Mashable

What do Apple, Google, Meta, and Amazon have in common with an advocacy group called Students Engaged in Advancing Texas (SEAT) that represents students? They are all taking on the Texas App Store Accountability Act, a law that requires age verification from users in the state of Texas in order to download apps in app stores.

As Engadget reports, SEAT and the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) have filed two separate lawsuits against the state to prevent the law from taking effect in Texas on January 1, 2026. 

CCIA has several Big Tech companies as members, including Apple, Google, Meta, Intel, Shopify, Amazon, and Uber.

The Texas App Store Accountability Act was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott in May. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly contacted Governor Abbott directly to try to convince him to veto the bill or alter parts of it. The law requires that companies that operate app stores, like Apple and Google, verify users' age before downloading apps or making in-app purchases. If a user is a minor, parental approval is required before any download or purchase is made.

App stores like Apple's App Store already provide users with parental controls that require kids to get approval before downloading apps or making purchases. However, those parental controls are optional, and parents must set them up themselves.

The law wouldn't make those parental controls optional in Texas. In fact, it goes a step further and requires companies like Apple and Google to verify every user's age before they are allowed to download or purchase anything from the App Store. 

Online age verification processes require users to provide a form of government ID to a platform in order to use the service. As with all online age verification processes, there are concerns over user data privacy and systems mistaking legal adults for underage users. 

"The First Amendment does not permit the government to require teenagers to get their parents' permission before accessing information, except in discrete categories like obscenity," said Ambika Kumar, a lawyer for the students' organization SEAT. "The Constitution also forbids restricting adults' access to speech in the name of protecting children. This law imposes a system of prior restraint on protected expression that is presumptively unconstitutional."

The CCIA has also put out a press release concerning its own lawsuit against the state over the law.

“We support online protections for younger internet users, and those protections should not come at the expense of free expression and personal privacy," senior vice president and chief of staff for the CCIA Stephanie Joyce said in a press release put out by the group. 

"This Texas law violates the First Amendment by restricting app stores from offering lawful content, preventing users from seeing that content, and compelling app developers to speak of their offerings in a way pleasing to the state," she continued. "That is why we are asking the court to strike down this law and to block it from being enforced while we demonstrate how severely it violates the U.S. Constitution."

There's definitely something to be said for the crisp handheld control of a powerful cordless stick vacuum. But if you don't consider cleaning cathartic, the best robot vacuums can cross that chore off your to-do list for good.

And after testing more than 25 robot vacuums on my own personal floors (my apartment is very clean), I can confidently curate a handful of robot vacuum recommendations that'll make your life easier — and fit your budget.

SEE ALSO: How to make your robot vacuum work better: 3 setup tips to do right now

I test new robot vacuums on a regular basis and compare them to the top performers from previous months, with all my evaluations taking place in my own home on various rugs, tile, and hardwood floors. As I test each robot vacuum, I keep notes on their overall suction power, scrubbing efficacy (if it's a robot vacuum and mop combo), pet hair pickup, the convenience of their automatic emptying and self-washing mopping pads, accuracy of smart mapping and small obstacle avoidance, and the overall user experience. But the final boss here is cost efficiency — I'll be the first one to point out when a cheap robot vacuum actually works well for the price, or when a high-end robot vacuum is actually worth the splurge or not.

Throughout my continuous at-home testing, I found the best robot vacuum to buy for every home and budget in the last few months of 2025.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I tested several other top robot vacuums in the past that didn't make the most recent cut for this list. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra, and various versions of the Roomba j7 were my top recommendations at one point, but have since been overshadowed by newer, more powerful models that are a better bang for your buck.

I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but ultimately aren't a top pick for me. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). A slew of new Dreame robot vacuums are slated to come out in fall 2025, among them a model with improved climbing abilities and a model whose self-empty dock can hold three sets of mopping pads. I'll be getting my hands on these as soon as possible and updating my top picks for this list accordingly.

Amazon’s Ring cameras are getting cozier with law enforcement. This week, the company announced a new partnership that will make it even easier for police to access user footage. The deal gives more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies the ability to request Ring video through Flock Safety, a surveillance platform already used by police departments across the country.

According to the announcement, law enforcement agencies using Flock’s Nova system or FlockOS can "send a direct post in the Ring Neighbors app with details about the investigation and request voluntary assistance." Agencies must specify what they’re looking for — locations, timeframes, and the nature of the incident. Flock claims participating Ring users will remain anonymous and that cooperation is entirely voluntary.

The partnership marks yet another step in Ring’s renewed embrace of law enforcement, a sharp turn from its brief attempt to distance itself in recent years. In 2024, the company killed its Request for Assistance feature in the Neighbors app, which had allowed police to issue video requests without a warrant. At the time, Ring said it wanted to move toward a more "community-focused" model. That shift reversed course in April 2025, when founder Jamie Siminoff returned to Amazon.

Since his return, Ring has rolled out a series of new police integrations, including a deal with taser-maker Axon that lets officers request footage directly through Axon’s evidence management system. Amazon and Ring are also reportedly adding facial recognition capabilities and even an opt-in feature that would allow users to livestream their doorbell feeds straight to law enforcement.

Best high-tech Halloween decorations of 2025 at a glance The Man, the Bones, the Legend 12-foot Giant-Sized Skelly with LifeEyes $299 Shop Now Best Home Depot skeleton alternative Home Depot 15-foot Grave & Bones Animated LED Gally-Crow $199 at Home Depot Shop Now Best Halloween lights upgrade Govee Curtain Lights Pro with 200 pre-set patterns $199.98 at Amazon Shop Now Best inflatable Halloween decoration Joyfy Inflatable UFO Alien Decoration (6, 9, and 12 feet) starting at $39.99 at Walmart Shop Now Best Halloween projector and holograms AtmosFX animated Halloween collection starting at $25 Shop Now Best solar-powered Halloween decoration Solar Scary Eyeball Lights (pack of 4) $39.98 at Amazon Shop Now Honorable Mention Oversized inflatable green octopus tentacles $53.99 Shop Now

The thriving Home Depot Skeleton fandom is just the most recent, concrete proof of a theory I've had for years: Halloween decorations (just overall Halloween nostalgia, actually) is a fleeting yet powerful antidote to the actual real-life horrors that persist around us.

While the high of Halloween during childhood is one we'll be chasing 'til death do us part, the one good thing about being an adult during Halloween is having adult money to spend on the cool decorations. You know, the ones that make people drive a little slower so that they can stare for a second.

SEE ALSO: Mashable What to Watch: Best scary movie recommendations, customized

If you're bored with your current humdrum string light setup, I scoured the internet to find the best high-tech Halloween decorations to up your game in 2025. For those of you with a yard, there are some super unique inflatables and towering animatroincs out there — but even apartment dwellers can get creative with some vibey RGB curtain lights and legitimately haunting projector scenes.

And, of course, we have to talk about Skelly. The infamous 12-foot skeleton from The Home Depot is a long-time favorite at Mashable, and this year it's actually possible to find him in stock, though you may need to go to your local store.

Skelly alternatives: other spooky animatronics at least 12 feet tall Credit: Home Depot Credit: Lowe's

For a second there, Home Depot's delayed Halfway to Halloween sale had my coworker (and Home Depot Skeleton historian) Haley Henschel worried that tariffs were affecting Skelly stock, among other staples in the Halloween industry. But rest assured: As of mid-October 2025, the beloved Skelly with LifeEyes is in stock for its usual $299, as well as Skelly's Cat and Skelly's Dog that Home Depot launched this year.

But for those who are already part of the Skelly Hive, there are other massive animatronics to expand your yard scene. Lowe's and Home Depot both have other 12-foot options, but the real queen here is Home Depot's new 15-foot Gally-Crow. The Gally-Crow was originally released with a Worricrow that's currently out of stock, but the Gally-Crow is arguably more harrowing (think scarecrow with a plague doctor mask) and 50% off. Yes, of course there are already people putting it inside their house.

• Lowe's 12-foot Immortal Nightwalker Motion-Activated Animatronic — $359.20 $449 (save $89.90)

• Lowe's 12-foot Lighted Talking Bone Collector Motion-Activated Animatronic — $449

• Home Depot 15-foot Grave & Bones Animated LED Gally-Crow — $199 $399 (save $200)

Full-scene outdoor lights Credit: Govee

Tired: orange string lights on the porch. Wired: themed full-scene LED arrangements on your windows, garage, or shrubbery.

Rather than the obnoxious black wires that make traditional Halloween lights tricky to camouflage, Govee's RGB curtain lights and net lights consist of hundreds of color-changing LEDs, connected by near-invisible wires in a grid pattern. Both types of lights are are waterproof and app-connected — that's where you'll be able to access a ton of pre-made patterns for Halloween, plus other holidays and everyday magic.

Get a set of Govee outdoor curtain lights for $199.98 (ideal for walls and other large, flat surfaces measuring 5.41 x 5.77 feet) or a set of Govee outdoor net lights for $99.99 on sale (ideal for bushes and fences, measuring 2.8 x 9.4 feet).

Not your mother's giant light-up inflatables Credit: Joyfy Credit: Joyfy

Halloween inflatables for the yard aren't an idea you've never seen before. But amidst the oversized Snoopys and Minions dressed as mummies on your street, I raise you a giant alien abduction scene or tentacles coming out of the grass — or even coming out of the windows. Both of these options are available in various sizes at Walmart, including a 12-foot version of the UFO inflatable. If you already have a Home Depot Skelly, that unlocks an easy idea for this year's theme.

• 6-foot UFO (just blue light) — $39.99

• 9-foot UFO (just blue light) — $49.91

• 12-foot UFO (just blue light) — $69.99

• 9-foot UFO (color changing) — $62.99

• Single pink octopus tentacle — $18.99

• Three green octopus tentacles — $53.99

• Three pink octopus tentacles — $53.99

High-quality animated spooky projector scenes Credit: AtmosFX

Halloween projections on the wall or side of a house can definitely be lame if they're crappy — but can be legitimately haunting if they're high quality. For anyone who already has an HD projector, AtmosFX is the ultimate destination for realistic Halloween projector scenes. From classic ghostly apparitions and zombies in the window to vintage (un)living portraits and Halloween stained glass, these bright, crisp phantasms move with lifelike animation and often come with sound. There are even options with movie characters: Be a real Trick 'r Treat stan with multiple Sam holograms or scare all human activity off your lawn with freaky animated glimpses of Art the Clown.

Skeptical about how legit these actually look? A majority of the 40+ listings in the Halloween collection include real photos from customers who are hyped on their own personal display — the AtmosFX fan club doesn't mess around. All AtmosFX projections come as downloadable .mp4 video files for projectors, TVs, or monitors that support HD downloads, but several are available on pre-loaded USB drives as well. Prices start at $25.

If you don't have a projector yet, Amazon has quite a few budget-friendly projectors with pre-set Halloween scenes. Go the actually-spooky route with a 3D grim reaper for under $20 or the cutesy spooky route with rotating cartoon ghosts, jack-o'-lanterns, and more for under $40.

