Movies

The Best Horror Movies on Netflix Right Now

BBG News

As a child of the ’80s and ’90s, the chilling tales from Alvin Schwartz’s “Scary Stories” books were a staple of my nightmares. The recent film adaptation, “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” brought back those haunting memories with a modern twist. It’s a nostalgic trip down memory lane, albeit not necessarily a terrifying one.

Here we go again with the chilling time of year! For numerous folks, this means settling in on the plush couch, either subduing the lights for a more eerie ambiance or cranking them up high for maximum illumination, and then getting ready to immerse yourself in a spine-tingling scary movie. With so many options available, though, it might be challenging to decide which horror films are truly worth your precious viewing time.

Fortunately, Netflix offers a diverse array of high-quality movies right now, ranging from timeless masterpieces such as Psycho and Jaws to contemporary horror flicks like Pearl and Thanksgiving. There’s also the chance to revisit favorite franchises with Evil Dead Rise and the 2018 version of Halloween. Regardless of whether you find these films genuinely chilling, delightfully cheesy, or a mix of both, they promise an engaging viewing experience that is sure to be enjoyable.

So, without further ado, here are the 15 best horror movies to watch on Netflix right now.

Pearl (2022)

The sequel-prequel to writer-director Ti West’s 2022 grindhouse tribute, X, and predecessor to its 2024 sequel MaXXXine, is often praised as the standout of the lauded slasher trilogy. Mia Goth delivers a captivating performance as Pearl, a farm girl in rural Texas who feels suffocated at home under the watchful eyes of her controlling mother (Tandi Wright) and ailing father (Matthew Sunderland). While her husband, Howard (Alistair Sewell), is away serving in World War I, Pearl harbors dreams of stardom in Hollywood. Unfortunately for those around her, anyone she sees as an obstacle to her urban ambitions meets an untimely end.

Halloween (2018)

The two follow-ups, “Halloween Kills” and “Halloween Ends”, might have fallen short of expectations. However, when filmmaker David Gordon Green reintroduced the iconic characters Michael Myers (portrayed by Nick Castle and James Jude Courtney) and Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) in a reboot set 40 years after John Carpenter’s original 1978 masterpiece, it led to one of the highest openings in horror movie history. This direct sequel to the original film, released in 2018 as “Halloween”, disregards all previous sequels and sees the relentless antagonist Michael Myers escape from prison right before embarking on a fresh Halloween night massacre in Haddonfield.

Psycho (1960)

Without a doubt, Hitchcock’s groundbreaking film, “Psycho,” transformed the horror genre like no other. Drawing inspiration from the chilling tale of real-life serial killer Ed Gein, it redefined terror with an unforgettable on-screen killing that left its mark in the annals of cinema. In this gripping black-and-white thriller, I, as a viewer, was left stunned when, spoiler alert, the seemingly central character, Janet Leigh’s Marion Crane, met her untimely end at the Bates Motel, barely halfway through the story. The chilling aftermath of this murder revealed that the fear of a seemingly ordinary person hiding a monster within could be far more terrifying than any supernatural creature, be it vampires, aliens, or otherwise.

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)

It wasn’t until this year’s debut of “Longlegs” that writer-director Osgood Perkins earned mainstream acclaim, though he has been crafting chilling films for almost a decade. In his eerie, gothic horror film “I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House“, Perkins weaves an unsettling story about a timid live-in nurse (Ruth Wilson) who takes care of a dementia-stricken author (Paula Prentiss) of horror novels, residing in a secluded house. As you might expect, strange occurrences start happening at night within the author’s isolated dwelling.

As Above, So Below (2014)

As a film enthusiast, I can’t wait to delve into the chilling tale of archaeologist Scarlett Marlowe (Perdita Weeks) and her team as they venture deep within the Catacombs of Paris in pursuit of Nicolas Flamel’s Philosopher’s Stone – an ancient artifact rumored to bestow eternal life. However, little do they know that they have unwittingly stepped into a nightmare beyond words. John Erick Dowdle’s underestimated found-footage production promises to be a nerve-wracking roller coaster ride that will leave you shuddering with an intense feeling of dread.

Thanksgiving (2023)

You might not immediately associate Thanksgiving with horror movies, but Eli Roth’s festive slasher could change your mind about this holiday’s place in modern scary cinema. Originating from Roth’s fictional trailer within 2007’s Grindhouse, the exaggerated and humorous Thanksgiving follows the grisly activities of a serial killer disguised as Pilgrim John Carver, who embarks on a violent spree through Plymouth, Massachusetts, following a deadly Black Friday riot at the town’s local store.

