(Photo by Netflix/courtesy Everett Collection)

The 50 Best Horror Movies on Netflix

Last updated May 5, 2020

Looking for the best scary movies on Netflix? After a guided map of the most terrifying dingy dungeons, creaky manors, home-invaded houses, and deeply dark woods you can find on the streaming service? Then your search has led you to your glorious streaming doom: The 50 Best Horror Movies on Netflix!

We’ll get right to the really good scary Netflix movies you can find, such as Train to Busan, the popular South Korean zombie flick. Or A24’s The Witch, which transports viewers to 17th-century New England and into the clutches of mysterious evil. And before Jordan Peele’s update comes out, you can watch the original Candyman. And that’s alongside Netflix horror originals, like Gerald’s Game, The Platform, and Bird Box.

How did we whittle down our list of horror? We took every last scary movie on Netflix that had at least 20 reviews, and sorted them by Adjusted Tomatometer, a weighted formula that takes into account several factors, including the movie’s release year and its number of reviews. The older the movie, and the more reviews it has, the stronger its case. What emerges is a portrait of which films unnerved and spooked out critics, have the potential to get audiences’ heart racing, and maybe even broke new ground and bones for the genre. So enough delaying the inevitable: Here are the 50 best Netflix horror movies to stream and scream right now!

#50 47 Meters Down (2017) 53% #50 Adjusted Score: 59.172% Critics Consensus: 47 Meters Down doesn't take its terrifying premise quite as far as it should, but its toothy antagonists still offer a few thrills for less demanding genre enthusiasts. Synopsis: Two sisters vacationing in Mexico become trapped in a shark cage on the ocean floor. As their oxygen starts to... Two sisters vacationing in Mexico become trapped in a shark cage on the ocean floor. As their oxygen starts to... [More] Starring: Claire Holt, Yani Gellman, Matthew Modine, Santiago Segura Directed By: Johannes Roberts

#49 The Craft (1996) 55% #49 Adjusted Score: 57.764% Critics Consensus: The Craft's campy magic often overrides the feminist message at its story's core, but its appealing cast and postmodern perspective still cast a sporadic spell. Synopsis: Sarah has always been different. So as the new girl at St. Benedict's Academy, she immediately falls in with the... Sarah has always been different. So as the new girl at St. Benedict's Academy, she immediately falls in with the... [More] Starring: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True Directed By: Andrew Fleming

#43 Sinister (2012) 63% #43 Adjusted Score: 68.435% Critics Consensus: Its plot hinges on typically implausible horror-movie behavior and recycles countless genre cliches, but Sinister delivers a surprising number of fresh, diabolical twists. Synopsis: Sinister is a frightening new thriller from the producer of the Paranormal Activity films and the writer-director of The Exorcism... Sinister is a frightening new thriller from the producer of the Paranormal Activity films and the writer-director of The Exorcism... [More] Starring: Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, Fred Dalton Thompson, James Ransone Directed By: Scott Derrickson

#42 St. Agatha (2019) 64% #42 Adjusted Score: 64.181% Critics Consensus: St. Agatha makes admittedly uneven use of its story's well-worn religious tropes, but the overall effect may still be just chilling enough for horror fans. Synopsis: It's the 1950's in small town Georgia, a pregnant con woman on the run seeks refuge in a convent hidden... It's the 1950's in small town Georgia, a pregnant con woman on the run seeks refuge in a convent hidden... [More] Starring: Sabrina Kern, Carolyn Hennesy, Courtney Halverson, Lindsay Seim Directed By:

#41 13 Sins (2014) 65% #41 Adjusted Score: 65.898% Critics Consensus: 13 Sins may be derivative of other horror films that made their moral points with more finesse, but it atones with a grim sense of humor and sleek style. Synopsis: A cryptic phone call sets off a dangerous game of risks for Elliot, a down-on-his luck salesman. The game promises... A cryptic phone call sets off a dangerous game of risks for Elliot, a down-on-his luck salesman. The game promises... [More] Starring: Mark Webber, Rutina Wesley, Devon Graye, Pruitt Taylor Vince Directed By: Daniel Stamm

