The best horror movies on Netflix right now
Halloween season is finally here, meaning there’s no better time to watch a horror movie. Be it a tale of exorcism or a psychological thriller about the dangers lurking in every corner, horror movies have a unique way of tackling our primal fears, making us more alert, and giving us a much-needed fright. The streamer has a considerable collection of horror movies covering every subgenre and theme under the sun, so there’s no better place to be this Halloween season.
Some of the best new movies to stream offer chills and thrills while delivering a high-quality experience for terror-starved audiences. Netflix stays consistent every month with new and exciting arrivals that make up for whatever movies are leaving the service. We also found some of the best movies on Netflix, to give you something to watch between scary movies. With supernatural stories, psychological thrillers, and good old-fashioned slashers, these are the best horror movies that Netflix has to offer, and we wholeheartedly recommend them.
Looking to get your scares elsewhere? We’ve curated guides to the best horror movies on Amazon Prime Video and the best horror movies on Hulu. Need more recommendations? Then check out the best movies on Hulu, the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Max, and the best movies on Disney+.
Halloween (2018) [New]
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Duration: 106m
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Stars: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak
Directed by: David Gordon Green
Sixteen years after her last appearance in the franchise, scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis returned to the role that made her famous in David Gordon Green’s Halloween. Acting as a direct sequel to the 1978 original and ignoring everything that came after, the film centers on an adult Laurie Strode, who’s lived her adult life preparing for Michael Myers’ return. Now, on Halloween night, the masked killer escapes from a mental institution and returns to Haddonfield to target Laurie, her daughter, and her granddaughter.
A successful reboot of one of cinema’s longest and most aimless horror franchises, 2018’s Halloween returns to basics with a classic slasher story. Curtis is at the top of her game as a traumatized Laurie. Plus, the supporting cast is also up to the task, especially a scene-stealing Greer.
Scream (2022) [New]
Metacritic: 60%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Duration: 114m
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Stars: Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Mason Gooding
Directed by: Tyler Gillett, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin
Speaking of quasi-reboots, 2022’s Scream acted as a reinvention for its franchise. Melissa Barrera stars as Sam Carpenter, who returns to Woodsboro after a new Ghostface attacks her sister. As secrets from her past emerge, Sam will have to look for answers in this haunted town as a new wave of killings begin, attracting figures from the past and adding more carnage than ever before.
Scream introduced a new cast of young characters that injected some much-needed life into a dying franchise. Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, and Mikey Madison brought their A-game, proving Scream could succeed without overly relying on nostalgia. The film’s sharp commentary about the current state of horror is as biting as ever, and the return of crucial characters to the story further enhances the experience.
It Chapter Two (2019) [New]
Metacritic: 58%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Duration: 169m
Genre: Horror, Drama, Fantasy
Stars: James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Bill Hader
Directed by: Andy Muschietti
Bill Skarsgård returns as Pennywise the Dancing Clown in Andy Muschietti’s 2019 sequel, It Chapter Two. The film sees the now-adult Losers Club coming back to Derry after Pennywise returns from a long slumber and the death of one of their own. The group will need to face their fears to defeat this ancient evil for good, reconnecting as friends and finding new meaning in their lives.
Although inferior to its predecessor, It Chapter Two benefits from the chemistry of the adult cast — including heavy hitters like James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and Oscar winner Jessica Chastain. The film continues the original’s themes of self-discovery and facing one’s fears, with the cast members bearing a remarkable similarity to their child counterparts. The scares are once again a tad too elaborate to be truly visceral, but a game cast and an excellent villain more than compensate for any narrative shortcomings.
A Quiet Place Part II (2021) [New]
Metacritic: 71%
IMDb: 7.2/10
Duration: 96m
Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror
Stars: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds
Directed by: John Krasinski
The sequel to the 2018 hit, John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place Part II, expands the franchise into new and exciting territory. The story picks up immediately after the end of the original and sees Evelyn Abbott (Emily Blunt) and her children, Regan (Millicent Simmonds) and Marcus (Noah Jupe), facing the outside world and realizing the sound-guided aliens aren’t the only threats waiting for them.
A Quiet Place Part II is a logical continuation of the first movie’s story, elevated by an outstanding cast led by Blunt. Simmonds and Jupe are key to the film’s success, as are newcomers Cillian Murphy and Djimon Hounsou. The aliens are once again the true stars, though, with the film depicting them as truly vicious and terrifying creatures worthy of standing with other horror icons. Tense and emotional, A Quiet Place Part II cements its franchise as one of the best in modern horror.
The Deliverance (2024) [New]
Metacritic: 39%
IMDb: 5.1/10
Duration: 112m
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Stars: Andra Day, Glenn Close, Anthony B. Jenkins
Directed by: Lee Daniels
Lee Daniels is back, and this time he’s assembled an impressive cast for his supernatural horror movie The Deliverance. The film stars Academy Award nominees Andra Day, Glenn Close, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor opposite Academy Award winner Mo’Nique in a story about a family living in Indiana who become convinced their home is a portal to hell.
