Terrifying Netflix Horror Flicks Currently Available
Spooky Season Kicks Off
It's damn near the end of summer, and the air's starting to carry a hint of crispness. You know what that means, right? Spooky season has arrived! Ghosts, ghouls, and goblins may not populate every vacant retail space just yet, but that doesn't stop the chills from setting in as the days get shorter and the nights grow longer.
And there's nothing quite like getting into the Halloween spirit with a mix of classic and contemporary horror flicks that'll keep you on the edge of your seat. Let's discuss a few must-watch choices to help you feel all warm, fuzzy, and terrified!
Talk to Me (2022)
A passel of kiddos stumble across a preserved hand and discover they can use it to summon spirits. At first, the fun's unreal, but things soon take a turn for the worst. With a sprinkling of elevated horror (grief, trauma make for real-life gateways to hell), the film is packed with good old-fashioned thrills, twisty perspectives, and general spookiness that's right up our alley. You can catch this one right **here****.
Psycho (1960)
Ah, the simple joys of Norman Bates, a man whose BFF is none other than his own mother. Worry not: Hitchcock's masterpiece still sends shivers down our spines, as it stands as a benchmark in slasher cinema. Toss in some masterful twists, shifts in perspective, and an endearing villain, and you can bet your sweet bippy that Psycho remains a nerve-wracking delight even after hal a century and countless imitators. Check it out **here****.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Of all the Scream wannabes that cropped up post-1996, this one was the most effective (and wrote by Kevin Williamson, FYI). Boasting a powerful cast (you know, the '90s supergroup with Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Freddie Prinze Jr.), Last Summer scores with a a smart, straightforward premise: a group of teenagers accidentally hit someone while cruising in their car, but they can't shake off the guilt. You can stream it **here****.
Scream VI (2023)
Slashed budgets, lost actors, and a new director-it's no secret that the future of Scream looks a bit shaky. But hey, Ghostface is as brutal and hilarious as ever in this sequel/reboot from Radio Silence. Complete with impressive set pieces and a convoluted mystery, this film will have you returning to Woodsboro for a bloody good time. You can catch **Scream VI* right here***.
Train to Busan (2016)
Back in the day, Yeon Sang-ho's film was, perhaps, the biggest South Korean export to crack the American market. The 2016 movie follows a workaholic dad, se kwoo, who wants to bond with his daughter, su-an, by planning a train trip for them. But things go awry when a zombie-infected woman jumps on the train just before departure. All-out action, a heartwarming father-daughter story, and a critique of modern capitalism-now that's the makings of a killer horror film. You can stream it **here****.
Compliance (2012)
Skip the zombies and demons if you're looking for pure, frightening human behavior. This one's based on a true story, swapping out a McDonald's for a fictional "ChickWich." Manager Sandra gets a call from an "Officer Daniels" asking her to question and strip search employee Becky, mostly because the cop suspects she's involved in a series of thefts. Things take a dark, dark turn from there. Stream Compliance **here****.
The Deliverance (2024)
A bit of a wildcard, with big names like Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler), and Andra Day, Glenn Close, Mo'Nique, and Omar Epps in tow. The question on everyone's lips? "What the hell did I just watch?" The film explores the age-old debate about how awful people can become, with a single mother fighting for her children while dealing with a parental figure that's more monstrous than maternal. You won't want to miss this twisted tale. Stream The Deliverance **here****.
Under Paris (2024)
The streets of Paris might be a bit safer after this one. This is an aggressively fun (and super French) spin on Jaws, this time featuring a mako shark terrorizing urbanites in the Seine and the famous catacombs. The billion-dollar question? Is the shark-animal misbehavior triggered by an environmental catastrophe? Naw, it's just about unrelenting scares, 'kay? Stream Under Paris **here****.
Thanksgiving (2023)
Eli Roth stirs up some holiday cheer (and a whole lot of gore) with this comical yet unsettling horror flick. When an angry mob storms a retail store during Black Friday, chaos ensues, leading one store employee to seek her own brand of bloody revenge. Patrick Dempsey takes the lead in this twisted Thanksgiving romp. Stream Thanksgiving right **here****.
Blood Red Sky (2021)
Open wide! You don't wanna miss this German thriller, with Nadja, a widow, taking her kid to New York for a visit. Onboard the flight, a terrorist hijacking takes place, and the hijackers film their malevolent deeds for maximum impact. But Nadja has some serious bloodsucking surprises for them when all hell breaks loose. Stream Blood Red Sky **here****.
Nightbooks (2021)
Alex, with his scary story-telling abilities, is dragged by a witch into her apartment and forced to pen a frightening tale each night to save his own life. With a compelling performance from Winslow Fegley, and eerie imagery aplenty, prepare to get spooked, but in a family-friendly kind of way. Stream Nightbooks **here****.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Put your cowboy boots on and saddle up, because this modern cult classic is pure Western-horror gold. Breakout stars like Kurt Russell (as the sheriff) and Patrick Wilson (as one of our posse leaders) take on some uncanny cannibals (yes, those are actual words we're using here) in a way that's usually reserved for literature alone. Stream Bone Tomahawk **here****.
