Best Horror Movies On Netflix (December 2023)

The best Netflix horror movies offer something for all types of horror fans. On the streaming service, Netflix has both curated content from theatrical releases from the past and several of its own critically acclaimed horror releases made directly for streaming. Given the popularity of the genre, Netflix’s commitment to providing scares for spook fans is a big reason to part with the subscription money, especially in the run-up to Halloween.

Among the pick of the platform’s offering are demonic possession movies, slashers, Stephen King adaptations, and both classics and new modern-day horrors. Between the visceral thrills of being scared and the mystifying visual effects, Netflix’s best horror movies will deliver. Whether it’s a jump-scare-filled popcorn flick or an elevated horror where the scares are in the morbid narrative about existential dread, Netflix subscribers can find so many different approaches to the nightmare-inducing genre.

For even more Netflix streaming recommendations, be sure to check out the best TV shows on Netflix, best romance movies on Netflix, and best family movies on Netflix.

Looking for a quick horror movie fix? Here are the picks of the scariest movies on Netflix right now…

Related

15 Best Horror Movies Of All Time, Ranked

What are the best horror movies of all time? Every fan has their opinion, but these movies have stood the test of time to become certifiable icons.

25 Drag Me To Hell (2009)

Sam Raimi’s Wild And Bizarre Return To Horror

Sam Raimi made a name for himself with the Evil Dead movies before becoming a blockbuster filmmaker with the Spider-Man movies. It was then a thrill to see him return to the horror genre with his distinct style and dark sense of humor still intact. Drag Me To Hell follows a young woman who attempts to impress her bank manager boss by turning down an old woman seeking a loan. However, she soon finds herself cursed as she desperately tries to break it before being subjected to eternal torment. Raimi creates intense and gruesome set pieces that are never undermined by the surprisingly wacky humor in the movie. It all builds to an unforgettable ending that has cemented it as a cult favorite.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

24 The Wailing (2016)

A South Korean Mystery About A Deadly Disease

South Korea has some of the best horror movie output in the world and The Wailing is yet another example of this. The movie is set in a small village where the arrival of a stranger leads to a deadly infection spread through the population. With a mix of real-world horror and supernatural aspects, The Wailing is a gripping experience elevated by its rich characters and brilliant filmmaking. The movie has a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes with critics praising its atmospheric dread and effective mystery.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

23 Ma (2019)

Octavia Spenser’s Performance Elevated This Unhinged Thriller

Oscar-winner Octavia Spencer makes for an unexpected yet effective horror movie villain in Ma. The movie follows a group of teens who meet a lonely woman (Spencer) who allows them to use her home as their secret party spot. However, when they grow uncomfortable with how close she is getting to them, things turn deadly. The movie wisely embraces its cheesy aspects while Spencer delivers a fun performance that further shows her versatility, as her ability to switch from warm and friendly to chilling and violent adds a lot of tension to the story.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

22 Crimson Peak (2015)

Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic Ghost Story

Guillermo del Toro can always be counted on to infuse a sense of beauty into his horror movies and such is the case with the dark gothic tale of Crimson Peak. The movie is set in Edwardian-era England and stars Mia Wasikowska as a young writer who travels to the estate owned by her husband (Tom Hiddleston) and his wife (Jessica Chastain) where she encounters dark spirits in the old home. The stunning visuals and creepy atmosphere are brilliantly realized by del Toro while the stellar cast does great work with their complex character, with Chastain as the standout performer.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

21 Oxygen (2021)

A Single-Setting Horror Survival Story

Release Date: May 12, 2021 | Director: Alexandre Aja | Runtime: 101 minutes

Cast: Mélanie Laurent, Mathieu Amalric, Malik Zidi

Oxygen is a rare horror movie that doesn’t have any monsters or deranged killers but gets its horror from a simple yet universally relatable threat. The French sci-fi movie is set entirely inside a cryogenic chamber with Mélanie Laurent playing a woman who is trapped inside with her oxygen levels decreasing. Laurent’s performance is key to keeping the audience engaged as she makes for a strong yet human hero in a life-or-death situation. It is an edge-of-the-seat experience with every moment and decision feeling exciting and vital.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

20 The Strangers (2008)

A Home Invasion Thriller With Creepy Masked Killers

The Strangers follows a couple who are trapped and terrorized by three masked assailants in their remote vacation home. The premise is tried and true, as the same concept was used for Jordan Peele’s Us and the cult classic Michael Haneke horror movie Funny Games. However, when it comes to home invasion movies, The Strangers is by far one of the most terrifying due to the realistic portrayal of fear and relentless tension. The film is a masterclass in suspense and minimalistic horror, but the movie’s greatest aspect is how it taps into the primal fear of being targeted by strangers for no apparent reason.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

