The lights flicker, shadows dance on the wall, and a chill crawls up your spine. You’re alone, remote in hand, paralyzed by choice—Netflix’s horror catalog yawns before you, a graveyard of potential scares. But which films deliver genuine terror, and which are just cheap thrills destined to be abandoned after 15 minutes?
Supernatural hauntings, slasher nightmares, psychological fractures—Netflix offers something for every horror fan. If you’re searching for the best frights of 2026, I’m here to guide you through the darkness. These are 15 films guaranteed to leave you sleeping with the lights on.
Netflix Nightmares: Quick Look
Want a fast track to fear? The following table provides a snapshot of essential details for ten standout horror movies available on Netflix. Use it to quickly narrow down your viewing options.
| 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 Netflix Horror Hall of Fame
I can spend hours talking about what makes a movie scary. I’ve seen enough to know what works. My three favorites are films that linger in the mind long after the credits roll, each offering something unique and deeply unsettling.
28 Years Later
28 Years Later plunges viewers into a world irrevocably scarred. It’s not just about surviving the infected, but about existing in a reality where freedom is a forgotten concept. What sets this film apart is its depiction of a generation raised within quarantine zones, amidst abandoned cities, and under the constant shadow of fear. This film delivers new layers of dread rarely seen in zombie stories.
If you want to immerse yourself in a narrative that stays with you, 28 Years Later earns its place as a must-see.
Fear Street Trilogy
The Fear Street Trilogy captures the thrill of discovering something unexpected. I’m always searching for horror that subverts expectations. Sometimes, the most terrifying stories aren’t supernatural, but deeply human, masked in the guise of a slasher. This trilogy delivers just that. Each film peels back layers of time, slowly revealing the connections between seemingly random acts of violence.
Prepare to be drawn into a story where the past refuses to stay buried.
Gerald’s Game
Gerald’s Game presents itself as a survival story. Yet, scratch the surface, and you’ll find a masterclass in psychological horror. The film uses silence and hallucination to build dread, offering a stark contrast to jump-scare reliant films.
If you favor films that worm their way into your psyche, this deserves a spot on your list.
Best Supernatural Horror Movies on Netflix
Supernatural horror taps into primal fears, exploring unseen forces. These films often delve into mythology, and figures from the abyss.
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 follows a refugee couple escaping war. Finding refuge in a new home should be a blessing, but a series of terrifying events reveals they are not alone. Something from their past has followed them, turning their sanctuary into a living nightmare.
- Why watch it: Beyond the scares, this is a story steeped in emotion. The true horror stems not only from the supernatural entity but also from guilt, trauma, and the insidious power of memory.
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 tracks four friends hiking in memory of a lost companion. Deep in the forest, disturbing signs and dead animals signal an encroaching evil. Nightmares blur the line between reality and a lurking presence.
- Why watch it: It allows the fear to simmer. It blends folk horror with psychological disturbance and features a uniquely unsettling monster design.
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%
Incantation begins with a pregnant woman, Ronan, who breaks a religious taboo while filming a video with her boyfriend. After her baby is born, a malevolent curse follows them. Ronan must now protect her daughter from the consequences of her actions.
- Why watch it: This Taiwanese film adopts a documentary style, making you a participant in its grim journey.
What is the most disturbing movie on Netflix?
Some viewers find *Incantation’s* found-footage style deeply unsettling, while others may be more affected by the themes of trauma and loss in *His House.* What disturbs one viewer might not disturb another, highlighting how subjective horror can be.
Best Psychological Horror Movies on Netflix
Psychological horror messes with your head, trading jump scares for a slow burn of anxiety. These films rely on atmosphere, character, and mind games.
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 traps a couple in a secluded property. When the husband dies unexpectedly, his wife is left handcuffed and helpless. The tragic circumstances push her to the edge, blurring reality and illusion.
- Why watch it: It’s a near perfect blend of physical and psychological torment. Its strength lies in Carla Gugino’s powerful performance and the film’s unsettling, claustrophobic setting.
Pearl
- Release Date: September 16, 2022
- Director: Ti West
- Cast: Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright, Matthew Sunderland
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 7/93%
Pearl focuses on a young woman stifled by her strict mother and ailing father. Her dreams are crushed, and her desires manifest in violent ways. Frustration spirals into madness, leading her away from the life she craves.
- Why watch it: It explores the monstrous potential within us all when dreams are suppressed. Mia Goth delivers an unforgettable, unsettling performance.
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 sees a man journey to a remote island to rescue his sister from a cult. He soon discovers he’s fighting not only human captors but a supernatural evil.
- Why watch it: It blends intense, brutal themes with strong performances and a gripping story.
What psychological thrillers are similar to *Gerald’s Game*?
Fans of *Gerald’s Game* often enjoy films like *Hush*, also on Netflix, which features a similar isolated setting and a protagonist battling for survival against seemingly insurmountable odds. These stories trap characters, forcing them to confront both external threats and their inner demons.
Best Zombie Horror Movies on Netflix
The zombie genre shambles on, offering tales of societal collapse. These movies tap into anxieties about pandemics, government control, and the fragility of human existence.
28 Years Later
Columbia Pictures (via Amazon)
- 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%
Danny Boyle revisits his post-apocalyptic world, years after a devastating outbreak. Civilization has crumbled, replaced by survivor colonies. Amidst the chaos, a father and son confront personal struggles amid a world teeming with horrors. Their venture into the outside world turns bloody and brutal.
- Why watch it: 28 Days Later is considered one of the best zombie apocalypse movies. Boyle’s storytelling and the cast’s acting are compelling.
#Alive
- Release Date: September 8, 2020
- Director: Cho Il-hyung
- Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Park Shin-hye
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/88%
#Alive isolates a young man in his apartment as a zombie outbreak engulfs the world. Just as he succumbs to despair, he discovers another survivor in a nearby building. Together, they must find a way to survive.
- Why watch it: It emphasizes the isolation, hunger, and desperation of survivors. This Korean film offers a haunting environment and strong performances.
Cargo
- Release Date: May 6, 2017
- Director: Ben Howling, Yolanda Ramke
- Cast: Martin Freeman, Simone Landers, Anthony Hayes
- IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/