15 Best Horror Movies On Netflix You Can Watch in 2026

The catalog of Netflix is filled with numerous horror movies, but it’s obvious that not all of them are worth watching. Be it supernatural hauntings, slasher horror, or psychological and physical breakdowns, the streaming platform has something for every fan. So, if you are one of those fans who are confused about which movie to watch in 2026, here is a list of the best 15 horror movies on Netflix.

Top Horror Movies on Netflix Overview

Below is the table that will give you an overview of the important details for the Top 10 best horror movies on Netflix.

Movie Name	Synopsis
His House	Release Date: October 30, 2020 Director: Remi Weekes IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.4/100% Streaming Platform: Netflix
The Ritual	Release Date: October 13, 2017 Director: David Bruckner IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.4/74% Streaming Platform: Netflix
Incantation	Release Date: March 18, 2022 Director: Kevin Ko IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.3/79% Streaming Platform: Netflix
Gerald’s Game	Release Date: September 29, 2017 Director: Mike Flanagan IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.5/91% Streaming Platform: Netflix
Pearl	Release Date: September 16, 2022 Director: Ti West IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 7/93% Streaming Platform: Netflix
Apostle	Release Date: October 12, 2018 Director: Gareth Evans IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.3/79% Streaming Platform: Netflix
28 Years Later	Release Date: June 20, 2025 Director: Danny Boyle IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.6/88% Streaming Platform: Netflix
#Alive	Release Date: June 24, 2020 Director: Cho- Il-hyung IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.3/88% Streaming Platform: Netflix
Cargo	Release Date: May 18, 2018 Director: Ben Howling, Yolanda Ramke IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.3/83% Streaming Platform: Netflix
Fear Street Trilogy	Release Date: July 2, July 9, July 16 (2021) Director: Leigh Janiak IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 6.5/87% Streaming Platform: Netflix

My Personal Favorite Top 3 Horror Movies on Netflix

Out of all the genres that exist, horror is the one that I am most drawn to. While most of the films on this list are my favorites, the three below are at the top.

28 Years Later

28 Years Later is not just about seeing humans trying to survive the infected, but it is also about living in a world that will never let you feel free. The rare thing about the film is that it shows an entire generation growing up in a world where quarantine zones, abandoned cities, and fear hold a firm place. Unlike the majority of zombie franchises out there, 28 Years Later brings several new elements to the table. So, if you want to get familiar with a story that will stay with you for a long time, 28 Years Later is a must-watch.

Fear Street Trilogy

Fear Street Trilogy is one such film series that holds a special place in my heart. Being a horror fanatic, I always stay on the lookout for movies that offer different experiences. I mean, sometimes horror doesn’t mean supernatural; instead, it can be a slasher that comes with a deeply moving story. And Fear Street Trilogy is exactly the same. With each film, we are taken back in time, and the killers who seemed random at the start eventually make more sense as the story unfolds slowly.

Gerald’s Game

Now, this is one of the most unique and intriguing psychological horrors I have watched to date. Well, the special thing about this film is that it doesn’t seem to be a horror story on the surface; it feels like a survival story. But if you look closely, it is indeed a horror film that isn’t loud or filled with jump scares, but here, the fear comes in the form of silence and hallucinations. So, if you are more into psychological horror than supernatural horror, this movie deserves a spot on your watchlist.

Best Supernatural Horror Movies on Netflix

Supernatural horror movies mainly revolve around mythology and figures from hell. Here are some of the best horror movies in this genre.

His House

• Release Date: October 30, 2020
• Director: Remi Weekes
• Cast: Sope Dirisu, Wunmi Mosaku, Matt Smith
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/100%

His House is one of the best horror movies on Netflix, and the impressive ratings on Rotten Tomatoes prove it. revolves around a refugee couple, who relocate to a new place, a new house, escaping the war that traumatized them. Initially, they are thankful to have a safe place, but as the story progresses, several terrifying events begin to occur in their house. The couple eventually discovers that something from their old life has followed them, so they are not the only ones living in their new house.

• Why should you watch it: The movie features several scares, but the story also consistently gets emotional. It’s not only the supernatural entity that makes the journey horrifying; it’s also the guilt, past traumas, and memories that slowly play with the characters’ minds and break them from the inside.

The Ritual

• Release Date: October 13, 2017
• Director: David Bruckner
• Cast: Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, Sam Troughton
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/74%

The Ritual follows four friends who decide to go on a long-awaited hike in memory of their dead friend. However, when they go deep inside the forest, they start encountering disturbing signals, dead animals, scaring them. They also start getting nightmares, which makes them realize that an evil entity has been following them.

• Why should you watch it: Unlike many horror films, The Ritual gives you time to feel that scare, rather than giving you unnecessary jump scares every now and then. It also naturally mixes folk horror with psychological elements. Last but not least, The Ritual features one of the most unique monster designs in horror history.

