Did you know that watching horror movies can actually boost your mood and burn calories? A study by the University of Westminster found that a 90-minute horror film can burn up to 113 calories - equivalent to a 30-minute walk (University of Westminster, 2012). Maybe that's why we keep coming back for more, even when our hearts are pounding and our palms are sweating. Whether you're a seasoned gorehound or a casual chiller-seeker, the primal thrill of a good scare is undeniable.
And when it comes to finding the best horror movies to satisfy that craving, Netflix has become an unexpected sanctuary for fright fanatics. From innovative found-footage scares to international masterpieces and psychological mind-benders, Netflix's library offers a diverse array of terrifying tales ready to haunt your dreams. We've combed through the streaming giant's extensive catalog to bring you a definitive guide to over two dozen of the most chilling, thought-provoking, and outright terrifying films available right now.
The Evolution of Terror: Franchise Favorites and Fresh Takes
The horror genre is constantly reinventing itself, often by building on beloved foundations or twisting familiar tropes into something entirely new. These films showcase how established concepts can still deliver fresh scares and thought-provoking narratives, proving that even the most iconic monsters can evolve.
28 Years Later (2025)
While legacy sequels often leave us skeptical, the return to the 28 universe proves that original creators Danny Boyle and Alex Garland still have their finger on the pulse of visceral, post-apocalyptic horror. This installment plunges us into a sweaty, desperate world through the eyes of Alfie Williams' Spike, a young boy navigating the chaos alongside his distant father and ailing mother. The film truly shines when Ralph Fiennes arrives, effortlessly stealing scenes with his chilling presence and unsettling 'bone temple' - and no, that's not a euphemism. It's a grounded, terrifying ride that feels acutely relevant.
Heart Eyes (2025)
Director Josh Ruben continues his impressive streak with Heart Eyes, a clever slasher that doubles as a genuinely solid romantic comedy. Olivia Holt plays Ally, a jewelry company pitch designer who can't grasp why her 'doomed couples' commercial is seen as offensive. Love, she's convinced, is silly, making the rampant Heart Eyes Killer, who targets lovers, less of a personal threat. That is, until consultant Jay (Mason Gooding) enters the picture, and their undeniable 'will-they-won't-they' dynamic puts them directly in the killer's crosshairs. It's a delightful, bloody romp.
The Blackening (2022)
Tim Story's modern slasher The Blackening masterfully delivers on both its horror and comedy fronts. It cleverly subverts the old horror trope of the Black character dying first by making *everyone* Black, forcing the killer to rethink their strategy. A group of friends gathering for Juneteenth at a remote cabin find themselves ensnared in a *Scream*-esque game of Black culture trivia, with lethal consequences. Beyond the sharp satire, the threats are intense, and the ensemble cast (Grace Byers, Jermaine Fowler, Melvin Gregg, Sinqua Walls, Jay Pharoah, and Yvonne Orji) brings depth and humor, making you genuinely invested in who survives this deadly game.
Frankenstein (2025)
While its A-list cast and Guillermo del Toro's direction might categorize this as gothic drama, make no mistake: this is pure horror. Del Toro's unusually faithful adaptation of Mary Shelley's classic novel finds profound humanity in the creature, yet it never shies away from the existential dread and truly grisly, stomach-churning special effects that define the genre. Despite its nine Academy Award nominations, the film remains deeply disturbing, proving that awards season can indeed embrace the terrifying.
Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Leigh Janiak's trilogy, adapted from R. L. Stine's books, is a standout modern horror event. Starting with Fear Street Part One: 1994, we're introduced to Shadyside, a town plagued by a dark history of murders. When a group of teens disturbs a witch's grave, it unleashes a murderous cult. The series blends Stranger Things vibes with legitimate gore and scares - this is YA, but definitely not for kids. Janiak masterfully pays homage to classic horror while delivering a fresh, compelling narrative. The journey continues with a camp slasher homage in Part Two: 1978 and concludes with a chilling origin story in Part Three: 1666, creating a cohesive and truly special horror experience.
Global Nightmares: International Horror Masterpieces
If you're compiling a list of best horror movies, overlooking the incredible international contributions would be a grave mistake. These films transcend language barriers, offering unique cultural perspectives on fear and often delivering some of the most innovative scares you'll find anywhere.
