The Shining (1980)
A family's isolated winter retreat becomes a slow-burn descent into chilling, surreal madness.
Jack Torrance accepts a caretaker job at the Overlook Hotel, where he, along with his wife Wendy and their son Danny, must live isolated from the rest of the world for the winter. But they aren't prepared for the madness that lurks within.
How intense is The Shining?
The Shining is terrifying, with graphic gore and brutal violence. Emotionally it is devastating. The pace is a slow burn, and it is a full-attention watch. Rated R.
What The Shining feels like
- Tone
- suspensefulbleakchillingatmosphericsurreal
- Pace
- Slow burn
- Best for
- Full attention
Where to stream The Shining
Not on a US subscription service at our last check. Rent or buy may still be an option.
US availability via TMDB, last checked Sep 12, 2026. The app filters picks to the services you actually have.
Is The Shining for you?
Is The Shining scary?
Yes. The Shining is scare level 3 of 3, one of the scariest titles in the CouchRot catalog.
Is The Shining gory or violent?
Graphic gore (2 of 3) and brutal violence (3 of 3). If graphic gore is a dealbreaker, skip it.
Is The Shining sad or heavy?
Yes. Emotional weight 3 of 3. It hits hard; do not plan anything light after.
Is The Shining OK for kids?
It is rated R, so it is made for adults. Intensity: scare 3, gore 2, violence 3, each out of 3.
How long is The Shining?
The Shining runs 2h 24m.
Where can I stream The Shining?
The Shining is not on a US subscription service right now (rent or buy may still be an option).
Does The Shining have a happy ending? spoiler-safe answer
It leaves the ending open to interpretation.
Cast and crew
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Carrie (1976)Properly scary · graphic gore · brutal violence · emotionally devastatingA bullied teenager with a fanatically pious mother discovers telekinetic powers, leading to chilling and violent events.
Hereditary (2018)Terrifying · graphic gore · strong violence · emotionally devastatingA family's grief slowly unravels into a bleak, chilling nightmare as disturbing secrets consume them.
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