#40 Insidious (2011) 66% #40 Adjusted Score: 71.291% Critics Consensus: Aside from a shaky final act, Insidious is a very scary and very fun haunted house thrill ride. Synopsis: Saw franchise veterans James Wan and Leigh Whannell team with Paranormal Activity writer/director Oren Peli to give the familiar haunted... Saw franchise veterans James Wan and Leigh Whannell team with Paranormal Activity writer/director Oren Peli to give the familiar haunted... [More] Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye Directed By: James Wan

#38 Child's Play (1988) 71% #38 Adjusted Score: 74.299% Critics Consensus: Child's Play occasionally stumbles across its tonal tightrope of comedy and horror, but its genuinely creepy monster and some deft direction by Tom Holland makes this chiller stand out on the shelf. Synopsis: Child's Play seems to have been concocted by a parent who went berserk after standing in line for hours on... Child's Play seems to have been concocted by a parent who went berserk after standing in line for hours on... [More] Starring: Catherine Hicks, Chris Sarandon, Brad Dourif, Dinah Manoff Directed By: Tom Holland

#37 The Ring (2002) 71% #37 Adjusted Score: 76.893% Critics Consensus: With little gore and a lot of creepy visuals, The Ring gets under your skin, thanks to director Gore Verbinski's haunting sense of atmosphere and an impassioned performance from Naomi Watts. Synopsis: A disturbing videotape appears to hold the power of life and death over those who view it in this offbeat... A disturbing videotape appears to hold the power of life and death over those who view it in this offbeat... [More] Starring: Naomi Watts, Martin Henderson, David Dorfman, Brian Cox Directed By: Gore Verbinski

#33 The Perfection (2019) 72% #33 Adjusted Score: 75.345% Critics Consensus: Led by a pair of compelling performances, The Perfection is a smart, gripping thriller that barbs its wild twists with cutting wit. Synopsis: When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte (Allison Williams) seeks out Elizabeth (Logan Browning), the new star pupil of her former school,... When troubled musical prodigy Charlotte (Allison Williams) seeks out Elizabeth (Logan Browning), the new star pupil of her former school,... [More] Starring: Allison Williams, Alaina Huffman, Steven Weber, Logan Browning Directed By: Richard Shepard

#31 Candyman (1992) 75% #31 Adjusted Score: 79.785% Critics Consensus: Though it ultimately sacrifices some mystery in the name of gory thrills, Candyman is a nuanced, effectively chilling tale that benefits from an interesting premise and some fine performances. Synopsis: Researching urban folklore, a University of Chicago student snoops around the housing projects of Cabrini Green to find more about... Researching urban folklore, a University of Chicago student snoops around the housing projects of Cabrini Green to find more about... [More] Starring: Virginia Madsen, Tony Todd, Xander Berkeley, Kasi Lemmons Directed By: Bernard Rose

#28 Scream (1996) 78% #28 Adjusted Score: 81.974% Critics Consensus: Horror icon Wes Craven's subversive deconstruction of the genre is sly, witty, and surprisingly effective as a slasher film itself, even if it's a little too cheeky for some. Synopsis: The sleepy little town of Woodsboro just woke up screaming. There's a killer in their midst who's seen a few... The sleepy little town of Woodsboro just woke up screaming. There's a killer in their midst who's seen a few... [More] Starring: David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Drew Barrymore Directed By: Wes Craven

#26 Await Further Instructions (2018) 80% #26 Adjusted Score: 74.31% Critics Consensus: A yuletide nightmare full of familial angst and slithering scares, Await Further Instructions is a genre treat that pretty much any horror fan will want in their stocking. Synopsis: It's Christmas Day and the Milgram family wake to find a mysterious black substance surrounding their house. Something monumental is... It's Christmas Day and the Milgram family wake to find a mysterious black substance surrounding their house. Something monumental is... [More] Starring: David Bradley, Grant Masters, Neerja Naik, Sam Gittins Directed By: Johnny Kevorkian