Solar-powered eyeballs for the yard Credit: ASMAD

If you're paranoid about your spooky season electric bill, solar-powered Halloween decorations can be just as effective. These well-reviewed glowing green eyeballs come in bendy entanglements of eight and can be stuck in the yard to light a sidewalk or terrorize your garden. They charge on their own in the daytime through small panels attached to their stakes. For $39.88, you'll get a pack of four clusters for a total of 32 LED bulbs.

Despite the enthusiasm of actors in Swiffer commercials, few people are smiling when it's time to mop their hardwood and tile floors. So if you're already considering buying a robot vacuum because it'll take one major chore off your to-do list, then you can probably see why the best robot vacuum and mop would be doubly worth it.

I'm not saying that you can expect every robot vacuum that mops to scrub your kitchen grout with the same tenacity as you could by hand with a toothbrush. But the best robot vacuum and mop combos have gotten much better over the past few years. Many have smart mopping settings that unleash deeper scrubbing on specified spills or stains, and some even use AI sensors to assess whether a mess has been sufficiently cleaned. You can also set your robot vacuum to take multiple passes over dirty floors in the app's settings — one of my go-to tips for making your vacuum work better.

SEE ALSO: Roborock Saros Z70 review: If you think you need the robot vacuum with an arm, no you don't

Hybrid robot vacuums' self-emptying docks are also getting far more advanced. The best robot mop combos will also automatically wash and dry their mopping pads, self-dispense cleaning liquid, and then refill themselves with clean water from the dock. In theory, mopping pad maintenance should be nearly as automated as the cleaning itself.

I've personally tested more than 25 robot vacuum and mop combos in my own apartment, and I've narrowed your options down to just five robot vacuums that actually scrubbed well.

So if you want to walk around barefoot, make pet hair disappear, and keep hardwood floors shiny and clean, then these are the best robot vacuum and mop combos to buy in 2025.

SEE ALSO: Dreame's summer vacuum launch is the biggest vacuum drop of 2025 so far Recent changes to this guide

• Dreame Aqua10 Ultra Roller: We've added this new vacuum as of Oct. 18, 2025. For now, we've named it the "Best Roller Mop Robot Vacuum," but it's a frontrunner to become our "Best Overall" pick.

• Roborock Saros 10r: Previously our top pick as the best robot vacuum and mop, we've named this the "Best Corner Mopping" vacuum while we continue testing the new Dreame vacuum, also as of October 2025.

Other robot vacuums I've tested recently

I've tested several other robot vacuum hybrids that didn't make the cut. Some, like the Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, Roborock Qrevo Master, Narwal Freo X Ultra were top picks in this list at one point, but were merely upstaged in power and price tag value by newer models.

I've also tested some 2025 robot vacuum releases that were OK, but weren't contenders for this list. The Dreame X50 Ultra grabbed attention during its CES 2025 debut for its ability to "climb," though the fine print is that it can't scale thresholds taller than 6 millimeters (about 2.36 inches). The Roborock Saros 10 and 10R were able to hoist over the few thick doorway thresholds in my apartment just as well as the X50 Ultra. Its mopping and vacuuming capabilities are better than most mid-range robot vacuums, of course, but they weren't impressive enough for me to suggest the X50 Ultra in this list over either Saros model.

I'm also in the process of testing the new fleet of 2025 Roombas. The Roomba Combo 205 DustCompactor wouldn't be a bad pick if you absolutely can't spare floor space for a self-empty dock. But for being one of iRobot's newest vacuums, I expected it to be a much smoother, smarter navigator.

WordPress is one of the most popular content management systems on the Internet. In fact, more than 43 percent of all websites run on WordPress. This makes the latest attack on WordPress sites by a new threat actor all the more concerning.

According to a new report from the Google Threat Intelligence Group (GTIG), a new threat actor codenamed UNC5142 has been successfully hacking into WordPress sites and using a brand new technique to spread malware across the web. UNC5142, according to the report, would find vulnerable WordPress websites often using flawed WordPress themes, plugins, or databases.

SEE ALSO: Notorious hacker group doxxes ICE and FBI officials in new leak, report says

The targeted WordPress sites would be infected with a CLEARSHORT, multi-stage JavaScript downloader that distributes the malware. The threat group would then deploy a new technique dubbed "EtherHiding," which is enabled by CLEARSHORT.

Google describes EtherHiding as "a technique used to obscure malicious code or data by placing it on a public blockchain, such as the BNB Smart Chain." This use of blockchain to spread malicious code is unique and makes stopping the spread of malware all the more difficult.

The smart contract containing the code on the blockchain would then call up a CLEARSHORT landing page, often hosted on a Cloudflare dev page, that utilizes a ClickFix social engineering tactic. This tactic tricks the website visitor into running malicious commands on their computer via the Windows Run dialog or Mac's Terminal app.

UNC5142's attacks are often financially motivated, according to Google. GTIG says it has been tracking UNC5142 since 2023. However, Google reports that UNC5142 suddenly stopped all activity in July 2025.

This could mean that this new threat actor group, which has been successfully carrying out its malware campaigns, just decided to call it quits. Or it could mean that the threat actor has altered its techniques, successfully obscuring its latest actions, and is still hacking into vulnerable websites today.

I was once a harsh critic of people who worked out with their AirPods. Not only did it look awkward, but the buds themselves provided no on-ear stability, making them more of a liability than an asset. Then the AirPods Pro came out…and I still thought the same thing. That was, until I actually exercised with them. 

Apple’s noise-cancelling buds quickly became a workout favorite. Then the AirPods Pro 2 dropped and turned into my go-to buds for a long stretch (up to eight months), thanks to their dynamic sound, noteworthy ANC, and secure fit via in-ear design with silicone tips. The combination of flawless voice activation and lightweight wearability with sweat/water resistance (IPX4) also made them favorable for exercising.

Now that the AirPods Pro 3 have launched with advanced health features and a new ergonomic design, it would seem a safe bet that I would make them my next gym partner. But don’t jump to that conclusion just yet. 

Are the AirPods Pro 3 my newest go-to workout earbuds? Keep reading to find out. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

I’ve been digging the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 for the past six months, and I consider them the best earbuds for working out overall. Not everything hits its mark (ANC is disappointing). Still, the Powerbeats Pro 2 meet the criteria that matter most in the sub-category: audio quality, battery life, and serviceability. 

Since the AirPods Pro 3 and Powerbeats Pro 2 share identical features and specs, I expected nothing but greatness from Apple’s buds during workouts. This turned out to be mostly true. Some issues were present, and they could be deal-breakers, depending on your needs.

Here are my thoughts on using the AirPods Pro 3 for working out.

Apple’s most optimized fitness buds ever

Let’s get to the AirPods Pro 3’s killer feature: heart rate monitoring. It is more effective than any other pair of earbuds with HRM, including the Powerbeats Pro 2. The optical sensors near the tip shine an infrared light that pulses 256 times a second to examine blood flow in your ears. Apple also enhanced its algorithms to capture data as accurately as possible. 

I compared the readings between my AirPods Pro 3 (via Fitness app) and Fitbit Charge 6, which has optical sensors to measure blood flow on the wrist, and was surprised by how close the results were. Even the HRM sensors on a treadmill tracked BPM (beats per minute) close to the AirPods Pro 3. 

My AirPods Pro and Fitbit Charge 6 showed similar heart rate readings. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

HRM isn’t the only thing that makes the AirPods Pro 3 ideal for workouts. IP57 dust and water resistance protect the buds and charging case from excessive moisture damage. The touch sensors on the stems allow you to easily adjust volume with swipe gestures. “Hey Siri” voice activation places functionality at the tip of your tongue; it was so convenient to answer calls and swap out playlists without using my hands.

Apple’s listening modes give the AirPods Pro 3 a huge advantage over other sports buds. Transparency mode raises ambient awareness at an incredibly high level. I could hear pedestrians and vehicles loudly and clearly when running outside. Adaptive Audio automatically adjusts to your surroundings by blending ANC and Transparency modes for optimal listening. Personalized Volume does the same and learns from your listening habits to adjust volume settings over time. Lastly, Conversation Awareness lowers media volume and enhances the voices in front of you.

A custom fit with compromised comfort

These are the most fit-friendly AirPods ever. The wider sound port occupies the concha and molds perfectly to your ear. Apple’s silicone tips form a tight seal when properly adjusted, and they have decent sweat absorption to minimize slippage.

These are designed to be the best-fitting AirPods yet. Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

At first, I was petrified of breaking these buds on the treadmill, especially after seeing their iFixit repairability score of an abysmal 0/10. Nonetheless, I calmed down the more I exercised with them. The AirPods Pro 3 never fell out during runs or heavy lateral exercises (e.g., side-to-side lunges).

Unfortunately, the updated design affects comfort. Since the sound port sticks out more, it presses up against the canal and concha. My ears felt fatigued after three hours of wear. Anyone with a high pain threshold should get about five hours of use before experiencing discomfort. 

Energy-fueled sound

Audio on the AirPods Pro 3 is livelier than their predecessor. Apple updated its acoustic architecture to bring deeper bass response and extra clarity to your ears. The low end is better controlled and more impactful. It’s exactly what you want from a fitness standpoint. In addition, the adaptive EQ does an outstanding job of fine-tuning sound in real time.

Personalized Spatial Audio might be the most underrated fitness feature. I used it several times when watching exercise videos and enjoyed the extra layer of realism it delivered. Instructors sounded prominent over ambient noise and instrumentals; this gave personal trainer vibes. Spatial audio is more suited for Apple Music and creates an immersive soundscape for Dolby Atmos tracks. Drums and synths were robust, while treble remained warm and crisp. 

Android users look elsewhere

I previously tested the AirPods Pro 3 as an Android user, and things didn’t go so smoothly. They are not optimized for use with Google’s mobile operating system. Beats headphones and earbuds are, but the AirPods Pro 3 run on the H2 processor instead of Beats’ proprietary chipset, which is designed to work seamlessly with iOS/macOS and Android. 

That being the case, Android users lose out on all the AirPods Pro 3’s biggest features, including HRM, spatial audio, and voice assistance. 

Bottom Line

The AirPods Pro 3 are excellent workout buds that produce series-leading performance across all verticals. More testing is required to determine whether they’re a better fitness companion than the Powerbeats Pro 2. What I will tell you is that the AirPods Pro 3’s superior heart rate monitoring, along with the addition of Apple’s latest listening modes, has them in a front-runner spot right now.

Apple AirPods Pro 3 $249 at Amazon
  Shop Now at Amazon Shop Now at Apple.com

Vacuums haven't exactly been the picture of "buy it for life" since they stopped making 'em like the Electrolux canister clunker that my grandma used in the '70s — and that my mom still uses to this day for certain situations.

So, why don't vacuums last as long anymore? Their designs and capabilities are ever-evolving, but the materials used to make them aren't keeping up with the innovation, it seems. To be fair, product quality diminishing over time isn't strictly a vacuum thing — blame the larger manufacturing shift to less durable materials, which are quicker and cheaper to churn out (i.e., crappy plastic). Likewise, the theory of planned obsolescence that we associate with our smartphones can be applied to vacuums, too, especially cordless stick vacuums and robot vacuums.