Based on the Ammons haunting case, The Deliverance is pretty much the oddest project anyone involved could’ve taken part in. Yet, there’s genuine value in it as a camp classic in the making or an atmospheric and melodramatic horror picture that allows its prestigious cast to show a new side to their on-screen personas. Come for the premise; stay for the unintentional laughs.
World War Z (2013) [New]
IMDb: 7.0/10
Duration: 116m
Genre: Action, Horror, Science Fiction, Thriller
Stars: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Daniella Kertesz
Directed by: Marc Forster
Marc Forster’s 2013 action horror picture World War Z stars Oscar winner Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former UN investigator seeking a solution to a sudden zombie outbreak that threatens to destroy the world. Equal parts action thriller and classic zombie movie, World War Z is among the most distinctive horror pictures of the 2010s.
It’s more uneven than it should be, but World War Z also brings a refreshing approach to the formulaic zombie genre, presenting a larger-scale conflict than most similar movies. More importantly, it’s endlessly entertaining, making it ideal for all those who can’t get enough of the reliable zombie genre.
Day Shift (2022) [New]
Metacritic: 51%
IMDb: 6.1/10
Duration: 113m
Genre: Action, Fantasy, Horror, Comedy
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Dave Franco, Natasha Liu Bordizzo
Directed by: J.J. Perry
Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx stars in the action horror comedy Day Shift, opposite Dave Franco, Snoop Dogg, Karla Souza, and Meagan Good. The film follows Bud Jablonski, a man who poses as a blue-collar pool cleaner while actually hunting and killing vampires for a living.
With a wild premise that’s just ridiculous enough to be engaging, Day Shift is among Netflix’s most inspired original horror movies. The ever-reliable Foxx is more than willing to succumb to the screenplay’s delirious antics, even if the film can’t quite keep up with him. Still, solid jokes and a great supporting cast make Day Shift more than worthy of a horror fan’s time.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) [New]
Metacritic: 61%
IMDb: 6.2/10
Duration: 108m
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Stars: Zoe Colletti, Dean Norris, Michael Garza
Directed by: André Øvredal
Produced by and based on a story from horror maestro Guillermo del Toro, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark might just be one of the 2010s’ most criminally underrated entries into the genre. Based on the eponymous book series by Alvin Schwartz, the film centers on a group of friends who sneak into an infamous house and unleash evils they couldn’t possibly imagine.
Atmospheric and a bit more approachable than some of del Toro’s or director André Øvredal’s other offerings, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark lives up to its title with a collection of creepy monsters and creatures that will surely haunt viewers’ nightmares.
The Ritual (2017) [New]
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Duration: 94m
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Stars: Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier
Directed by: David Bruckner
Folk horror has seen a rise in popularity, thanks to films like The Witch and Midsommar. However, one of the genre’s most underappreciated entries is David Bruckner’s 2017 hidden gem The Ritual, based on the 2011 novel of the same name. The plot centers on four friends who go on a hiking trip through a Swedish old-growth forest to grieve the death of one of them. However, they will soon stumble upon an ancient evil that will turn their trip into an unending nightmare. The Ritual embraces folklore and uses its striking setting to deliver a chilling tale of dread that favors suggestion and atmosphere over outright displays of terror. However, when it’s operating at full might, The Ritual delivers some truly horrifying imagery, including one of the best monsters in modern horror cinema.
Jigsaw (2017)
Metacritic: 39%
IMDb: 5.9/10
Duration: 91m
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Stars: Matt Passmore, Tobin Bell, Callum Keith Rennie
Directed by: Peter Spierig, Michael Spierig
The long-awaited return of the Saw movie series and the eighth entry in the ongoing story, Jigsaw sees a group of people forced to participate in a series of deadly games in a barn. Meanwhile, the police investigate a new string of murders that share the same MO with the infamous Jigsaw killer, who has been seemingly dead for a decade. Featuring the return of modern horror icon Tobin Bell in the titular role, Jigsaw is a decent return for the long-running franchise. It’s far gorier than its predecessors and perhaps not as scary as it could be, but loyal fans will surely be satisfied by this nightmarish story.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Metacritic: 72%
IMDb: 7.1/10
Duration: 133m
Genre: Western, Horror, Drama
Stars: Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Richard Jenkins
Directed by: S. Craig Zahler
Western legend Kurt Russell stars in this dark twist on the genre. Bone Tomahawk casts Russell as Sheriff Franklin Hunt, who leads a small posse on a rescue mission to a secluded area where a clan of cannibalistic Native Americans has kidnapped three people. With a strong supporting cast, including Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Oscar-nominee Richard Jenkins, Bone Tomahawk is a gruesome and atmospheric blend of Western and horror sensibilities that brings out the best of each genre. The story is a decidedly slow-burn, but those with enough patience to fully absorb the film’s distinctive style will be rewarded with a harrowing experience they won’t soon forget.
