Loving horror movies is, for some movie-goers, almost entirely different from loving movies generally. Plenty of people love both, but deep horror fans know that there’s nothing better than going to a theater or dimming all the lights at home and being prepped to get scared out of your mind. It’s a totally unique thrill ride and can sometimes feel closer to riding a roller coaster than to anything you might get from other movie genres. If you’re looking to replicate that thrill ride at home, then we’ve got you covered with some of the best horror movies on Netflix to choose from. Of course, Netflix also has awesome action movies and a great roster of shows to peruse, but for this list, we’ll be running down the best horror movies the service has to spook you.
Malignant (2021)
111m
Genre
Horror
Stars
Annabelle Wallis, Maddie Hasson, George Young
Directed by
James Wan
Madison Lake (Annabelle Wallis), a troubled pregnant woman, is haunted by disturbing visions of brutal murders. Initially believing they’re nightmares, the lines between reality and fantasy blur as the murders she witnesses begin to happen in real life. As Madison seeks answers, she uncovers a dark secret from her past and a shocking connection to the killings. The film starts as a seemingly straightforward supernatural thriller but takes a dramatic shift later on, revealing a mind-blowing explanation for the events. While avoiding spoilers, expect the unexpected and prepare to have your perception challenged.
Crimson Peak (2015)
119m
Genre
Horror, Romance
Stars
Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, Tom Hiddleston
Directed by
Guillermo del Toro
Edith (Mia Wasikowska) becomes captivated by her new husband Thomas (Tom Hiddleston) and his tales of a wondrous invention, lured by the promise of adventure and a life beyond her stifled existence. She marries him and ventures with him to his secluded mansion, Crimson Peak. However, upon arrival, the mansion’s dark secrets and disturbing atmosphere begin to unravel. Edith experiences strange visions, unsettling occurrences, and chilling encounters with ghostly figures. As she delves deeper, she uncovers a web of lies, betrayal, and a hidden truth far more sinister than she could have imagined.
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
113m
Genre
Thriller, Mystery, Horror
Stars
Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Zawe Ashton
Directed by
Dan Gilroy
Although it functions as a parody of both horror more generally and of the art world, Velvet Buzzsaw is also a gory romp of jump-scare antics and well-known celebrity cameos. For those who value the business of art over its quality, the recently discovered art of Ventril Dease, one of this movie’s central characters, might literally blow your mind, at least if Velvet Buzzsaw is to be believed.
1922 (2017)
Genre
Horror, Crime, Drama, History
Cast
Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid
From the haunting novella by Stephen King, 1922 is a truly scary psychological thriller that features a career redefining performance from Thomas Jane. When a farmer’s wife threatens to leave him and his desolate farm for the city, Wilfred (Jane) convinces his son to be an accomplice to her murder, and they both pay the price.
Fear Street: 1994 (2021)
107m
Genre
Horror, Mystery
Stars
Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr.
Directed by
Leigh Janiak
All three movies in the Fear Street trilogy are worth watching, but that’s especially true of the first installment, Fear Street Part One: 1994. The film tells the story of a group of high school kids who are forced to deal with a generational curse that has transformed their town into a terrible place. In addition to being genuinely suspenseful and frightening, the Fear Street movies also work well as parodies of the kinds of horror movies that we’ve become so familiar with. The first installment is reminiscent of a 90s slasher, but it updates the formula enough to be plenty compelling in its own right.
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)
86m
Genre
Comedy, Horror
Stars
Jaden Michael, Gerald W. Jones III, Gregory Diaz IV
Directed by
Oz Rodriguez
With a surprisingly successful blend of comedy and horror, Vampires vs. the Bronx is in the mold of the social horror movies that have become more common in recent years. The movie features a group of teens who band together to save their neighborhood from the throes of poverty and crime, only to realize that the gentrification occurring in their neighborhood is being caused by bloodsucking vampires.
Cam (2018)
Genre
Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Cast
Madeline Brewer, Patch Darragh, Melora Walters
Highlighted by an excellent performance from Madeline Brewer and an original, new-age concept, Cam takes a psychological premise and turns it into a bloody, mind-twisting thriller that hits a little too close to home for some online content personalities. The film follows an ambitiously driven cam girl named Alice who responds well to her audience’s requests until a replica of herself takes over her account and begins to please the darkest corners of the internet.
His House (2020)
93m
Genre
Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stars
Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, Matt Smith
Directed by
Remi Weekes
His House is a psychological thriller that contains some truly unexpected twists. A couple flee their home in South Sudan barely escape death and are allowed to live in England as asylum-seekers, but required to live in a home of the government’s choosing that turns out to be haunted, reminding them of the dark journey they have already taken. In addition to being genuinely terrifying, His House also provides some trenchant commentary on the international refugee crisis and how countries have responded to it.
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