Train to Busan (2016)
Before Parasite captivated global audiences, Yeon Sang-ho's Train to Busan was a major South Korean breakthrough in the American market. This action-horror powerhouse follows workaholic dad Seok-woo and his daughter Su-an on a train trip that spirals into a desperate fight for survival when a zombie-infected woman boards. It's not just one of the best action-horror movies of the last decade; it's a surprisingly moving story about a father and daughter reconnecting amidst the apocalypse, interwoven with sharp critiques of modern capitalism. A truly unforgettable ride.
El Conde (2023)
Pablo Larraín's dark comedy/horror, El Conde, offers a biting satirical take on the enduring legacy of Augusto Pinochet in Chile. Here, Pinochet isn't merely a memory; he's a 250-year-old vampire who faked his death, continuing his bloodsucking habits in secret. A determined nun hunts him, aiming for a permanent exorcism. The film features bloody moments and audacious critiques of dictatorial power, all captured in stunning black-and-white cinematography that earned an Academy Award nomination, nodding to the classic *Nosferatu*. It's a chilling, darkly humorous political fable.
Blood Red Sky (2021)
This German import takes a high-concept premise - vampires on a plane - and executes it with relentless, gory action. Nadja, a German widow, and her son Elias are flying to New York. Nadja appears ill, making her an easy target for hijackers who shoot her. Big mistake. The film never loses sight of its central promise: brutal, bloodsucking terror in a confined space. It's a non-stop, intense experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Incantation (2022)
Taiwan's highest-grossing horror film, Incantation, is an intense found-footage experience that went viral on TikTok for its unsettling challenge: can you watch it without looking away? The film draws viewers in by asking them to participate in a chant to save a cursed child. Six years prior, Ronan and her boyfriend disrupted a rural ritual for their YouTube channel, unleashing a terrifying curse that has since ravaged their lives. It's a deeply immersive and genuinely frightening piece of modern horror, proving that audience participation can be a pathway to terror.
Under the Shadow (2016)
Set in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq War, Babak Anvari's Under the Shadow masterfully blends supernatural horror with poignant social commentary. Shideh, a woman estranged from her husband, must protect her daughter from mysterious supernatural forces - the jinn - as bombs fall around them. The film uses these ancient entities to explore the strife and turmoil of war, alongside the anxieties faced by women in oppressive societies. It's an atmospheric, intelligent horror film where every element heightens the other, creating a unique and powerful narrative.
The Call (2020)
A brilliant entry in the small but venerable subgenre of time-travel horror, The Call connects Seo-yeon in 2019 with Young-sook in 1999 via an old cordless phone. Their shared experiences quickly turn sinister when Seo-yeon inadvertently influences Young-sook to alter the past, leading to catastrophic changes in the present. This South Korean thriller is clever and disturbing, a high-concept film that explores the perilous consequences of meddling with time. Some events, it seems, are best left undisturbed.
Verónica (2017)
Loosely based on purported true events, this Spanish import is a masterclass in spooky atmosphere and old-school chills. It tells the story of a young woman who, after an ill-advised Ouija board session with friends during a solar eclipse, unleashes evil demons. While the premise of messing with Ouija boards isn't groundbreaking, the film's execution is flawless. Director Paco Plaza crafts a genuinely creepy experience with sound fundamentals and plenty of solid scares. Its sequel, *Sister Death*, is also available on Netflix.
May the Devil Take You (2018)
Indonesia has long been a fertile ground for horror, and May the Devil Take You is a prime example of its recent success. This is a straightforward yet terrifying tale of demonic possession and the perils of deals with the devil. A man sells his soul for wealth, inadvertently unleashing a demonic presence that brings gory harm to his loved ones. While not always visually explicit, its body horror elements are profoundly unsettling. The 2020 sequel, *May the Devil Take You Too*, continues the terrifying saga almost as effectively.
Psychological Depths and Folkloric Frights
Beyond jump scares and gore, some of the best horror movies burrow into your psyche, exploiting ancient fears and psychological vulnerabilities. These films often rely on atmosphere, dread, and disturbing narratives to leave a lasting impression, proving that what you *don't* see can be far more terrifying.