The Rental (2020)
Metacritic: 62%
IMDb: 5.7/10
Duration: 88m
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Stars: Dan Stevens, Alison Brie, Sheila Vand
Directed by: Dave Franco
Dave Franco’s feature directorial debut, The Rental is an unnerving tale of small-scale psychological horror that deserves far more attention. It features an impressive cast led by Franco’s wife, Alison Brie, and that also includes Cuckoo‘s Dan Stevens, Jeremy Allen White, and Sheila Vand. It follows two couples who begin suspecting they are being stalked while at their rental home. Born from the increasing anxieties of modern-day vacation trends, The Rental is a solid and intimate scary story that preys on our primal fears concerning privacy and how easy it is to invade it. Flawed but ambitious, The Rental is a worthy horror picture that is sure to please genre fans.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Duration: 86m
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Stars: Emile Hirsch, Brian Cox, Ophelia Lovibond
Directed by: André Øvredal
A true hidden gem of horror, The Autopsy of Jane Doe stars Emile Hirsch and Brian Cox as a father and son working at a morgue who begin to experience supernatural phenomena when investigating the cause of death of a beautiful, unidentified woman. The film succeeds thanks to its overwhelmingly eerie atmosphere, which favors slow, quiet, dreadful chills rather than overt horror. However, whenever it does succumb to horror’s best-known tropes, including some off-putting moments of gore, it does so cleverly, offering a superior entry into the genre. Memorable, creepy, and unexpectedly funny, The Autopsy of Jane Doe is a brilliant blend of styles, themes, and genres.
The Babadook (2014)
Metacritic: 86%
IMDb: 6.8/10
Duration: 94m
Genre: Drama, Horror
Stars: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Hayley McElhinney
Directed by: Jennifer Kent
The poster child for the wave of “elevated horror” that took over the latter part of the 2010s, The Babadook is a powerful and thought-provoking tragedy disguised as a horror movie. The brilliant Essie Davis stars as Amelia, a troubled, widowed mother raising her six-year-old son, Sam. When he begins displaying abnormal behavior, Amelia realizes he is being haunted by the Babadook, a humanoid monster who torments its victims. The Babadook is a remarkable examination of grief and acceptance, elevated by an impressive screenplay and Davis’ tour de force performance. The film is as scary as i i’s poignant and affecting, demonstrating the inherent bond between horror and tragedy.
Insidious: The Red Door (2023)
Metacritic: 45%
IMDb: 5.5/10
Duration: 107m
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Stars: Ty Simpkins, Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne
Directed by: Patrick Wilson
Along with The Conjuring, the Insidious franchise is probably the most successful horror IP of the 2010s. Patrick Wilson strikes again, this time as director and star, in Insidious: The Red Door, the fifth entry in the franchise and a direct sequel to 2013’s Insidious: Chapter 2. The plot sees Josh and a now college-bound Dalton haunted by the demons of their past, forcing them to venture into The Further again to try and put them to rest for good. Although weaker than its predecessors, Insidious: The Red Door is a decent directorial debut for Wilson and an effective expansion of the series. It mostly sticks to the same ideas as the first two movies, but Insidious: The Red Door offers a good combo of horror and family drama that should satisfy fans of the franchise.
Viking Wolf (2022)
IMDb: 5.2/10
Duration: 97m
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Stars: Elli Rhiannon Müller Osborne, Liv Mjönes, Vidar Magnussen
Directed by: Stig Svendsen
Some of the best horror movies aren’t afraid to explore the genre’s boundaries, boldly venturing into sillier territory. Such is the case for Viking Wolf, the story of a teenager who transforms into a terrifying wolf-human hybrid after being scratched by an abnormally large wolf in the woods. Borrowing from classics like Ginger Snaps, Viking Wolf delivers another werewolf horror story that offers enough blood and gore to satisfy. It finds further strength in its lore and cold Norwegian setting, standing out frome run-of-the-mill werewolf movies, even if it never reaches the highs of the true gems in the subgenre. Even so, it’s entertaining enough for an afternoon at home.
Sister Death (2023)
IMDb: 5.7/10
Duration: 91m
Genre: Drama, Horror
Stars: Aria Bedmar, Maru Valdivielso, Luisa Merelas
Directed by: Paco Plaza
The 2023 Spanish supernatural horror film Sister Death is a prequel to 2017’s Veronica, another horror film on Netflix. It tells the story of Narcisa, a novice with supernatural abilities who’s working as a teacher at a convent operating as an all-girls school in 1940s Spain. Soon, she begins experiencing disturbing events that lead her to discover the sinister truth behind the convent. Sister Death is a great addition to the ever-expansive collection of religious horror movies that come out every year. Utilizing its Gothic setting to its fullest, the film tells an eerie and often disturbing tale of human cruelty and pain that is as unsettling as its supernatural themes, if not more.