All this made me wonder: How long should a vacuum last in 2025?

SEE ALSO: The best way to make your Dyson stick vacuum last? Clean it regularly. How long do corded vacuums last?

The average lifespan of a corded vacuum is generally between eight and 10 years. (For context, Dyson's limited warranty covers corded vacuums for five years.) However, maintenance and normal wear and tear are all factors in longevity. If you slam your vacuum into walls while cleaning or let gunk cake up its internal parts for a year, then yeah, it probably won't be at peak performance for long.

Corded vacuums generally last longer than cordless vacuums because they're not dependent on as many electrical components. With no waning battery to worry about, corded vacuums get full power streamlined from an outlet for every single use. Their inherently larger physical build also allows for a larger filter that can withstand more dust buildup before clogging, and often, a larger cleaning head that allows larger debris to pass through and avoid blockages.

SEE ALSO: Will the laser-equipped Dyson Spot+Scrub Ai solve Dyson's robot vacuum problem?

Do corded vacuums look as cute as a sleek cordless stick vacuum? No, but "buy it for life" shoppers on Reddit can't be asked to care about chicness if they're replacing their vacuum every few years. Rather, users are sold on heavy duty upright and canister vacuum cleaners — brands like Miele, Sebo, and Numatic are recommended a lot. My colleague Samantha Mangino went on this exact quest and settled on the Miele Classic C1 Turbo after seeing countless Reddit users clock it as the best vacuum cleaner that'll last.

Unfortunately, some vacuum brands aren't as invested in corded vacuums anymore. Dyson hasn't made a new corded vacuum since 2018, when it officially announced that the focus would be on cordless technology going forward.

How long do cordless vacuums last?

The average lifespan for a cordless vacuum is generally between two and five years. For context, Dyson's limited warranty on cordless vacuums is good for two years, while Shark's limited warranty covers between one and two years (depending on the model you have). I'm well into year three with my Dyson V12 Detect Slim and haven't experienced a single functional blip yet.

Dyson aims for at least five years, a far cry from the Electrolux canister vacuums of old. And that's Dyson — a brand famed for its engineering.

Dyson vacuums are actually tested for durability and longevity before they even hit the market. "Every Dyson vacuum goes through the equivalent of five years (and sometimes even longer) abusive and real-life representative testing before being brought to market," Brian Hu, Head of Electronics at Dyson, told Mashable. "This includes being pushed and pulled over 1000km of flooring, running the motors inside the machines for over 20,000 hours as well as hitting, slapping, and throwing vacuum cleaners down the stairs. If a machine breaks in this process, we take it back to the labs and re-engineer the vacuum until it doesn’t break."

SEE ALSO: Robot vacuums vs. stick vacuums: Shopping advice from someone who has both

But in general, rechargeable cordless vacuums typically don't last as long as corded vacuums because, well, they have to be charged all the time. Battery degradation is a real thing that stems from relentless plugging in and unplugging, as well as the fact that they're the sole power source for the motor. Motor or battery burnout isn't a matter of if, but when.

Many newer cordless stick vacuums also have extra technological features like screens, smart sensors, or lasers, if you're Dyson. Those create far more opportunities for crapping out, and you just can't expect the same level of durability that you would from a husky corded vacuum that relies on none of that stuff.

There are ways to preserve the life of your cordless stick vacuum, though. To keep the motor and brushroll in tip-top shape for as long as possible, ensure that you're inspecting cleaning heads and attachments for stuck debris or gunk buildup on a regular basis. While you're in there, take a second to rinse out the filter — a clogged filter is the most common cause of loss of suction. A word to the wise: Let that filter dry completely and then some before clicking it back into the vacuum. Wet filters can cause electrical damage to vacuum, as one Reddit user learned from their Dyson.

How long do robot vacuums last?

The average lifespan of a robot vacuum is estimated to be between three and six years. For context, iRobot's limited warranty and Roborock's limited warranty last for only one year.

Robot vacuums suffer the same fate as cordless vacuums in that they're battery-powered. They charge on their docks 24/7 when they're not in use, and some people believe keeping the vacuum constantly charged to 100 percent battery is detrimental to the battery's health. Others are confident that any relatively new device with a lithium-ion battery has built-in protection against overcharging. Either way, robot vacuum batteries will probably get worse over time, just like any other battery.

As the most automated type of vacuum, robotic vacuum cleaners are also internally decked out with far more technological programs than an upright vacuum: smart mapping done via lasers or cameras, AI-powered small obstacle avoidance, self-docking, and self-cleaning mechanisms — if any of these stop working, the robot vacuum would become borderline unusable. App-connected robot vacuums (most of them nowadays) often perform software updates over WiFi, but there's a chance that simply making the system more laggy after a few years.

SEE ALSO: How to choose a robot vacuum in 2025: Don't buy one before considering these features

But it's important to remember that far fewer people have even owned their robot vacuum for as long as others have owned any type of upright vacuum — so anecdotally, we just have less evidence showing how long most robot vacuums last. This is especially true for the super high-end robot vacs that just came to the scene within the past two years. They're either going to last longer than old robot vacuums because they have more advanced parts, or they're going to die sooner than a basic, cheap robot vacuum would because they're exerting so much more power. Only time will tell.

As always, routine maintenance of your robot vacuum can help it to work for longer. Keep the wheels and brush rolls spinning properly by flipping the vac over to cut out any wrapped hair and replace the filter as often as the brand recommends. Though self-emptying robot vacuums deal with their own dustbins on a daily scale, you should still take a second to manually wipe out the dust bin ports. On the subject of docks, robot vacuum and mop combos that self-wash and dry their own mopping pads require de-gunking of the tray where the mopping pads live — it gets really gross after a few weeks. Letting that area get soggy and mildew-y could wreak some real havoc on the whole mopping mechanism in the long run.

To sum up my research, modern cleaning machines, particularly cordless stick vacuums and robot vacuums, do seem to die more quickly than their corded ancestors. In general, paying more for a premium product will usually result in a longer lifespan, as will regular cleaning and maintenance. (Yes, you can and should clean your vacuum.)

Apple's iPhone 17 has finally caught up with the Pro models in almost every way that users will notice. It has a camera that's almost as good as the one on the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max. Battery life is excellent. The display is so much smoother and nicer than before, thanks to Apple's 120Hz ProMotion tech.

It's the iPhone that makes the most sense for most people.

So, why am I not excited?

Despite all these important upgrades, Apple is still giving us a tough choice between the iPhone 17 and the new iPhone Air, which is downright sexy, an adjective rarely used to describe handsets. Yes, the Air has shorter battery life and lacks an ultra-wide camera, but it's nicer, cooler, and thinner, while the iPhone 17 looks pretty much the same as last year's iPhone 16.

Apple iPhone 17: Price and specs Two cameras! Take that, iPhone Air! Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Apple's base iPhone sometimes feels like a lot of compromises, which were necessary to avoid cannibalizing the sales of the more expensive Pro phones.

This year, it's the opposite: It feels like Apple decided to give the iPhone 17 most of the goodies that are important to most people. Besides the telephoto camera, the rest of the iPhone 17 Pro's exclusives are fairly exotic, such as a vapor chamber cooling system and RAW video support. In that sense, it's easily the most compelling standard iPhone in years.

Here are the key specs for the iPhone 17:

• Display: 6.3-inch, Super Retina XDR display with 120Hz refresh rate

• Design: Aluminum frame with Ceramic Shield on front

• Rear cameras: 48-megapixel dual rear camera array with wide and ultra-wide lenses

• Front camera: 18-megapixel selfie camera with Center Stage

• Processor: Apple A19 chip with a 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine

• Storage: 256GB or 512GB

• Battery life: Up to 30 hours of video playback

• Software: iOS 26

Apple iPhone 17: Design and display The display is almost as good as the one on the Pro models. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

This review will mention the iPhone Air too many times, as it's impossible to give a verdict on the $799 iPhone 17 without at least considering the iPhone Air. Yes, the iPhone Air costs two hundred bucks more than the iPhone 17, but it's still way closer to it than the iPhone 17 Pro, which costs $400 more.

Starting with the design, there's almost nothing to say about the iPhone 17, as it looks the same as the iPhone 16. That means it has an aluminum frame, a 6.3-inch OLED display with a Dynamic Island up top, two cameras on the back, a standard array of buttons (including the fairly new Camera Control button) on the sides, and a USB-C port on the bottom. The choice of colors is between black, lavender, mist blue, sage, and white; Apple sent me a review unit in plain old white.

Technically, the iPhone 17 is ever so slightly inferior when compared to the Pro and Air models. For example, it's the only one that doesn't have a Ceramic Shield on the back. But the most important part, the display, is very similar across all three. The iPhone 17 has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display that's very bright and also satisfyingly smooth thanks to Apple's ProMotion tech. The inclusion of ProMotion also gave the iPhone 17 some tricks previously reserved for Pro models, such as Always On display and StandBy mode, which is something I (curiously) missed the most on the iPhone 16e.

Apple iPhone 17: Performance and AI Two cameras and a dedicated Camera Control button on the side. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

I can't really tell the difference between any of the new iPhones when it comes to performance. They're all blazing fast, period.

Again, the chips that power them aren't quite the same; the iPhone 17 gets the A19 chip, while the Pro and Air get the A19 Pro, the main difference being 5 vs. 6 GPU cores. Apple doesn't say how much RAM these phones have, but we know from teardowns that the iPhone 17 only has 8GB of RAM vs. 12GB on the other new models. None of the differences are noticeable in daily use.

Perhaps more importantly, all three phones now start at 256GB of storage; the iPhone 17 can also be had with double that amount, but the extra storage will cost you $200 more.

As for AI, which Apple endearingly calls "Apple Intelligence," you get a few nifty features such as AI image recognition, smart note rewriting, and simple image generation. Frankly, Apple's take on AI is severely lacking where it matters most, which is when you use Siri. Sure, Siri can now relay your questions to ChatGPT, but on her own, she's just not capable of holding a decent conversation, which is hard to believe.

Apple iPhone 17: Cameras How does it stack against the other phones in the lineup? Pretty well. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

I've taken a deeper look at how all of Apple's new iPhone cameras compare, and you can see for yourself the results of my iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro Max camera tests.

Suffice to say that the iPhone 17 has a camera that's almost as good as the one on the Pro models in most scenarios. It also wins versus iPhone Air as it has an ultra-wide camera, which also enables macro photography. It does lack a dedicated telephoto camera, which is a pretty big deal.

SEE ALSO: Camera shootout: I compared iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro Max photos side-by-side Apple iPhone 17: Battery life

Apple's battery life figures for its iPhone lineup can be deceiving. The company rates iPhone 17 as being capable of up to 30 hours video playback, compared to up to 33 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro, and up to 27 hours on the iPhone Air. But the iPhone 16 was only rated for up to 22 hours, meaning that all three new devices are significantly better than Apple's base phone from 2024.

It's easy to get used to more battery life, and I'm sure people will compare the iPhone 17 against the new benchmarks, not old. But still: Apple has vastly improved battery life on all of its phones. The iPhone 17 may not be a two-day phone like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, but it should definitely last you a full day or even day and a half.

