What's New to Shudder in May 2026
- 5 minutes ago
- 2 min read
April 29, 2026
May on Shudder cracks open the crypt with a line-up steeped in dread, dark humour, and cult horror nostalgia. This month blends iconic anthology chills with fresh psychological terror, pairing beloved genre staples with unnerving new nightmares that creep under the skin. From cursed beliefs and fractured minds to apocalyptic paranoia and twisted domestic chaos, May’s selection embraces horror in all its strange and sinister forms. Whether you’re revisiting a legend or discovering something deeply disturbing for the first time, Shudder’s latest arrivals promise a month of delicious discomfort.
Tales From the Crypt
Exclusive Series - May 1
Tales from the Crypt, the popular 90s horror anthology series inspired by the 1950s EC Comics, is back exclusively streaming on Shudder! Each episode is a self-contained story often featuring well-known talent and directors – and hosted by the Crypt Keeper (John Kassir), a wisecracking corpse known for his macabre puns. With its signature unrestricted gore, profanity, and dark irony, the show’s episode styles range from comedy to drama and deliver twisted moral lessons where "bad people" meet poetically horrific ends – and issues like greed, lust, and moral decay lead to tragic consequences. The series features a long list of A-list guest stars including Brad Pitt, Demi Moore, John Lithgow, Christopher Reeve, Catherine O’Hara, Steve Buscemi, Brooke Shields and many more. Several episodes have been directed by well-known talent including Rober Zemeckis, Tobe Hooper and William Friedkin, as well as acclaimed actors such as Tom Hanks, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Michael J. Fox.
Heresy
Exclusive Film - May 1
A folk horror centered in a medieval Dutch village, follows a young woman who is caught between her faith, fanatic townsfolk and the dark forces lurking in the woods. Starring Anneke Sluiters, Len Leo Vincent and Reinout Bussemaker.
This is Not a Test
Exclusive Film - May 22
Sloane (Olivia Holt, Heart Eyes) and a small group of her classmates take cover in their high school to escape their suddenly apocalyptic hometown. As danger relentlessly pounds on the doors, Sloane begins to see the world through the eyes of people who actually want to live and takes matters into her own hands. Adapted from the popular YA novel of the same name by New York Times best-selling author Courtney Summers. Also starring Froy Gutierrez (The Strangers), Luke MacFarlane (Bros), Corteon Moore (Overcompensating), Chloe Avakian (John Wayne Gacy), and Carson MacCormac (Clown in a Cornfield).
Smothered
Original Film - May 29
Alif is a micro-painting artist who has an accident and loses part of his memory. After returning home, an old woman appears claiming to be his mother, but Alif doesn’t recognize her and is suspicious of her intentions. Starring Rio Dewanto, Faradina Mufti and Vonny Anggraini.
That’s everything creeping onto Shudder this month. Whether you’re in the mood for terrifying new premieres, cult favourites, or deep-cut horror discoveries, Shudder has you covered. Tell us what’s on your watchlist, and stay tuned for more horror recommendations and reviews soon.