Thanksgiving (2023)
Metacritic: 63%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Duration: 106m
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Stars: Patrick Dempsey, Nell Verlaque, Addison Rae
Directed by: Eli Roth
Eli Roth directs the hysterical Thanksgiving, based on his fake trailer from the Robert Rodriguez movie Grindhouse. Set a year after a Black Friday riot ends in tragedy, the film follows a small town terrorized by a deranged killer out for revenge. A love letter to the classic slashers of the past, Thanksgiving strikes the perfect balance between comedy and gore. It’s bloody, over-the-top, and explosive, delivering an uncommonly dynamic slasher that will surely become a staple of the season of giving.
The Pope's Exorcist (2023)
Metacritic: 45%
IMDb: 6.1/10
Duration: 103m
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Stars: Russell Crowe, Daniel Zovatto, Alex Essoe
Directed by: Julius Avery
Oscar-winner Russell Crowe stars in Julius Avery’s 2023 supernatural horror film The Pope’s Exorcist. The plot follows Father Gabriele Amorth, the Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, who stumbles upon a centuries-old conspiracy within the church as he investigates the possession of a young boy. A strange, yet surprisingly effective showcase for Crowe, The Pope’s Exorcist is uneven, but suitably chilling. It might not be the best movie about exorcisms, but a series of creepy sequences and Crowe’s commanding performance make up for any flaws the film might have.
Mr. Harrigan's Phone (2022)
Metacritic: 55%
IMDb: 6.0/10
Duration: 105m
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Horror, Mystery
Stars: Donald Sutherland, Jaeden Martell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste
Directed by: John Lee Hancock
Slowly but surely, Jaeden Martell has become a modern scream king through his consistent contributions to the horror genre. John Lee Hancock’s Mr. Harrigan‘s Phone sees him playing Craig, a young man who discovers he can communicate with his recently deceased friend through an iPhone. Aided by a creepy and scene-stealing Donald Sutherland, Martell makes the best out of the intriguing premise, elevating Mr. Harrigan’s Phone past other similar techno-horror movies. The film might not be based on one of Stephen King’s best-known stories, but it is among the best adaptations of the prolific author’s work.
The Babysitter (2017)
IMDb: 6.3/10
Duration: 85m
Genre: Comedy, Horror
Stars: Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Robbie Amell
Directed by: McG
Bonafied modern scream queen Samara Weaving stars as the titular character in McG’s 2017 slasher comedy The Babysitter. The plot follows a lonely 12-year-old boy Lewis, who discovers his beautiful and mysterious babysitter, Bee, is the leader of a satanic cult and wants to kill him. Benefitting from Weaving’s deliciously wicked performance and a plot that excels at if not necessarily reinvents the slasher formula, The Babysitter is an entertaining blend of horror and comedy for fans of both genres.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Metacritic: 77%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Duration: 104m
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Stars: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas
Directed by: Mike Flanagan
The underrated Carla Gugino stars opposite Bruce Greenwood in Mike Flanagan’s 2017 psychological horror film Gerald’s Game. Adapted from Stephen King‘s 1992 novel, the film follows a married couple at a secluded getaway home. Looking to rekindle their strained relationship, the man handcuffs the woman to the bed; however, he suddenly dies of a heart attack, leaving his wife in a dire situation. With little hope of escaping and a series of demons haunting her mind, the woman must do everything in her power to survive.
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
Metacritic: 65%
IMDb: 6.2/10
Duration: 99m
Genre: Horror
Stars: Elizabeth Reaser, Lulu Wilson, Annalise Basso
Directed by: Mike Flanagan
A prequel to the 2014 film Ouija, Ouija: Origin of Evil follows a woman and her two daughters who conduct a fraudulent seance business. Looking to improve their act, the woman introduces a Ouija board into her sessions, unknowingly summoning a vengeful spirit looking to possess her youngest daughter. Elizabeth Reaser, Kate Siegel, and Henry Thomas star, with Mike Flanagan directing.
Old People (2022)
Rated: R
Duration: 101m
Genre: Horror
Stars: Melika Foroutan, Stephan Luca, Bianca Nawrath
Directed by: Andy Fetscher
Fearful of old age? Your terrors aren’t unfounded, friend, especially if your elder years turn out to be anything like the frightening geriatrics in director Andy Fetscher’s Old People. When Ella (Melika Foroutan) and her two children arrive home to attend her sister’s wedding, a legion of blood-hungry old folks descends upon the matrimony, hacking and slashing through anything that gets in their way. With films like Bingo Hell and now Old People, our go-to streaming platforms seem to be suggesting that we should heed the wise words of one Lloyd Christmas: Senior citizens, although slow and dangerous behind the wheel, will murder you the first chance they get.
Veronica (2017)
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rated: R
Duration: 105m
Genre: Horror
Stars: Sandra Escacena, Bruna González, Claudia Placer
Directed by: Paco Plaza
When will the world learn that using ouija boards is a surefire way to get yourself mixed up with supernatural forces that won’t leave, even when you ask them nicely? In director Paco Plaza’s Veronica, the latest victim of the ghoulish phenomena turns out to be the film’s titular character, a 15-year-old girl who begins experiencing paranormal events after going a round with the infamous ouija. Veronica is an unsettling film for sure, effectively relying on tone and atmosphere more than one would expect in crafting what could have been just another possession film.