Is the Apple iPhone 17 worth it? Aluminum frame, but no Ceramic Shield on the back. Credit: Stan Schroeder/Mashable

Absolutely. The iPhone 17 is the most sensible choice for most users. I actually think it compares better with the iPhone 17 Pro, as it offers all of the key features - great camera, beautiful display, 256GB of storage, fast performance, and long battery life — for less money.

The question, however, is whether you'll go for the regular-looking iPhone when you can get the sexier and thinner iPhone Air? My advice: Check them both out in person, then decide. You won't make a mistake either way.

Apple iPhone 17 $829.99 at T-Mobile
  Shop Now at T-Mobile Shop Now at Best Buy Shop Now at Apple.com

Astronomers say the water that fills Earth's oceans — and the stuff you use to brew your morning cup of coffee or tea — may be older than the sun itself. 

A team of researchers used a giant Chilean telescope, the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, to make an unprecedented detection of a rare form of so-called "heavy water" in a young star system about 1,300 light-years away in space. It is the first direct evidence of water remaining intact through an interstellar journey, from molecular clouds to the materials that form planets.

The system, V883 Orionis, revealed that the water in its surrounding planet-forming disk dates back long before the star, surviving the violence of the star's own birth. 

This discovery suggests that much of the water in our own solar system could have come from billions-of-years-old ices, the researchers said. 

"Our detection indisputably demonstrates that the water seen in this planet-forming disk must be older than the central star and formed at the earliest stages of star and planet formation," said Margot Leemker, lead author of the research at the University of Milan, in a statement. "This presents a major breakthrough in understanding … how this water made its way to our solar system, and possibly Earth, through similar processes."

SEE ALSO: An Earth scientist solved a Mars mystery about what dug these weird ditches

If water is hardy enough to survive every stage of star and planet development, then the ingredients for life aren't just created by stars but can be inherited from the cold stretches of space between them. The implications could connect water — and, by extension, the potential for life — across the cosmos. The new study appears in the journal Nature Astronomy. 

The key to the team's findings rests on the detection of a rare form of "heavy water," known as doubly deuterated water, which contains two atoms of deuterium, a heavier version of hydrogen. Scientists measured how much of the molecule exists in V883 Orionis' disk compared to normal water and singly deuterated water. If the water were destroyed and later reformed in the disk, its doubly deuterated water levels would be low, according to the study. 

But the disk contains a high amount of it, similar to the levels seen in extremely young developing stars and even in comets from our own solar system. That's a compelling sign that the ice in this disk is inherited rather than new.

In other words, the same molecules of water that froze onto dust in an ancient interstellar cloud are still present in the disk that will one day form planets. The researchers believe this could link the chemistry of distant deep space to the familiar water on Earth, perhaps through icy bodies delivering water to planets.

While some scientists believe primitive Earth vented gases 4.5 billion years ago that eventually created an atmosphere allowing rain to fall and pool into oceans, many think the large bodies of water formed because comets and icy rocks brought water to it through collisions — or some combination of the two.

"Until now, we weren’t sure if most of the water in comets and planets formed fresh in young disks like V883 Ori, or [originated] from ancient interstellar clouds," said John Tobin, a co-author from the National Science Foundation, in a statement. 

The study may also help explain how origins-of-life ingredients behave in these environments. In the V883 Orionis disk, those chemicals seem like they've been tainted by heat or radiation. The water, on the other hand, appears pristine. This contrast might shed light on why water is such a good carrier of life's raw materials, remaining stable, even in hostile conditions that would destroy other molecules.

Every time a TV show dramatizes a grisly true crime story, it faces a dilemma. Is it possible to retell a tragedy without exploiting the victims and their families? Not only that, but can you recreate these deaths without sensationalizing, or even glorifying, the killer responsible?

These questions have created a genre that's at war with itself, one that's aware of both its ethical dubiousness and the fact that viewers will gobble it up to sate their true crime fascination. This October has offered up two shows that take extremely different approaches to solving this quandary: Netflix's Monster: The Ed Gein Story and Peacock's Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy.

SEE ALSO: Who was Ed Gein? The new Netflix 'Monster' was the inspiration for 'Psycho' and 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'

The former continues the formula that Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan established in other installments of their Monster anthology series: a mix of salacious reenactments and ham-fisted commentary about America's fascination with true crime. The latter, though, takes a much more careful tack to the question of true crime media as inherently exploitative, forgoing onscreen murders entirely in favor of a victim-centric approach.

Devil in Disguise and The Ed Gein Story differ when it comes to onscreen violence. Michael Chernus in "Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy." Credit: Brooke Palmer / Peacock

The Ed Gein Story offers exactly what viewers have come to expect from a Murphy and Brennan true crime project, which is to say that it does not shy away from onscreen violence. Bloody chainsaw massacres and hammer torture are among the atrocities on display, but they're far from the only ones. The Ed Gein Story also adds more unsavory details, including a scene of Gein (Charlie Hunnam) engaging in necrophilia. (Although there was real-life speculation that Gein was a necrophiliac, Gein himself denied these charges.) The result is a parade of graphic atrocities conjured up for cheap shock value, upsetting and exhausting in equal measure.

While the violence in The Ed Gein Story is as in-your-face as can be, Devil in Disguise avoids showing any of Gacy's murders in the first place. Gacy (Michael Chernus) will occasionally describe his actions, but the actual images of his crimes loom offscreen. The effect is twofold: On the one hand, the show is respecting Gacy's victims by not recreating their deaths. On the other, the implied violence leaves audiences to imagine what befell Gacy's victims, and the effect is more chilling than any onscreen rehashing of victims' trauma.

SEE ALSO: Glenda Cleveland tried to stop Jeffrey Dahmer. What happened to her and the cops who ignored her

Instead of showcasing Gacy's murders, Devil in Disguise turns the spotlight on his victims, hoping to flesh out knowledge of their lives beyond just their deaths. Most episodes are named after these young men and feature flashbacks leading up to their meeting with Gacy. Episode 2, "Johnny," centers on John Szyc (Levi Shelton), a gay high schooler trying to figure out how to come out to his parents. Episode 5, "Billy and Dale," highlights two Chicago sex workers (Brayden Raqueño and Max Mattern).

There are a variety of stories on display, but for the police investigating these missing persons cases, they paint every victim with the same brush: "troubled." Due to their queerness, their jobs as sex workers, or their prior run-ins with law enforcement, people like John, Billy, and Dale aren't priorities for police, allowing Gacy to get away with murder for years. Devil in Disguise showcases these prejudices with the same unflinching emphasis that other true crime shows may place on murder scenes.

It's worth noting that the first installment of Monster, Dahmer, attempted a somewhat similar approach to Devil in Disguise. It highlighted police prejudice against Dahmer's (Evan Peters) victims, and Netflix even claimed the series would "give the victims a voice." Yet the show did not consult victims' families at any point before, during, or after production, going so far as to recreate court scenes portraying still-living family members of Dahmer's victims without even the courtesy of a heads-up. The online backlash was severe.

Devil in Disguise and The Ed Gein Story have vastly different opinions of their audiences. Charlie Hunnam in "Monster: The Ed Gein Story." Credit: Netflix

As Devil in Disguise hones in on police prejudice, The Ed Gein Story clumsily tries to make a point of its own: that the people watching are the real monsters.

The series examines not just Gein's crimes, but also how they inspired legendary films like Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and The Silence of the Lambs. In doing this, The Ed Gein Story hopes to interrogate American audiences' desire for fictional violence, even as they turn away from real-life atrocities.

"You're the one who can't look away," Gein tells viewers in a fourth-wall break, implicating us in his acts.

Yet The Ed Gein Story's indictment of its own viewers falls flat as the show fails to consider its own place in the true crime ecosystem. It's perfectly content to draw connections between Gein and other pieces of media — including a wildly offensive parallel between Gein and Psycho actor Anthony Perkins (Joey Pollari) — but never looks inward at how it, too, is sensationalizing violence for audience consumption. "How dare you keep watching," The Ed Gein Story scolds viewers, all while Murphy and Brennan prepare to churn out a fourth season of Monster. It's eight episodes of sanctimony without self-awareness.

While The Ed Gein Story loathes its audiences for watching its nastiness (even as it serves up its gore on a human skin platter), Devil in Disguise appeals to audience compassion. The show knows that the Gacy name will inevitably draw viewers, which is why it opts to shed new light on Gacy's victims and their families, as opposed to delivering bloody shocks. Each episode ends with a link to a website that delves into how the issues that made Gacy's victims vulnerable persist today, and what the viewer can do to take action. The site, which is in partnership with GLAAD, Covenant House, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and Equimundo, also offers resources like the Trevor Project Crisis Hotline and an anti-LGBTQ+ bill tracker.

Devil in Disguise is by no means a perfect true crime drama. Occasionally, it falls into the Monster trap of sensationalizing Gacy's story, such as a macabre sequence that juxtaposes him picking up young men with him donning his clown makeup. However, that's the only time Devil in Disguise actually shows any of Gacy's clowning, whereas you know a show like Monster would have leaned far harder into the killer clown angle.

That level of excess has defined true crime dramatizations for years now, but Devil in Disguise suggests a different and much-needed new route forward for the genre: restraint.

Devil in Disguise: John Wayne Gacy is now streaming on Peacock.

TL;DR: You have one day left to score a lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 for just $59.97 (reg. $219), so you need to act fast before this deal ends on Oct. 19 at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Opens in a new window Credit: Microsoft Microsoft Office Home & Business for Mac 2021: Lifetime License $59.97
$219 Save $159.03   Get Deal

Don’t let PC users have all the fun. Microsoft has some great tools available, and you don’t have to miss out just because you’re a Mac lover. Take Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021, for example. This suite of apps can help you with both professional and personal tasks, and right now you can snag a lifetime license for just $59.97 (reg. $219) through tomorrow night at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Whether you’re a busy student, an overwhelmed entrepreneur, or just want an easy way to make a budget by yourself, the Microsoft Office apps are ready to help you knock out your to-do list. This Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021 license includes six different tools — most of which you likely already know, love, and have used in the past.

SEE ALSO: Everything Apple announced today: Meet the new M5 MacBook, iPad

Create documents easily with Word and work on your spreadsheets with Excel. Need to make a presentation? PowerPoint can help. There’s also Outlook to help you stay on top of emails, Teams to touch base with coworkers, and OneNote to serve as your digital notebook.

This lifetime license means you don’t have to deal with expensive monthly subscriptions or cloud connectivity issues. Pay once and enjoy permanent access to these apps. They’ll be downloaded right to your device, so you can work offline as needed. Just make sure you’re running macOS 13 or later, have at least 4GB of RAM, and 10GB of available storage.

Get six apps for one low price with this lifetime license to Microsoft Office Home and Business for Mac 2021, now just $59.97 (reg. $219) through Oct. 19.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

TL;DR: Unlock lifetime access to Babbel’s language platform and learn all 14 languages anytime, anywhere — just use StackSocial’s code LEARN at checkout $90 off through Oct. 30.

