A standard Shudder subscription costs $6.99 a month but the price drops to as low as $4.99 a month when signing up through AMC+. Due to the more niche nature of Shudder, a horror and thriller-based subscription won’t appeal to everyone. However, for those that do want access to more horror movies, shows and additional content, a Shudder subscription is worth considering.
Shudder brings together a wide variety of horror and thriller content produced by different companies and studios. That’s not to say Shudder doesn’t also have its own movies and shows, as it does. It is just, like Netflix, subscribers get access to significantly more content than just Shudder’s original programming.
In terms of the price, Shudder is not an expensive subscription when compared to many other streaming services. The standard plan costs $6.99 a month when signing up through the Shudder website or one of the platform apps. Alternatively, consumers can sign up to an annual plan at $71.88, which breaks down to around $5.99 a month on average. Opting for the annual plan results in an overall saving of $12 over the course of the full 12 months.
Regardless of whether signing up to the monthly or annual plan, Shudder provides all new subscribers with a 7-day free trial. As a result, it is possible to test the service before having to make the first monthly or annual payment.
An AMC+ subscription includes Shudder
An AMC+ subscription unlocks access to content from AMC, BBC America, IFC Films Unlimited, Shudder and Sundance TV. As subscribers get access to the full Shudder library, AMC+ can be a good alternative to a standalone Shudder subscription.
Similar to other streaming services, AMC+ offers both ad-supported and ad-free plans. For those wanting to save the most on a subscription, the ‘with ads’ AMC+ plan costs $4.99 a month. For those that prefer an ad-free viewing experience, AMC+ cost $8.99 a month.
Similar to Shudder, it is also possible to subscribe to AMC+ on an annual basis to save on the cost. The AMC+ annual plan costs $83.88 a year, which breaks down to $6.99 a month on average.
Regardless of whether signing up to the ad-supported or ad-free (monthly or annual) plan, all new AMC+ subscribers get access to a 7-day free trial to test out the service.
What you get with a Shudder subscription
Shudder is designed to be a premium service which specializes in horror and thriller content, and that’s exactly what’s on offer. A subscription opens up access to thousands of hours of on-demand videos. Shudder also offers access to some live channels, so it is possible to jump in and start watching whatever is showing live at the time.
That said, it is worth noting that the live channels are only available to those signed up to a standalone Shudder subscription. If subscribed through AMC+, users won’t have access to any of the Shudder live channels.
In terms of the on-demand content, while there are entire seasons available to watch, movies make up the the majority of the content. The catalog is updated regularly with new releases and older cult classics, and subscribers can filter results based on subgenre. For example, Exclusive & Original, Supernatural, Killers, Creature Features, and Psychological Thriller, among others.
While the selection of non-movie content is a little lighter, some of the popular shows currently available to watch include Chucky, Creepshow, Fear the Walking Dead, NOS4A2, Slasher, and The Terror. Furthermore, Shudder also provides access to some interesting additional content, including a selection of podcasts.
Although these podcasts are audio-based stories, they do come with some visuals to add another dimension to the experience. While horror and thriller-themed podcasts are not a reason to sign up to Shudder, they do offer something extra that horror fans might not find elsewhere.
Is Shudder right for you?
Overall, Shudder is worth a subscription. At $6.99 a month, Shudder provides access to a good selection of content, including original programming, that won’t be available to watch elsewhere at the same time. However, this is a very niche service and isn’t going to be one that every household should sign up for.
Many streaming services, including Hulu, Max, Netflix, Peacock, and Paramount+, now offer access to a good selection of horror content. That said, if you often find you are spending too much time looking for some new horror movies or shows to watch, then Shudder might be a good additional subscription for you.
For those less keen on paying for another subscription, and especially one that’s focused on horror content, the AMC+ ad-supported plan offers the best value overall. While this plan does include ads, and you won’t get access to Shudder’s live channels, you do get access to the entire Shudder library. This is in addition to content from AMC, BBC America, IFC Films Unlimited, and Sundance TV.
Alternatively, an annual Shudder or ad-free AMC+ subscription can help to save on the cost over a full 12 months.
Leave a Reply