Summary

  • Netflix offers a wide selection of horror movies, including demonic possession, slashers, Stephen King adaptations, and modern-day horrors.
  • Whether you prefer jump-scare-filled popcorn flicks or elevated horror, Netflix has something for everyone in the horror genre.
  • For more streaming recommendations, check out the best TV shows, romance movies, and family movies on Netflix.

The best Netflix horror movies offer subscribers a range of terrifying films across dozens of subgenres. When it comes to horror movies, the extensive Netflix library has a large collection, including both licensed theatrical releases and critically acclaimed Netflix Original horror releases made directly for streaming. This is huge since horror remains one of the most popular genres for streaming offerings. Netflix's commitment to providing a fresh and regularly updated selection of scary movies for subscribers is hardly surprising.

Among the pick of the platform's offering are demonic possession movies, slashers, remakes, reboots, 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 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 Insidious (2010)

The James Wan Movie That Kicked Off A Terrifying Franchise

PG-13

Release Date
April 1, 2011
Director
James Wan
Cast
Barbara Hershey , Lin Shaye , Rose Byrne , Ty Simpkins , Patrick Wilson
Runtime
103 minutes

James Wan has become a master of horror filmmaking over the years, getting his start on the hit franchise film, Saw. However, it was when he created a new franchise with Insidious that he showed his propensity for spinning out original ideas into multiple installments. 2010's Insidious took the idea of a haunting and turned it on its head. Insidious revealed that it was the child in the house that was haunted, not the house itself.

The movie also thrived thanks to the paranormal investigator played by Leigh Whannell. In the end, Insidious was a monster success that spawned multiple sequels, each with a varying level of success compared to this original.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

24 Annabelle (2014)

A Spin-Off In The Conjuring Universe

A closeup of the Annabelle doll in The Conjuring's 2014 spinoff movie
R

Release Date
October 2, 2014
Director
John R. Leonetti
Cast
Annabelle Wallis , Alfre Woodard , Michelle Romano , Eric Ladin , Tony Amendola , Ward Horton
Runtime
99minutes

Annabelle, part of The Conjuring franchise, remains one of the best horror movies on Netflix, especially among those that deal with the supernatural. While Insidious was a great franchise starter for James Wan, it was The Conjuring that provided him with a plethora of story ideas in the form of sequels and spin-offs.

The original Conjuring movie focused on Ed and Lorraine Warren, real-life paranormal investigators who went to exorcise a home. The Conjuring featured many haunted objects in the Warrens' collection, including the haunted doll Annabelle. The spinoff Annabelle takes place in the past and shows how the Warrens got their hands on the doll. Annabelle was almost as successful as The Conjuring and spawned two sequels of its own, though the original remains the best.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

23 The First Purge (2018)

The Purge Franchise Gets An Origin Story

People talking during the First Purge
R

Release Date
July 4, 2018
Director
Gerard McMurray
Cast
Melonie Diaz , Chyna Layne , Lex Scott Davis , Mo McRae , Y’Lan Noel , Luna Lauren Velez
Runtime
98minutes

The Purge introduced audiences to its incredibly unique premise when it released in 2013. The world has one night of the year when all crime, including murder, is legal. This set-up alone was enough to spawn a franchise, including 2018's The First Purge, the movie explaining how Purge Night began.

The First Purge finally answers key questions such as why the Purge started, and what caused it to eventually grow out of control. At $137.1 million (on a $13 million budget), it was the biggest box office hit of the franchise (via Box Office Mojo).

WATCH ON NETFLIX

Related
10 Not-So Scary Netflix Horror Movies For Beginners
These not-so-scary horror movies on Netflix, like the new release Day Shift, are great for those beginning to take an interest in horror.

22 Malignant (2021)

James Wan's 2021 Sleeper Horror Hit

Madison looking worried in Malignant
R

Release Date
September 10, 2021
Director
James Wan
Cast
Maddie Hasson , Annabelle Wallis , Jacqueline McKenzie , Ingrid Bisu , Michole Briana White , Jake Abel , Mckenna Grace , George Young
Runtime
111 minutes

In 2021, James Wan took a break from his franchises to direct a self-contained horror movie, and it was one with a unique twist that ended up as a sleeper hit for the year. The movie features a woman who lives in an abusive relationship and has a nightmare about someone killing her husband. When her husband ends up dead, and a mysterious figure attacks her, the woman believes she might be the murderer.

The movie has more twists and turns than many of Wan's horror movies, but it was highly praised and remains one of the most bizarre and unique horror movies on Netflix.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

21 Dawn Of The Dead (2004)

Zack Snyder's Remake Of The Romero Classic

Release Date: March 19, 2004 | Director: Zack Snyder | Runtime: 100 minutes

Cast: Sarah Polley, Ving Rhames, Jake Webber, Mekhi Phifer

Before Zack Snyder became known as the leader of the DCEU for almost a decade, he tried his hands at some very difficult movies to adapt. These included the masterpiece graphic novel Watchmen and the remake of the George Romero horror classic Dawn of the Dead. Snyder took the controversial decision to make the zombies fast, but he kept the tension high and created a very scary zombie movie that remains a loyal remake of the Romero masterpiece.

