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There’s something inherently unsettling about inanimate objects that move on their own accord, especially when they tap into that unsettling uncanny valley by resembling humans. That’s what makes killer toys, and killer dolls specifically, so effectively terrifying.

This week brings the release of M3GAN 2.0, which sees the high-tech killer doll getting an upgrade to battle a new threat. Naturally, this week’s streaming picks are dedicated to killer toy horror movies that deliver plenty of scares, kills, heart, humor, and occasionally a great fashion sense.

As always, here’s where you can stream them this week.

For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.

Annabelle: Creation – Max

Director David F. Sandberg’s prequel to Annabelle rewinds to the eerie doll’s origins, centered around the tragedy that befell dollmaker Samuel Mullins’ family that ushered in demonic terror. It’s not just the rug pull reveal...

AMC Networks’ Shudder has announced the titles that will be available on the streaming service next month. The Shudder June 2025 slate includes horror, thriller, and supernatural titles.

The June schedule includes the films Ash and Best Wishes to All, the series Hell Motel and The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs, and more.

Shudder’s expanding library of films, TV series, and original content is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand.

Hell Motel Shudder June 2025 Highlights

Films

Dead Silence – Streaming on Shudder June 1 (Available in US)

After his wife meets a grisly end, Jamie Ashen returns to his haunted hometown of Ravens Fair to find answers. His investigation leads him to the ghost of a ventriloquist named Mary Shaw, who seems to have ties to his entire family tree. Directed by James Wan.

Insidious – Streaming on Shudder June 1 (Available in...

The Tracker season 2 finale trailer confirms the return of a prominent Shaw character, adding more mystery to Ashton's death. The hit CBS show, based on the novel The Never Game by Jeffrey Deaver, stars Justin Hartley as Tracker's main character, Colter Show, a survivalist and tracke who helps law enforcement and private citizens. Tracker season 1 debuted in February 2024, whilst season 2 debuted in October 2024, and is set to conclude this month, with what is set to be a shocking finale episode.

Per TV Line, the trailer for the upcoming episode, which is due to air May 11, confirms the return of Colter's mother, Mary Shaw, played by Wendy Crewson. She was last seen in Tracker season 1, episode 2. The clip shows Colter and Mary reunited when he heads back home to Echo Ridge to investigate the case of a missing restaurant owner, which also raises questions surrounding the continued mystery of his father,...

Fresh off Season 1 of NBC’s The Hunting Party, Melissa Roxburgh reprises her role as Dr. Dory Shaw in the penultimate Season 2 episode of CBS’ Tracker — and TVLine has an exclusive clip from her return.

Roxburgh first guest-starred in Tracker Season 1, Episode 11, one week out from Jensen Ackles’ own debut as Colter and Dory’s brother, Russell. Though Ackles managed to squeeze in a second appearance early in Season 2, Roxburgh had not been back — that is, until now.

More from TVLineCBS Reveals Finale Spoilers for 19 Shows, Including the Very Last Episodes of <em>S.W.A.T.</em> and Two <em>FBI</em>s — See ScheduleElsbeth EP...

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about NCIS: Sydney, The Pitt, Yellowjackets, S.W.A.T. and more!

1 | Fire Country fans, what’s your theory on Birch’s death and now Manny’s illness? Given that Birch’s wife quickly lawyered up, do you think she realized he brought to camp some sort of deadly virus?

More from TVLineThe Pitt's Noah Wyle Talks Major Robby/Collins Reveal and Warns: 'We Hit You Squarely in the Face With What's Coming Next'Paradise Code Too Easily Cracked?...

Killer Collectibles highlights five of the most exciting new horror products announced each and every week, from toys and apparel to artwork, records, and much more.

Here are the coolest horror collectibles unveiled this week!

Nosferatu Casket from Titan Casket

In the wake of the Nosferatu popcorn bucket and Nosferatu sarcophagus bed, the ante has been upped with the official Nosferatu casket.

Created by Titan Casket, the limited edition casket features a vampiric black high gloss finish steel exterior with a red velvet interior featuring the film’s logo on the head panel and gold hardware.

It costs $3,999, which isn’t a bad price considering you’ll spend eternity in it. Plus, Titan plants 10 trees for every casket purchased!

Nightmare on Elm Street & Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 Posters by Alex Pardee

Alex Pardee lends his Doppelgangers art style to A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 for...