The Day of the Lord (2020)
IMDb: 4.9/10
Duration: 93m
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stars: Juli Fàbregas, Ximena Romo, Héctor Illanes
Directed by: Santiago Alvarado
In The Day of the Lord, past demons simply won’t cease the constant plaguing of Menédez (Juli Fàbregas), a retired priest who has opted to live his remaining years in exile, as far away from his memories as possible. But an old friend comes calling with a request that would send chills down anyone’s spine: exorcise a supposed demon lurking inside the mind and body of the man’s daughter. Packed with terrifying visuals and emotive performances from the core cast, The Day of the Lord is a stellar addition to Netflix’s genre library.
Choose or Die (2022)
Metacritic: 43%
IMDb: 4.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 85m
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Science Fiction
Stars: Iola Evans, Asa Butterfield, Robert Englund
Directed by: Toby Meakins
Co-written and directed by Toby Meakins, Choose or Die stars Iola Evans as Kayla, a window-cleaning college dropout who stumbles into a world of digitized doom when she accidentally enters herself and her pal, Issac (Asa Butterfield), into the wicked world of CURS>R, an ‘80s survival horror game that meshes into reality, forcing its “players” to make life or death decisions to reach the end of the terrifying campaign. Poking a lot of fun at the gaming subculture, Choose or Die delivers a Pandora’s box of twisted tropes, and while it may be a bit much for some viewers, it’s hard not to at least appreciate the imaginative world-building of Meakins and his fellow creatives.
Incantation (2022)
IMDb: 6.9/10
Rated: R
Duration: 80m
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Stars: Elise Berggreen, Kellan Rhude, Dylan Pierce
Directed by: Eric Gibson
Here’s a solid blast of found-footage madness for you and yours to enjoy. Incantation is co-written and directed by Kevin Ko and stars Tsai Hsuan-yen as Li Ronan, a desperate mother who is suffering the consequences of accidental desecration. Years before, Li violated a sacred Chen ritual, leading her newborn daughter to be cursed by an ancient deity. With time running out, Li must now do everything in her power to lift the hex from her child before the deity consumes the innocent girl. While the narrative veers off course here and there, as a whole, Incantation is a mostly cohesive and kinetic bit of shaky-camera scariness that we bet most viewers will thoroughly enjoy.
Velvet Buzzsaw (2019)
Metacritic: 61%
IMDb: 5.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 113m
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Horror
From the writer/director of Nightcrawler, Dan Gilroy brings us another otherworldly Jake Gyllenhaal vehicle in the form of Velvet Buzzsaw, an elevated horror flick with wily, satirical undertones. Gyllenhaal plays Morf Vandewalt, an infamously discerning art critic. When Josephina (Zawe Ashton), Mort’s assistant, stumbles upon a collection of revered paintings by a deceased artist known as Vetril Dease (Alan Mandell), she brings the works to the attention of her employer and an art gallery owner (Rene Russo). But it turns out that Vetril’s paintings have a sinister “life after death” agenda, and they unleash supernatural mayhem onto all those who come into contact with the artisan’s inspired creations. A funny and gory deep dive into the world of elitist and high-browed art, Velvet Buzzsaw runs off the rails one or two times. But the end result is an ultimately original narrative and an ensemble of excitable roles honed by arresting talents.
Bird Box (2018)
Metacritic: 51%
IMDb: 6.6/10
Rated: R
Duration: 124m
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Science Fiction
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich
Directed by: Susanne Bier
Director Susanne Bier’s 2018 genre film Bird Box was released the same year as Jon Krasinski’s A Quiet Place, and both films deal with similar narrative threads — primarily, a reliance on humanity’s keen senses as a means for survival on a near-apocalyptic Planet Earth. In Bird Box, the story is about a world devastated by an omnipotently horrific presence that, if witnessed, renders a person insane and forces them into suicide. Five years after the presence first emerges, Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock), who’s caring for two children (one of which is her own), seeks salvation with the two kids, played by Vivien Lyra Blair and Julian Edwards. But in order to live, the trio must traverse a destroyed world without their ability to see. Based on the 2014 Josh Malerman novel of the same name, Bird Box presents an engaging concept that branches off into many exciting directions, and Sandra Bullock commands a relatable lead role. It’s not a perfect film by any means, but it’s definitely immersive and entertaining.
Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight (2020)
IMDb: 4.9/10
Rated: R
Duration: 102m
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Stars: Julia Wieniawa-Narkiewicz, Wiktoria Gąsiewska, Stanisław Cywka
Directed by: Bartosz M. Kowalski
In Nobody Sleeps in the Woods Tonight, B-movie chills meet modern-day, reality-driven horrors when a group of unsuspecting teenagers arrive at a wilderness retreat where ditching phones, tablets, and laptops is the name of the game. Settling into this temporary way of life, it just so happens that an inventive serial killer is stalking the campground, forcing the tech-less heroes to do battle without the aid of their treasured devices. Writer-director Bartosz M. Kowalski serves up some familiar genre fare with Nobody Sleeps, creating enough of a stir in the horror community to warrant a sequel to the original tale.
