Halloween is right around the corner, and what better way to get in the holiday spirit than by watching horror movies? With the myriad of different horror sub-genres these days, there's something for everyone to enjoy, whether it's a classic vampire tale or a more recent “found footage” blockbuster. Even people that don't enjoy gore or jump scares can easily find horror comedies or parodies to get them in the Halloween mood.
Thankfully, you can find all the horror goodness you need on Netflix. The service offers a wealth of titles that range from timeless classics to obscure indie slashers, and everywhere in-between. Plucking through the Netflix options to find a great movie can take time though, so where do you start? Here is a list of some of the essential horror films you can and should watch on Netflix. Take a look!
Saw
Saw is without a doubt an influential film in the horror genre, and was an incredibly successful solo debut from director James Wan. This beginning chapter in the Saw franchise involves a serial killer called Jigsaw playing sadistic torture games with his victims in order to give them a chance to live.
While this first installment in the series isn't gratuitously gory, it does offer some iconic yet disturbing scenes. These scenes involve saws, a shotgun, and other intense traps. This is definitely one to watch, as it was paramount in influencing the “torture” sub-genre of horror.
Children of the Corn
Based on Stephen King's book, this cult classic from 1984 holds up even to this day as a must-see. While the effects and some of the visuals will appear cheesy by our standards today, the inherent creepiness of this film is timeless. The story focuses on a cult of children with a zealous leader named Isaac, who decrees that all adults over the age of eighteen should be murdered. Two adults who get stranded in the cult's rural town have to figure out how to beat a pack of tiny sociopaths. After watching this movie, you'll never want to venture into a corn maze again.
V/H/S
This movie is a unique treat to horror buffs, because it's an anthology of horror stories in the popular “found footage” style. The whole thing is intelligently framed in the story of a group of robbers hired to steal a video tape. They have to pop in VHS tapes to find the right one, and in doing so are subjected to some truly bizarre and horrifying material.
One of the videos reveals a gory scene of a seemingly normal woman turning into a vampire-like creature and eviscerating two guys. Another of the short films shows a group of friends going to a what they thought was a Halloween party, and end up accidentally preventing the exorcism of a malevolent entity. There is some disturbing imagery in VHS, but it's unique presentation and genuine scariness make this a Netflix horror essential.
The Silence of the Lambs
There have been many sequels and spin-offs of this film, but you can't beat the original. This movie follows FBI agent Clarice Starling (played by Jodie Foster) as she attempts to pursue a serial killer. She has to pick the brain of the psychotic cannibal Hannibal Lecter to do so. This film stands out as one of the quintessential serial killer films, and the twists and turns make this an edge-of-your-seat viewing experience. Do yourself a favor and go watch it. Exercise caution though if you're getting your snack on during the movie. It might make your stomach churn.
The Awakening
You won't want to pass up this film, especially if you're in the mood for a more traditional ghost story. A woman who debunks rumors of paranormal activity is sent to a haunted boarding school, and is forced to confront things that she doesn't want to believe. You won't find a lot of hack-and-slash action or gore here, but you will find an intelligent story set in England in 1921. You can't ask for a much better horror setting than a huge creepy school, and the film's muted color scheme really helps to set the tone. You'll have to stay awake and alert to get the most out of The Awakening, so make sure you don't have noisy friends around while you watch it.
The Babadook
Don't watch this movie on a full bladder, because...well, you'll see. The Babadook is an absolutely terrifying Australian film about a boy who finds a creepy children's book, and his mother's battle with the titular entity that comes with it. This indie gem has proven it's mastery over the idea that what you can't see is scarier than what you can see. There is fair share of disturbing imagery and nerve-wracking spooks, but uncertainty about what's real and what's in the mind is the key to the success of this film. It will induce that breath-holding, edge-of-your-seat experience that horror fans will love. But again, be sure to use the bathroom before turning on this movie.