The 10 Freakiest Film & TV Dolls of All Time — From Chucky to M3GAN - Main Image

When people think of something scary for Halloween, usually they think up some kind of big scary monster or psychopath with a weapon; but there’s also some horror to be found from the exact opposite of big monsters—creepy little dolls.

The horror genre has had some very memorable creepy dolls for decades, and we take a look at some that are worth checking out for anyone looking to get spooked for the Halloween season.

Chucky (Child’s Play)

Probably responsible for a lot of trauma for millennials when it comes to dolls, Chucky made his debut in 1988’s Child’s Play. His origin is that Chucky was originally serial killer Charles Lee Ray who was dying in a toy store, and in a last-ditch effort committed some voodoo to transfer his consciousness into...

James Wan has been an accomplished director in the horror genre for just shy of two decades. While he's directed other films outside the horror genre, most of his horror creations have become successful franchises. He began his career by co-creating and directing the movie Saw with Leigh Whannell. Wan eventually worked up to building The Conjuring Universe, which has grossed over 2 billion dollars.

While Wan has had mega success within the horror film scene, some of his films have had mixed reviews. Not all are winners, but there are some phenomenal horror films and lore within the movies that he's made. With over nine horror films directed, some precede others in greatness.

Dead Silence Had a Twisted, Entertaining Ending 2007

Dead Silence Critical Reception

IMDb Score

6.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes Score

21%

Dead Silence follows Jamie Ashen unraveling the mystery surrounding the death of his wife, Lisa Ashen. Her death abruptly happens after...

On Wednesday 4 September 2024, ITV broadcasts The Tower!

Season 3 Episode 3 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “The Tower,” airing on ITV, promises to deliver high-stakes drama and tense confrontations. With a crucial ID for Spencer’s killer in hand, Lizzie takes the initiative to persuade Kieran to reveal Operation Perseus to Sarah. This decision is pivotal, as it could lead to a significant breakthrough in the case. However, the tension between Sarah and Kieran is palpable, and their mutual loathing complicates Lizzie’s attempts to act as a peacemaker. Viewers will see how this strained dynamic plays out as they navigate their professional responsibilities.

In another intense storyline, Shakiel tests Steve’s cover at gunpoint, creating a moment of suspense that leaves viewers wondering about the consequences. This confrontation not only highlights the dangers of their world but also sets the stage for Shakiel to extend an unexpected invitation to Steve,...

There are many iconic horror movie directors that audiences have come to know and love, like Wes Craven, John Carpenter and Tobe Hooper. These filmmakers have provided viewers with hours of quality scary movie entertainment, and in many cases, have even helped to define the genre. These legends have had a hand in creating some of the most recognizable faces in horror, including Ghostface in the Scream franchise, Michael Myers in Halloween, and Leatherface in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.

Today there is also a crop of new horror movie directors contributing to the genre. Filmmakers like Robert Eggers and Leigh Whannell are bringing their own creative visions to horror. Whether it's directors of the past or the new directors of the present, there are many hidden gem horror films by these directors that have gone overlooked. Fans of the genre won't want to miss out on underrated films from...

Tracker fans who want to know more about Colton Shaw’s family will finally get to meet his sister in Season 1, Episode 11 entitled “Beyond The Campus Walls.” The CBS action drama series has slowly been unpeeling the layers of Colter’s past. But, this episode promises to open up a Pandora’s box of new questions.

It was in the series premiere that showed the Shaw family’s unusual story. Ashton and Mary Shaw were Berkeley professors. However, as Colter remembered it, there was an “incident with dad.” That led the family to move to a compound deep in the Sierra National Forest. Although they were off-grid, Ashton Shaw was very paranoid. Therefore, he taught his children survival’s skills. That means they learned to hunt and track, and climb a place called Devil’s Notch.

Unfortunately, one day when Mary was gone, Russell took off, and Colter found

This...

In the shadowy corridors of horror cinema, there are those films that, despite the cold shoulder from critics, have wormed their way into the hearts of fans, becoming cult classics or beloved guilty pleasures. Today, we’re diving into a crypt of such misunderstood treasures, highlighting “10 Great Horror Movies That Are Way Better Than Their Low Rotten Tomatoes Scores”.