19 Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele’s Oscar-Winning Horror Debut

Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, the Academy Award-winning Get Out, is a masterful blend of social commentary and psychological horror that taps into the anxieties of the African-American experience. The story follows Chris, a black man visiting his white girlfriend’s parents, only to uncover a secret beneath their welcoming facade, which leads to the shocking Get Out ending. What makes Get Out remarkable is its layered narrative; it’s both a gripping thriller and a profound examination of race relations. Peele deftly uses horror tropes and a Twilight Zone-esque story to expose the real-life horrors of racism, creating an atmosphere that’s as unsettling and suspenseful intellectually as it is viscerally.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

18 Us (2019)

Jordan Peele’s Follow-Up About Vengeful Doppelgangers

While the 2019 movie is lined with social commentary, Peele followed up the instant classic Get Out with the much more terrifying and thrilling popcorn flick Us. Us is a chilling tale of doppelgängers who surface to confront their above-ground counterparts. The horror delves into themes of identity, class, and privilege while delivering pure adrenaline-pumping terror. Us stands out for its ambitious storytelling and its uncanny ability to unsettle viewers through its use of the familiar. Lupita Nyong’o’s dual performance is a marvel, adding depth and horror in equal measure. Additionally, Us‘ attention to detail, symbolic imagery, and haunting score create an eerie echo of America’s dark underbelly.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

17 Jaws (1975)

The Horror Movie The Launched The Summer Blockbuster Trend

Steven Spielberg’s Jaws redefined the horror genre by proving that the most profound fears can come from the unseen and the unknown and during the daytime. The film follows the harrowing ordeal of a great white shark hunting local residents. Jaws is extraordinary not just for its suspenseful plot but for its pioneering use of the camera to instill dread. The shark is scarcely seen but always felt, an effect that heightens the terror to almost unbearable levels. John Williams’ iconic score adds to the impending sense of doom too. Ultimately, the movie’s greatness lies in its simplicity and its primal tapping into mankind’s inherent fear of predators.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

16 Ouija (2014)

A Popular Game Gets A Terrifying Supernatural Horror Treatment

Ouija capitalizes on the eerie and foreboding nature of the spirit board game. The film follows a group of friends who awaken dark forces by playing with a Ouija board, leading to a series of haunting and fatal events. While the movie employs familiar horror movie elements, it’s the atmospheric tension and the sense of inevitable dread that distinguishes it. Oujia explores themes of loss and the unknown, making the supernatural feel uncomfortably close to reality. The young cast’s genuine reactions contribute to a feeling of vulnerability too. The movie resonates with anyone who has ever been both terrified and intrigued by the idea of communicating with the other side.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

15 It Follows (2015)

An Inventive Thriller With Disturbing Allegories

It Follows is a hauntingly original horror film that centers on a supernatural entity that relentlessly pursues its victims, passed on through a curse via sexual contact. What sets It Follows apart is its deep-rooted allegories to real-world fears such as sexually transmitted diseases and the loss of innocence. The entity is a slow unyielding force that metaphorically and literally follows the protagonist, creating an omnipresent sense of dread. The movie’s true ingenuity lies in its ability to transform everyday settings into landscapes of terror, making the mundane menacing. It Follows is both a throwback to classic horror and a forward-thinking piece that reshapes the contours of the genre.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

14 Bird Box (2018)

A Monster Movie Where One Look Can Mean Death

Bird Box became a phenomenal success when it was first released, as it was a viral sensation thanks to the meme of Sandra Bullock blindfolded. That led to Bird Box becoming the most-streamed Netflix original movie for years until it was dethroned by Red Notice. However, it wasn’t just the memes that made Bird Box so exciting. The movie follows a small town that becomes ridden with unseen entities that drive people to suicide when they’re looked at, making for one of the most suspenseful Netflix originals. A sequel, Bird Box Barcelona, was released in 2023 and sees the same entities terrorize civilians only on a much bigger scale.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

13 I See You (2019)

A Thriller About A Disappearance That Reveals More

Release Date: December 6, 2019 | Director: Adam Randell | Runtime: 96 minutes

Cast: Helen Hunt, Jon Tenney, Owen Teague, Judah Lewis

I See You is a mind-bending horror thriller that follows the disappearance of a young boy. However, it isn’t just any run-of-the-mill disappearance, as sinister forces may or may not be involved. While predominantly a horror movie, it’s the thriller elements and the film’s ability to keep audiences guessing until the very end that makes I See You great. The eerie atmosphere and unexpected plot twists create one of the most exciting under-the-skin experiences that has mostly gone overlooked. I See You showcases how paranoia and uncertainty can be used to create spine-tingling horror.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