The Babadook (2014)

In a unique interpretation, some view the Babadook from Jennifer Kent’s acclaimed film as both a symbol of grief and an unintentional queer icon. Regardless, there’s no arguing that this top-hat donning monster, debuting in Kent’s feature directorial launch in 2014, left an indelible mark on popular culture within the horror genre. The psychological thriller, which revolves around a grieving mother and her child being tormented by the film’s titular creature, has been lauded as a “thrilling rollercoaster of fright” and “the top horror movie of this century.” It frequently serves as a pivotal reference for the emergence of the popular subgenre known (occasionally contentiously) as “elevated horror.

The Birds (1963)

If you’re someone who battles ornithophobia, take caution! Known for its haunting portrayal of birds, this Hitchcock masterpiece, loosely inspired by Daphne du Maurier’s 1952 short story, unfolds in a coastal California town where the seemingly peaceful avian inhabitants suddenly and mysteriously turn aggressive. Although some special effects might appear dated now, the gripping narrative of nature’s rebellion—orchestrated by Tippi Hedren’s stylish San Francisco socialite Melanie Daniels and Rod Taylor’s charming defense attorney Mitch Brenner—remains as chilling and timeless as ever.

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Over four decades since Sam Raimi’s cherished horror masterpiece graced our screens, and following Fede Álvarez’s chilling 2013 reimagining, the latest Evil Dead film ushers in an intense new phase of the enduring Book of the Dead tale. Directed by Lee Cronin, this gory spectacle finds malevolent entities called Deadites taking control of a hard-pressed single mother of three, Ellie (Alyssa Sutherland), while her separated sister Beth (Lily Sullivan) is staying with them in their rundown LA high-rise. This film may not be for the faint of heart.

Annabelle (2014)

Prior to the creation of M3GAN, there was Annabelle. Although her AI-enhanced successor is far more advanced, the doll from the Conjuring universe is notably more haunting. Shortly following her debut in the initial film of the series, she received a standalone spinoff. The movie “Annabelle” centers around a couple whose antique doll is taken over by a malevolent spirit after a group of satanic cultists intrude upon their home. This sets the stage for a prequel narrative that bears striking resemblance to Roman Polanski’s 1968 horror masterpiece, “Rosemary’s Baby.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)

For kids who grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, the spine-tingling fear from the three “Scary Stories” books might feel familiar. However, for those who have longed to witness author Alvin Schwartz and illustrator Stephen Gammell’s chilling partnership come alive on the big screen, director André Øvredal has a movie just for you. Titled “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark,” this film adapts six original tales, such as “Harold,” “The Big Toe,” and “The Dream,” into a single narrative that offers a dose of nostalgia rather than pure terror.

Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

Move past the disappointing first version of Ouija, as horror master Mike Flanagan took over for a prequel that revitalized the spirit board series. In 1967 Los Angeles, the movie Origin of Evil centers around a widow (Elizabeth Reaser) and her two daughters (Lulu Wilson and Annalise Basso). They decide to incorporate what they consider an innocent Ouija board into their family’s fake medium act, leading to very ominous consequences.

Unfriended (2015)

The story unfolds entirely on one computer screen in director Levan Gabriadze’s online revenge thriller, “Unfriended.” This chilling film serves as a grisly contemplation on the dangers of cyberbullying. It chronicles six teenagers whose chatroom is invaded by a vengeful supernatural force seeking retribution for their part in the suicide of a classmate who passed away a year prior.

Jaws (1975)

♫ D-dun, d-dun… D-dun, d-dun… If you’ve ever watched the classic film Jaws, you might find that just recognizing John Williams’ famous theme music sends a shiver up your spine. Directed by Steven Spielberg, this chilling story about a man-eating great white shark on a killing spree in the seas near the fictional tourist destination of Amity Island was so effective that some researchers think it may have instilled an unwarranted fear of sharks in many people. Swimming in the ocean just hasn’t felt quite the same since then.

Creep (2014)

Under the seemingly peculiar creativity of Mark Duplass, we have an exceptionally chilling addition to the horror genre – the low-budget film titled “Creep.” The story revolves around a struggling videographer named Aaron (Patrick Brice), who responds to a Craigslist job posting for filming final messages at a remote cabin in the San Bernardino Mountains, for a terminally ill cancer patient Josef (Duplass). Initially, Josef seems to desire a video diary for his unborn child, but his unsettling actions gradually suggest a sinister intention. This suspenseful found-footage game of cat and mouse doesn’t require any graphic violence to make you feel as if you should keep one eye open while sleeping.

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2024-10-18 21:08

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