These films, while not always basking in critical acclaim, have undeniably etched themselves into the genre’s vast landscape, offering unique scares, laughs, and everything in between. So, let’s peel back the curtain on these underappreciated gems, proving that sometimes, the most memorable horrors are those that dare to diverge from the norm.

As Above, So Below (2014) | Universal 10. As Above, So Below (2014) – Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 26%

Venturing into the catacombs beneath Paris, As Above, So Below follows Scarlett (Perdita Weeks), a driven archaeologist, as she seeks the fabled Philosopher’s Stone.

From slashers set in the middle of the woods to bone-chilling haunted houses, the horror genre's versatility never ceases to terrify the different types of horror fan. That said, there are plenty of movies in the genre that aren't for the faint of heart, and watching these creepy films with the lights on can be advised.

The horror fandom is as diverse as the genre itself, and while some love the immersion of watching a horror film with the lights off and alone in the dark, this isn't true for everyone. Halloween is an especially great time to watch these terrifying movies, and there's always something for everyone. Horror is at its best when it can scare viewers enough to look over their shoulders and switch the lights on for some extra piece of mind, and some movies are a testament to that.

Creep

Release Date

March 8, 2014

Director

Patrick Brice...

Five Nights at Freddy’s is a supernatural horror film directed by Emma Tammi, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Seth Cuddeback. Based on a video game series of the same name by Scott Cawthon, the film revolves around a troubled security guard who starts his new job at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria. You know what happens next. Five Nights at Freddy’s stars Mike Schmidt, Elizabeth Lail, and Matthew Lillard. So, if you love the horror film here are some similar movies you could watch next.

Willy’s Wonderland (Hulu & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Screen Media Films

Synopsis: When his car breaks down, a quiet loner (Nic Cage) agrees to clean an abandoned family fun center in exchange for repairs. He soon finds himself waging war against possessed animatronic mascots while trapped inside Willy’s Wonderland.

Dead Silence (Peacock & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Universal Pictures

Synopsis: You Scream. You Die. Dare...

Having taken the world by storm with "Saw" in 2004, Australian director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell were suddenly the hottest new act in horror. Unfortunately, three years later, the duo would suffer the dreaded "sophomore slump" with "Dead Silence," an original puppet horror film that was lambasted by critics and bombed at the box office, barely matching its $20 million budget. It's a shame, honestly. I won't deny that "Dead Silence" has its problems (which we will get into), but it's also an enthrallingly gothic tale of mystery and the macabre (one bursting with creative ideas and inventively ghastly visuals). Not to mention it functions as a useful primer for the rest of Wan and Whannell's horror oeuvre.

"Dead Silence" starts out pretty nasty and only gets meaner the further along it goes. Upon being anonymously gifted with a ventriloquist doll named Billy (think Slappy from "Goosebumps" only somehow even...

Dolls, with their lifeless eyes and eerily human-like features, have long been a staple in horror cinema. Their uncanny ability to blur the line between the animate and inanimate makes them the perfect vessel for terror. Whether they’re possessed by malevolent spirits or simply designed to be unsettling, these dolls are anything but child’s play. Here’s a list of ten creepy doll horror movies that will make you rethink that old toy collection gathering dust in your attic.

MGM 10. Child’s Play (1988)

The film that introduced the world to Chucky, the killer doll with the soul of a serial murderer. When young Andy receives a “Good Guy” doll for his birthday, little does he know that it’s possessed by the spirit of Charles Lee Ray, a notorious killer. Child’s Play masterfully combines dark humor with genuine scares, making it a standout in the creepy doll subgenre. Its success spawned numerous sequels,...

Saw X, soon-to-be included as another entry to the Saw series, is coming to theaters in 2023, which gives fans of the franchise an opportunity to rewatch all the terrifying torture trap-based movies in preparation for Jigsaw's return. While there are plenty of movies in the series -- seven mainline films, the prequel story aptly named Jigsaw and the spinoff Spiral that stars a copycat killer -- to get fans ready for this latest installment, there is also another horror film that is deserving of a little more attention this Saw season -- 2007's Dead Silence.

The film is directed by James Wan, a well-known director and producer who does his best work in the most gruesome genre and is mostly recognized for his directing of hit horror films like Insidious and The Conjuring. However, this Australian filmmaker also has a history with the Saw movies. In fact, his involvement...