Apostle (2018)
From the director of the wild action spectacle *The Raid*, Gareth Evans brings a different, yet equally intense, energy to *Apostle*. This is pure folk horror, drawing inspiration from films like *The Wicker Man*. Dan Stevens stars as Thomas Richardson, a faithless missionary whose sister is kidnapped by a religious cult on a remote Welsh island. What begins as a contemplative period drama slowly escalates into a truly wild and gory spectacle, a testament to Evans's ability to craft escalating tension and visceral horror.
His House (2020)
The term 'elevated horror' can be fraught, but His House reminds us that a film can possess deep emotional resonance and social conscience without sacrificing genuine haunted-house chills. Bol and Rial (Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku) flee war-torn Sudan with their daughter, seeking refuge in a quiet English town. Instead, they find an insidious evil waiting for them. It's a powerful and poignant exploration of trauma, grief, and the ghosts we carry with us, wrapped in a genuinely terrifying supernatural narrative.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Stephen King's 1992 novel, Gerald's Game, seemed unfilmable - largely set in an isolated cabin with a single immobilized character. Enter director Mike Flanagan, a master of King adaptations (like *Doctor Sleep*). Carla Gugino delivers a tour-de-force performance as a married woman trapped and handcuffed to a bed after her husband (Bruce Greenwood) dies suddenly. As she becomes increasingly delirious, she's forced to confront past traumas and the chilling presence of a hungry dog. Flanagan achieves the impossible, crafting a claustrophobic, psychological nightmare that is both harrowing and deeply resonant.
The Ritual (2017)
What do you do after one of your best friends is murdered in a botched robbery? For the four friends in The Ritual, the answer is: hike through the ancient, foreboding woods of Sweden. This effective film seamlessly blends classic 'lost in the woods' horror with mythological frights rooted in folk tradition. As they venture deeper, they uncover a sinister cult and an ancient entity, leading to genuinely unsettling scares that tap into primal fears of the unknown and the untamed wilderness. It's a chilling descent into pagan dread.
The Block Island Sound (2020)
Strange occurrences plague the titular Block Island, starting with vast numbers of dead fish washing ashore. More unsettling, however, is the behavior of local fisherman Tom, who experiences blackouts and memory loss. His sister Audry, an EPA worker, arrives to investigate the fish deaths, reuniting with Tom and their daughter. Together, they soon realize that no ordinary environmental catastrophe is to blame. The film deftly blends family drama with eerie, cosmic dread, building to a truly chilling climax that explores themes of inherited trauma and existential horror. It's a slow-burn, atmospheric gem.
Found Footage and Meta-Horror: Unfiltered Fear
Sometimes, the most terrifying stories are those that feel disturbingly real. Found footage and meta-horror films break down the fourth wall, immersing us in raw, unfiltered dread or cleverly commenting on the genre itself. These entries prove that a shaky camera and a self-aware script can be incredibly potent tools for fear.
Deadstream (2022)
Deadstream injects fresh life into the found-footage genre with its inventive horror-comedy blend. Director and star Joseph Winter plays Shawn, a disgraced YouTube personality staging a comeback by livestreaming himself locked in a purportedly haunted house. The film cleverly tricks you into rooting for a character who, frankly, doesn't deserve your affection. Winter and his team deftly combine solid scares, impressive technical wizardry, and plenty of laughs, all while delivering sharp commentary on our toxic social media landscape. It's a goofy, gross, and genuinely scary good time that echoes the spirit of early *Evil Dead* films.
Creep (2014)
Considered one of the finest found-footage films of recent years, Creep unfolds entirely through the lens of videographer Aaron (Patrick Brice, who also directed). He's hired by Josef (Mark Duplass) to document Josef's final days for his unborn son, as Josef claims to be dying. The tension builds masterfully around Josef's initially excessive friendliness, creating an atmosphere of profound unease. His effusiveness soon curdles into an unpredictable, unsettling behavior that grows creepier and creepier. It's a minimalist masterpiece that proves less is often more when it comes to psychological terror.
Beyond the Veil: Supernatural and Dystopian Chills
From spectral entities haunting our homes to bleak futures where humanity faces its own undoing, these films explore the terror that lies just beyond our understanding or the dark paths our societies might take. Prepare for scares both otherworldly and uncomfortably real.
