Best Horror Movies to Watch on Netflix

Netflix knows how to keep you up at night. From psychological chills and modern creepypasta vibes to old-school horror and Spanish films that seriously know what they’re doing. The real struggle? Picking what to watch first (and making sure you’ve got popcorn ready).

This list is packed with movies that are perfect for a night of suspense, jump scares, or just that deliciously creepy feeling only a good horror flick can deliver.
Warning: these won’t guarantee you’ll sleep with the lights off—but they will make you peek under the bed before calling it a night.

Verónica (2017)

A Spanish gem with a suffocating atmosphere that pulls you in from the start. Loosely based on real events, Verónica dives into the paranormal world of a teenager messing around with a Ouija board—where ghosts quickly turn into something way more terrifying than just a spooky game.

The vibe, the sounds, the silence… everything works together to build that lingering unease you can’t shake off. Don’t expect cheap jump scares or predictable setups: the fear here seeps in slowly, through subtle music and those tense moments when you know something’s about to happen. If you’re into horror that takes its time and knows how to crank up the dread, this one sticks with you.

Sister Death (2023)

This one’s got a more modern twist: a mix of supernatural horror and folklore with a touch of urban suspense. Sister Death plays with the uncanny hiding in everyday places—churches, rituals, voices that have no business being there. It’s backed up with solid production and that eerie sense that something’s lurking right behind the mirror.

What really works is the slow-build tension. No need for loud, cheap jump scares—this is all about the wait, the creeping chills, and the shivers you feel in advance. Perfect if you like your horror to linger, making you side-eye the shadows before turning off your phone at night.

Apostle (2018)

Think gothic horror with a dark, heavy vibe: abandoned roads, ancient cults, suffocating atmosphere… Apostle gets under your skin by playing with isolation and madness. It’s not about obvious monsters, but the terror that grows from the unknown, the forgotten, the things celebrated in the dark.

Visually, it’s got some stunning moments, with an aesthetic that seriously adds to the dread. A great pick if you love when the setting itself feels scary. And if you watch it at night, lights out… even better.

The Wasteland (2022)

Here, horror gets stripped down to the basics—pure survival. Harsh landscapes, a hostile vibe, and that constant sense of danger breathing down your neck. The Wasteland blends arthouse cinema with horror, focusing less on quick scares and more on atmosphere, despair, and the way nature can make you feel tiny.

It’s not about easy jumps—it’s about that steady tension that keeps you on edge the whole time. If you’re the type who turns off the lights one by one and still feels something’s off… this one’s calling your name.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (2022)

Yep, they dragged Leatherface out of the closet again… and he came back bloodthirsty. This reboot leans on the legacy of the original saga while giving it a modern spin: influencers, creepy rural houses, and some seriously questionable choices. What hasn’t changed? The same brutal chaos as always.

This is not for the faint of heart. The horror here is raw, graphic, and relentless. If you’re looking for a deep storyline, keep scrolling. But if you’re down to scream a little and watch through your fingers, this slasher reboot serves up exactly that. Zero breathing room.

Don’t Move (2024)

One of the newest additions—and a solid contender for future cult status among thriller fans. Don’t Move builds its tension around a brutally simple concept: move, and you die. Everything else? Atmosphere, cold sweats, and life-or-death choices.

The pace never lets up. The air feels heavy, the intensity climbs every minute. It’s not full-on psychological horror, but it brings that kind of visual stress that hooks you in. Best enjoyed with someone else… or at least a pillow to cling to.

Fear Street: Prom Queen (2024)

Part of the Fear Street universe, this one leans hard into teen slasher territory with a retro ’90s aesthetic that’s trending again. Light, bloody, and fun—loaded with the classic genre ingredients: high school drama, secrets, revenge, and that constant vibe that no one’s safe.

It’s not the deepest movie out there, but it nails the “friends’ night in” vibe. Fast pace, plenty of twists, and a killer soundtrack to tie it all together. If you like horror with nostalgia and zero overthinking, this one’s got you.

Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

Three movies, three different time periods, one curse running through them all. The Fear Street Trilogy is a feast for slasher fans, jumping from the ’80s and ’90s all the way back to the 1600s. Each film has its own style, but together they make a marathon worth binging.

You get it all: brutal kills, witchcraft, messy teen relationships, and some seriously well-built settings. Think Stranger Things meets Scream—but wilder. If horror sagas are your thing, this trilogy is an easy watch that’ll pull you right in.

Under the Shadow (2016)

Iranian horror with the soul of a psychological thriller. This one feels different from most stuff you’ll find on Netflix: subtle, loaded with tension, and carrying a layer of social critique under the scares. Set in 1980s Tehran, where the fears don’t just come from the supernatural but also the political.

The atmosphere is thick, almost claustrophobic, and the fear creeps up on you without you even realizing it. It’s the kind of film that really unsettles you because you’re never sure if what’s terrifying is real… or symbolic. Highly recommended if you’re craving horror that’s different, layered, and with real bite.

May the Devil Take You (2018)

If you’re into Asian horror—the kind with possessions, dark rituals, and houses you definitely shouldn’t walk into—this one’s for you. Coming out of Indonesia, May the Devil Take You doesn’t hold back: intense scenes, sharp jump scares, and a gritty aesthetic that leaves you uneasy.

It’s not your typical American-style horror. Here you get screams, blood, evil spirits, and that kind of lingering tension that sticks even after you’ve turned the TV off. Straight to the point, no breathing space. Brutal—in the best way.

Malasaña 32 (2020)

One of Spain’s strongest horror entries in recent years. Malasaña 32 mixes paranormal terror with family drama, all set in a 1970s Madrid apartment building that looks creepy enough on its own. It’s one of those movies where you know something’s off… but you can’t quite tell what.

It doesn’t reinvent the genre, but it does what it promises: scares, dark hallways, kids with that unsettling stare, and doors that open on their own. Perfect if you love haunted house stories with a local twist and a couple of neat surprises.

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Yep, Stephen King again—but when it’s done right, it’s done right. This story doesn’t rely on outside monsters. The horror comes from being trapped—literally—and forced to wrestle with your own inner demons. The tension here is more mental than physical, but just as effective.

Carla Gugino absolutely nails the lead role, and the film keeps ratcheting up the intensity as the situation grows more desperate. One of those stories that sticks with you because of its concept, its discomfort… and how well it’s told.

[REC] (2007)

A modern classic. [REC] is hands down one of the most effective horror films Spain has ever produced. Shot in found-footage style, it cranks up the tension until you don’t even know where the next scare is coming from.

What begins as a simple report on firefighters spirals into a claustrophobic nightmare inside a cursed apartment building. And while the formula’s been copied countless times since, none have nailed it with the same intensity. If you haven’t seen it yet… what are you waiting for?

Get Out (2017)

More than horror, this one’s horror with a message. Get Out is social critique wrapped in a psychological thriller, packed with moments that make you squirm and others that keep you glued to the edge of your seat. The unease comes from the atmosphere, not from monsters.

Jordan Peele makes you question things while keeping your eyes locked on the screen. The script is sharp, the direction subtle, and that final twist… speechless. It’s one of those films that transcends the genre and keeps you thinking long after the credits roll.