Horror enthusiasts have a reason to celebrate as one of the most reliable franchises of the past decade is now available for free streaming. The Insidious series, along with three of its four sequels, has been released on the free streaming platform Tubi. Known for its impressive selection of hidden gems and beloved classics, Tubi continues to appeal to fans of the genre. Browsing through Tubi’s catalog brings a nostalgic feel, reminiscent of walking through the aisles of a video rental store—an experience now replaced by vape shops for the younger generation.
The first Insidious film was created by the dynamic duo of director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell, who also collaborated on the original Saw film. Made on a modest budget of $1.5 million, the movie turned into a sleeper hit, grossing $100 million worldwide. The story follows the Lambert family, who face horrifying supernatural events after moving into a new house. Patrick Wilson stars as Josh Lambert, the father, alongside Rose Byrne as his wife, Renai. Their son Dalton becomes trapped by a demonic force in the astral plane, prompting them to seek help from a psychic. Insidious: Chapter 2 continues the family’s terrifying journey, while Insidious: Chapter 3 and The Last Key serve as prequels to the original story.
Horror Is the Home of the Sequel
In an interview with Screen Rant back in 2011, James Wan discussed the appeal of indie horror and the creative freedom it offers. Citing examples like Saw, Paranormal Activity, and The Blair Witch Project, Wan highlighted that some of the scariest movies are made outside the traditional studio system. He emphasized the importance of slowly building characters and drawing the audience into their world before unleashing the terror.
Sequels can be challenging to execute well, but the horror genre often provides a fertile ground for them. The relatively low budgets and minimalist approach to building suspense allow filmmakers to take creative risks. While not every attempt succeeds, the indie spirit can thrive in horror, even breathing new life into older franchises without resorting to full-blown reboots.
Tubi, launched in 2014 as a free, ad-supported platform, has rapidly grown in popularity, now boasting 97 million monthly active users. As for the Insidious franchise, fans can look forward to a sixth installment, set to be released on August 21, 2026.
Source: Screen Rant