3 must-see horror movies on HBO Max if you want a serious midweek scare

HBO Max added some great new movies to its library in February, and if it's horror you're looking for, then you're in luck.

I've found three horror movies that are guaranteed to have you sleeping with the lights on if you're in the mood for a good scare. Even better, HBO Max has some of the wider horror franchises too, so there's plenty for you to dig into.

If you're looking for more recommendations, check out 7 new horror movies on Netflix, Shudder, HBO Max, and more in February 2026.

Open Water

Age Rating: R
Length: 79 minutes
Director: Chris Kentis
Main cast: Blanchard Ryan, Daniel Travis, Saul Stein

If the ocean and what lurks beneath it freaks you out, Open Water is guaranteed to get your heart racing.

The movie follows an American couple who go scuba diving on vacation, only for it to turn into a living nightmare. They end up stranded from shore in shark-filled waters when the boat accidentally leaves them behind.

It's loosely based on the real-life disappearance of Tom and Eileen Lonergan, who have still not been found to this day, which makes this story all the more terrifying.

Insidious: Chapter 3

Age Rating: PG-13
Length: 98 minutes
Director: Leigh Whannell
Main cast: Dermot Mulroney, Stefanie Scott, Angus Sampson, Leigh Whannell

Insidious: Chapter 3 is a prequel to the first two movies in the franchise (also available on HBO Max, if you want to binge-watch). It focuses on a new family, following Quinn, a young girl, as she reaches out to a psychic to help her contact her recently deceased mother.

However, her plan backfires when an evil spirit makes Quinn its host. It's nail-bitingly tense and a great entry into the franchise as a whole, even though it received mixed reviews.

With a new Insidious movie on the way in 2026, now's the perfect time to familiarize yourself with the franchise.

The Pope’s Exorcist

Age Rating: R
Length: 103 minutes
Director: Julius Avery
Main cast: Russell Crowe, Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe, Franco Nero

Russell Crowe leads the cast of this supernatural horror, which is my top pick on HBO Max this month for anyone who's spooked by demonology.

He plays Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist who reportedly performed more than 100,000 exorcisms during his career. Even if you're a skeptic, you have to admit he's a cool subject for a horror movie.

This is up there with my favorite religious-based horror movies, and it's got some effective scares along the way.

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