Apostle (2018)
With Spanish traditions in mind, Apostle doesn't mess around. Far from home, Thomas, a missionary, discovers that his sister has been kidnapped by a cult on a remote Welsh island. As things spiral into darkness, the film's said to cite nods to The Wicker Man. Dubbed folk horror at its finest, catch this one while you can. Stream Apostle **here****.
His House (2020)
If you're a fan of those elevated horror flicks, His House is for you. Focusing on two Sudanese immigrants fleeing war to live in a quiet English town, they soon discover they've just traded one set of horrors for another. Elevated horror's hallmarks-complex emotions and a social conscience-are here in abundance, creating an unsettling blend of haunting and real-life trauma. Stream His House **here****.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Mike Flanagan (Stranger Things, Doctor Sleep) brings Gerald's Game to life, crafting a masterful adaptation of Stephen King's novel about a woman handcuffed to a bed, left to face her fears-and a creepy presence in the room-following her husband's death. Packed with suspense, and Starring Carla Gugino, this one's sure to pull you in with its chilling storytelling. Stream Gerald's Game **here****.
Creep (2014)
A low-budget horror gem, Creep proves that you don't need fancy computer effects to scare the bejeezus out of an audience. With a compelling story about an awkward exchange between a videographer and his odd client rapidly evolving into a bonafide nightmare, this one's a must-see for horror fans. Stream Creep**here****.
The Platform (2019)
Got a hankering for some well-earned schadenfreude? Look no further than The Platform, where a vertical prison uses a conveyor belt to drop food to inmates living on successive levels-in an elevator of wealth, with those at the top enjoying the finest fare, and those below barely scraping by. Add a dash of environmental catastrophe and a splash of body horror, and you've got a well-crafted Spanish thriller that'll leave your taste buds begging for more. Stream The Platform **here****.
Under the Shadow (2016)
War torn Tehran serves as the backdrop for Under the Shadow, a film that combines the delights of a supernatural haunting with an exploration of what it means to be a woman and an individual during times of war. This atmospheric gem doesn't hesitate to address the horrors of conflict and war, all while churning up some top-tier creepiness. Stream Under the Shadow **here****.
The Call (2020)
Who doesn't love a time-travel horror movie? Watch as Seo-yeon visits her childhood home in 2019, only to discover that an old cordless phone works, connecting her to Young-sook, a woman living in the house in 1999. The duo bond over shared experiences, but things quickly take a dark turn when Seo-Yeon reveals what the future holds. Clever, disturbing, and clever, this one's worth every minute of your time. Stream The Call **here****.
Cam (2018)
Step aside, Slender Man-it's time for internet fame to take center stage in this unsettling horror flick, with a twist from writer Isa Mazzei (based on her personal experiences as a cam girl). As Alice Ackerman's career in online sex work takes off, she discovers that someone's copying her act, leaving her to battle for her life and her identity. Stream Cam **here****.
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)
This one's a bit more of a minimalist horror flick, with plenty of supernatural atmosphere to spare. Keep an eye on the haunted house and its lingering presence, while trying not to be distracted by the creepy happenings that follow when a live-in nurse sticks around the property hiring her out as a spiritualist. Stream I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House **here****.
The Block Island Sound (2020)
In this horror story, an American family returns to their ancestral home in rural Gudbrandsdalen, Norway, only to discover an elf living on the property. The peace is short-lived as a nasty string of mysterious events unfold, forcing the family to confront their expectations and heartaches as they piece together the mysterious horror. Stream The Block Island Sound **here****.
Cargo (2017)
The long-awaited return of The Walking Dead mastermind, this apocalyptic thriller depends on the world-weary performance of a Martin Freeman (a la Bilbo Baggins). Start the dead rising, pile on the zombie gore, and throw in a dash of Australiana, and you've got yourself a solid horror romp. Stream Cargo **here****.
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
A far cry from the original 2014 movie, Origin of Evil trades cheap thrills for a bit more substance (thanks to Mike Flanagan, who adds a bit of TLC to the adaptation). Set in the swinging '60s, a determined mom decides to add a Ouija board to her "spiritualist" act, only to discover that beneath the veneer of harmless fun lies a truly terrifying entity. Stream Origin of Evil **here****.
Dawn of the Dead (2004)
For those of us still feeling the profits of the '00s-era remake boom, Dawn of the Dead clears out some space in the mall for undead shoppers, as the undead wreck havoc on a Midwestern shopping center. The result? Suspenseful action, zombie braai, and a bit of cheeky satire (always a plus in zombie apocalypse films). Stream Dawn of the Dead **here****.
There's Something in the Barn (2023)
Just in time for the festive season, this Norwegian horror flick provides a perfect addition to your spooky holiday film rotation. Follow along as an American family moves to Norway and discovers a mystery surrounding their ancestral farmhouse, aided by their newfound elf roommate. As the family delves deeper, they uncover the truth-and it ain't pretty. Stream There's Something in the Barn **here****.
