Introduction
Horror fans frequently find themselves sifting through a multitude of films in Netflix’s massive catalog in quest of the next terrifying experience. It can be difficult to choose which movies are actually worth your time and capable of evoking those delectably spooky feelings when there are so many selections accessible. Do not worry; we have put together a list of the 21 scariest Netflix films right now. These movies, which range from psychological thrillers to paranormal encounters, are sure to give you the chills and keep you up at night.
1: “The Conjuring” (2013)
The Conjuring is a modern classic horror film directed by James Wan. It follows Ed and Lorraine Warren, paranormal investigators, as they battle a sinister force that is frightening a family in their farmhouse. This movie sets the bar for modern horror with its masterful suspense and horrific jump scares.
2: 2018’s “Hereditary”:
“Hereditary,” the director Ari Aster’s first feature film, is a masterwork of psychological horror. The film explores themes of bereavement, trauma, and dysfunctional families as it follows the disintegration of a family plagued by evil powers after the death of their reclusive grandma. Its truly unpleasant atmosphere and eerie pictures will shake you to your very core.
3: 2014’s “The Babadook”:
“The Babadook” by Jennifer Kent is a terrifying examination of psychological suffering and maternal horror. A single woman and her young boy will inevitably spiral into madness as they are haunted by the evil Babadook, a creature from a mysterious pop-up book. You will be having nightmares about this Australian horror classic long after the credits have rolled.
4: (2017) “Gerald’s Game”:
“Gerald’s Game,” a tight thriller that is based on Stephen King’s book, will keep you on the edge of your seat. The woman finds herself shackled to a bed in a remote cabin with no chance of escape after her spouse passes away unexpectedly after a kinky sex game goes wrong. As she confronts her inner demons and the horrors of her past, she must fight to survive against all odds.
5: “The Ritual” (2017):
David Bruckner’s film is a spine-tingling expedition into the depths of darkness. A group of pals discovers an old evil hiding in the forest while out for a hike in the wilds of Scandinavia. They have to face their worst fears when paranoia and fear set in, or else they will meet an even worse destiny than death.
6: 2015’s “The Witch”:
Robert Eggers’ feature film debut takes audiences to 1630s New England, where a very pious family falls victim to demonic possession and witchcraft. The family is torn apart by religious fanaticism and paranoia, and they are compelled to face the horror that lurks in the forests outside their remote property.
7: “Hush” (2016):
With a twist, Mike Flanagan’s thriller about a house invasion is tense and thrilling. A masked invader who wants to harass a deaf and mute writer finds her when she flees to her isolated cabin in the woods. She must use her cunning and ingenuity to outwit her attacker as she battles for her life in a deadly game of cat and mouse.
8: “The Autopsy of Jane Doe” (2016):
“The Autopsy of Jane Doe” by André Øvredal is a terrifying fusion of supernatural horror and forensic procedural. When the body of an unknown woman with no obvious cause of death is brought to the attention of a father-and-son coroner team, they quickly learn that she is hiding dark secrets from them. As they delve deeper into the mystery, they uncover a terrifying truth that threatens to consume them both.
9: “The Platform” (2019):
This dystopian thriller from Spain provides a disconcerting analysis of human nature and socioeconomic inequity. The movie, which takes place in a vertical jail where prisoners on upper floors eat while those on lower levels go hungry, centers on a guy who must fight his way through the harsh hierarchy of the institution in order to survive. He learns that the true terror is found in men’s hearts as he faces the darkest sides of humanity.
10: “Busan by Train” (2016):
“Train to Busan” by Yeon Sang-ho is a suspenseful zombie thriller that will have you gripped from beginning to end. Passengers on a high-speed train in South Korea must cooperate to withstand the terrifying onslaught of the undead when an unexpected zombie outbreak breaks out. With its relentless action and emotional depth, this film is a rollercoaster ride of terror and adrenaline.
11: “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018):
Although it is not a film, this Netflix series is deserving of a place on our list due to its horrifying depiction of otherworldly horror and familial pain. The show, which is loosely based on Shirley Jackson’s book, follows the Crain family as they deal with their tragic past and the eerie memories of their childhood home. For lovers of horror films, “The Haunting of Hill House” is a must-see because of its complex narrative and eerie atmosphere.
12: “Veronica” (2017:)
“Veronica” by Paco Plaza is a spine-tingling supernatural thriller based on real-life incidents. Using a Ouija board to try to call her father’s spirit back to life, a group of teenagers unintentionally unleashes a dangerous force that could devour them all. As the supernatural occurrences escalate, Veronica must confront the demons of her past to save herself and her family from certain doom.
13: The Perfection (2018):
“The Perfection,” a psychological thriller that defies genre norms, is a complex and mind-bending film directed by Richard Shepard. A disturbed musical prodigy drives herself to the verge of insanity by engaging in a perverse game of lies and manipulation as she seeks retribution on her former instructor. You will be left guessing till the very end of this movie because of its unexpected turns and twists.
14: “The Invitation” (2015):
A gripping and atmospheric thriller, “The Invitation” by Karyn Kusama will leave you wondering about everything. A man grows more dubious of his ex-wife’s and her new husband’s intentions and the motivations of their enigmatic guests after attending a dinner party. As paranoia takes hold and tensions reach a boiling point, he must confront the terrifying truth lurking beneath the surface.
15: “Under the Shadow” (2016):
Contextuated against the Iran-Iraq War, Babak Anvari’s “Under the Shadow” is a chilling story of paranormal fear. A mother and her little daughter must face their worst fears in order to survive as they take refuge in Tehran from bombing raids, all because of a malicious djinn. For lovers of the genre, this Iranian horror movie is a must-see because of its eerie atmosphere and outstanding performances.
16: “The Devil All the Time” (2020):
“The Devil All the Time” by Antonio Campos is a chilling Southern Gothic thriller. The movie, which is set in post-World War II America, follows a group of ethically dubious individuals as their lives become entangled in a web of corruption and bloodshed. With its dark and atmospheric storytelling, this film explores the depths of human depravity and the nature of evil itself.
17: (2018), “Apostle”
(2018) “Apostle” directed by Gareth Evans is a graphic and violent horror movie that will have you holding your breath. In an attempt to find his sister who has been abducted, a guy breaks into a remote island religious cult and discovers a dark plot that could destroy them all. This film is not for the faint of heart because of its graphic violence and disturbing visuals.