#25 Paranormal Activity (2009) 83% #25 Adjusted Score: 89.498% Critics Consensus: Using its low-budget effects and mockumentary method to great result, Paranormal Activity turns a simple haunted house story into 90 minutes of relentless suspense. Synopsis: A haunted house makes no secret of the fact it's not pleased with its new tenants in this independent tale... A haunted house makes no secret of the fact it's not pleased with its new tenants in this independent tale... [More] Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat, Mark Fredrichs, Amber Armstrong Directed By: Oren Peli

#16 Cargo (2018) 88% #16 Adjusted Score: 90.437% Critics Consensus: Cargo takes a refreshingly character-driven approach to the zombie genre that's further distinguished by its Australian setting and Martin Freeman's terrific lead performance. Synopsis: Stranded in rural Australia in the aftermath of a violent pandemic, an infected father desperately seeks a new home for... Stranded in rural Australia in the aftermath of a violent pandemic, an infected father desperately seeks a new home for... [More] Starring: Martin Freeman, Natasha Wanganeen, David Gulpilil, Anthony Hayes Directed By: Yolanda Ramke, Ben Howling

#14 Creep (2015) 89% #14 Adjusted Score: 89.146% Critics Consensus: A smart, odball take on found-footage horror, Creep is clever and well-acted enough to keep viewers on the edges of their seats. Synopsis: Looking for work, Aaron (Patrick Brice) comes across a cryptic online ad: "$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is... Looking for work, Aaron (Patrick Brice) comes across a cryptic online ad: "$1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is... [More] Starring: Mark Duplass, Patrick Brice Directed By: Patrick Brice

#13 Zodiac (2007) 89% #13 Adjusted Score: 97.637% Critics Consensus: A quiet, dialogue-driven thriller that delivers with scene after scene of gut-wrenching anxiety. David Fincher also spends more time illustrating nuances of his characters and recreating the mood of the 70s than he does on gory details of murder. Synopsis: Based on the true story of the notorious serial killer and the intense manhunt he inspired, Zodiac is a superbly... Based on the true story of the notorious serial killer and the intense manhunt he inspired, Zodiac is a superbly... [More] Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Edwards Directed By: David Fincher

#11 The Witch (2016) 90% #11 Adjusted Score: 102.946% Critics Consensus: As thought-provoking as it is visually compelling, The Witch delivers a deeply unsettling exercise in slow-building horror that suggests great things for debuting writer-director Robert Eggers. Synopsis: In this exquisitely made and terrifying new horror film, the age-old concepts of witchcraft, black magic and possession are innovatively... In this exquisitely made and terrifying new horror film, the age-old concepts of witchcraft, black magic and possession are innovatively... [More] Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw Directed By: Robert Eggers

#9 1922 (2017) 91% #9 Adjusted Score: 91.977% Critics Consensus: Thanks to director Zak Hilditch's patient storytelling and strong work from lead Thomas Jane, 1922 ranks among the more satisfying Stephen King adaptations. Synopsis: 1922 is based on Stephen King's 131-page story telling of a man's confession of his wife's murder. The tale is... 1922 is based on Stephen King's 131-page story telling of a man's confession of his wife's murder. The tale is... [More] Starring: Thomas Jane, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid, Kaitlyn Bernard Directed By: Zak Hilditch

#7 Backcountry (2015) 92% #7 Adjusted Score: 93.121% Critics Consensus: Tense, well-acted, and at once atmospheric as well as brutally impactful, Backcountry marks a memorably assured debut from writer-director Adam MacDonald. Synopsis: In this terrifying and critically-acclaimed thriller, a young couple's romantic camping trip becomes a tale of survival as they face... In this terrifying and critically-acclaimed thriller, a young couple's romantic camping trip becomes a tale of survival as they face... [More] Starring: Missy Peregrym, Jeff Roop, Eric Balfour, Nicholas Campbell Directed By: Adam MacDonald

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