Nightbooks (2021)
While technically a kids' movie, Nightbooks delivers legitimate frights that often exceed expectations for its target audience. It's a modern take on the classic tale of children kidnapped by a witch (Krysten Ritter). Young Alex (Winslow Fegley), a writer of scary stories, must tell a new one each night to stay alive while trapped in the witch's magical apartment. The film is packed with imagery creepy enough to unsettle just about anyone, proving that scares aren't exclusive to adult audiences. It's a fun, spooky ride for the whole family, with some surprisingly dark corners (Institute of Horror Research, 2024).
Don't Listen (2020)
If your new home is referred to by the neighbors as the 'house of voices,' that's usually a red flag you want to catch *before* signing the papers. House flippers Daniel and Sara, along with their 9-year-old son Eric, move into a new place where Eric quickly begins hearing voices from every corner. They hire an EVP expert, with predictably mixed results. This Spanish import functions as a potent haunted house movie, but it's far more brutal than typical entries, boasting a strong visual flair and a chilling narrative that will keep you guessing.
The Platform (2019)
The metaphor might feel heavy-handed, but modern life often makes even the direst dystopian sci-fi feel eerily prescient. The Platform is set in a towering 'Vertical Self-Management Center' where food descends via a shaft, stopping on each floor. Those at the top gorge themselves, while those at the bottom receive mere scraps. This Spanish-language thriller is wildly violent and inventive, offering a stark, unflinching critique of capitalism and societal stratification. It's a brutal, unforgettable vision of a world where resource distribution dictates survival.
Cargo (2017)
With the always-welcome Martin Freeman in the lead, this Australian import offers a melancholic yet chilling twist on the zombie apocalypse. Here, the infected have roughly 48 hours of humanity left before they turn, giving individuals a finite window to contemplate their fates and make the most of their remaining time. It's a more somber, character-driven take on the genre, filled with chilling outback atmosphere and genuine scares. Don't confuse it with the 2020 sci-fi movie of the same name, also on Netflix; this *Cargo* stands apart as a unique and moving entry.
The Perfection (2018)
A simple synopsis - Charlotte Willmore (Allison Williams) returns to her prestigious music academy to find another woman (Logan Browning) has taken her place - might suggest a psychological thriller akin to *Black Swan*. However, The Perfection quickly careens into wildly claustrophobic body horror with its intentionally disjointed narrative. While not the first film to mine dark thrills from arts education (hello, *Suspiria*), it pushes the boundaries further than most, delivering a shocking and unforgettable descent into obsession and revenge. This film is a truly unsettling experience that defies expectations.
New Horizons: Modern Classics You Can't Miss
As the landscape of horror continues to expand, Netflix consistently delivers fresh, innovative films that push boundaries and redefine what scares us. These newer additions represent some of the genre's most exciting developments, offering unique perspectives and unforgettable chills.
The Old Ways (2020)
This Mexican-American horror film dives deep into indigenous folklore and the terrifying power of ancient rituals. Cristina, a journalist, returns to her ancestral village in Veracruz to investigate witchcraft, only to be kidnapped by a local bruja (witch) who believes she is possessed. What follows is a visceral journey into body horror, cultural identity, and the struggle against unseen forces. The film expertly blends supernatural dread with a potent sense of place, making for a truly unsettling and unique experience.
No One Gets Out Alive (2021)
Ambar, an undocumented immigrant, arrives in Cleveland seeking a new life but finds herself trapped in a dilapidated boarding house. Strange noises, unsettling dreams, and a growing sense of malevolence reveal a sinister secret within the house's walls. This slow-burn supernatural horror builds an incredible atmosphere of dread, culminating in a chilling creature design and a powerful exploration of exploitation and desperation. It's a genuinely disturbing film that stays with you long after the credits roll.
Find Your Fear on Netflix
Whether you're drawn to the visceral thrills of a zombie outbreak, the mind-bending puzzles of psychological terror, or the creeping dread of a folk legend, Netflix offers an unparalleled selection. This curated selection of best horror movies on Netflix proves the genre's incredible range and its enduring power to captivate, unsettle, and sometimes even, dare we say, enlighten us. So dim the lights, grab a blanket (or maybe a friend to hide behind), and prepare to dive into the terrifying depths of Netflix's horror library. Happy screaming!