While there are plenty of zombie movies on Netflix, 2004's Dawn of the Dead stands out as it established many of the now-tropes of the modern undead movie formula.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

20 The Wailing (2016)

A South Korean Mystery About A Deadly Disease

Three characters looking shocked in The Wailing
The Wailing

Release Date
June 3, 2016
Director
Na Hong-jin
Cast
Jun Kunimura , Hwang Jung-min , Kwak Do-won
Runtime
2h 36m

South Korea has some of the best horror movie output in the world, with many K-Horror's on Netflix, but few exemplify what makes Korean horror so popular as well as 2016's The Wailing. The Netflix horror 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 Wailing has a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes with critics praising its atmospheric dread and effective mystery.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

Related
20 Best Halloween Movies On Netflix
Netflix has filled its movie library with plenty of horror hits, spooky classics, and family-friendly supernatural films to watch this Halloween.

19 Crimson Peak (2015)

Guillermo del Toro's Gothic Ghost Story

Crimson Peak

Release Date
October 13, 2015
Director
Guillermo del Toro
Cast
Charlie Hunnam , Jessica Chastain , Tom Hiddleston , Mia Wasikowska , Doug Jones , Burn Gorman
Runtime
119 minutes

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

18 Oxygen (2021)

A Claustrophobic French Horror That Will Leave Viewers Breathless

Oxygen Netflix

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 and instead generates fear with 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

17 The Strangers (2008)

Some Of The Creepiest Masked Killers Ever Put To Screen

The Strangers invade a home.
The Strangers

Release Date
May 30, 2008
Director
Bryan Bertino
Cast
Scott Speedman , Laura Margolis , Gemma Ward , Kip Weeks , Liv Tyler , Glenn Howerton
Runtime
86 minutes

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

Related
35 Terrifying Horror Movies That Aren’t Paranormal
Instead of featuring some kind of demon, zombie, or otherworldly creature, these movies show that real people are sometimes the scariest monsters.

16 Ouija (2014)

My Best Friends play with a Ouija board in Ouija
Ouija
PG-13

Release Date
October 24, 2014
Director
Stiles White
Cast
Lin Shaye , Sierra Heuermann , Shelley Hennig , Olivia Cooke , Ana Coto
Runtime
89 minutes

Ouija capitalizes on the eerie and foreboding nature of the well-known board game. The 2014 horror movie on Netflix 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

Jay tied to a chair as Hugh stands behind her with a flashlight in It Follows
It Follows
R

Release Date
March 27, 2015
Director
David Robert Mitchell
Cast
Olivia Luccardi , Jake Weary , Keir Gilchrist , Daniel Zovatto , Maika Monroe , Lili Sepe
Runtime
100minutes

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 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

Blindfolded Sandra Bullock in a boat in Bird Box
Bird Box

Release Date
December 13, 2018
Director
Susanne Bier
Cast
Machine Gun Kelly , Pruitt Taylor Vince , BD Wong , Danielle Macdonald , Lil Rel Howery , Tom Hollander , Julian Edwards , Sarah Paulson , Rosa Salazar , Parminder Nagra , Sandra Bullock , Trevante Rhodes , Vivien Lyra Blair , John Malkovich , Jacki Weaver
Runtime
124 minutes

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

Related
10 Horror Movies Where Humans Are The Monsters
Many horror movies have a supernatural being at the helm of the terror. However, many have villains that are just as human as the victims.

13 I See You (2019)

A Cerebral Horror Where Nothing Is As It Seems

Helen Hunt uses a record player in I See You

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)

A Horror Commentary On Class Inequality

The Platform moves between floors in The Platform

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 horror movie on Netflix.

WATCH ON NETFLIX

11 Lights Out (2016)

Terror Lurks In The Darkness In This Tense Netflix Horror Movie

Rebecca appearing scared in Lights Out
Lights Out

Release Date
July 22, 2016
Director
David F. Sandberg
Cast
Billy Burke , Lotta Losten , Teresa Palmer , Gabriel Bateman , Maria Russell , Alicia Vela-Bailey , Maria Bello , Alexander DiPersia
Runtime
81minutes

Not for Netflix subscribers 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

Release Date
October 1, 2014
Director
Gary Shore
Cast
Luke Evans , Sarah Gadon , Dominic Cooper , Art Parkinson , Charles Dance , Diarmaid Murtagh
Runtime
92

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 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

Related
10 Classic Universal Horror Movies (That Don't Feature The Monsters)
Forget Dracula and Frankenstein, these are 10 classic Universal Horror movies that don't feature the monsters.

9 Vivarium (2019)

Darkly Comedic And Unsettling Look At A Surreal Suburban Experience

Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots looking forlorn in Vivarium
Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots in Vivarium

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 most surreal horror movies of the 2010s. The Lorcan Finnegan 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

The Pope's Exorcist
Release Date
April 14, 2023
Director
Julius Avery
Cast
Russell Crowe , Daniel Zovatto , Alexandra Essoe , Franco Nero
Runtime
1h 43m

The Pope’s Exorcist provides straightforward yet effective 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

Dan Stevens as Thomas in the grass in Apostle
Apostle

Release Date
September 21, 2018
Director
Gareth Evans
Cast
Dan Stevens , Kristine Froseth , Lucy Boynton , Michael Sheen , Bill Milner , Mark Lewis Jones
Runtime
130 Minutes

Apostle is a gothic horror movie starring Legion's Dan Stevens as Thomas Richardson. Directed by Gareth Evans, the film 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

Bella Thorne, Robbie Amell, Samara Weaving, Hana Mae Lee, Andrew Bachelor and Judah Lewis in a basement in The Babysitter
The Babysitter

Release Date
October 13, 2017
Director
McG
Cast
Robbie Amell , Hana Mae Lee , Bella Thorne , Judah Lewis , Samara Weaving , Andrew Bachelor
Runtime
85minutes

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 horror final girl Jenna Ortega.

WATCH ON NETFLIX