Halloween is the perfect excuse to queue up some seriously spooky flicks. You know, the kind of movies that give you goosebumps, make you jump at the slightest creak and have you sleeping with all the lights on. If you crave something truly terrifying, then these are the best Halloween movies on Netflix. We've got classic Halloween movies, Netflix originals, and some of the best horror movies out there that are guaranteed to send a chill up your spine.
Even though this kind of recreational fear makes no sense, it's super common. A 2021 poll found that almost half of Americans enjoy an intentional scare (though younger people tend to prefer them more than older folks). Unsurprisingly, another survey found that the most popular circumstances for watching these creepy films are at night, at home—and with other people.
Sounds like a Halloween movie marathon in the making.
But nobody likes scrolling endlessly through Netflix, trying to find that perfect blend of scares, suspense, and story. Well, your search ends here, my friend. We've done the daunting task for you, braving sleepless nights and jumping at shadows, to compile a list of the 25 most terrifyingly brilliant horror films available on Netflix right now. While if you want a good scare, we'd recommend watching your way through the Halloween movies in order as well as revisiting every Friday the 13th movie, there are some great Halloween movies on Netflix you won't find anywhere else during spooky season.
So, grab your popcorn (or perhaps, a comforting blanket), and brace yourself as we embark on a journey filled with blood-curdling screams, eerie atmospheres, and mind-bending horrors. From supernatural scares to psychological thrillers, Netflix's horror section has something to make everyone's pulse race.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Glen Wilson/Netflix
Who's in it: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas
IMDB: 6.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
A woman becomes trapped and handcuffed to a bed in a remote cabin, haunted by nightmarish visions and a sinister presence. She must confront her own past traumas while struggling to break free, all while the line between reality and nightmare blurs in this psychological thriller.
In The Tall Grass (2019)
Netflix
Who's in it: Laysla De Oliveira, Avery Whitted, Patrick Wilson
IMDB: 5.4
Rotten Tomatoes: 36%
A brother and sister venture into a field of tall grass and become disoriented, trapped, and pursued by an unseen malevolent force. They must decipher the supernatural mysteries of the grass and fight to escape its clutches before it's too late in this mind-bending, eerie tale.
Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Netflix
Who's in it: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Sadie Sink, Emily Rudd, Ryan Simpkins, and Gillian Jacobs
IMDb: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 84%
Basically created for the perfect scary movie marathon, the Fear Street trilogy is a three-part film series based on the popular R. L. Stine novels of the same name. Set in 1994, 1978, and 1666 respectively, this trilogy follows a group of teens from Shadyside who must battle against an ancient curse that has been unleashed in their town. More films from the series are apparently in the works, so you may have even more spooky action to binge.
Bird Box (2018)
Merrick Morton/Netflix
Who's in it: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich
IMDB: 6.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 64%
In a post-apocalyptic world where supernatural entities drive people to suicide if they are seen, a woman and her two children embark on a treacherous journey down a river blindfolded to reach a rumored safe haven. Along the way, they must rely on their senses and the guidance of a mysterious community to survive, all while avoiding the entity's deadly gaze.
Cargo (2017)
Netflix
Who's in it: Martin Freeman, Anthony Hayes, Caren Pistorius
IMDB: 6.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
In a post-apocalyptic world, a father must protect his infant daughter from a zombie plague and find a safe haven before his own transformation into a zombie is complete. With a ticking clock and limited resources, the film explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the lengths a parent will go to in order to ensure their child's survival.
The Babysitter (2017)
Tony Rivetti Jr., SMPSP
Who's in it: Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Robbie Amell, and Bella Thorne
IMDb: 6.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
When 12-year-old Cole discovers that his crush—the titular babysitter—is part of a secret, satanic cult, he finds himself fighting for his life against his very attractive but very deadly enemies. While this film definitely has its comedic moments, it's also filled with enough suspense and gore to keep you up at night.
1922 (2017)
Lighthouse Pictures
Who's in it: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, and Dylan Schmid
IMDb: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 92%
Based on iconic horror author Stephen King's novel of the same name, this Netflix-original horror film follows a farmer who carries out a plot to murder his wife for financial gain. But that gruesome plan is just the start of what's to come for him and his teenage son.
