Live Lagos, stream now on Showmax
More of the best movies to stream
The ‘Burbs S1
In this adaptation of the 1980s Tom Hanks dark comedy, a couple moves back to the husband's hometown, only to face a cul-de-sac shrouded in mystery.
Sweethearts (2024)
Two college freshmen make a pact to break up with their high school sweethearts during the "Drunksgiving" holiday break, but their plan goes awry.
MaBlerh to host the first-ever The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa reunion
MaBlerh will host the first-ever reunion for The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa, set to air in two parts in February 2026.
Six Taylor Sheridan series while we wait for The Madison
Excited about The Madison coming in April? We’ve rounded up all the Taylor Sheridan series you can watch on Showmax while we wait.
Latest Stories
Fall in love with romantic drama Touch, now on Showmax
Where to watch The Real Housewives franchise online
How to Train Your Dragon: Bringing Hiccup and Astrid to life
What to watch on Showmax in Nigeria in January 2026
7 things to know about indie award-winning movie Dìdi
Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning’s South African stunts
What to watch on Showmax in Nigeria in December 2025
Angel on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, Jojo and more
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip cast on first impressions, beefs and more
Princess Jecoco on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip Africa
Novocaine: the US box office hit shot in Cape Town
Evodia on Ultimate Girls Trip Africa and her return to reality TV
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
New seasons of your favourite series, now streaming
The best romantic series on Showmax
What to watch on Showmax in Nigeria in November 2025
17 medical dramas to stream in an entertainment emergency
10 fun things to watch on World Animation Day
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
Big mobs, small jobs: 10 crime series to stream on Showmax