Don’t Look Away is a horror thriller film directed by Michael Bafaro, he also worked on the screenplay with Michael Mitton. The horror film follows the story of Frankie, a young woman who finds out that ever since she laid her eyes on a killer mannequin, it shows up wherever she goes and kills her friends. So, if you loved Don’t Look Away here are some similar movies you could watch next.

Annabelle Credit – Warner Bros.

Synopsis: Before The Conjuring, there was Annabelle. Capable of unspeakable evil, the actual Annabelle doll exists locked up in an occult museum in Connecticut — visited only by a priest who blesses her twice a month. In this supernatural thriller from producer James Wan, Annabelle’s story begins before the evil was unleashed. John Form (Ward Horton — The Wolf of Wall Street) has found the perfect gift for his expectant wife, Mia (Annabelle Wallis — X Men: First Class) — a beautiful,...

Slotherhouse is a horror comedy film directed by Matthew Goodhue from a screenplay by Bradley Fowler and Cadey Lanigan. The film follows the story of Emily Young (Lisa Ambalavanar), a high school who wants to be the sorority’s president in order to get votes she adopts a cute sloth as a mascot for her campaign but things go totally batshit when the sloth is implicated in multiple fatalities. So, if you loved Slotherhouse here are some similar movies you could check out next.

Child’s Play (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – MGM

Synopsis: A contemporary re-imagining of the 1988 horror classic, Child’s Play follows Karen (Aubrey Plaza), a single mother who gifts her son Andy (Gabriel Bateman) a Buddi doll, unaware of its more sinister nature.

Sorority Row (Max & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – Summit Entertainment

Synopsis: It’s all fun and games until someone gets stabbed with a tire iron. When...

We’re getting this week started with a new episode of the Wtf Happened to This Horror Movie? video series, and in this one we’re looking back at one of James Wan’s “creepy puppet” movies, the 2007 release Dead Silence (watch it Here). To find out all about Dead Silence, check out the video embedded above!

Directed by James Wan from a screenplay by Leigh Whannell, based on a story Wan and Whannell crafted together, Dead Silence has the following synopsis: Dare to unlock the deadly curse of Mary Shaw… From the creators of Saw comes a new thriller of relentless terror! Ever since Mary Shaw was hunted down and killed, the small town of Ravens Fair has been haunted by horrific deaths. When a local’s wife is brutally murdered, he returns home to unravel the terrifying legend of Mary Shaw and the reason why when you see her,...

"You scream. You Die." Directed by James Wan and written by Leigh Whannell, Dead Silence is coming to 4K Uhd and Blu-ray in a new Collector's Edition release from Scream Factory on March 14th, and we have a look at the full list of special features, including new interviews with Wan and Whannell!

From the Press Release: Los Angeles, CA – On March 14, 2023, Scream Factory™ presents Dead Silence (Collector’s Edition), a 2-disc set featuring the terrifying film starring Rwan Kwanten, Amber Valletta, Donnie Wahlberg and Bob Gunton, on 4K Uhd™ + Blu-ray™. Special features include new 4K masters, and brand new interviews with director James Wan, writer Leigh Whannell, and ventriloquist dummy creator Tim Selberg.

Dare to unluck the deadly curse of Mary Shaw…

From James Wan and Leigh Whannell, the horror masters behind Saw, The Conjuring and Insidious, comes a new thriller of relentless terror! Ever since Mary Shaw was hunted down and killed,...

An underrated James Wan/Leigh Whannell collaboration, 2007’s Dead Silence is coming back to life with a brand new 4K Ultra HD release, Scream Factory has announced today.

Scream Factory brings Dead Silence to 4K Uhd on March 28, 2023.

An exclusive offer from ShoutFactory.com contains the following items: Dead Silence [Collector’s Edition] 2-disc 4K Uhd/Blu-ray set (with slipcover — featuring the original theatrical artwork) Limited edition 18” x 24” rolled poster of original theatrical artwork An additional slipcover — made exclusively for this promotion — featuring new artwork from artist Devon Whitehead An exclusive, limited edition 18” x 24” rolled poster — made exclusively for this promotion — of the newly-designed art from artist Devon Whitehead

In the film, “Ever since Mary Shaw was hunted down and killed, the small town of Ravens Fair has been haunted by horrific deaths.

“When a local’s wife is brutally murdered, he returns home to unravel the terrifying legend of Mary Shaw and...