Incantation

• Release Date: March 18, 2022
• Director: Kevin Ko
• Cast: Tsai Hsuan-yen, Huang Sin-ting, Kao Ying-hsuan
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/79%

The story of Incantation kicks off with a pregnant woman named Ronan, her boyfriend Dom, and Dom’s cousin as they break a religious taboo to make a video for their channel. When the baby is born, Ronan can never live freely with her as a malevolent curse follows them. So, now, she is the one who must keep her daughter safe from the terrible mistake she is connected to.

• Why should you watch it: This unique Taiwanese movie is definitely worth adding to your watch list. It is basically a documentary-style film that will genuinely make you a part of the journey.

Best Psychological Horror Movies on Netflix

If you enjoy watching movies that don’t give you jump scares but instead mess you up mentally, here are some of the best psychological horror movies on Netflix.

Gerald’s Game

• Release Date: September 29, 2017
• Director: Mike Flanagan
• Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/79%

Gerald’s Game is a dangerous tale of a couple who go to a secluded, private property to spend time together. However, the husband dies in the midst of the intimacy, leaving his wife handcuffed and helpless. The woman then has to survive without food and water, and this tragic incident eventually disturbs her so much that she loses the sense to judge what is real and what is only in her mind.

• Why should you watch it: Gerald’s Game is a perfect mixture of physical and psychological horror. You will see a one-room setup in the entire film, but you won’t get a single chance to complain about it. Strong performance, coupled with the unsettling survival struggle, makes it a top contender for the list.

Pearl

• Release Date: September 16, 2022
• Director: Ti West
• Cast: Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7/93%

Pearl centers on a girl named Pearl, who lives with her strict mother and ailing father. She has big dreams, but her parents keep on crushing them, specifically her mother. So, her desires start coming out of her in violent ways. The frustration in her turns into madness, pushing Pearl far away from the life she dreams of.

• Why should you watch it: You should watch Pearl because it shows how a person can become a monster when their dreams are suppressed forcefully. Mia Goth’s performance as Pearl is unforgettable and disturbing at the same time.

Apostle

• Release Date: October 12, 2018
• Director: Gareth Evans
• Cast: Dan Stevens, Lucy Boynton, Michael Sheen, Mark Lewis Jones
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/79%

Apostle follows a man who travels all the way to the secluded Island of Wales to save his sister from the cult that has captured her. However, he soon realizes that his fight is not only with the human members, but also with an evil force that is far too strong for his imagination.

• Why should you watch it: Those who enjoy dark movies should definitely watch this one, as it features a mix of intense, brutal, and dark themes. Besides that, Apostle comes with some of the strongest performances and a great story that gives you an unforgettable experience.

Best Zombie Horror Movies on Netflix

The zombie genre got really popular over the last few years, and here are some of the best Zombie movies featuring the deadly monsters.

28 Years Later

• Release Date: June 20, 2025
• Director: Danny Boyle
• Cast: Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ralph Fiennes, Jack O’Connell
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.6/88%

After 2002, Danny Boyle’s incredible post-apocalyptic world made a comeback in 2025. The movie takes place several years after the virus outbreak in Britain. The civilization has collapsed, and now, there are little colonies of survivors living by their own rules and customs. However, the flesh-hungry monsters are still moving in packs, hunting humans like animals. In the middle of all that, we meet a father-son who are trying to cope with the sickness of one of their loved ones. They venture out in the real world, and well, that just makes things really bloody and really messy.

• Why should you watch it: Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later is considered one of the best zombie apocalypse movies. In fact, it is one of those films that pushed the zombie genre forward. Honestly, some fans think that 28 Years Later is not as great as the first film, but it is still a phenomenal movie. The acting from the cast and Danny Boyle’s unique way of storytelling won’t let you take your eyes off the screen even for a bit.

#Alive

• Release Date: September 8, 2020
• Director: Cho Il-hyung
• Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/88%

2020’s Alive is possibly one of the most unique zombie-apocalypse movies. It features a young man sitting alone in his apartment when a zombie outbreak suddenly makes it impossible for him to even step out. And just when the guy starts thinking about whether he can survive this entire time alone, he sees that a girl in a nearby building is alive. Now, they both must figure out a way to come out of this situation alive.

• Why should you watch it: While other zombie movies focus on the horde of these monsters chasing the protagonists, #Alive takes a rather unique approach. It focuses on the loneliness,s hunger, and depression that each survivor must feel, especially if they are alone. On top of that, you get a great yet haunting environment and, of course, an incredible performance from the cast. All of that is enough to tell you that you shouldn’t miss out on this Korean masterpiece.

Cargo

• Release Date: May 6, 2017
• Director: Ben Howling, Yolanda Ramke
• Cast: Martin Freeman, Simone Landers, Anthony Hayes
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/88%

Cargo is one of the best Zombie horror films that I have ever watched because it is not all about the gore, but it also brings that emotional element to the screen. We see a father’s struggle to protect his baby after he gets bitten in the zombie outbreak. He knows that he will lose his senses and become a zombie in a short time, so carrying his baby on his back, the man travels across the dangerous lands in search of someone who can take care of his baby after he is not there to do so.