The Ritual (2017)
Vlad Cioplea
Who's in it: Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier
IMDB: 6.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 73%
Four friends encounter a malevolent presence in a Scandinavian forest while on a hiking trip. As they struggle to survive, they are haunted by their past mistakes and the horrifying secrets of the ancient woods. A fight for survival and sanity ensues in this chilling and atmospheric horror story.
The Perfection (2018)
Capstone Film Group
Who's in it: Marie Maskell, Allison Williams, and Christina Jastrzembska
IMDb: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
This psychological horror-thriller follows a troubled music prodigy who sets out to take revenge against the new star pupil of her former school. As the plot unravels, she soon finds herself enmeshed in a web of secrets and lies that leave the audience questioning what is real—and what is not.
Apostle (2018)
Warren Orchard/Netflix
Who's in it: Dan Stevens, Richard Elfyn, and Paul Higgins
IMDb: 6.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 78%
This Netflix-original horror film is set in 1905 and follows an ex-soldier who infiltrates a mysterious cult on a mission to rescue his kidnapped sister. As he dives deeper into the cult's activity on the isolated island they call home, he soon finds that things are far more dangerous than they appear.
#Alive (2020)
Zip Cinema
Who's in it: Park Shin-Hye, Yoo Ah-In and Jeon Bae-soo
IMDb: 6.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
When a zombie outbreak overruns Seoul, South Korea, one gamer finds himself trapped alone in his apartment. With limited resources and no access to the outside world, he has to find a way to stay alive in this zombie-infested city. This intense thriller follows his struggle as he fights to survive against all odds.
Day Shift (2022)
Parrish Lewis/Netflix
Who's in it: Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, Meagan Good, Snoop Dogg
IMDb: 6.1
Rotten Tomatoes: 53%
Jamie Foxx plays a dad trying to do his best to support his daughter. But his pool cleaning business is just a front; he really hunts vampires. It's action-packed with thrills from the bloody-thirsty vampires but with a comedic twist due to the hilarious chemistry between Franco and Foxx. If you want a Halloween movie that isn't all scares, this Netflix original is a great option.
Verònica (2017)
Apache Films
Who's in it: Sandra Escacena, Bruna González, and Claudia Placer
IMDb: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 88%
In the same vein as The Exorcist and The Omen, this Spanish supernatural horror follows 15-year-old Verònica as she recklessly attempts to contact her dead father using a Ouija board. As expected, things don't go according to plan, and the evil entity that's unleashed starts tormenting her and her family. What's even creepier than the film is the fact that it's based on a true story.
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
Universal Pictures
Who's in it: Elizabeth Reaser, Lulu Wilson, and Annalise Basso
IMDb: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
As a prequel to the 2014 horror flick Ouija (also on Netflix), this spooky film explores the origin of one of the most feared board games in history. Set in Los Angeles in 1967, Ouija: Origin of Evil follows a seance that goes horribly wrong and awakens dormant demons. As these creatures begin tormenting two young sisters, their widowed mother must join forces with a priest to save them and the whole family from this supernatural menace.
Lights Out (2016)
Warner Bros.
Who's in it: Teresa Palmer, Gabriel Bateman, Maria Bello and Billy Burke
IMDb: 6.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
This supernatural horror was a box-office hit, grossing nearly $150 million worldwide on its modest budget of only $4.9 million. The story follows Rebecca, her younger brother Martin and their mother, Sophie, as they face off against a malicious entity that can only exist in darkness. As one would expect with such a premise, the film is chock full of jump scares and spine-tingling moments.
Creep (2014)
The Duplass Brothers/Blumhouse Productions
Who's in it: Katie Aselton, Patrick Brice, Mark Duplass
IMDb: 6.3
Rotten Tomatoes: 91%
An aspiring videographer answers an ad from an eccentric client who wants him to film the final messages of a dying man. What begins as an innocent, one-day job turns into something much more sinister and dangerous as he finds out that his client's intentions are far from harmless. The sequel, Creep 2, is also on Netflix.
