There are over 180 horror films on Netflix, and I watched them all. Just kidding, no I didn’t. But today we’re delving into the darkest corners of the streaming service. Above, you can watch my Youtube video where I talk about 10 of these films. Down below, I’m going to be discussing more of the best scary movies on Netflix so that you know which horror movies to watch next.
Streaming services are always changing their selection of movies, so I’ll also update this blog post to match. Make sure to bookmark and revisit to save hours endlessly browsing the Netflix interface.
Table of Contents
Cam | Best Scary Movies On Netflix
Cam is a horror movie about a cam girl who is impersonated and loses access to her channel. However, this impersonator is still putting on shows, so she must get to the bottom of this mystery. I love this term that I heard recently on the Horror Weekly podcast: doppelganger horror, which this fits into. By the way, if you need some horror podcasts to listen to, go watch for some great recommendations.
This movie was written by a former camgirl herself, and she’s on record stating that the horror film medium was the best way to tell this type of story. This stars Madeline Brewer as our main character, who appeared in an episode of Black Mirror and stars in Handmaid’s Tale.
Bodies Bodies Bodies
Bodies Bodies Bodies is about a group of (Gen-Z) friends who play a whodunnit murder mystery type game called Bodies Bodies Bodies and things go horribly wrong. This is a fun one, unless you’re not a fan of over-the-top GenZ stereotypes and references. This will scratch that comedy horror, influencer horror, teenage slasher itch, and it’s a fun commentary on how social media occupies our minds.
X
X is a slasher starring Mia Goth, and it’s the first in a trilogy containing X, Pearl, and Maxxxine. X follows a group of people on a mission to make an adult film, and they decide to use this older couple’s extra house on their property as their setting. They soon find out that these old folks are a little wacky. It’s got old school vintage vibes, like it could have been made in the 70’s, which should come as no surprise to those familiar with Ti West’s works. If you like it make sure to watch Pearl and also Maxxxine when it comes out.
Creep
Creep is a found footage horror film, which if you haven’t realized already, has a sweet spot in my heart. It may be my favorite subgenre, but that’s a conversation for another day.
Mark Duplass stars in Creep, and it’s about a videographer accepting a job for a client, Mark Duplass’s character, in a remote cabin, already sketchy, and when he gets there, he’s told that the dude has an inoperable brain tumor and he’d like the videographer to help him create a video diary for his unborn child. As you can guess, things don’t go as expected.
If you’re looking for a found footage film on Netflix, this should be your go-to. If you enjoy Creep, check out its sequel, Creep 2, which embodies a similar premise to the first movie, but plays out a bit differently.
The Conjuring
Beloved horror duo James Wan & Leigh Whannell (SAW) brings us yet another classic horror franchise with The Conjuring. The Conjuring is based on the true story case files of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren and it’s one of the best scary movies on Netflix right now.
In the first film, the Perron family begins experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their newly occupied farmhouse in Rhode Island in 1971. They call up the Warrens to come investigate and hopefully banish this malevolent spirit. Everyone and their mother has probably heard of The Conjuring, but if it’s somehow snuck past you, let it grace your tv screen this evening.
After you fall in love with this modern classic, check out its sequels (all available on Netflix) until your supernatural demon horror film appetite has been satiated.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
If you’re on the hunt for supernatural horror movies, The Autopsy of Jane Doe should be on your list. It’s about a small-time coroner who receives a mysterious body of a young woman and has 24 hours to do his examination on her to find out what happened. Shortly after receiving the body, the coroners begin experiencing paranormal activity and mysterious happenings. This is a father/son team-up that may not turn out as great as you would hope.
This film has a great atmosphere and does a really good job with a small setting.
The Wailing
Coming out of South Korea, next on our list is a film called The Wailing. One of the aspects of this film that gets the highest praise is its atmosphere. The Wailing follows a policeman as he’s investigating a mysterious sickness that begins spreading in his village after a stranger arrives. As with most Korean films, this is a visceral, heart-pounding release, and it’s heavy on the mystery/thriller side of the spectrum as well.
Nightmare on Elm Street | Best Scary Movies On Netflix
Looking for a classic horror franchise? This one’s for you. You get to see the beginnings of one of the most famous and beloved slasher villains in Freddy Krueger (played by Robert Englund).
If you’re unaware of the plot of A Nightmare On Elm St. it’s about a group of teenagers who start experiencing the same dream that involves a burned man with knives for fingers, and if he kills you in the dream, you die in real life as well. The kills and effects are creative and fun, and this movie holds up pretty well.