Opens in a new window Credit: Babbel Babbel Language Learning: Lifetime Subscription (All Languages) $159
$299 Save $140   Get Deal

If you’ve ever promised yourself you’d learn a new language — maybe before your next trip or next job — this is a great time to keep that promise.

Babbel, one of the most respected names in language learning, is the reliable place to go for serious learners. You can currently get lifetime access to all 14 of its languages, and thanks to a StackSocial promotion, it’s a fraction of the usual price with code LEARN through Oct. 30.

SEE ALSO: Enjoy lifetime language learning at its finest with this exclusive Babbel offer

Babbel was built with input from more than 100 linguists, not algorithms, ensuring its bite-sized lessons teach real-world communication, not just vocabulary lists.

Whether you want to learn French for travel, German for business, or Italian just because it sounds better than English when you order pasta, Babbel’s structured approach makes it easy to fit learning into your day — 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Your progress syncs across devices, and you can even download lessons to keep learning offline. With speech recognition for pronunciation, AI-powered conversation tools, and a mix of beginner to advanced levels, you’ll go from hesitant learner to confident speaker faster than you’d think.

Because in a world where AI can write code and cars can drive themselves, being bilingual is the real power move.

Get a lifetime of Babbel language learning for a one-time payment of just $159 (reg. $299) with code LEARN through Oct. 30.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

Are you a connoisseur of horror? You appreciate all flavors of this rich genre, from the spine-tinglingly spooky to the gleefully gruesome, from the sickeningly suspenseful, to the willfully outrageous. But maybe you've seen so many horror movies that it has become a challenge to find something fresh to thrill. We've been there, and we're here to help.

Scouring Shudder's streaming library of horror, we've collected highlights that boast eerie ghost stories, vengeful witches, cackling corpses, a love-struck zombie, and unconventional slashers.

Here are the 25 best hidden gems now streaming on Shudder.

1. Rift

Want something uniquely chilling? Then check out this 2017 Icelandic thriller set in a frigid and frightful landscape. Written and directed by Erlingur Thoroddsen, Rift follows a man (Björn Stefánsson) to a remote cabin, where he hopes to help his distraught ex-boyfriend (Sigurður Þór Óskarsson) and maybe find some closure over their breakup. However, their reunion is rattled by a series of strange events that suggest they aren’t alone. Something is in the darkness, watching and waiting. This fantastic film lures you in with beautiful vistas and a slow-burn pace, then spirals into scares sure to linger like a cold shiver down your spine. — Kristy Puchko, Film Editor

How to watch: Rift is now streaming on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: What to watch: Best scary movies 2. The Awakening Rebecca Hall hunts for ghosts in "The Awakening," Credit: Bbc Films / Kobal / Shutterstock

In the mood for an old-fashioned ghost story? Set in 1921 England, The Awakening centers on a professional skeptic Florence Cathcart (Rebecca Hall), who dedicates her life to debunking so-called clairvoyants and their showy seances. With ruthless reasoning and science experiments, she has exposed frightful frauds and infuriated believers. However, Florence may have met her match when she travels to a boys’ boarding school to confront a reportedly murderous apparition. Director Nick Murphy imbrues this spooky tale with suspense and dread, unfurling a final act that’s uniquely haunting. Dominic West and Imelda Staunton co-star. — K.P.

How to watch: The Awakening is now streaming on Shudder.

3. Nina Forever

Yearning for a dark comedy that’s bloody fun? You’ll fall hard for Nina Forever. Co-writers/co-directors Ben Blaine and Chris Blaine have dreamed up a truly deranged tale of love and letting go, and it all begins with a macabre crush. Grocery clerk Holly (Abigail Hardingham) hopes she can help mournful motorcyclist Rob (Cian Barry) forget his last girlfriend, who died in a grisly accident. But every time these new lovers crawl into bed, Nina (Fiona O'Shaughnessy) intrudes. Or more specifically, her broken and bloody corpse crashes the party with snarky one-liners and withering eye-rolls. Full of gore, sex, and jaw-droppingly outrageous gags, this horror-comedy earns its hard-R, yet delivers a surprisingly tender tale. — K.P.

How to watch: Nina Forever is now streaming on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: What is Shudder? Everything you need to know about the horror streaming platform. 4. The Queen of Black Magic Something wicked this way comes in "The Queen of Black Magic" (2020). Credit: Shudder

It’s a rare thing for a remake to outdo the original. Yet Kimo Stamboel’s gruesome 2019 offering does just that by upping the ante on body-horror with frightfully realistic gore. Deep in rural Indonesia, a humble orphanage is supposed to be the site of a warm reunion between three friends (Ario Bayu, Tanta Gintin, and Miller Khan), who long ago spent their boyhoods there. But in the past and in this place, they buried a terrible secret. Now, something horrid has risen to claim vengeance on them and their families. With creeping dread, stomach-churning scares, and ruthless supernatural twists, this one is not for the faint of heart. — K.P.

How to watch: The Queen of Black Magic is now streaming on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: The 8 scariest horror movies on Shudder to keep you up at night 5. Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street Mark Patton reckons with his place in horror history in "Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street." Credit: Christine Rampage / AMC Networks

Shudder boasts a robust documentaries selection, which offers audiences deep cuts into their favorite movies or horror subgenres. The best of the bunch is this funny, personal, and political exploration of the infamous A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge. Long mocked for its queer content, the subversive sequel proved a nightmare for its unconventional scream queen, Mark Patton. However, directors Roman Chimienti and Tyler Jensen present the charismatic Patton with the opportunity to reclaim the narrative (and share a slew of stories, both thrilling and heartbreaking). The result is a bio-doc that’s sensationally bold, surprisingly funny, and proudly gay as hell. — K.P.

How to watch: Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street is now streaming on Shudder.

6. Jack Frost

Seeking something sloppy, silly, and unapologetically dumb? Then revel in the bad taste of this seasonal slasher about a homicidal snowman. It all began on a wintry night when a vicious serial killer named Jack Frost (Scott MacDonald) met with a corrosive chemical accident that melded his rotten core into sentient snow! Director Michael Cooney festoons this cult classic with gleefully ludicrous slayings, cringe-worthy sight gags, and practical effects so bad they're hilarious. — K.P.

How to watch: Jack Frost is now streaming on Shudder.

7. Zombie for Sale A family observes a zombie from a safe distance in "Zombie for Sale." Credit: Christine Rampage / AMC Networks

What if zombie bites weren’t all bad? More specifically, what if a nip from the undead would give the impotent new life below the belt? That’s the preposterous premise that kicks off this gleefully bonkers South Korean comedy. The Park family is scraping by running a battered gas station when their fortunes are turned by a zombie (Jung Ga-ram) with a rejuvenating bite. That’s just the first act of director Lee Min-jae’s playful horror-comedy. Family hijinks, ghoulish action, gross-out gags, and absurdly earnest romance also pop up, making for a movie that is chaotically charming and pleasantly unpredictable. — K.P.

How to watch: Zombie for Sale is now streaming on Shudder.

8. Revenge Matilda Lutz fights back in  "Revenge." Credit: M E S Productions / Kobal / Shutterstock

"Vengence is Hers" is a Shudder collection that offers an array of nail-biting tales about women fighting back with all their might and no regrets. A standout in this section is this critically acclaimed 2017 action-thriller from writer/director Coralie Fargeat. Matilda Lutz stars as an American socialite who's living it up as the girlfriend of an obscenely wealthy playboy. That is until a horrid betrayal leaves her battered, broken, and left for dead. Filled with righteous wrath, this party girl hurls herself into a scorching quest not only to survive but also to burn down the men who tried to destroy her. Electric with bone-crunching violence and candy-colored accents, Revenge is as ferocious and feminine as its rampaging heroine deserves. — K.P.

How to watch: Revenge is now streaming on Shudder.

9. Deadly Games Home Alone can't compare to the home invasion holiday horror of "Deadly Games." Credit: Fantastic Fest

Before there was Home Alone, French writer/director René Manzor dared to dream up a kid-centered holiday home invasion that is unapologetically scary. Since its 1989 debut overseas, this festive thriller could not get a US theatrical run. So, it became a coveted treasure for American horror fans, who’d heard of its heady combination of terror, twists, and toys. Mazor’s own son, Alain Lalanne (credited as Alain Musy), stars as a clever boy, who must use all his wits and playthings to survive the night, once a menacing mall-Santa breaks into his home hellbent on homicide. Forget paint cans and Wet Bandits. Manzor’s spin on this story is far darker, zanier, and bolder, making for a movie that’s outrageously funny, truly frightening, and ultimately unforgettable. — K.P.

How to watch: Deadly Games is now streaming on Shudder.

10. Oddity Credit: IFC Films

If you're going to find yourself violently murdered, it's always a good idea to have a clairvoyant sister on hand to sleuth out what happened to you. That's just one of the many lessons in Irish director Damian McCarthy's 2024 gem Oddity, which stars Carolyn Bracken in the dual roles of doomed Dani and her seer sis Darcy. 

SEE ALSO: 'Oddity's Damian McCarthy reveals the origins of his Wooden Man

The mystery surrounding Dani's death is where the film unravels its weird magic. One year after the murder, Darcy heads out to the country home of Dani's widower Ted (Gwilym Lee) to understand what really went down that cold, dark, and deadly night. Her tools of investigation include a life-sized Wooden Man, which played big in the film's marketing. Oddity has so much going on that it might feel scattered at first glance, but that's just McCarthy waving his hand one way so you don't see him sneaking up behind you to scare the bejesus out of you. Ruthlessly. — Jason Adams, Contributing Writer

How to watch: Oddity is now streaming on Shudder.

11. Messiah of Evil 

Forgotten and only available as inferior copies of copies for decades, American Graffiti scribes Willard Huyck and Gloria Katz's unclassifiably strange 1973 seaside horror film Messiah of Evil only started getting its due recently, with a newly restored version made available just in time for its 50th anniversary last year. The film spins the deliciously inexplicable tale of the residents of Point Dume, California, where a blood moon turns them all into flesh-eating zombies… or something? 

The movie's incoherence works, as the viewer feels like all logic was left behind at the county line. Essentially, we're caught up in somebody else's nightmare and the usual rules of existence do not apply. Plus, Messiah of Evil features two of the greatest horror sequences ever filmed — one inside a supermarket and the other inside a movie theater — that make it a must-see for any genre scholar or lover of flesh-munching alike. — J.A.

How to watch: Messiah of Evil is now streaming on Shudder.

12. Hell House LLC

The first film in this long-running found-footage franchise centers on the disaster that befalls a group of young people staging a Halloween haunted house attraction just outside of New York City. Their fatal flaw: choosing an actual haunted hotel as their location. And not just any old normal haunted hotel, but the Abaddon Hotel. As if the name weren't a clue to get the heck out of dodge, the basement is full of nightmare-inducing clown mannequins. Now most people would avoid these things on sight, but these ding dongs decide to integrate the things they find scattered around the hotel right into their show. As they lead up to opening night, things just get weirder and weirder — until all hell breaks loose.  