Trap (2024)
Are you into the whole "killer in the shopping mall" vibe? We have just the film for you, with a sarcastic title to match (you sure tose to be killing us with that wordplay!). Trap follows a serial killer who has somehow managed to escape the clutches of the FBI, only to be cornered with his captor, daughter, and a whole theater full of innocent concert-goers. Stream Trap **here****.
Verónica (2017)
If you ever want to summon a demon, you'd your best to avoid playing with Ouija boards at all costs (trust us on this!). When a group of Spanish friends unknowingly open the door to something otherworldly at a housewarming party, they suffer the consequences. Their playful prank spins catastrophically out of control, forcing them to come face to face with hellish forces and supernatural chaos. Stream Verónica **here****.
Sister Death (2023)
Want more sisterly scares? This Spanish-language sequel to Verónica follows Sister Narcisa, who, in her earlier years, claimed to have conversed with the Virgin Mary, garnering quite a bit of notoriety. When she arrives at a monastery in Spain, a series of eerie events threaten to reveal the interplay between religion, faith, and the supernatural. Stream Sister Death **here****.
Hunger (2023)
In a somewhat unexpected turn from the usual horror offerings, Hunger focuses on the darker side of the food industry, tapping into the collective anxiety surrounding dwindling food supplies and the economic dynamics that exacerbate the destruction of the environment. Watch as the kitchen staff strives to strike a balance between personal dreams and their tenuous position in a world teetering on the brink of collapse. Stream Hunger **here****.
1922 (2017)
Inhabiting the distinctly Stephen King-ian world of the dead rising and small-town secrets, 1922 delivers exactly the kind of creeping dread and psychological terror that King readers have come to expect. As a father hatches a scheme to murder his wife, the plan sets in motion a chain reaction of horrifying events from which there's no turning back. Stream 1922 **here****.
Watcher (2022)
This psychological thriller offers a taut, nail-biting portrayal of a woman's struggle to maintain her sanity as she becomes the object of a mysterious observer's attention. As Maika Monroe's character grapples with reconnecting with her family, confronting her past, and figuring out whether she's actually being followed, the steady pace keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. Stream Watcher **here****.
Bird Box (2018)
Suspend your disbelief while you dive into the high-concept tale of a world in chaos as a result of terrifying, unseen entities that induce suicide when encountered. Sandra Bullock's character, Malorie, and her children navigate their masked journey to safety, with little more than a series of sound cues to guide them. Stream Bird Box (particularly part one) **here****.
The Ritual (2017)
If you have a hankering for some no-frills Northern European wilderness horror, look no further than The Ritual. A group of old college friends embarking on a camping trip unearth a centuries-old curse in their forgotten woodland retreat. In this throwback-style slasher, you'll witness gothic dread, creepy folklore, and deep woods tension that'll keep you in your seat. Stream The Ritual **here****.
The Babysitter (2017)
Moving straight from the world of comedy to horror with impressive ease, The Babysitter delivers an updated take on the classic slasher formula, complete with intentional silliness and a knowing wink to the genre. An ensemble cast brings charisma to their roles, while the film's clever dialogue keeps the humor coming even in the face of monster rampages and bodycounts. Give it a watch right **here****.
Calibre (2018)
This twisty, suspenseful thriller centers around a hunting trip to the Scottish wilderness that goes awry, with consequences that the party can neither predict nor anticipate. As a series of grisly discoveries complicate matters, the danger escalates, and friendships are tested. Stream Calibre **here****.
May the Devil Take You (2018)
Explore the unfamiliar territory of Indonesian horror without losing any of the thrills and scares in this supernatural gothic delight. May the Devil Take You follows a young man as he delves into the dark history of his family and discovers the consequences of playing with the forces of evil. Spiritual possession, séances, and ancient curses lurk around every corner in this chilling tale of unintended consequences. Stream May the Devil Take You **here****.
Malevolent (2018)
In this Shyamalan-esque tale of reinvented classics, the theme of creative rivalry forms the backbone of Malevolent, a ghost-hunting business jointly run by a brother and sister. When they take on a haunted mansion job with more than meets the eye, the threads of family, dreams, and fate come together in a gothic, suspenseful web. Stream Malevolent **here****.
Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Wrap up our list with this stylish trilogy of horror flicks, featuring a nod a nod to the slasher films of the 80s and 90s. Follow Fear Street Part One: 1994, Fear Street Part Two: 1978, and Fear Street Part Three: 1666 to witness the interconnected stories of a cursed town, its sinister history, and a legacy of bloodshed. Stream Fear Street Trilogy **here****.
- Assuredly, the best horror movies on Netflix streaming this Halloween include the newly released "Talk to Me" (2022) where a child's curiosity summons spirits.
- For a classic take on horror, stream "Psycho" (1960), a Hitchcock masterpiece that still sends chills after half a century.
- If you're a fan of slasher films, "I Know What You Did Last Summer" (1997) is a must-watch, with its gripping story of guilt and haunting references to summer's end.
- This Halloween season, catch "Scream VI" (2023) as the Ghostface terror continues, featuring impressive set pieces and a complicated mystery.
- When you're seeking the fundamental elements of horror entertainment, don't miss "Train to Busan" (2016) – a thrilling combination of action, emotion, and social critique.
