With the recent release of Netflix's Insidious, and The Grudge. Not only this, but the platform has also released several Netflix Original films fitting the horror genre in recent years, such as the successful Fear Street trilogy.
With the streaming platform finally beginning to give the horror genre the attention it deserves, horror fanatics on Ranker have narrowed down the best horror films available for viewers on Netflix.
Note: Ranker lists are live and continue to accrue votes, so some rankings may have changed after this publishing.
Eli (2019)
Eli is a horror film that tells the story of Eli, a boy suffering from a rare disease that causes severe allergic reactions to the outside world. Eli's parents, in hopes to cure their son, take him to Dr. Isabella Horn. Though initially overjoyed at his chance of treatment, Eli soon finds out that the house he now lives in, and the people he has trusted, may not be so safe, after all.
Fans praised Eli, not for its fear factor, but for the mysterious and interesting route that the supernatural story followed, building suspense in the first half of the film, and unleashing chaos within the second half of the film. Eli is also lauded for its dark ambiance and entertaining twists it delivers to viewers and is a great horror movie for fans of the genre.
Sinister 2 (2015)
Sinister, and features a story of mother Courtney Collins and her two sons, Dylan and Zach, while they take refuge in a home with an ominous mystery lurking nearby. Dylan, and later Zach, are visited by ghostly children, who force them to watch disturbing films of families being slaughtered - part of a grand scheme by the dark pagan deity "Mr. Boogey" aka Bughuul, who manipulates children into murdering their loved ones.
Fans have regarded Sinister 2 for its gripping moments of suspense, but also the unforeseen twists that are thrown at viewers, separating it from being a complete retelling of the first film.
The Ritual (2017)
The Ritual is a horror movie based on a group of college students who participate in a hike through Sweden's wilderness to honor a friend who was tragically killed. When one of them is injured during the hike, the group is forced to attempt cutting through the forest to reach shelter before nightfall. Eventually, the group finds an abandoned cabin and opts to stay overnight, unaware that a dark evil is stalking them.
The Ritual is a film with a great cast of characters and is full of dark, spine-chilling sound effects and music that will keep viewers on edge, as well as plenty of ominous scenes and disturbing imagery that fans describe as tense and exhilarating, making it a true horror experience.
As Above, So Below (2014)
built a strong horror movie fan following, despite initial critic reviews. The story takes place in Paris, where archaeologist Scarlett Marlowe and her team of explorers descend into the underground catacombs to search for the philosopher's stone of Nicholas Flame - only to experience a claustrophobic, hellish nightmare after a tunnel collapses and traps the team.
As Above, So Below does an exceptional job by playing on the common fear of being trapped, recreating an extremely claustrophobic feeling for viewers. Fans have expressed their appreciation for the unique archeological adventure take on the found-footage experience that As Above, So Below delivers, making it stand out compared to other horror films of the found-footage subgenre.
Poltergeist (1982)
Poltergeist is a Stephen Spielberg film regarded as one of the most iconic titles in the horror genre. It features the Freeling family, whose youngest daughter, Carol Anne, is abducted by malevolent forces in their home. Realizing that something evil is at work here, the Freelings hire a team of parapsychologists to investigate before it's too late.
With plenty of interesting behind-the-scenes facts regarding the making of Poltergeist, fans are also impressed with the techniques and inspirations used to execute such a film. As so many horror films rely on CGI and special effects to bring scares, Poltergeist does no such thing and is considered timeless for its telling of a spooky and unsettling ghost story without added effects and editing.
The Autopsy Of Jane Doe (2016)
The Autopsy of Jane Doe is a 2016 horror movie that features the investigation of a mysterious and beautiful 'Jane Doe' by father and son coroner duo, Tommy and Austin Tilden. Unfortunately, the two get more than they have bargained for and as they uncover strange and unsettling secrets about the mysterious young woman, the autopsy proves to be an extremely complex and bizarre case.
Fans have praised The Autopsy of Jane Doe for the way the film opted to build fear through suspense, rather than the constant blood and gore and string of victims found in so many other horror films of the 2000s. The fact that The Autopsy of Jane Doe makes such a mark without being overly grotesque or dependent on jump scares makes it a standout from other horror films.
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
In The Silence of the Lambs, FBI training agent Clarice is tasked with interviewing a criminal, Dr. Hannibal Lector, in hopes of gaining insight into a case regarding a string of grisly murders involving skinned victims. Lecter, who had once been a respected psychiatrist, is serving life behind bars for twisted acts of murder and cannibalism, and Clarice must first gain his trust before the inmate will give away valuable information.
The Silence of the Lambs made its mark with the iconic Hannibal Lector, who, despite being a horror villain with limited screen time, gives the audience insight into his dark, twisted mind through his conversations with Clarice - always keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. This has led to Lector becoming an iconic character in the horror genre, and The Silence of the Lambs being one of its biggest titles.
Bird Box (2018)
Bird Box is a film that tells the story of protagonist Malorie Hayes after an unseeable malevolent force purges the world of the human population. In hopes of finding a location considered a safe haven from the unseen entities, Malorie and her children set out on a blind boat trip down a river, but will they live to reach their destination?
Bird Box received much praise for a fresh take on horror, with fans immediately fond of the way it captures the attention of the audience with its unseen entities. Because Bird Box uniquely connects with the imagination of the viewer throughout the story, it is easy to understand how it holds its place among other horror films.
Would You Rather (2013)
Would You Rather features the protagonist Iris, a young woman desperate to help her sickly brother, who accepts a dinner invitation to Shepard's mansion under the assumption that it would be easy money. Things take a dark turn when Shepard forces them to play a sadistic game for this large sum of prize money.
With a dark horrifying spin on a basic party game, Would You Rather does a terrific job at getting under the skin of its viewers with the outrageous concepts that are thrown at the characters. Many viewers will question what they would do if they were in the same situation, and find themselves glued to this gruesome take on a concept so many are familiar with.
Hush (2016)
Hush is a home-invasion slasher film that focuses on Maddie, a deaf writer whose life is soon threatened, as a masked killer gets into her home and begins to stalk her through psychological games.
Hush is an incredibly unique film regarding its use of sound - only 15 minutes of dialogue take place throughout the entire film. Instead, music and sound effects are used to put the viewers in Maddie's shoes and build suspense as danger unfolds around her. It is Hush's unique sound design and spin on the classic slasher cliche that makes it such a standout among competitors.