M3GAN producer and co-writer James Wan explains where his obsession with killer dolls comes from. Wan is an American director best known for his work in the horror genre, behind works like Saw, The Conjuring, and Insidious. However, he has also notably directed Furious 7 and directed and co-wrote the Aquaman films. His most recent project is the horror film M3GAN which is set to premiere on January 6 and has already been receiving positive early reviews from critics. The film follows M3GAN (Amie Donald and Jenna Davis), a lifelike AI doll created by roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams) that is meant to be a child's best companion. However, the doll gains self-awareness and murderous intentions.

In an interview with Yahoo! Entertainment, Wan revealed how his love for killer dolls like M3GAN was first sparked. He explained that he believes the source of his obsession is the Poltergeist, which he watched at a very young age.

(Welcome to Scariest Scene Ever, a column dedicated to the most pulse-pounding moments in horror with your tour guides, horror experts Chris Evangelista and Matt Donato. In this edition, Matt rants about "Dead Silence" for the seventeen billionth time here on /Film.)

James Wan and Leigh Whannell shaped an entire horror movement with their rise to fame "Saw," and have since become contemporary mainstays both with collaborative and separate successes. Among them is a wooden bastard child — 2007's "Dead Silence," their follow-up to 2004's "Saw," was decimated by critics. Whannell has famously gone on to reveal his displeasure with how the studio machine treated "Dead Silence" (in a now-deleted personal blog entry), seemingly leaving a sour taste in everyone's mouth. Many have tried to forget "Dead Silence" exists, except me.

It was August 2017 when I was allowed to write my defense of "Dead Silence" for /Film's "The Unpopular Opinion" column.

The effort to restore neglected films doesn’t get more rewarding than this 4K rebirth of Lewis Milestone’s version of the acclaimed Somerset Maugham story. Loaned from MGM, Joan Crawford tries on the role of Sadie Thompson and holds her own opposite Walter Huston’s fire & brimstone preacher. It’s still a major achievement of the pre-Code era, an adult story that doesn’t water down its ‘dangerous’ themes: it’s exactly the kind of show that the censors didn’t want made.

Rain

Blu-ray

Mary Pickford Foundation / Vci

1932 / B&w / 1:37 Academy / 94 + 76 min. / Street Date September 27, 2022 / Available from Mvd / 29.95

Starring: Joan Crawford, Walter Huston, Fred Howard, Ben Hendricks Jr., William Gargan, Mary Shaw, Guy Kibbee, Kendall Lee, Beulah Bondi, Matt Moore, Walter Catlett.

Cinematography: Oliver Marsh

Art Director: Richard Day

Film Editor: W. Duncan Mansfield

Original Music: Alfred Newman

Screen adaptation by Maxwell Anderson from the play by John Colton,...

Grey Matter Art and StudioCanal S.A have teamed up to present an officially licensed, limited edition Evil Dead 2 poster by artist Gary Pullin. There is a glow-in-the-dark variant edition in this release as well. Also in this round-up: release details on the Dead Silence Blu-ray and new Garbage Pail Kids T-shirts from Fright Rags.

Evil Dead 2: This poster is on sale now at Grey Matter Art's online shop. This Limited Edition screen printed poster is priced at $50 for the regular edition and $65 for the variant.

"Artist: Gary Pullin

Size: 24x36

Regular Edition: 150/$50.00 (Hand Numbered)

Variant Edition (Gid): 100/$65.00 (Hand Numbered)

Printed By: D & L Screen Printing"

Regular:

Variant:

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Dead Silence: Blu-ray.com reports that an Unrated version of Dead Silence will be available on Blu-ray beginning August 11th:

"There is an old ghost story in the sleepy town of Ravens Fair about Mary Shaw, a ventriloquist who went mad.

Dolls can be scary as hell. My family has had a creepy-ass doll lying arounds for years, and we use that thing to scare the living shit out of each other. We will hide it in places where the victim would least suspect it. We've gotten some good scares and hilarious laughs with that thing. It's terrifying! I passed by that doll in the garage today and it inspired me to write up a top 10 list of creepiest dolls in movies.

Jigsaw(Saw)

This jacked-up tricycle-riding doll is a very bad premonition. This is something you'd never want to come across for real because it means pain is coming. It offers the person watching it nothing but bad news. Even though the doll is never actually referred to as Billy in the movies, it was reportedly known behind the scenes as the Billy Doll.

Fats the ventriloquist dummy(Magic)

This...