The scariest horror series and movies to stream

Do you love the thrill of watching scary horror series and movies that make you want to bury your face in a pillow at crucial moments?

Consider yourself warned: you might want to keep the lights on and have a friend nearby for comfort for this horror line up. You don’t want to watch these alone - they’re the most terrifying horror series and movies to stream on Showmax, and are best experienced with company.

The Monkey (2025)

When a toy monkey that causes death and horror reemerges years later, twins Hal and Bill set out to destroy it once and for all.

Nosferatu (2024)

This chilling reimagining of a classic tale got four Oscar nominations. When a terrifying vampire becomes infatuated with a young woman, a series of inexplicable horrors are unleashed.

Late Night with the Devil (2023)

A late-night talk show host in the 1970s plans a Halloween special, unaware he is about to unleash evil into people's living rooms.

Sting (2024)

A rebellious 12-year-old secretly adopts a spider as a pet - but the creature soon starts growing in size and appetite ... and never stops.

Longlegs (2024)

Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage play a game of cat and mouse as an FBI agent uncovers a series of occult clues as she hunts a serial killer.

Apartment 7A (2024)

An ambitious young dancer, played by Julia Garner, is offered another chance at fame by an older, wealthy couple, but at what cost?

Never Let Go (2024)

In this mysterious horror, evil arrives on a family's doorstep, and their only protection is their home and their bonds to each other - until one of them lets go.

Smile 2 (2024)

This horrifying sequel explores a global pop sensation's slow descent into madness as escalating horrors force her to confront her past before it's too late.

Teacup S1

In this gripping horror series, a disparate group of people in rural Georgia unite in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive.

Abigail (2024)

When a group of criminals kidnaps the daughter of a powerful underworld figure, they soon realise she is no ordinary little girl.

Heretic (2024)

In a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, two young missionaries find themselves trapped in the home of a diabolical man set on testing their faith.

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Yellowjackets S1-S3

In this dark, compelling horror, a high school girls' soccer team becomes the (un)lucky survivors of a plane crash deep in the wilderness.

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Night Swim (2024)

A family moves into a new home, unaware that a dark secret from the house's past will unleash a malevolent force in the backyard pool.

A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)

A young woman named Sam finds herself trapped in New York City during an invasion by alien creatures with ultra-sensitive hearing.

Showmax is the home of HBO in Africa

Billy Joel: And So It Goes is on Showmax

Billy Joel: And So It Goes (2025)

An honest, insightful, and deeply moving look at the life and career of acclaimed musician Billy Joel, covering both his struggles and triumphs.

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It's Florida, Man S1-2

This outrageous HBO comedy is a love letter to the beaches, backwaters and people of a misunderstood yet magical American state.

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Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? is on Showmax

Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? (2025)

Comedian Bill Maher offers his scathing commentary on conservative and liberal politics, trends in modern parenting, sex and dating.

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Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night Of Your Life on Showmax

Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night Of Your Life (2025)

Charm and wit take centre stage as Emmy winner Brett Goldstein (Ted Lasso) ditches his Roy Kent edge to deliver hilarious insights.

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The Chair Company S1

After a humiliating incident at work, Ron stumbles onto a hidden conspiracy: beneath everyday life lies a secret world only he can see.

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Love Has Won: The Cult of Mother God S1

This HBO docuseries explores the rise and fall of cult leader Amy Carlson, aka Mother God. As her health declined, followers awaited UFO salvation.

Stand Up and Shout: Songs from a Philly High School is on Showmax

Stand Up & Shout: Songs from a Philly High School (2023)

This heartfelt documentary follows a unique music programme at Hill-Freedman World Academy, which teaches students to create original songs.

Jerrod Carmichael Don't Be Gay on Showmax

Jerrod Carmichael: Don't Be Gay (2025)

Critically acclaimed comedian Jerrod Carmichael shares his observations on living as a Black gay man with a white boyfriend.

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The best movies to stream

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

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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.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning on Showmax

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.

Made in South Africa

Novocaine: the US box office hit shot in Cape Town

Nathan Caine stars in the US box office hit Novocaine, shot in SA and premiering this Sunday at 8PM on M-Net and on Showmax from 1 December.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim on Showmax

10 fun things to watch on World Animation Day

Get drawn into comedy, drama and fantasy where, if you can imagine it, you can bring it to life – from The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim anime, to The Wild Robot.

Creating The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

Anime director Kenji Kamiyama and Oscar-winning screenwriter-producer Philippa Boyens chat about how the LOTR trilogy team reunited to turn back the clock in Middle-earth.

Inside spy movie Black Bag

Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, director Steven Soderbergh and writer David Koepp give us a top-secret peek inside their new spy movie Black Bag.

The best kids' shows and movies to stream during school holidays

Showmax has loads of fun to look forward to during school holidays, including blockbuster movies for the whole family.

Shows you'll find only on Showmax

Billy Joel: And So It Goes (2025)

An honest, insightful, and deeply moving look at the life and career of acclaimed musician Billy Joel, covering both his struggles and triumphs.

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Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay on Showmax

Surviving Mormonism with Heather Gay S1

Former RHOSLC cast member Heather Gay investigates hidden truths within the Mormon church, exposing cracks in its perfect facade.

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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.

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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.

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