When the lights dim and the eerie music begins, there’s no denying the thrill of watching a spine-chilling horror movie. If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ve probably scoured the internet for the best horror movies on Netflix. Well, look no further! In this comprehensive guide, we’ve curated a list of the most terrifying, heart-pounding, and captivating horror films currently streaming on Netflix. Get ready for sleepless nights and nail-biting experiences as we delve into the dark world of horror cinema.
1. The Haunting of Hill House (2018)
The Haunting of Hill House is a modern reimagining of the Shirley Jackson novel of the same name. It follows the Crain family, who move into a haunted house in order to renovate it and sell it. However, they soon begin to experience paranormal phenomena, and the house begins to take a toll on their mental and emotional health.
2. His House (2020)
His House is a British horror film written and directed by Remi Weekes in his directorial debut. It stars Sope Dirisu and Wunmi Mosaku as a South Sudanese refugee couple who flee to England and are granted asylum. However, they find themselves struggling to adjust to their new life and to each other, as they are haunted by the traumas of their past.
3. Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation is a science fiction psychological horror film written and directed by Alex Garland, based on the 2014 novel of the same name by Jeff VanderMeer. It stars Natalie Portman as a biologist who leads a team of explorers into a mysterious quarantined zone known as the “Shimmer”, where the laws of nature do not apply.
4. Gerald’s Game (2017)
Gerald’s Game is a American psychological horror thriller film directed and edited by Mike Flanagan, and written by Flanagan with Jeff Howard. It is based on Stephen King’s 1992 novel of the same title. The film stars Carla Gugino and Bruce Greenwood as a married couple who arrive at an isolated house for a holiday. When the husband dies of a sudden heart attack, his wife, left handcuffed to the bed without the key and with little hope of rescue, must find a way to survive, all while battling her inner demons.
5. The Ritual (2017)
The Ritual is a British horror film directed by David Bruckner and written by Joe Barton, based on the 2011 novel of the same name by Adam Nevill. The film stars Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, Sam Troughton, and Paul Reid as a group of four friends who embark on a hiking trip through the remote Swedish wilderness, only to be stalked by a malevolent presence.
After the tragic death of their friend Robert, four college friends decide to hike through the remote Swedish wilderness to honor his memory. But as they venture deeper into the forest, they realize that they are not alone. A sinister presence begins to stalk them, and they soon find themselves fighting for their survival against a terrifying creature from Norse mythology.
The Ritual is a chilling and suspenseful horror film that explores themes of grief, loss, and the primal fear of the unknown. It is a well-crafted film with impressive visuals and a cast that delivers strong performances.
6. Apostle (2018)
Apostle is a British horror film written, directed, and produced by Gareth Evans. It stars Dan Stevens, Michael Sheen, Lucy Boynton, Paul Higgins, and Mark Lewis Jones. The film follows Thomas Richardson (Stevens), a man who travels to a remote Welsh island in 1905 to rescue his sister Jennifer (Boynton), who has been kidnapped by a mysterious cult.
Upon arriving on the island, Thomas discovers that the cult is led by the charismatic Prophet Malachi (Sheen), who claims to be able to communicate with the dead. Thomas also learns that the cult is engaged in a number of disturbing practices, including human sacrifice.
As Thomas investigates his sister’s kidnapping, he begins to uncover the dark secrets of the cult and its leader. He also finds himself questioning his own faith and sanity as he descends into the island’s depths.
Apostle is a dark and atmospheric horror film that explores themes of faith, fanaticism, and the nature of evil. It is a visually stunning film with a haunting score, and it features strong performances from its cast.
7. The Platform (2019)
The Platform is a Spanish dystopian thriller film directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. It stars Iván Massagué, Antonia San Juan, Zorion Eguileor, Emilio Buale, and Alexandra Masangkay.
The film is set in a vertical self-management center, where the residents are divided into two levels each month. A platform filled with food descends from the top floor to the bottom floor, stopping for two minutes on each level. The residents on the upper levels eat first, leaving less and less food for those on the lower levels.
Goreng (Massagué) volunteers to spend six months in the facility in exchange for a diploma. He is assigned to level 48, where he meets his cellmate Trimagasi (Eguileor). Trimagasi explains the rules of the facility and warns Goreng that the platform is never full by the time it reaches the lower levels.
As Goreng descends through the facility, he witnesses the brutality and despair of the other residents. He also learns more about the facility’s administration and their experiments on the residents.
8. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
The Killing of a Sacred Deer is a psychological thriller film directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. It stars Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, Barry Keoghan, Raffey Cassidy, Bill Camp, and Alicia Silverstone. The film follows a successful surgeon who becomes involved in a dangerous game with a teenage boy who claims to be cursed.
The Killing of a Sacred Deer was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $47 million worldwide. It was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival and won the Grand Jury Prize.
The film has been praised for its performances, direction, and screenplay. It has also been criticized for its slow pace and disturbing content.
9. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
The Conjuring 2 is a supernatural horror film directed by James Wan and starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. The film is loosely based on the Warrens’ real-life investigation of the Enfield Poltergeist, one of the most documented cases of poltergeist activity in history.
The film opens in 1976 with the Warrens investigating the Amityville murders, a case that left them shaken and traumatized. They decide to take a break from their work, but when they are contacted by Peggy Hodgson, a single mother of four who claims that her home in Enfield, England is haunted, they agree to help.
Upon arriving at the Hodgson home, the Warrens discover that the family is being terrorized by a malevolent spirit that is targeting the youngest daughter, Janet. The spirit is able to manipulate objects, move furniture, and even possess Janet, forcing her to speak in tongues and levitate.
As the Warrens investigate further, they realize that the spirit is more powerful than anything they have ever encountered before. They must use all of their skills and experience to defeat the spirit and save Janet and her family.
10. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is a supernatural horror film written and directed by Ari Aster in his directorial debut. Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, and Ann Dowd star as a grieving family haunted by mysterious and increasingly terrifying forces after the death of their matriarch.
The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $79 million worldwide against a budget of $10 million. It was praised for its acting, direction, screenplay, atmosphere, and scares. Hereditary was nominated for seven Independent Spirit Awards, including Best Feature, Best Director, and Best Actress for Collette, winning for Best Cinematography and Best Editing. It was also nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
Conclusion:
With Netflix constantly updating its library, it’s important to stay in the know when it comes to the best horror movies available. This handpicked selection of spine-chilling films will keep you up at night, questioning what’s lurking in the shadows. Whether you’re a horror aficionado or new to the genre, these movies are sure to satisfy your craving for fear and suspense.