With an ultra-creepy framing device featuring a lone survivor being interviewed by a documentary crew, the movie becomes a clown cascade of found-footage shenanigans, with the bozo beasties popping up behind people like The Descent monsters in oversized silk pants. It's a true jump-scare paradise – coulrophobes, beware! — J.A.

How to watch: Hell House LLC is now streaming on Shudder.

13. Good Madam Credit: Visit Films

An incredibly eerie morality tale set in modern-day South Africa, Good Madam tells the story of Tsidi (Chumisa Cosa) and her 9-year-old daughter Winnie (Kamvalethu Jonas Raziya), who become homeless when Tsidi's grandmother (who raised her) dies. Needing a stable home, Tsidi reaches out to her estranged mother Mavis (Nosipho Mtebe), who's been a live-in domestic servant in the home of a rich white woman since Tsidi was a child. And that's when the skin-crawling creepy feelings start piling up.

There in this big fancy house, they find the good madam catatonic in bed, all while Mavis inexplicably maintains her grueling schedule of work around the clock for the unconscious woman. Something is deeply amiss, and as Tsidi starts pulling at threads it all starts to unravel. And co-writer/director Jenna Cato Bass manages to lay a sharp critique of post-apartheid racial relations in South Africa against the scares too — Good Madam unnerves as much as it enlightens. — J.A.  

How to watch: Good Madam is now streaming on Shudder.

14. Mad God

30 years in the making, Mad God is a surreal and horrific stop-motion masterpiece from Phil Tippett, the legendary special-effects master behind everything from the aliens in Starship Troopers to the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. Dropping us without explanation into a hellish, wordless netherworld filled with creatures that must be seen to be believed, Mad God defies simple explanation. But it is so much wild eye candy at a certain point you stop trying to understand, to put what you're seeing into words, and you just take the ride toward the disgusting rebirth of the cosmos with him. It makes Alice's descent into Wonderland seem like a trip to the corner store. — J.A.

How to watch: Mad God is now streaming on Shudder.

15. Rabid Grannies

A slice of camp horror magic that is the definition of under-seen and under-appreciated, this 1988 Troma release is basically Evil Dead meets your grandma. And who doesn't want Evil Dead meets your grandma? (The hilarious gross-out vibes definitely bring to mind early Peter Jackson earlier films, like Bad Taste and Dead Alive, if that's your jam.)

Rabid Grannies focuses on sweet twin grandmothers Elizabeth and Victoria Remington (Danielle Daven and Anne-Marie Fox) who invite their no-good family over to their mansion one dark and stormy night for their birthday party. But when a satanic curse turns the lovely elderly ladies into perverse flesh-chomping maniacs, those ingrate relatives get what they deserve, i.e. their flesh chomped by these Rabid Grannies! Seriously silly and slapstick gross, you'll wish these golden girls of gore forgot their devilish dentures on this day! — J.A.

How to watch: Rabid Grannies is now streaming on Shudder.

Featured Video For You Elvira on drag queens, Vincent Price, and her new cookbook — from hell!
16. Infested

If you're afraid of insects but love freaking yourself out anyway — that vertiginous attraction-repulsion sensation that all horror fans seek out — then have I got the bug movie for you. French co-writer/director Sébastien Vaniček's Infested puts the focus on the residents of a rundown apartment building in the suburbs of Paris who find themselves under attack by a swarm of lethal spiders. If that wasn't bad enough, these spiders' fast-killing venom is only outpaced by their ability to rapidly multiply. 

Infested has a pointed subtext about race and class, specifically how these characters living in poverty are ignored and forced to fend for themselves, which then allows this nightmare to go unchecked. But mostly Infested just lets itself be a terrifying roller-coaster ride of enormous spiders leaping onto people's faces. Unrelenting but massively entertaining stuff. — J.A.

How to watch: Infested is now streaming on Shudder.

17. Mosquito State Credit: Shudder

Writer/director Filip Jan Rymsza threads one hell of a needle with his truly odd 2020 film Mosquito State, which metaphorically links the 2008 financial collapse with the mating habits of the mosquito. And it somehow works! 

Beau Knapp (Road House) gives a hypnotic performance as Richard, a Wall Street numbers-cruncher who is obsessed with obscure patterns, using them to see into the financial future. When a single mosquito stows away under his shirt collar and lays eggs in Richard's fastidiously sterile apartment, he descends into swollen madness trying to understand the message the insects must be transmitting through their every sting. For my fellow entomophobes, this one will have you itching your eyes out even as you gape at the strange beauty of it all. — J.A.

How to watch: Mosquito State is now streaming on Shudder.

18. Ghostwatch

An artistic prank on the level of Orson Welles' infamous War of the Worlds broadcast in 1938, the BBC mockumentary Ghostwatch was unleashed on an unsuspecting public on Halloween night 1992. Using real-life UK-famous personalities and journalists like Michael Parkinson, Sarah Greene, Mike Smith, and Craig Charles, the film plays out as a live on-air broadcast from in-studio as well as from the home of a woman and her three daughters, who insist their house is haunted. 

Of course, things get more unhinged as the show goes on, and many BBC viewers who tuned in after the broadcast's beginning (or were only half paying attention) missed that this was a fiction film. And they absolutely freaked out, calling into the TV station in a state of alarm. Which is understandable because Ghostwatch, with its eerie found footage constantly catching blink-and-you'll-miss-it horrors, gets under your skin even if you know it's all staged. Just utter the ghost's name, "Pipes," to someone who's seen Ghostwatch, and you'll see skin crawl before your very eyes. And British television has never aired the movie again! — J.A.

How to watch: Ghostwatch is now streaming on Shudder.

19. Death Game

1977's Death Game has the great Seymour Cassel playing the role of George, a wealthy married businessman who finds himself alone at home on his birthday when two gorgeous women, Jackson and Donna (Sondra Locke and Colleen Camp), come knocking on his door. Playing out like a Penthouse fantasy come to life, the women are drenched from a rainstorm and say their car broke down, only to relentlessly flirt with him until he — you guessed it — relents.

But that fantasy immediately descends into a nightmare as the women refuse to leave when morning comes, and they start teasing and tormenting him, with their abuses growing more and more hilariously over the top. Terrified that his wife will return home before he can get rid of them, George is boxed in; it's every cheating jerk's nightmare brought to vivid life. But ultimately, Death Game turns into a blow-out showcase for the actresses (in particular Locke), who are having so, so much fun tormenting this pathetic man. (And if this all sounds familiar,  that's because Eli Roth remade this movie, and pretty well, in 2015 as Knock Knock with Keanu Reeves.) — J.A.

How to watch: Death Game is now streaming on Shudder.

20. Impetigore Credit: Everett / Shutterstock

Writer/director Joko Anwar is a bright and shining light in today's international horror scene, almost single-handedly rejuvenating the Indonesian market with his 2017 remake of the 1980 cult classic Satan's Slave. That was followed in 2019 with his script for The Queen of Black Magic (also on this list), as well as his 2019 follow-up Impetigore, which he also directed. All of these movies are streaming on Shudder, and every one (along with his sequel to Satan's Slaves) is awesome and worth their own mini-film fest. 

Impetigore remains my favorite of the bunch. Here, Anwar gives us a pair of truly loveable leading ladies in best friends Maya and Dini (Tara Basro and Marissa Anita), who get sucked into an investigation of a haunted property out in the middle of nowhere. These two are smart and funny and their friendship shines, and as they stumble into a situation beyond their control, we become deeply terrified for them. Don't believe me? Watch the first ten minutes. Impetigore has one of the greatest horror opening scenes in recent memory. — J.A.

How to watch: Impetigore is now streaming on Shudder.

21. Birth/Rebirth Credit: Courtesy of Shudder. An IFC release.

A deliciously disturbing update of Frankenstein, Birth/Rebirth exposes the twisted tale of medical technician Rose (Marin Ireland) and obstetrics nurse Celie (Judy Reyes) whose paths cross when Celie's ill daughter Lila (AJ Lister) suddenly dies. Writer/director Laura Moss pits the two women's different reasons for wanting to cheat death against each other, even when they're working together. The end result is one horrific consequence spiraling after another. 

The film becomes in a way a wrestling match over modern ideas of motherhood, and both its lead actors give brilliant turns coming together and clashing over what that means — or could mean. Birth/Rebirth ends up spinning a deeply feminist Franken-myth that would've made Mary Shelley beam with pride. — J.A.

How to watch: Birth/Rebirth is now streaming on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: Let's talk about 'Birth/Rebirth's big twist 22. Arcadian

Arcadian stars Nicolas Cage as the father of two young boys in a post-apocalyptic world, where some strange breed of vicious creatures have taken to stalking the countryside at night for prey. As darkness falls, the beasts shake and rattle against the doors of their house, trying to break in. The family spends their hours of daylight gathering food and supplies and reinforcing the structure to keep the not-wolves at bay. 

SEE ALSO: 'Arcadian' stars Jaeden Martell and Maxwell Jenkins play "Slash or Pass"

Of course, this embattled existence can't last forever. One breakdown in their routine leads to disaster. As the family finds itself scattered in the dark, they're beset upon by the creatures, and this is where Arcadian really sets itself apart. Its monsters are wondrous, unlike anything you've ever seen before. Somewhere between an ostrich and a tarantula — maybe with some woodpecker mixed in? — they have big grinning skulls that make the most horrible thwacking sounds. Half the movie's fun is just trying to figure these horrible things out, and they keep swerving just when you think you've got a handle on what they're capable of. They're some absolutely bonkers monster designs, and you won't soon forget their rampage. — J.A. 

How to watch: Arcadian is now streaming on Shudder.

23. La Llorona

The ancient folk tale of La Llorona, who drowns her children only to spend her eternal ever-after crying out for them, has been adapted into a number of horror movies, but writer/director Jayro Bustamante's 2019 adaptation is our favorite — brilliant and hauntingly beautiful.

This version is set mainly within the walled-off Guatemalan compound belonging to Enrique Monteverde (Julio Díaz), the country's one-time brutal dictator. Now an elderly man on trial for genocide and besieged by protestors on all sides, Monteverde — who is based on the late dictator Efraín Ríos Montt — suddenly finds the tables righteously turned when the indigenous workers on his compound begin getting their revenge. What follows is poetic, strange, surreal, and unforgettable. It would also make for a terrific double-feature with Pablo Larraín's 2023 movie El Conde, which imagines Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet as a vampire. — J.A.

How to watch: La Llorona is now streaming on Shudder. 

24. In a Violent Nature Credit: Courtesy of Pierce Derks. An IFC Films & Shudder Release.

In a Violent Nature kicks off with a couple of nitwits disturbing the accursed underground slumber of the undead Johnny (Ry Barrett), a lumbering slasher killer who rises up from the dirt to exact his revenge. And then the camera follows Johnny, methodical step after methodical step through the forest, as he finds the nitwits who did him wrong (or those who are just, you know, there, being nitwitty) to brutally murder them all one by gory one. 

SEE ALSO: 'In A Violent Nature' has the year's most intense ending. Here's what it means.