1922 (2017)
Metacritic: 70%
IMDb: 6.2/10
Rated: R
Duration: 102m
Genre: Horror, Crime, Drama
Stars: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid
Directed by: Zak Hilditch
Based on the Stephen King novella of the same name, 1922 stars Thomas Jane as Wilfred James, a Nebraskan farmer at odds with his wife, Arlette (Molly Parker), over the land he considers their livelihood. Things get real when Arlette wants to sell the acreage and move to the city, but Wilfred wants no part of his spouse’s plans, so he instead decides to murder her with the assistance of his teenage son (Dylan Schmid). With the crime in the bag, local authorities become suspicious of Mrs. James’ disappearance, forcing the guilty son into a state of hysteria as the psychological weight of his misdeed weighs heavy on him. Powered by a compelling story and strong performances from its core cast, 1922 may not have the dazzle and clout of heavyweight Stephen King adaptations like It or The Shining, but it’s an excellent book-to-screen entry you won’t want to miss.
The Old Ways (2020)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 5.4/10
Rated: R
Duration: 90m
Genre: Horror, Fantasy
Stars: Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés, Julian Lerma
Directed by: Christopher Alender
In The Old Ways, Brigitte Kali Canales stars as Cristina, a journalist operating in the deep rainforests of Veracruz. When the reporter is captured by a suspecting witch doctor and forced into a number of sacred rituals to exorcise the evils inside her, Cristina must fight against her captor with everything she’s got in order to stay alive. A unique take on the typical “exorcism” sub-genre, The Old Ways delivers solid chills and surprises by effectively leaning on its close-quartered jungle environments and primitive religious practices.
Blood Red Sky (2021)
Metacritic: 43%
IMDb: 6.1/10
Rated: R
Duration: 121m
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Action
Stars: Peri Baumeister, Carl Anton Koch, Kais Setti
Directed by: Peter Thorwarth
After a band of terrorists hijack a transatlantic flight, their goal is to collect a handsome ransom. What they weren’t expecting was that two of the onboard passengers possess a dark gift that could spell big trouble for both the travelers and their captors. If you can imagine the claustrophobic thrills of Red Eye crossing paths with the vampire sub-genre, you’re halfway home to unpacking the tantalizing horrors of Blood Red Sky, a great horror film set in the sky.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)
Metacritic: 34%
IMDb: 4.8/10
Rated: R
Duration: 81m
Genre: Horror
Stars: Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham
Directed by: David Blue Garcia
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a franchise that has seen many peaks and valleys through its near-50-year saga. The latest entry, 2022’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre, is a direct sequel to the 1974 original film, ignoring all the other titles in the franchise. Our story follows Dante (Jacob Latimore), a social media influencer, and his close-knit band of friends. Arriving in a small Texas town that they plan to gentrify (much to the chagrin of the remaining locals), what the posse of pals doesn’t plan for is the emergence of a chainsaw-wielding brute that isn’t ready to vacate a dilapidated orphanage. While it lacks some of the tension-building and sensible character motivations of other Chainsaw flicks, this straight-to-Netflix iteration brings bold slasher sensibilities, exciting camera work, and an inventive (if not challenged) storyline to the fold.
No One Gets Out Alive (2021)
Metacritic: 43%
IMDb: 5.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 85m
Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery
Stars: Cristina Rodlo, Marc Menchaca, David Figlioli
Directed by: Santiago Menghini
When Ambar (Cristina Rodlo) takes up residence at at a boardinghouse in Cleveland, her new living quarters prove troublesome. Encountering unplanned money issues, Ambar has no choice but to confront her landlord, a mysterious man named Red (Marc Menchaca) — a confrontation that plummets Ambar down a rabbit hole of ancient, sacrificial terrors. A stunning feature debut from director Santiago Menghini, No One Gets Out Alive is a visceral and haunting film that effectively leans on genre tropes to tell its story of a single fish in a big, terrifying new city.
A Classic Horror Story (2021)
IMDb: 5.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 95m
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery, Comedy
Stars: Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Francesco Russo, Peppino Mazzotta
Directed by: Roberto De Feo, Paolo Strippoli
Elisa (Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz) isn’t having the greatest days of late. On her way to Calabria with folks she’s never met before (her travels are arranged through a rideshare app), the RV ends up getting wrecked and one of the passengers injured. What’s more peculiar is that when Elisa awakens the next morning, she discovers that she and her fellow travelers are stranded in the woods. Soon after, the members of a mysterious cult descend on the wayward companions, forcing everyone to fight for their lives.