If you enjoy this movie and you haven’t seen any others in the collection, like Wes Craaven’s New Nightmare, Netflix has been kind enough to give us the entire collection to binge right on their platform, so happy watching!
Ouija: Origin of Evil
This is going to be a fun flick for anyone who enjoys the ‘Haunting’ series on Netflix (Hill House, Bly Manor, Midnight Mass, The Fall Of The House Of Usher). Ouija: Origin of Evil is a supernatural horror film directed by Mike Flanagan, the creator of the aforementioned tv series. Flanagan has a pretty great track record when it comes to horror (He also made Oculus), so it could be interesting to see his previous work.
This movie is a prequel to Ouija, although it can stand on its own as well. This is a good thing, because the first Ouija movie is definitely not well-panned. In Origin of Evil, a widowed mother and her daughters run a scammy seance business. One day, they decide to add a ouija board for a little dash of authenticity. However, they have no idea how dangerous this oujia board really is.
Vivarium
Next on our list is the mind-bending trip that is Vivarium. Gemma and Tom are a young couple who are just looking for a nice house to settle down in. Sounds simple enough, right? But then they get shown to this bizarre, too-perfect suburban neighborhood by an oddly creepy real estate agent. Next thing they know, they’re stuck in a maze of identical houses with no way out. Just when you think it can’t get any weirder, they find a mysterious baby on their doorstep with instructions to raise it if they ever want to escape.
Vivarium takes you on a wild ride through a claustrophobic, Twilight Zone-esque nightmare, blending psychological horror with sci-fi vibes. It’s all about the freaky side of suburban life and feeling trapped in the mundane. Throw this flick on if you want your mind bent.
The Babysitter
Cole is a 12-year-old boy who’s a bit of a scaredy-cat and totally in love with his cool babysitter, Bee. During what seems to be a typical night where Bee is watching Cole, things take a dark and bloody turn. Cole stays up a bit too late according to his bedtime, and he discovers that Bee and her friends are part of a satanic cult and need his blood for their ritual. This horror comedy stars Samara Weaving, Bella Thorne, Ken Marino, and more, and it’s an entertaining game of cat-and-mouse. Throw it on to lighten the mood a bit.
Circle
Alright, let’s talk about Circle, a psychological horror-thriller that will have you questioning human nature and morality. Imagine waking up in a dark room with 50 strangers, all standing in a mysterious circle. You can’t move, you can’t escape, and every two minutes, someone dies. The catch? The group has to vote on who gets the axe next, and if they don’t, a random person is chosen.
As the clock ticks down, alliances form, secrets are revealed, and the true nature of each individual comes to light. Circle is a tense, mind-bending exploration of survival and ethics, forcing you to ask: how far would you go to stay alive? It’s really well-done for only having one main location the entire movie!
The Rental
Seen The Bear lately? Then, you’re probably obsessed with Jeremy Allen White. Or, if you’re a fan of Community, you’d probably like to see Alison Brie in another horror movie, right? Well, you get both of those things with 2020’s The Rental. In his directorial debut, Dave Franco (Yes, that Dave Franco) brings us a tale about two couples who rent a house on the Oregon Coast for a weekend getaway. When they get to the house, the super sus owner hands them the key and gives off major creep vibes, which plays into the story throughout.
While the film starts out as a young adult drama, it slowly but surely turns into a mysterious slasher, earning its place in the horror genre.
Godzilla Minus One | Best Scary Movies On Netflix
This next film is so good people were begging for it to be released on streaming as soon as it left theaters, and it’s finally here. Experience post-war chaos with Godzilla Minus One, where Japan, already reeling from the devastation of World War II, faces an even greater threat. The story centers on Koichi Shikishima, a failed kamikaze pilot who, wracked with survivor’s guilt, returns home to find his country in ruins. Just as Japan begins to rebuild, Godzilla, mutated and empowered by nuclear tests, emerges to wreak havoc.
Shikishima, alongside a brave crew, must confront this monstrous force, symbolizing the haunting past and present turmoil. With stunning visual effects and a gripping narrative that blends human drama with kaiju terror, Godzilla Minus One explores themes of survival, guilt, and redemption in the face of apocalyptic destruction. Bummed I missed out on this one in the theater, but glad I had a surround sound system at home, because the sound design, music, and effects in this one are unmatched. Available with either subtitles (the best way to watch) or with English dubs.
Under Paris
Dive into the thrilling depths of Under Paris, where the French capital faces a dark, aquatic menace. Set against the backdrop of the World Triathlon Championships in the Seine, this horror film follows Sophia, a brilliant but grieving marine biologist, who discovers that a gigantic, man-eating shark is lurking beneath the iconic river.