Sharknado
If you've seen Sharknado, you know why it's an essential Netflix horror film. If you haven't seen it – well, you're in for a treat. This Syfy channel original is exactly what it looks it: a hilarious and bizarre movie about sharks that literally fly out of a hurricane and kill people. If it sounds terrible, that's because it is. Based on normal film standards such as acting, plot, and so forth, this movie fails on all accounts. But Sharknado is so incredibly hilarious that you won't even care.
The CGI and effects of this movie are all incredibly cheesy and low-quality, but that's what makes it so fun to watch. Throughout the movie, sharks fly out of nowhere and chow down on the ever-dwindling cast. There is no logic or reason, and you can forget about the existence of physics for 86 minutes. But when a person succumbs to a shark, you can't help but release a torrent of laughter as thick as the titular storm itself.
Creep
Here's another indie film you might have seen while searching through Netflix. This is a “found footage” film where a videographer is hired to record the life of reclusive man that lives in a cabin. This recluse turns out to be a psychotic killer, of course.This film has plenty of suspenseful and uncomfortable moments, as are common in this sub-genre of horror. What makes Creep unique is that there are only two actors, Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass. And they pull it off, carrying the film with the believable and nuanced performances. This is definitely one to check out on Netflix.
Scream
If you haven't seen Scream, you've likely at least heard of it. Sidney Prescott and her friends are antagonized by a person in a comical ghost mask. This is the first in series that has created a legacy of satirical horror. It doesn't take itself too seriously, because past the violence and gore is a film that is self-aware of the tropes it uses. If you haven't seen it, treat yourself to a horror classic that remains relevant today.
Let The Right One In
A Swedish horror film about a child vampire? Now we're talking! Let The Right One In is the story of 12-year old boy Oskar who falls in love with a seemingly normal 12-year old girl named Eli. Except she's really a 200-year old vampire.
Oskar is often subjected to bullying, but finally has a way to strike back when he discovers the truth about Eli. Don't be fooled though by the idea of a child's romance with a vampire. This is no Twilight. There is enough graphic violence here to make even seasoned horror veterans cringe once or twice. Excited yet? I thought so.
Dead Snow
No self-respecting horror movie list would be complete without a zombie movie. But what's universally considered to be better than zombies? Nazi zombies. In Dead Snow, a group of students on a ski-trip accidentally resurrects a band of dead Nazis. Don't judge them too harshly though – it was an honest mistake.
Dead Snow is definitely a horror-comedy, and is a great flick to enjoy when you're in the mood to have a good time and not have to think too much. Enjoy this indie film for what it is: a blood-soaked romp through a snowscape infested with undead Nazis.
Rosemary's Baby
This 1968 classic is a truly disturbing film about a woman named Rosemary who becomes mysteriously pregnant with an evil entity. Rosemary and her husband Guy move into a neighborhood of questionable reputation, and are quickly surrounded by several strange occurrences. This brings them into contact with a coven that is bent on sabotaging Rosemary's body for their own purposes.
If you're skeptical about the quality of this 1968 horror film, don't worry. The movie received a staggering 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and is one of the more genuinely creepy offerings on Netflix right now. If you're willing to try a horror movie based on the merit of the plot and acting, give this one a go.
Oculus
This film isn't your average ghost tale. It revolves around a mirror that is haunted, and woman's fight to prove that a crime was committed by a paranormal force, not her brother. The interesting thing here is that the film is split into parallel stories, one focusing on the characters as kids, and one as adults. This makes for a more complex plot and a richer connection to the characters, Kaylie and Tim Russell (played by Karen Gillan and Brenton Thwaites, respectively).
Overall, Oculus is a fresh take on the haunted mirror story. It has a great look and creepy feel to it, making the film a solid choice for your pre-Halloween festivities.
With the multitude of horror movies on Netflix, it can be very tedious to sort through and find a great film that stands out. This list has compiled some of the essential ones, from horror-comedy to downright chilling paranormal tales. Have another must-see horror film? Let us know in the comments below!