If this sounds familiar it should – it's the plot of every slasher movie. What sets this apart is you could almost mistake it for a Terrence Malick movie in between the kills, as the killer's POV is one that mainly consists of a series of slow contemplative walks through the beautiful forest. Of course, the kill scenes are wildly over the top, as if to make up for the slowness of the rest of the proceedings. This gives the film a lackadaisical rhythm punctuated by extreme violence that becomes weirdly hypnotic, if you let it. Deeply grisly, this one's for the adventurous gorehounds among you! — J.A.

How to watch: In a Violent Nature is now streaming on Shudder.

25. Speak No Evil (2022)

The 2024 Blumhouse remake with James McAvoy is one thing, but you really need to watch Christian Tafdrup's 2022 Danish original to properly savor the flavor of Jean-Paul Sartre's lament, "Hell is other people." When two families (one Danish, one Dutch) meet during an Italian vacation, they make vague plans that they should hang out down the road. When Bjørn (Morten Burian), Louise (Sidsel Siem Koch), and daughter Agnes (Liva Forsberg) head to the remote Dutch countryside for a weekend with Patrick (Fedja van Huêt), Karin (Karina Smulders), and Abel (Marius Damslev), a pitch-black comedy of manners — where the comedy is replaced by relentless, nerve-shattering awkwardness and horror — quickly ensues.

The original Speak No Evil  brutally weaponizes social niceties, closing the noose around the innocent family as they just try to not make too much of a fuss. They eventually realize that a fuss was most certainly exactly what was needed, just far far too late, culminating with one of the darkest endings ever put on film. Hollywood could never. — J.A.

How to watch: Speak No Evil (2022) is now streaming on Shudder.

UPDATE: Oct. 16, 2025, 1:12 p.m. EDT This list was first published on Oct. 22, 2021. It has since been updated to reflect current streaming options.

Opens in a new window Credit: Courtesy AMC Networks Sign up for Shudder now!   Get Deal

Horror movies come in all shapes and sizes.

You've got your comedy horrors, your psychological horrors, your tense thriller-y horrors — and, of course, your genuinely scary horrors.

I'm not just talking about your run-of-the-mill, yikes-that's-a-bit-creepy kind of films, here, either. I'm talking about the truly terror-inducing — the type of movies you wake in the dead of night thinking about, and which stay with you for a long, long time after the credits have rolled. The horribly twitchy, sleep-with-the-lights-on-and-avoid-all-mirrors kind of movies.

Streaming platform Shudder has a lot to offer in this regard.

SEE ALSO: The best movies on Shudder that you can't stream anywhere else

We've combed through the archives of the service (which is chock-full of horror, sci-fi and thrillers of all kinds) to track down the most terrifying films we could — from jumpy classics like Ring to the bleak puppet-themed horror of Matthew Holness' Possum. If you're unable to deal with jump-scares, these are not for you.

Cushions to hide behind at the ready...

Possum

What's it about?

After losing his puppeteering job, a man returns to his childhood home to destroy a creepy puppet he carries in a brown bag. But after a local teenager goes missing, it's clear that something more sinister is at play.

Why's it so scary?

The overall tone of Possum is probably more bleak than scary, but the puppet is the stuff of nightmares: a near-person sized, spider-like creation with a human mask for a face that has the disconcerting habit of reappearing even after it's been disposed of. The ominous, jagged background score that follows Philip (Sean Harris) around doesn't help, and the jump scares – when they do come – are well placed and unpleasant.

How to watch: Possum is streaming now on Shudder.

The Medium Credit: Sasidis Sasisakulporn / Shudder

What's it about?

A documentary film crew travel to northern Thailand to interview a shaman who claims to be possessed by a goddess — only to get caught up in something far more sinister when her niece begins to act strangely.

Why's it so scary?

"The film's first two acts move at a subtle, simmering pace, but the finale is sheer frightening chaos," writes Mashable's Shannon Connellan in her review. "It's a diabolical move from director [Banjong] Pisanthanakun, who lulls audiences into a sense of security before swiftly pulling the rug out from under us. Sitting at over two hours, the film spends ample time with the characters but keeps the momentum through a sense of foreboding — thanks in part to Chatchai Ponhprapaphan's haunting score. As events escalate, the documentarians' distance to their subjects becomes compromised while they wonder whether they should try to help Mink. This shift is reflected in a mix of their footage and security camera coverage. And in the well-worn tradition of found footage/documentary horror films like Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project, The Medium saves the most disturbing moments for last. There's a scene featuring a Hereditary-level reveal that had me sleepless for days."

How to watch: The Medium is now streaming on Shudder.

The Unheard Credit: Shudder

What's it about?

After undertaking an experimental procedure to restore her hearing, a woman staying in her childhood home experiences auditory hallucinations that may have something to do with her mother's disappearance.

Why should you watch it?

"As you might have guessed from that description, [director Jeffrey A.] Brown's movie is a bit of a genre mish-mash," I wrote in my review for Mashable. "The setup sounds like a Black Mirror episode, the hallucinations and isolation are straight-up horror, and the disappearances blend it all together with a kind of mystery/crime/thriller element. It's a combination that could easily start tripping over itself, but somehow it keeps a steady, confident footing. Between Brown's perfectly unnerving direction, a tight script from Michael and Shawn Rasmussen and a well-acted story, The Unheard crackles through its two-hour runtime with scares and tension aplenty."

How to watch: The Unheard is streaming now on Shudder.

Skinamarink Credit: IFC Films / Shudder

What's it about?

Given how experimental Kyle Edward Ball's movie is, this one's sort of hard to summarise. But it's essentially about two siblings who can't find their dad and are trapped in a dark house by themselves with only a whispering voice for company.

Why should you watch it?

"It totally and entirely wants to terrify us," writes Jason Adams for Mashable in his explainer. "Skinamarink wants us to become children trapped in our beds again. It wants the very concept of the dark to be foreign, filled with questions and strangeness and terror. Forcing us back to when we were little and we didn't know more than what was right in front of us, when what lay beyond our hallway or, God forbid, our front door might as well be the edge of the flat earth, falling off into nothingness."*

How to watch: Skinamarink is streaming now on Shudder.

The Power Credit: Shudder

What's it about?

In 1974, Val (Rose Williams) starts a new job as a nurse in a London hospital. But she soon discovers that the oppressive hierarchy and rolling blackouts aren't the only horrible things she'll have to confront.

Why should you watch it?

"It's the perfect setup for building a creeping sense of dread [...] and [writer/director Corinna] Faith does this with a deft hand," I wrote in my review for Mashable. "There are plenty of jump scares, too, but these never feel gratuitous — like all the best scary films, The Power's horror is used to draw out the movie's main themes, rather than wielding them for mere shock value.

"All in all, the film is pretty hard to fault. The performances are excellent all-round, with Rose Williams showing off incredible range in the central role."

How to watch: The Power is streaming now on Shudder.

Satan's Slaves

What's it about?

After the strange death of their mother, a family begins to suspect that her presence may not have entirely left the house.

Why's it so scary?

Indonesian director Joko Anwar knows how to make a creepy film. It's apparent during the opening scenes in Satan's Slaves, when Rini (Tara Basro) makes a grim discovery in her mother's bedroom, and it only gets clearer from there on out. The movie has a solid mixture of slow build, bumps-in-the-night style tension, and outright jump-scares, putting you on edge early and offering little by way of reprieve.

For fans of Ring (which features further down on this list), there's even a very creepy well...

How to watch: Satan's Slaves is streaming now on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: The best women-centric and feminist horror movies Ring Stay away from those unmarked video tapes. Credit: Omega / Kadokawa / Kobal / Shutterstock

What's it about?

A journalist attempts to get to the bottom of a cursed video tape, which supposedly kills the viewer a week after they've watched it.

Why's it so scary?

Hideo Nakata's 1998 horror classic not only kick-started a global franchise, but it also proved you don't necessarily need high-tech special effects and intense music to generate scares. By today's standards, Ring may not provide as many jump-scares as some as the other films on this list, but there are still plenty of nightmare-inducing scenes and images (and you probably won't ever look at a well, or a grainy TV set, in quite the same way again).

How to watch: Ring is streaming now on Shudder.

The Dark and the Wicked

What's it about?

A brother and sister return to their parents' farmhouse to help their mother care for their dying father. But after things take a sudden, tragic turn, they realise something more sinister is going on.

Why’s it so scary?

Creaky old remote farmhouses are already the ideal setting for jumps, but Bryan Bertino's chiller is extra effective because of its use of sound — whether it's jangling horseshoes placed to ward off evil, a jagged background score or simply yawning, empty silence. The jumps in this one are unexpected and genuinely terrifying, and the story is unremittingly bleak.

How to watch: The Dark and the Wicked is streaming now on Shudder.

Host

What's it about?

Unable to meet in person due to the coronavirus lockdown, a group of friends decide to try out a seance over Zoom.

Why's it so scary?

One word: realism. The premise of the story, its Zoom setting, and the very natural dialogue all conspire to make Host feel horribly realistic. It's like you're watching the recording of an actual Zoom call between friends, and that makes it all the more unnerving when things begin to go really, really wrong.

Oh, and if you're worried that the movie's set-up might be limiting in terms of scares, don't be: the jumps in this one are frequent, and — thanks to the creativity of director Rob Savage — always inventive.

How to watch: Host is streaming now on Shudder.

SEE ALSO: How 'Host' director Rob Savage went from viral tweet to 3-movie deal Terrified

What's it about?

A group of paranormal investigators examines some disturbing goings-on in a neighbourhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Why's it so scary?

Rather than just having one scary monster or theme, Demián Rugna's Terrified has a whole bunch of them — from IT-style voices gurgling away in the drain to the unmoving corpse of a dead child, returned home from the grave to sit stiffly at the dinner table.

Basically, the film is a trick box full of scares, and if one thing doesn't get to you, chances are something else certainly will.

How to watch: Terrified is now streaming on Shudder.

Featured Video For You Elvira on drag queens, Vincent Price, and her new cookbook — from hell! Hell House LLC

What's it about?

After the opening of a haunted house tourist attraction results in death, a fictional documentary crew tries to uncover what really happened.

Why's it so scary?

Like all the best found-footage horror movies, Stephen Cognetti's Hell House LLC uses realism to amp up its fear factor, splicing shaky camera shots with moving mannequins and half-glimpsed figures in the night. The tourist attraction setting could easily have come across as cheesy in this one, but luckily the movie's prop department sourced some genuinely creepy-looking clowns for the occasion (one of which provides more than a few nasty jumps).

How to watch: Hell House LLC is streaming now on Shudder.

Z

What's it about?

A mother grows increasingly worried about her eight-year-old son after he gets a new imaginary friend called "Z."

Why's it so scary?

If the likes of The Babadook and Hide and Seek have taught us anything, it's that children having imaginary friends (at least in the context of a horror movie) is never a great thing. Brandon Christensen's Z takes this concept and gives it a fresh twist, putting us in the shoes of Beth (Keegan Connor Tracy) as she grows increasingly disturbed by her son's behaviour.

The thing that makes Z so unnerving isn't so much the creepy child aspect as it is the unknowable monster — the lingering idea of "Z," this unseen creature that dominates every scene with its absence. The fear of seeing something is often more disturbing than the thing itself, and this is an idea that the movie understands perfectly well — and uses to nail-biting effect.

