The 10 Scariest Things to Watch on Netflix Right Now

 

The 14 Scariest Things to Watch on Netflix Right Now

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

Inspired by Shirley Jackson’s seminal 1959 novel, Hill House follows the turbulent history of the Crain family and their encounter with the titular haunted house. Expertly written by Mike Flanagan (get used to seeing that name), and featuring standout performances by Victoria Pedretti ( You) and Kate Siegel ( Midnight Mass), The Haunting of Hill House provides a terrifying and emotional update on a horror classic for the modern era. Just make sure you keep those tissues close.

The Fear Street trilogy (2021)

Got a thing for slasher movies? Does the image of a scary knife-wielding maniac sound like it would add some excitement to your Friday night? Then the Fear Street trilogy is for you. With three stories set in different time periods (1994, 1978 and 1666), the series follows in the tradition of horror staples like Scream, Friday the 13th and The Witch. It also features one of the greatest on-screen kills of all time. (Watch Part 1, you’ll know which one.) All three are available to stream, so no need to wait years for sequels. One more note for the horror nerds out there: This trilogy is inspired by the famous Fear Street series of novels by R.L. Stine (creator of Goosebumps), so you can revel in that knowledge while you watch.

Cam (2018)

From writer Isa Mazzei, Cam follows the story of successful camgirl Alice “Lola_Lola” Ackerman, who discovers that her web account has been taken over by a sinister doppelgänger.. We’re gonna be honest about this one: It got under our skin on multiple levels. Inspired by her own experiences working as a camgirl, Mazzei paints a bleak portrait of a world hidden in plain sight.. Absolutely haunting, expertly filmed and with a story that will stick with you, Cam should be on every horror fan’s radar.

The Exorcist III (1990)

Did you know The Exorcist has sequels, and that one of them is actually very good? And it has ties to the original film? This sequel follows Lieutenant William F. Kinderman as he tracks down the Gemini Killer, who seems to be going on a murderous rampage again. There’s just one problem: The Gemini has been dead for years. What follows is an intriguing procedural with gruesome imagery, demonic possession (this is an Exorcist film after all) and one of the most frightening jump scares of all time. The Exorcist III is not only a good sequel but also one of the most underrated titles in horror.

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Oh, hey, Mike Flanagan, nice to see you again. Just one year before his work on The Haunting of Hill House, Flanagan did what many believed impossible: He adapted Stephen King’s novel Gearld’s Game for the big screen. Flanagan rendered one of the most chilling interpretations of a story once thought to be unfilmable. Propelled to the next level by the one-woman show that is Carla Gugino (Spy Kids), Gerald’s Game proves that with enough talent and perseverance, incredibly complex stories can become haunting works of horror.

Raw (2016)

From Palme d’Or winner Julia Ducournau (Titane), Raw is an electric debut. Following vegetarian Justine (Garance Marillier) as she enrolls in a veterinary school notorious for hazing rituals, she’s forced to eat rabbit kidneys and develops a taste for a peculiar kind of meat not sold in stores. Turning the cannibal and body subgenres on their heads, Raw explores sexuality, love, growing up and primal instincts. If you want body horror movies to have a sense of depth and earnestness, Raw is the one for you.

It Follows (2014)

Probably one of the most original horror films of the last decade, It Follows is a bombshell at movie-watching parties. The film depicts a murderous entity that, once sexually transmitted to you, won’t stop following you until you’re dead. Then, the process repeats with the person who gave “it” to you. (Yes, you read that right.) Featuring one of the most outlandish concepts ever to be filmed, It Follows nails it in spades. Taking inspiration from John Carpenter films like Halloween, this movie will easily be one of the most frightening you’ve ever seen. Also, the soundtrack is a veritable masterpiece.

The Ritual (2017)

If Sabrina didn’t provide enough witchcraft, and Apostle didn’t satisfy your appetite for human sacrifice, maybe add a dash of Norse mythology to your spookfest. If that’s the case, reader, meet The Ritual. This movie follows a group of reunited college friends on a trip into a Swedish forest, but what they don’t know is that insanity and horror awaits. From rising star director David Bruckner (The Night House), The Ritual is a first-class lesson in why you should probably go to a campsite instead of the darkness of the woods (just saying).

Scream (2015)

Hear me out: When disconnected from the main film franchise, the Scream series is actually quite the sleeper surprise, and it boasts all the hallmarks of the original films: teen drama, references to horror classics and lots (lots) of death. Sure, the first two seasons don't feature the iconic ghostface or voice (gotta wait until Season 3 for those), but the story it tells is Riverdale-level addicting. Largely written off when it debuted, this is a fantastic series to revisit and reassess — especially if you’re psyched for the newest Scream, which is set to drop in January.

Midnight Mass (2021)

Okay, we’ve come full circle with this one. This list begins and ends with Mike Flanagan’s best, but what makes this one stand out are the complexities layered within the storytelling. From accurate portrayals of Catholic and Muslim ideologies, right down to the surprise reveals, Flanagan’s newest series is fully loaded. Midnight Mass follows Riley Flynn as he returns home to Crockett Island. At the same time, a mysterious new priest takes over the island’s church and seems to possess the ability to perform miracles. At once heartbreaking and horrifying, bleak yet hopeful, terrifying and comforting, Midnight Mass stands out among its contemporaries as being seven hours of nonstop tension and wonder. It’s a horror masterpiece that’ll be talked about for years to come, so please, we’re begging, don’t skip out on this one.