Incantation (2022)
IC Image Media
Who's in it: Hsuan-yen Tsai, Sin-Ting Huang, and Ying-Hsuan Kao
IMDb: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 75%
When Li Ronan breaks a religious taboo, she's cursed by a powerful spirit. Six years later, she must fight to protect her young daughter from the wrath of this ancient force. With all sorts of jump scares and horrifying visuals, this Taiwanese found-footage-style horror flick is sure to give you a good scare.
His House (2020)
Aidan Monaghan/Netflix
Who's in it: Malaika Wakoli-Abigaba, Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, and Matt Smith
IMDb: 6.5
Rotten Tomatoes: 100%
This BAFTA-award-winning horror film follows a refugee couple who are granted asylum in England after escaping war-torn South Sudan—but their joy is short-lived. Their new home isn't as safe as it initially appears, and a sinister force residing within its walls soon turns their lives upside down.
I See You (2019)
Head Gear Films
Who's in it: Helen Hunt, Jon Tenney, and Owen Teague
IMDb: 6.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 76%
This crime drama is every bit as suspenseful as your average thriller flick. While searching for a missing boy, a policeman discovers a menacing, malicious presence lurking in his home. As the investigation unfolds, he soon finds out that what happened to this boy is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined.
Ma (2019)
Universal Studios
Who's in it: Octavia Spencer, Diana Silvers, Juliette Lewis
IMDB: 5.6
Rotten Tomatoes: 55%
A lonely woman befriends a group of teenagers, but her hospitality takes a dark turn as her past comes to light. As the partying and drinking escalate, her true, sinister intentions are revealed. This psychological thriller showcases the dangers of trusting a seemingly friendly face in a small town.
Us (2019)
Claudette Barius/Universal Pictures
Who's in it: Lupita Nyong'o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph
IMDB: 6.9
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
A family's vacation turns into a nightmare when they are confronted by doppelgangers of themselves. The sinister lookalikes harbor a dark and twisted agenda, leading to a terrifying battle for survival. "Us" delves into themes of identity, duality, and societal reflection in a horror tale filled with suspense and mystery.
The Strangers (2008)
Universal Studios
Who's in it: Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman, Gemma Ward
IMDB: 6.2
Rotten Tomatoes: 48%
A couple's night at a remote vacation home is disrupted by three masked intruders. As the strangers terrorize them, the couple must fight to survive the night. Based on true events, this home-invasion horror film is a tense and suspenseful ride that leaves you with a lingering sense of unease.
It Follows (2014)
RADiUS/TWC
Who's in it: Maika Monroe, Keir Gilchrist, Olivia Luccardi
IMDB: 6.8
Rotten Tomatoes: 95%
A teenage girl is pursued by a supernatural entity after a sexual encounter. The entity can take on any form and is relentless in its pursuit. She and her friends must find a way to escape this curse before it's too late. "It Follows" is a modern, metaphorical horror film with a deep sense of dread.
Get Out (2017)
Universal Pictures
Who's in it: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford
IMDB: 7.7
Rotten Tomatoes: 98%
A young African American man uncovers disturbing secrets when he visits his white girlfriend's family estate. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he realizes the dark and twisted nature of their intentions, leading to a suspenseful and thought-provoking exploration of racial tension and identity.
Jaws (1975)
Bud Gray/MPTV
Who's in it: Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss
IMDB: 8.0
Rotten Tomatoes: 97%
A small New England town's summer tourist season is threatened by a man-eating great white shark. Three men, including the local sheriff, a shark hunter, and an oceanographer, set out to hunt and kill the deadly predator before it can claim more victims. "Jaws" is a classic, suspenseful thriller that launched the summer blockbuster genre.
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So there you have it, the 25 best scary movies on Netflix to watch this Halloween! Keep in mind though—these selections might be too frightening for younger viewers. So make sure to opt for something a little less scary, like a Disney Halloween movie or some of the best Halloween movies for kids if you're planning on having a family movie night.