How to watch: Z is streaming now on Shudder.

*This blurb appeared on a previous Mashable list.

UPDATE: Oct. 16, 2025, 12:52 p.m. EDT This list was first published on Sept. 15. 2023. It has since been updated to reflect current streaming options.

Do you like scary movies? Peruse our editor-chosen list of 100 of the best horror films and use the filters to narrow down your picks for which to watch tonight.

On the first day of TwitchCon 2025, popular cosplayer, YouTuber, and Twitch streamer Emiru — who has nearly two million followers — was seemingly assaulted during a meet-and-greet event on Friday, Oct. 17.

In a video posted to X, an individual can be seen approaching Emiru, grabbing her, and appearing to lean in for a kiss. Emiru pushed the person away before security intervened, pulling the individual away by the arm. According to reports on X, Emiru returned to the meet-and-greet and completed the event. The video, which was posted at 8:21 p.m. EST, already has nearly 400,000 views.

SEE ALSO: Streamer Emiru accuses Twitch of mishandling her assault at TwitchCon

"So some freak just assaulted Emiru at @TwitchCon. This behavior is fucking disgusting. I'm amazed that she still came back to finish the meet-and-greet line — honestly, she deserves the utmost respect. THIS HAS TO STOP!!!" the original post reads.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.

Twitch responded to the incident with a statement to Mashable, emphasizing its commitment to attendee safety:

"The safety and security of all those attending TwitchCon is our highest priority," a Twitch spokesperson said. "The behavior displayed by the individual involved in this incident was completely unacceptable and deeply upsetting. We immediately removed this individual from TwitchCon premises, and they are banned indefinitely from Twitch, both online and in-person events. Twitch has zero tolerance for harassment."

SEE ALSO: Twitch unveils its next era: dual-format streaming, AI clips, and new sponsorship tools

Just hours before the incident, Mary Kish, the head of community at Twitch, told Mashable that "it's important to educate all streamers" about the pervasiveness of harassment, particularly against women. She said it's essential to "make these spaces safe."

"I wouldn't encourage women to be streamers if I felt like it wasn't safe for us. We have to continue to be really aggressive in that space and be at the forefront of it," she said, adding that safety measures like connecting phones to accounts to ward off online harassment and ensuring that banned accounts can't watch a stream have helped to "prevent someone who's aggressively following someone from just straight-up making another account."

This isn't the first time TwitchCon has faced criticism over attendee safety. Streamers Valkyrae and QTCinderella notably pulled out of this year's event, expressing deep anxiety about the risks female streamers face in public spaces like TwitchCon. Twitch CEO Dan Clancy has repeatedly promised improved safety protocols, stating that "we take security at our events, like TwitchCon, extremely seriously." Still, in 2024, Kick-affiliated streamers disrupted the event, harassing Twitch streamers on-site.

For Emiru, this is the second high-profile harassment incident in recent months. In March, while livestreaming in Santa Monica with streamers Cinna and Valkyrae, a man reportedly threatened to kill them, according to a report from the BBC.

Additional reporting by Crystal Bell.

TL;DR: Watch the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Are you looking for thrilling and unpredictable racing? No we're not talking about F1, unless you like regular pit stops, safety cars, and the same driver winning almost every week. We're talking about a form of two-wheel racing where anything could happen.

MotoGP is where the real action can be found. Every week you see the best riders in the world go wheel to wheel with their rivals, throwing their bikes into corners with absolutely no sense of self preservation. It's an awesome spectacle, and it doesn't need to cost you anything to watch.

SEE ALSO: How to watch the NFL online for free

Want to watch the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free from anywhere in the world? We have all the information you need.

What is MotoGP?

MotoGP is the oldest established motorsport world championship, with the inaugural season taking place in 1949. Races last approximately 45 minutes, without pitting for fuel or fresh tires.

The likes of Ducati, Honda, and Yamaha do battle for the constructors' championship. Jorge Martín is the defending champion.

When is the 2025 MotoGP World Championship?

The 2025 MotoGP World Championship features 22 races held all over the world between March and November:

1. Thai MotoGP — March 2

2. Argentine MotoGP — March 16

3. Americas MotoGP — March 30

4. Qatar MotoGP — April 13

5. Spanish MotoGP — April 27

6. French MotoGP — May 11

7. British MotoGP — May 25

8. Aragon MotoGP — June 8

9. Italian MotoGP — June 22

10. Dutch MotoGP — June 29

11. German MotoGP — July 13

12. Czech MotoGP — July 20

13. Austrian MotoGP — Aug. 17

14. Hungarian MotoGP — Aug. 24

15. Catalunya MotoGP — Sept. 7

16. San Marino MotoGP — Sept. 14

17. Japanese MotoGP — Sept. 28

18. Indonesian MotoGP — Oct. 5

19. Australian MotoGP — Oct. 19

20. Malaysian MotoGP — Oct. 26

21. Portuguese MotoGP — Nov. 9

22. Valencia MotoGP — Nov. 16

The good news for fans is that it's possible to live stream the MotoGP World Championship for free in 2025.

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free

You can stream the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this quick and easy process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Visit ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP races for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Year Subscription + 3 Months Free) $99.95 at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer money-back guarantees. By using these money-back guarantees, you can watch MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This obviously isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch select races without actually spending anything.

What is the best VPN for ServusTV?

ExpressVPN is tough to beat when it comes to streaming live sport, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is secure

• Impressive streaming speeds without buffering

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A one-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $99.95 and includes an extra three months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Live stream the 2025 MotoGP World Championship for free with ExpressVPN.

If you like playing daily word games like Wordle, then Hurdle is a great game to add to your routine.

There are five rounds to the game. The first round sees you trying to guess the word, with correct, misplaced, and incorrect letters shown in each guess. If you guess the correct answer, it'll take you to the next hurdle, providing the answer to the last hurdle as your first guess. This can give you several clues or none, depending on the words. For the final hurdle, every correct answer from previous hurdles is shown, with correct and misplaced letters clearly shown.

An important note is that the number of times a letter is highlighted from previous guesses does necessarily indicate the number of times that letter appears in the final hurdle.

If you find yourself stuck at any step of today's Hurdle, don't worry! We have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Hurdle: Everything you need to know to find the answers Hurdle Word 1 hint

Not a hater.

SEE ALSO: Apple’s new M3 MacBook Air is $300 off at Amazon. And yes, I’m tempted. Hurdle Word 1 answer

LOVER

Hurdle Word 2 hint

A sleeping disorder.

SEE ALSO: Wordle today: Answer, hints for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 2 Answer

APNEA

Hurdle Word 3 hint

ET.

SEE ALSO: NYT Connections Sports Edition today: Hints and answers for August 4 SEE ALSO: NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for August 4, 2025 Hurdle Word 3 answer

ALIEN

Hurdle Word 4 hint

Captures a moment.

SEE ALSO: NYT Strands hints, answers for August 4 Hurdle Word 4 answer

PHOTO

Final Hurdle hint

Knocked over.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Games available on Mashable Hurdle Word 5 answer

SPILT

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

TL;DR: Live stream the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia for free on ServusTV. Access this free streaming platform from anywhere in the world with ExpressVPN.

Marc Márquez sealed the 2025 title at the Japanese Grand Prix, but there's no reason to stop tuning into the remainder of 2025 MotoGP season. There'a a lot of racing left to enjoy, with scores to settle and rankings to climb. Next, the action heads to Phillip Island.

If you're interested in watching the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia for free from anywhere in the world, we've got all the information you need.

When is the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia?

The MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia takes place at Phillip Island. The 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia race starts at 11 p.m. ET on Oct. 18.

How to watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia for free

The MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia is available to live stream for free on ServusTV.

ServusTV is geo-restricted to Austria, but anyone can access this free streaming platform with a VPN. These tools can hide your real IP address (digital location) and connect you to a secure server in Austria, meaning you can bypass geo-restrictions to access ServusTV from anywhere in the world.

Unblock ServusTV by following this simple process:

1. Sign up for a VPN (like ExpressVPN)

2. Download the app to your device of choice (the best VPNs have apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and more)

3. Open up the app and connect to a server in Austria

4. Connect to ServusTV

5. Watch MotoGP for free from anywhere in the world

Opens in a new window Credit: ExpressVPN ExpressVPN (1-Month Plan) $12.95 only at ExpressVPN (with money-back guarantee) Get Deal

The best VPNs for streaming are not free, but they do tend to offer free-trial periods or money-back guarantees. By leveraging these offers, you can access MotoGP live streams without fully committing with your cash. This clearly isn't a long-term solution, but it does mean you can watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia before recovering your investment.

If you want to retain permanent access to free streaming sites from around the world, you'll need a subscription. Fortunately, the best VPN for live streaming is on sale for a limited time.

What is the best VPN for MotoGP?

ExpressVPN is the top choice for unblocking ServusTV, for a number of reasons:

• Servers in 105 countries including Austria

• Easy-to-use app available on all major devices including iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, and more

• Strict no-logging policy so your data is protected

• Fast streaming speeds free from throttling

• Up to eight simultaneous connections

• 30-day money-back guarantee

A two-year subscription to ExpressVPN is on sale for $139 and includes an extra four months for free — 49% off for a limited time. This plan also includes a year of free unlimited cloud backup and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Alternatively, you can get a one-month plan for just $12.95 (including money-back guarantee).

Watch the 2025 MotoGP Grand Prix of Australia for free with ExpressVPN.

There's only a small crescent of moon visible tonight, so there's not a whole lot to see. This will be the case for the next few days as we approach, and pass, the New Moon.

What is today’s moon phase?

As of Saturday, Oct. 18, the moon phase is Waning Crescent. Tonight, only 8% will be lit up, according to NASA's Daily Moon Observation.

There's not much to see tonight, however if you have a pair of binoculars or a telescope you'll be able to catch a glimpse of the Grimaldi Basin, an impact basin 124 miles in diameter.

When is the next full moon?

The next full moon will be on Nov. 5.

What are moon phases?

The Moon follows a continuous cycle that lasts about 29.5 days as it travels around Earth. These shifts occur because the positions of the Sun, Earth, and Moon are always changing relative to one another. From Earth, we might see the Moon as full, partly lit, or completely dark, but the same side always faces us. What varies each night is how much sunlight reaches and reflects off its surface.

The eight main moon phases are:

New Moon - The moon is between Earth and the sun, so the side we see is dark (in other words, it's invisible to the eye).

Waxing Crescent - A small sliver of light appears on the right side (Northern Hemisphere).

First Quarter - Half of the moon is lit on the right side. It looks like a half-moon.

Waxing Gibbous - More than half is lit up, but it’s not quite full yet.

Full Moon - The whole face of the moon is illuminated and fully visible.

Waning Gibbous - The moon starts losing light on the right side. (Northern Hemisphere)

Third Quarter (or Last Quarter) - Another half-moon, but now the left side is lit.

Waning Crescent - A thin sliver of light remains on the left side before going dark again.