As the city prepares for the international event, Sophia teams up with Mika, a passionate environmental activist, to stop the deadly predator before it turns Paris into a feeding ground. Blending intense action with emotional stakes, “Under Paris” delivers a pulse-pounding ride that will make you think twice about what’s lurking under the surface. Plunge into the depths with this exhilarating and chilling adventure!
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark
This is a fun one for anyone who got their intro to horror with these terrifying books! Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is where childhood fears come alive with terrifying consequences. Set in 1968, the film follows a group of teenagers who discover a haunted book in the abandoned Bellows mansion. Written by the mysterious Sarah Bellows, the book’s stories begin to write themselves with horrifyingly real events, targeting each of the friends with their deepest fears.
As the line between reality and nightmare blurs, the teens must uncover the dark secrets of Sarah Bellows’ past to stop the relentless horrors that threaten to consume them. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark masterfully brings the beloved horror anthology to life, delivering a gripping and visually haunting tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Cargo
Cargo has a terrifying premise, especially as a parent. Martin Freeman stars as a father who has been infected by a zombie virus and only has 48 hours to get his infant daughter to safety. This film takes place in the Australian outback and is great for those seeking a post-apocalyptic setting that envelopes this tale of survival, sacrifice, and the nduring power of parental love.
Backcountry
Backcountry is about a couple who goes hiking in an area that the man, Alex, used to frequent when he was younger. It’s basically a blueprint of what not to do when you go hiking. But of course they get lost and have a run-in with a bear, everybody’s worst nightmare. I wouldn’t say this is the greatest horror movie ever, but it contains one of the most disturbing, pivotal scenes in recent memory.
The Ritual
The Ritual is a folk horror film about a group of friends who go on a hiking trip in honor of one of their friends who passed away. They end up needing to take a shortcut and decide to cut through a forest to do so. Usually not a great idea, right? This film is delivered with a side of great character development and amazing cinematography. In my humble opinion this film has a great underlying message and a worthwhile payoff as well.
Requires ad-free plan | Best Scary Movies On Netflix
Every movie listed above can be watched with Netflix’s lowest tier plan. The films beyond this point will require an upgrade to an ad-free plan. The rich really do have it made, don’t they?
It Follows
Let’s talk about It Follows, a horror movie that’ll make you rethink your next date. The story centers on Jay, a carefree teenager who, after a seemingly innocent sexual encounter, finds herself relentlessly pursued by a mysterious, shape-shifting entity that only she can see. This terrifying force is passed through intimate encounters and follows its target with a slow, inevitable persistence. Jay and her friends must figure out how to escape the nightmare, delving into a chilling game of cat and mouse that blends supernatural horror with psychological dread. It Follows is a masterclass in building tension, making everyday settings feel ominous and threatening. This is a modern-day favorite that you should definitely explore if you’re seeking the best scary movies on Netflix.
Resident Evil
Corporate greed meets viral apocalypse in 2002’s video game-based horror flick, Resident Evil. A secret underground lab called The Hive, operated by the sinister Umbrella Corporation, experiences a catastrophic viral outbreak. Enter Alice, a badass with amnesia, who wakes up in the middle of this mess. She teams up with a group of elite commandos to navigate the labyrinthine facility, packed with flesh-eating zombies, mutated monsters, and a rogue AI named the Red Queen. As they fight to survive, Alice uncovers shocking truths about her own connection to Umbrella and the dark experiments conducted in The Hive. Resident Evil is a wild blend of action, horror, and sci-fi that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Thanksgiving
Gather around the dinner table as we feast on this next movie, Eli Roth’s Thanksgiving, where the holiday takes a horrifying turn. Picture this: a small town with a dark past, coming together for their annual Thanksgiving parade. Everything seems festive until a masked killer, dressed as a pilgrim, starts carving up the residents like a turkey dinner.
Amid the chaos, a group of friends realizes they’re being targeted and must uncover the town’s buried secrets to survive. With over-the-top kills, dark humor, and a plot twist that’ll leave you gobsmacked, Thanksgiving is a feast of horror and thrills.
If you’re like me, I know you’re constantly trying to think of the next best horror movie to watch, so I hope this post helps you narrow down your choices when it comes to the best scary movies on Netflix. You can’t go wrong with any of these, and you have so many options. From classic slashers to modern-day folk horror, take your pick. Let me know what you end up watching down below. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Thank you for stopping by the blog, and remember to embrace the fear, all year ’round.
