Two horror franchises and a new Shudder original shake up September: what to stream now

September’s horror slate arrived heavy this year, with fresh entries on streaming and an atmospheric new game release that are worth a look — and one title that disappoints despite a promising idea. Below I break down three recent releases so you can decide what’s worth your time this weekend.

TV — The Creep Tapes (season 3)

Where to watch: Shudder, AMC+
Verdict: Recommended

Mark Duplass returns to the found-footage territory that helped define his horror work, and season three leans hard into intimacy and unease. The series centers on Josef — the alter ego sometimes referred to as Peachfuzz — and this season spends a lot of time inside his head, showing scenes from his point of view in ways that feel corrosive and close.

That tight perspective makes many moments linger after the credits roll. If you appreciate character-driven dread rather than set-piece gore, this installment delivers. For newcomers, the first two Creep films add useful background and are currently available on Prime Video in the US and on Netflix in the UK.

Movie — Parasomnia

Where to watch: Shudder
Verdict: Skip

The premise is straightforward and eerie: a woman’s recurring night terrors seem to manifest in the waking world, pulling her into escalating danger. On paper it’s an effective hook.

In practice, Parasomnia relies heavily on jump scares and follows familiar plot beats without adding fresh perspective. The film is short — roughly 85 minutes — so it moves quickly, but predictability undercuts its tension. If you’re curious about Shudder’s recent slate, it’s not the worst way to spend an evening, but it’s the one title this month I’d pass on first.

Game — Silent Hill: Townfall

Where to play: PS5, PC
Verdict: Recommended

Silent Hill: Townfall is a spin-off rather than a continuation of the core series, and it uses that freedom well. Featuring Jovan Adepo in a starring role, the game drops you into St. Amelia, a fogbound coastal town modeled with obvious inspiration from quiet Scottish communities. You play as Simon in a slow-burn, first-person narrative focused on exploration and atmosphere.

It’s not a sprawling epic — most players can complete the main story over a weekend — but the central location is memorable and the pacing suits a more contemplative horror experience. There are some teething problems (I encountered the map failing to load early on), yet the game’s mood and design make it a strong pick for players who favor psychological dread over nonstop action.

Three quick takeaways to help you choose:

• The Creep Tapes (season 3) — Best for viewers who want character-focused, unsettling found-footage. (Shudder, AMC+)
• Parasomnia — Interesting idea, weak execution; leans on jump scares and familiar plotting. Short runtime if you want to sample it. (Shudder)
• Silent Hill: Townfall — Atmospheric, first-person exploration in a compact package; a weekend-friendly play with strong location design. (PS5, PC)

If you prefer a recommendation order: start with The Creep Tapes if you want something that will stay with you, play Townfall if you want an immersive weekend game, and skip Parasomnia unless short, pulpy scares are exactly what you’re after.