12 The Platform (2019)

Release Date: November 8, 2019 | Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia | Runtime: 94 minutes

Cast: Iván Massagué, Antonia San Juan, Zorion Eguileor, Emillio Buale

The Platform is a surreal horror movie about a vertical high-rise prison. In the center of the prison on the top level is a platform full of food that descends to each floor. As the food runs out quickly, desperation takes over the prisoners, who resort to murder and cannibalism. The Spanish horror movie is an expertly told social commentary that explores the darkest aspects of human nature, such as greed and survival. That’s all wrapped in a claustrophobic and disturbing setting, and The Platform features one of the most harrowing plot twists of any 2010s horror movie.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

11 Lights Out (2016)

Terror Lurks In The Darkness In This Tense Ride

Not for audiences who are afraid of the dark, Lights Out follows a family’s encounter with a malevolent entity that only exists in darkness. The movie follows Rebecca and her brother Martin, who are haunted by a ghostly figure that resembles their mother’s unstable childhood friend, Diana. The movie becomes terrifying when the lights go out, and it’s one of the simplest but most effective horror films available to watch on Netflix. Lights Out doesn’t rely on jump scares or gore to scare viewers, but instead, the movie masterfully exploits a universal fear to create an atmosphere of total dread and suspense.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

10 Dracula Untold (2014)

A Horror-Action Origin Story Of The Famed Vampire

Dracula Untold reimagines Dracula’s origin unlike any other story that’s come before. The movie follows Vlad the Impaler’s transformation into the immortal bloodsucker in order to save his family and kingdom. The movie is essentially the beginning of the shortlived Universal Dark Universe, but it’s a fun and scary standalone movie that injects high-octane action into the age-old story. Combining elements of action and horror, the film is an exciting adventure flick, but it also turns Dracula into a more three-dimensional character, as Vlad the Impaler is depicted as a tragic hero as opposed to a monster.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

9 Vivarium (2019)

Darkly Comedic And Unsettling Look At A Surreal Suburban Experience

Release Date: March 27, 2020 | Director: Lorcan Finnegan | Runtime: 97 minutes

Cast: Imogen Poots, Jesse Eisenberg, Jonathan Aris, Danielle Ryan

Vivarium is one of the surrealist horror movies of the 2010s, as the movie follows a couple looking to buy a house together, only the houses in the suburban neighborhood they move to are identical. The couple finds themselves trapped there and strange occurrences keep happening, such as a baby appearing at their front door. They end up stuck in a neverending loop of suburban life not knowing if they’ll ever get out, which is more terrifying than any jump scare. Vivarium is a masterclass in psychological horror with its Lynchian elements, and it absolutely achieves its goal of provoking discomfort and existential dread.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

8 The Pope’s Exorcist (2023)

Russell Crowe Battles The Devil

Release Date: April 14, 2023 | Director: Julius Avery | Runtime: 103 minutes

Cast: Russell Crowe, Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe, Franco Nero

The Pope’s Exorcist provides straight-up scares. Russell Crowe plays real-life holy man Father Gabriele Amorth as he investigates the case of a possessed child. Based on Amorth’s books, The Pope’s Exorcist sees Crowe playing an atypical character for him, but with the same rebellious streak that is perfect for Crowe’s presence. While critically divisive, The Pope’s Exorcist is best when Crowe is on screen, with a good scare and it all zips along entertainingly in a way that suits the platform. The 2023 film is especially worth watching given that The Pope’s Exorcist 2 is coming.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

7 Apostle (2018)

A Brutal Journey Within A Violent Cult

Apostle is a gothic horror movie starring Legion’s Dan Stevens as Thomas Richardson. Directed by Gareth Evans, the movie has a lot in common with the classic horror movie The Wicker Man, and it struggled somewhat to get over with some critics due to those comparisons. Typically gory for an Evans project, Apostle sees Stevens’ hero Thomas travel to a Welsh island to rescue his sister, who was kidnapped by a cult and held for ransom. However, what he finds there is a pagan ritual and a hungry god that needs sustenance

WATCH ON NETFLIX

6 The Babysitter (2017)

Samara Weaving Shines In This Horror-Comedy

Scaring is one thing, but horrors that also manage to pack in laughs are a rare breed. The Babysitter is an under-seen horror comedy that could provide a lot of fun, relatively short, and easy to watch. The movie centers around a young boy who discovers that his babysitter is part of a satanic cult, putting him in the middle of their deadly plans. With broad characters, bloody kills, and a terrific villainous role from Samara Weaving, The Babysitter is hugely entertaining. It was so popular on the streaming platform that it spawned a sequel starring modern final girl Jenna Ortega.

WATCH ON NETFLIX