Why should you watch it: You should watch it because it projects one of the beautiful sides of fatherhood. A father who knows he will be gone in a short time races against time to ensure his child gets a new home. It is basically a story of a father’s final journey, which is actually deeply touching.

Best Slasher Horror Movies on Netflix

If gore and bloodshed are your thing, I am sure you don’t want to miss out on any of the movies mentioned in this category.

Fear Street Trilogy

• Release Date: July 2, July 9, and July 16, 2021
• Director: Leigh Janiak
• Cast: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Sadie Sink, Julia Rehwald, Gillian Jacobs
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.7/88%

The Fear Street Trilogy is set in the cursed town of Shadyside, where civilians are traumatized by masked killers from centuries. The film revolves around a group of teenagers who decide to take matters into their own hands, uncover the truth, and make the town worth living in. Each installment of the film gives you several twists and turns, making the viewer realize that things they have been predicting since the start are wrong.

Why should you watch it: Fear Street Trilogy takes you back in time with each film of the series, making you witness how powerful the central curse is. Well, each chapter hooks you with new mysteries and characters, giving you an unforgettable horror experience.

The Babysitter

• Release Date: October 13, 2017
• Director: McG
• Cast: Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/70%

Babysitter revolves around a 12-year-old introverted boy named Cole, whose parents hire a girl named Bee to babysit him. Initially, things go well as Bee proves herself to be a kind and compassionate person who also gains Cole’s trust by protecting him from the bullies. Cole eventually becomes attracted to her, but he soon gets a reality check and realizes that Bee has a dark secret that no one yet knows.

Why should you watch it: The Babysitter bombards you with brutal kills and dark humour. However, the best part about the film is its villain, portrayed by Samara Weaving. If you are looking for a slasher movie that won’t feel dull even for a second, The Babysitter is all you have been seeking.

Halloween

• Release Date: October 19, 2018
• Director: David Gordon Green
• Cast: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Nick Castle
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.5/79%

Michael Myers killed several people before being locked away in a mental hospital. Forty years have passed, but Laurie Strode has still not moved on from the trauma. She is an alcoholic now and shares a strained relationship with her daughter. On an unfortunate day, when Myers is taken to a maximum-security prison, he escapes. Laurie once again comes face-to-face with the old threat she has been training to fight for years.

Why should you watch it: Halloween is worth watching because it brings modernity to a story that began years ago. It offers a terrifying story with brutal kills and strong performances.

Best Survival Horror Movies on Netflix

Movies in this sub-genre push the characters to their limits for survival, and sometimes it also gets nauseating for the ones watching the terrible conditions they have to make their way out. Here, we discuss some such movies that are available on Netflix.

Don’t Breathe

• Release Date: August 26, 2016
• Director: Fede Álvarez
• Cast: Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto, Stephen Lang
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.1/88%

Don’t Breathe sees three thieves, who make their living out of the loot they discover by breaking into houses. One night, they break into the house of a blind man named Norman Nordstrom, believing him to be an easy target. They see the man asleep and start executing the plan, but they don’t take time to realize that they have made a terrible mistake. The blind man is a veteran of the Gulf War and isn’t helpless at all. So, now they must make a way out of the home if they want to live.

• Why should you watch it: Don’t Breathe is an intriguing movie that will scare you to the core from start to finish. The atmosphere raises the tension and doesn’t let you get out of your seats until the very end.

A Quiet Place

• Release Date: April 6, 2018
• Director: John Krasinski
• Cast: Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7.5/96%

A Quiet Place is one of the most thrilling survival horror films of all time. It takes place in a world where you can’t make even a minimal sound, as the world is invaded by creatures that hunt by sound. So, we get to see a family’s struggle to exist in a world where even a single whisper can push you to the verge of death.

• Why should you watch it: A Quiet Place is a film that comes with almost no dialogue, so the actors show you fear or whatever emotions they feel either through signs or facial expressions. This makes their journey even more intense. It is truly a horror gem that every fan of this genre should experience.

Bird Box

• Release Date: December 21, 2018
• Director: Susanne Bier
• Cast: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich, Sarah Paulson
• IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.6/64%

Have you ever wondered what happens when you are forced to walk out of your home without getting a sight of anything? Well, that’s what Bird Box is all about. The story takes place in a world where some mysterious creatures exist, and anyone who looks at them commits suicide. So, we see a mother with her two children embarking on a journey to a safe land, but not without wearing blindfolds.

• Why should you watch it: Bird Box is again a movie that prevents you from witnessing the monsters. It raises the tension by making you watch the unsettling journey of our protagonists. Above all things, what makes it truly a watch worth showing is Sandra Bullock’s powerful performance.

How We Chose the Best Horror Movies to Watch on Netflix?

The horror genre is really vast; it has several subgenres. For instance, supernatural horror, body horror, psychological horror, slasher horror, and many more. This makes it even more difficult to curate a list of the Best Horror Movies to watch on streaming platforms, especially Netflix, which has a large catalogue of horror films. Well, being a horror fanatic, I have added the ones that I personally recommend you watch. Besides that, I have also considered the audience and critics’ responses, and the overall impact that each film brings to the screen.