Shudder Australia Review: Everything you need to know

Competition in the Australian streaming market is as fierce as they come. While some services keep their libraries as diverse as possible, others decide to stick to a single genre. Case in point: Shudder, the platform that gives horror enthusiasts reason to celebrate.

Shudder offers hundreds of hours of killer content ranging from TV series to movies – some exclusive to the platform. They're all meant to scare you in one way or another, so it's not recommended for the faint of heart.

What is Shudder?

Shudder is an AMC Networks-owned online streaming platform offering suspense, thriller and horror content. The service launched in 2015 in the US and soon became available in Canada, the UK and Ireland. Shudder launched in Australia in 2020.

Just like Netflix, subscribers pay a monthly fee and can watch as much as they want from the platform’s ever-growing library of horror titles. Shudder is also producing original content and has been scoring exclusive releases in recent years, so there’s a lot to look forward to, especially if you enjoy being frightened on a regular basis.

Even better, a subscription won't break the bank. Shudder is a niche service, like hayu, and CuriosityStream. As a result, it costs less than general providers like Netflix and Stan.

How much does Shudder cost?

In Australia, Shudder is priced at $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year. The platform offers a 7-day free trial so you can test it out and figure out if you're too scared to watch or would like to continue.

What content is available to watch on Shudder in Australia?

Shudder offers a varied selection of series and movies. With some titles exclusive to the platform, it's safe to say that Aussies won't run out of stuff to watch anytime soon. However, as with all streaming websites, some titles available in the US, for instance, aren't available in Australia due to licensing rights.

Titles range from killer stories such as The Slumber Party Massacre to cult hits such as Game of Death. There are also acclaimed releases such as Terrified, winner of the best horror film award at the Fantastic Fest (the largest genre film festival in the US) and one of the most bonkers horror films to come out in recent years. Subscribers can also stream hidden gems like Hell House LLC, The House on Pine Street, Goodnight Mommy or Starry Eyes.

Shudder doesn't rely on an algorithm to offer recommendations like many other streaming services do. Instead, it neatly sorts its library into enticing collections that will catch your eye, especially with categories like "Haunted Habitations" and "Spectral Encounters".

There's a lot of original content as well, which is Shudder's strongest selling point in Australia. Its original movies are particularly enticing. We're sure that titles such as Revenge, DeadTectives, Belzebuth, Caveat, V/H/S/94, Slaxx and Host will catch your eye. Popular series include Blood Machines, The Last Drive-in with Joe Bob Briggs, Deadwax and Deadhouse Dark.

We also recommend you check out Cursed Films, a docu-series about the facts, myths and mysteries surrounding iconic films and franchises whose casts and crews have been struck by misfortune and tragedy. There's also Creepshow, a horror anthology not recommended for the faint of heart.

What can I watch on Shudder?

How do I sign up for Shudder in Australia?

Simply head to the official Shudder website and click on the big, red "Try 7 Days Free" button.

From there, enter your email and a password to create an account. Then, follow the on-screen prompts to complete the sign-up process. You'll need to choose your subscription option (monthly or annual) and enter your payment information. Don't worry, you won't be billed until your 7-day free trial is up.

You can also subscribe to Shudder via Prime Video Channels. The price is the same, but the advantage is that you can watch Shudder content via the Prime Video app. You'll need a Prime Video subscription for this, which is free with Amazon Prime. Prime subscriptions cost $9.99 a month or $79 if you sign up for a whole year.

What can I watch Shudder on?

Shudder is compatible with your standard suite of devices. This includes Mac and PC, iOS and Android devices, Apple TV, select Samsung TVs, Chromecast, Fire TV and Xbox One. Shudder's support page indicates that it is expanding device compatibility to add more gaming consoles and smart TVs in the future.

Shudder features

The Shudder interface is clean and easy to explore. You can stream titles in up to HD 720p quality, but older movies are only available in SD. No titles are available in 4K.

One of the downsides with the horror service is that you can't download titles to watch offline. Closed captioning is available for select titles. Users can leave reviews and skull ratings for titles they've streamed.

Can't decide what to watch? Try Shudder TV, a 24/7 channel that live streams terrifying content on a loop.

Our verdict on Shudder

Shudder is a niche streaming service, so it will appeal to genre fans. If you're into horror, you'll find plenty to love here. And with the yearly subscription option available, you can save some cash if you're keen on joining in for the long run.

If you only enjoy horror content on a casual basis, investing in yet another streaming subscription might not be particularly wise. We advise you to check out the 7-day free trial and decide for yourself.

Shudder frequently asked questions

• How much data does Shudder use?

  Streaming usually burns anywhere from 300MB an hour on the lowest video quality to 3GB an hour for a high-quality HD stream.

• Can I request a title for the library?

  Yes, Shudder offers a form where you can request a TV show or movie you can't find in the library. You can access the support section of the service to find the form.

• Does Shudder feature ads?

  Shudder doesn't feature any advertising, so you can stream in peace. It would be a little awkward to see an ad just after a jump scare.