Halloween may be months away, but the spooky season never ends for horror fans. Thanks to streaming services, a good scary movie is only a few button clicks away. This is even true on the ever-shifting digital library of Netflix.
What are the best horror movies on Netflix?
There’s no shortage of options for horror movies on Netflix, though the selection is constantly changing. You’ll find multiple novel adaptations, slasher flicks, psychological thrillers, and just about everything in between. No matter where your taste in horror falls, there’s something here for you on the following chronological list.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Night of the Living Dead may be the single-most influential horror film in history. The story redefined the zombie in modern folklore, as the film itself established a template for independent horror production. Many film historians have argued that the slasher films of the 1970s and 1980s would not have existed without George A. Romero‘s first feature-length horror movie. It is also notable as a rare movie of the time to feature a Black protagonist.
Scream (1996)
Wes Craven was the master of movies that blended horror and humor and Scream was arguably his magnum opus. The movie, based around a masked killer targeting suburban teens, seems like typical slasher fare at first. However, the smart script plays off the usual horror movie tropes to comic effect. This sets up the twisted reveal that the killer is literally playing by the rules that every masked maniac must follow in an effective fictional thriller. This formula set up a long-running franchise, which just released its seventh film.
Saw (2004)
Saw kicked off what is arguably the single-most successful horror franchise of the 21st century. Beyond the long-running series of films, it has inspired video games, a theme-park ride, and a surge in escape room businesses. The first film is also notable as the directorial debut of noted horror director James Wan.
Gerald’s Game (2017)
Gerald’s Game was the first Stephen King story that Mike Flanagan adapted into a movie. Long considered unfilmable, the story centers around Jessie (Carla Gugino), whose husband has a heart attack while pursuing a bondage fantasy. Dehydrated and desperate as she contemplates her own impending death, Jessie begins having vivid hallucinations that leave her confronting her past and fighting for a future. The movie was praised both for Flanagan’s thrilling direction and Gugino’s performance.
1922 (2017)
Based on Stephen King’s 2010 novella of the same name, 1922 is a classic example of slow-burning psychological horror. Wilfred James (Thomas Jane) is a farmer in rural Nebraska, who conspires to murder his wife (Molly Parker) after she proposes selling their land and moving to the city. Though the crime initially appears to solve his problems, paranoia soon takes hold. As strange occurrences begin to plague Wilfred and his son, it becomes clear that some sins refuse to stay buried.
Bird Box (2018)
Based on the debut novel of Josh Malerman, Bird Box presented a different take on the unseen monster genre of horror. The movie takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, where unseen entities inspire anyone who sees them to kill themselves. This leaves the blindfolded survivors stumbling through a world of darkness. While some criticized the film for not living up to the book, most credited the ensemble cast with selling the concept and making the movie worth watching.
Fall (2022)
Some may question the inclusion of Fall on a list of horror movies. There is no crazed killer or murder mystery. However, for those who are afraid of heights, this survival psychological thriller holds a special level of terror. Beyond that, there is the story of two best friends, ironically trapped on a 2000-foot-high broadcast tower, with no way of contacting anyone. As their ordeal endures, both women are forced to confront their darkest secrets, even as they struggle to escape and survive.
Run Rabbit Run (2023)
Shortly after turning 7, a little girl named Mia begins to act strangely. She starts wearing a rabbit mask and hiding in enclosed places. She starts drawing disturbing images on her homework. Perhaps most strange of all, she begins insisting that her name is Alice and that she is her mother’s sister. This is particularly troubling, as mother Sarah did have a sister named Alice, who died when she was seven. This setup makes Run Rabbit Run perhaps the greatest horror movie ever based on the fear of children acting strangely.
Tomb Watcher (2025)
A recent import from Thailand, Tomb Watcher puts a new spin on the haunted house horror genre. The story centers around Cheev and his mistress, Rossukhon, who travel to the villa owned by Cheev’s late wife, Lunthom. They find Lunthom’s body in a glass coffin and discover the conditions of her will. In order to inherit her fortune, Cheev must stay in the villa for 100 days with her body. This leads to supernatural and psychological horror, as the guilty Rossukhon starts to fear Lunthom is seeking revenge for ruining her dreams of a perfect marriage from beyond the grave.
Frankenstein (2025)
If you only think of Frankenstein’s Monster as a green-skinned giant with bolts in his neck, watch this one and prepare to be educated. Released last fall, this Gothic adaptation of Mary Shelley’s classic novel leans more toward the beautiful than the frightening. This is exactly what you’d expect under the visionary direction of Guillermo del Toro. There’s is much to praise in this movie, but nothing confirms the film’s impact more than this. As of April 2026, it has earned over 60 film awards and honors from various festivals and governing boards. This includes the Oscars and BAFTAs for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Makeup and Hair Styling. Actor Jacob Elordi also nabbed a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and an AACTA Award for his performance as the Creature.
How we picked the best Horror Movies on Netflix in April 2026
Staying power and legacy were the main criteria in assembling this list of the best horror movies on Netflix. Priority was given to the first films in long-running franchises and award-winners. Beyond that, some movies were chosen for the pedigree of the creative talents behind the movie. However, an effort was also made to present a variety of horror, from slasher flicks to psychological works.
