What’s Streaming on Shudder in May 2025: We Meet The Ugly Stepsister!
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Phil Roberts 
Shudder invites us to the ball in its May highlights as we meet The Ugly Stepsister, The Surrender, and more!
It’s time for our monthly check-in with the team at Shudder to find out what’s streaming in May 2025. With the warm summer months fast approaching, the premium horror streamer is on hand to offer some dark and gloomy content for the cellar dwellers amongst us. And boy, do they have a lineup worthy of your subscription. With some juicy new titles releasing throughout the month and another bumper crop of killer classics joining the already impressive horror library, Shudder is definitely the place to be in May. So, grab a cushion and get ready to hide behind the sofa as we unpack another month of horrific awesomeness.
NEW RELEASES
May is always the beginning of our warm summer season, but Shudder’s carefully curated catalog of titles is anything but cheerful. Kick-starting the month’s new releases is The Surrender, a spine-chilling scarefest about a mother/daughter relationship put to the test when they tamper with resurrection. But what could possibly go wrong when they dare to reach out to the other side? The original movie will premiere on the streamer on May 23rd and promises to be another jewel in the crown of thistles. Then, on the 30th, May, bids us farewell with the debut of Vampire Hunter D. The anime horror classic is celebrating its 40th anniversary in May, and Shudder will be launching the festivities in style. So, get ready for a deep dive into this fang-tastic anime!
And finally, rounding out the big releases, May will see the release of Emilie Blichfeld’s The Ugly Stepsister. This superb twist on the Cinderella story is a rare gem. Centering on Cinderella’s stepsister, the film takes body horror to a new twisted level and serves up a feast of shocks and bloodlust. Picture a dark and twisted blend of Labyrinth meets The Substance! That gives you a taste of what awaits us when the film hits the streamer on May 9th.
THE UGLY STEPSISTER
Our team was lucky enough to catch an early screening of the film, and we loved this dark and twisted take on a classic. Our Lead Editor, Phil Roberts, said: “Emilie Blichfeldt’s The Ugly Stepsister is a shockingly enjoyable, twisted take on the Cinderella story. Pivoting to the ugly stepsister, it takes body horror to a whole new, stomach-churning level. It’s brilliantly original, but uncomfortable to watch. Brutally good fun!”
Our News Editor, Carl Roberts, also had a blast with this one. He said, “The Ugly Stepsister is a dark retelling of the Cinderella story, told from the perspective of a stepsister. With a mix of Labyrinth and The Substance, some stomach-churning scenes, and some unexpected humour, this is a body horror fairy tale, not for the squeamish. Highly recommended.” You can read Carl’s full review of the film here. Don’t miss it!
NEW RELEASES
Now that we’ve whetted your appetite and teased you with the chilling fun that awaits us in May, let’s dive into the treasure trove and check out all the big reveals coming our way. It’s time to reach for the cushions!
The Ugly Stepsister – Shudder Original Film – New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ on May 9th
A sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story, The Ugly Stepsister follows Elvira as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at any cost. In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes to become the belle of the ball.
The Surrender– Shudder Original Film – New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 23 May
A fraught mother-daughter relationship is put to a terrifying test when the family patriarch dies, and the grieving mother hires a mysterious stranger to bring her husband back from the dead. As the bizarre and brutal resurrection spirals out of control, both women must confront their differences as they fight for their lives – and for each other.
Vampire Hunter D – 40th Anniversary Film Premiere Exclusively on Shudder, AMC+ and HIDIVE Friday 30 May
In the year 12,090 A.D. technology and the supernatural have overtaken the world, leaving the land desolate and despotic. The remnants of humanity are scattered into small communities and live in fear of vampires who compose the ruling Nobility. When Count Magnus Lee tastes the blood of Doris Lang, she is forcibly chosen to be his next wife. In an effort to escape her ill-gotten fate she hires a mysterious vampire hunter known only as D, who comes from a peculiar lineage.
NEW ADDITIONS TO SHUDDER’S FILM LIBRARY
Fortunately, the watchlist isn’t limited to just new titles. In May, a wealth of classic movies will be released, adding some serious creepiness to the horror collection. Take a moment to scroll down and add some fresh new picks to your May watchlist.
1 May
Suddenly in the Dark
A wife starts to suspect her husband’s infidelity after the arrival of their new, young housekeeper, who carries a mysterious wooden doll with herself.
The Devil’s Business
At the horse of their target, two hit men bide their time waiting for the kill, only to find the death already arrived in the shape of black magic, devilish spirits and the occult.
Blood on Satan’s Claw
In early 18th century England, the children of a village slowly convert into a coven of devil worshipers.
Curse of the Crimson Alter
Robert Manning visits the remote country house where his brother Peter was last seen. While his host seems outwardly friendly and his niece more demonstrably so, Robert detects a feeling of menace in the air.
Witchfinder General
During the English Civil War, a young Roundhead seeks vengeance against a vicious witch-hunter and his henchman, who have terrorized the soldier’s fiancée and wrongfully executed her uncle.
Itim (The Rites of May)
During a return to his provincial home, a young man gets involved with a woman who is ultimately possessed by her sister’s spirit, paving the way to revealing the painful truth about her unsolved disappearance.
5 May
A Bittersweet Life
Things go wrong for a high-ranking mobster when he doesn’t follow his bosses orders.
The Chaser
A disgraced ex-policeman who runs a small ring of prostitutes finds himself in a race against time when one of his women goes missing.
A Night of Horror Vol 1
Ten filmmakers. One night of horror.
19 May
Dead End Drive-In
In a dystopian future Australia, a health nut and his tag-along girlfriend become trapped in a drive-in cinema that has become a concentration camp for delinquent youths and refugees.
26 May
The Whip and the Body
The ghost of a sadistic nobleman attempts to rekindle his romance with his terrorized, masochistic former lover, who is unwillingly betrothed to his brother.
ABOUT THE PLATFORM
AMC Networks’ Shudder is a premium streaming video service with super-serving members with the best selection in genre entertainment, covering horror, thrillers, and the supernatural. Shudder’s expanding library of film, TV series, and originals is available on most streaming devices in the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Germany. Head to Shudder.com to sign up.
Take a look at this excellent list of horror movies! This streaming platform has some killer options for horror fans, and we can’t wait to explore this collection of thrilling flicks. Be sure to check back often, as we’ll post reviews and share our thoughts on new releases!
Are you looking for a chilling horror movie to watch this May? In the comments below, let us know which has caught your eye. Don’t worry—we won’t scare you too much!
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