There's Someone Inside Your House (2021)
Metacritic: 45%
IMDb: 4.8/10
Rated: R
Duration: 96m
Genre: Thriller, Horror, Mystery
Stars: Sydney Park, Théodore Pellerin, Asjha Cooper
Directed by: Patrick Brice
Makani (Sydney Park) relocates from Hawaii to rural Nebraska, moving in with her grandmother to finish high school. All is normal until a sadistic killer emerges from the woodwork, terrorizing his victims with masks identical to their faces. It’s only a matter of time before the psychopath reaches Makani and those surrounding her. A decent slasher with enough scares to keep us all watching, There’s Someone Inside Your House owes plenty to genre kingpins like Scream and even Happy Death Day — although these other two films are a notch or two better in a few ways.
Coming Home in the Dark (2021)
Metacritic: 64%
IMDb: 5.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 93m
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Stars: Daniel Gillies, Erik Thomson, Miriama McDowell
Directed by: James Ashcroft
From first-time writer-director James Ashcroft comes Coming Home in the Dark. When Alan, his wife, and two stepsons opt for a coastline retreat, their weekend of paradise becomes a masterful nightmare when two men known as Mandrake (Daniel Gillies) and Tubs (Matthias Luafutu) crash their little vacation. A seemingly innocuous encounter with the drifters soon turns malevolent, especially as the family realizes that this chance encounter may have been in the works for over two decades. A powerful debut with standout performances, particularly from Gillies, Coming Home in the Dark is sure to make us all think twice about hitting the beaches.
Don't Listen (2020)
IMDb: 6.1/10
Rated: R
Duration: 98m
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stars: Rodolfo Sancho, Ramón Barea, Nerea Barros
Directed by: Ángel Gómez Hernández
Don’t Listen stars Rodolfo Sancho as Daniel, a husband and father that is moving into a new home with his family. In the wake of an unforeseen tragedy, a grieving Daniel begins to experience paranormal events in his new home. Seeking out a paranormal expert to get to the root of the supernatural occurrences, what Daniel will discover will change his life forever. A creepy and foreboding haunted house chiller, Don’t Listen will have listening for every creak in your home a little extra carefully.
The 8th Night (2021)
IMDb: 5.3/10
Rated: PG-13
Duration: 115m
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror
Stars: Lee Sung-min, Nam Da-reum, Park Hae-jun
Directed by: Kim Tae-hyoung
Nothing says “tantalizing fear” like the laid-on-thick stylings of a Korean horror film, and director Tae-Hyung Kim’s The 8th Night is no exception to this frightful formula. Following a once-exorcist-turned-monk named Park Jin-soo, the man is called upon by the Buddhist faith to do battle against a horrific ancient-evil — a centuries-old demon that is possessing humans and wreaking havoc. Filled with unusual shocks and beholden to an ultra-haunting atmosphere, The 8th Night is a spine-tingler for sure and a film you don’t want to miss.
Malevolent (2018)
IMDb: 4.8/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Horror
Cast: Florence Pugh, Ben Lloyd-Hughes, Celia Imrie
Perusing the annals of the top streaming platforms, there’s a number of documentaries that chronicle the rise and fall of major startups — scam-artists that finally pay their penance. Such a premise is at play in the 2018 Netflix original, Malevolent. Starring Florence Pugh (Midsommar, Black Widow) and Ben Lloyd-Hughes as a fraudulent paranormal-investigation duo, the brother-sister team is called to a supposedly haunted estate to carry out their con-artist workflow — a job that takes a wicked turn when the decrepit homestead has plans of its own. A chilling haunted-house flick that doesn’t break the mold but lives comfortably in the confines of the tropes that laid its foundation, Malevolent is a fun plunge into a world of creepy whispers, slamming doors, and disturbed psyches turning on our main characters.
Oxygen (2021)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: TV-14
Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller, Horror
Cast: Mélanie Laurent, Mathieu Amalric, Malik Zidi
The director of The Hills Have Eyes (2006), Horns, and Crawl, Alexandra Aja takes a deep plunge into the popular crossover world of horror-meets-sci-fi with 2021’s Oxygen. The film stars Mélanie Laurent as Elizabeth Hansen, a woman who wakes up in a cryogenic pod with depleting oxygen levels, with no clue about how she got there. As the air pours out of her cell, Liz must fight to reclaim any semblance of who she is and why she’s been in a cryo-induced slumber. While the narrative may not be entirely fresh, you’ll want to watch Oxygen for the breathtaking lead performance from Mélanie Laurent, an actor who brings mighty chops to a role that a run-of-the-mill talent could easily phone in.
Fear Street: 1994 (2021)
Metacritic: 67%
IMDb: 8.7/10
Rated: R
Duration: 107m
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Stars: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr.
Directed by: Leigh Janiak
Based on the R.L. Stine book series of the same name, the Netflix adaptation encompasses three films, kicking off with Part One: 1994. Our story follows Deena Johnson (Kiana Madeira) of Shadyside, a community plagued by a history of horrific murders. Many locals believe this to be the result of a hex from an ancient witch named Sarah Fier, but Deena doesn’t buy into the mythos. That is until several of Shadyside’s most wicked begin enacting savage acts upon the small town, thrusting Deena and her friends into an all-out fight for survival. An effective slasher and faithful homage to its source material, you can enjoy all three legs of the Fear Street chronology on Netflix.
Things Heard & Seen (2021)
Metacritic: 49%
IMDb: 5.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Drama, Thriller
Cast: Amanda Seyfried, James Norton, Natalia Dyer
After relocating to the Hudson Valley from Manhattan, the Clare family takes up residence in an antique farmhouse. Enamored by his new teaching position (the reason for the family’s move), George Clare (James Norton) all but abandons his wife and daughter and begins a lusty affair with one of his students. Catherine (Amanda Seyfried) spends her days at their new home, feeling isolated and increasingly haunted by a presence roaming throughout. As a host of otherworldly apparitions and artifacts begin making themselves known to Catherine, George’s own skeletons begin creeping up on him and his family. A movie less about ghosts than the disintegration of one American household, Things Heard & Seen presents an atmospheric home and the helpless victims doomed to walk its halls forever.
Army of the Dead (2021)
Metacritic: 57%
IMDb: 5.8/10
Rated: R
Duration: 148m
Genre: Action, Adventure, Horror, Crime
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick
Directed by: Zack Snyder
Zack Synder’s Army of the Dead finds the DC Comics auteur back in his horror stomping grounds (Synder’s breakout hit was 2004’s Dawn of the Dead remake). Set in a zombie-ravaged present day, the film follows Scott Ward (Dave Bautista), an ex-pat living on the fringes of a desolate Las Vegas. When handed the opportunity of a lifetime by casino magnate Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada) — break into the quarantine zone to make off with a large surplus of cash before the city is nuked — the anti-hero assembles a wrecking team of hardened warriors and experts to carry out the heist with. A massively staged amalgamation of action and horror, the carnage is abundant and the story is rich for Synder’s return to the world of the undead.
#Alive (2020)
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: TV-MA
Genre: Action, Drama, Horror
Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye
When hordes of the undead have taken over, sometimes the only thing left to do is hole up and pray for better days. In #Alive, Yoo Ah-in stars as Oh Joon-woo, a stranded survivor of a zombie overtaking. Sanctioned off in his apartment and cut off from any kind of communication, all hope seems lost when Joon-woo discovers his family is gone. That is until a red dot from a laser pointer lands in his apartment. With the promise of another survivor nearby, Joon-woo picks himself up and attempts to find a way out of his hell-infested residence. Fast-paced, packed with gore, and gripping performances, #Alive unearths terrors in big and surprising ways through its hour-plus runtime.
The Block Island Sound (2021)
IMDb: 5.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 103m
Genre: Horror, Science Fiction
Stars: Michaela McManus, Chris Sheffield, Neville Archambault
Directed by: Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus
When unexplained phenomena begin plaguing the island and surrounding waters of Block Island, Harry (Chris Sheffield), the son of a fisherman, and Audry (Michaela McManus), an Environmental Protection agent and Harry’s sister, are put on the trail of a mysterious and malevolent force. Premiering at the Fantasia International Film Festival, The Block Island Sound spends its time building a lush atmosphere of dread, a moody tone buttressed by believable performances from the main ensemble and tactful directing on the part of Kevin and Matthew McManus.
His House (2020)
Metacritic: 72%
IMDb: 6.5/10
Rated: R
Duration: 93m
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Stars: Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, Matt Smith
Directed by: Remi Weekes
A powerful debut from director Remi Weekes, His House follows Bol (Sope Dirisu) and Rial (Wunmi Mosaku), a South-Sudan couple fleeing their war-torn confines across the English Channel. Suffering a hardship on their way across the water, the pair are granted probational asylum in Britain. Settling into a shanty tenement unit, Bol does what he can to acclimate to U.K. culture as Rial clings to her Sudanian roots. When a series of haunting entities make themselves known to the couple, Bol and Rial begin to question their own sanity as they grapple with the torments and stigma of refugees. A well-balanced amalgamation of social commentary meets unsettling horror film, His House is an absolute must-see.
Apostle (2018)
Metacritic: 62%
IMDb: 6.3/10
Rated: R
Duration: 130m
Genre: Horror, Mystery, History, Thriller, Drama
Stars: Dan Stevens, Michael Sheen, Lucy Boynton
Directed by: Gareth Evans
It’s 1905, and Thomas Richardson (Dan Stevens) is on a search-and-rescue mission for his own sister, Jennifer. Imprisoned and held for ransom by a religious cult on a remote Welsh island, Thomas journeys to the isle under the guise of a convert. After meeting with several cult members and learning of their less-than-lovely intentions, Thomas is plunged headfirst into a mad world of blood sacrifice and a dark mythos brought to life. Filled with nightmarish imagery, impressive acting, and a hearty story, Apostle is a breathtaking addition to the folk horror sub-genre.
