One of the biggest reasons why Netflix has become such a powerhouse in the world of streaming is its efforts to produce original content. It has worked wonders on the TV side of things, with the platform being home to some of the top shows in recent memory, from Stranger Things to Squid Game. However, they’ve produced a ton of original films as well, with some earning Academy Awards buzz, some being hugely popular with the masses, and some being hidden gems that deserve more love.
A place where Netflix originals are often at their best is in the horror genre. A lot of horror movies can get made on relatively small budgets, which allows almost anyone to produce something impressive. The genre has also seen some of the most talented names in Hollywood get involved with Netflix, from the likes of Carla Gugino to Samara Weaving to Wunmi Mosaku to Sandra Bullock. Netflix has put out a ton of original horror films, making it hard to pinpoint which ones are the best.
Netflix’s best horror movies include Stephen King adaptations, films that became monster hits in pop culture, some underrated projects, and even movies that spawned sequels, making for a fantastic overall catalog.
10
The Perfection (2018)
When The Perfection arrived on Netflix in 2018, it grabbed the attention of subscribers thanks to Allison Williams. The actress was fresh off her role as a villain in Get Out, so seeing her attached to another horror film had people intrigued.
The Perfection focuses on two musicians. One is a troubled prodigy, while the other is the new star pupil at her school who is meant to replace her. This bond sends both down a path that’s sinister and leads to some chilling and shocking events. It’s a movie that works because of the performances of its leads.
9
#Alive (2020)
#Alive is the kind of movie that was shockingly timely when it hit Netflix. The film arrived just a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on a video game live streamer in Seoul who is stuck in his apartment during a zombie apocalypse.
He was trapped in one place while all the viewers were in a similar predicament. The zombies get into his apartment complex and he finds help from a fellow survivor living opposite him. The fight for survival blends action and horror impressively well in this hidden gem.
8
Oxygen (2021)
Speaking of international hidden gems, Oxygen is the kind of movie that deserved to be a bigger hit than it was. The French film is directed by the talented Alexandre Aja and features Mélanie Laurent as the lead actor. The story sees Laurent’s Elizabeth wake up trapped in an airtight medical cryogenic unit.
Elizabeth has no memory of how she got there and must figure out a way to escape before she runs out of air. Oxygen is a terrifying and claustrophobic tale that will make you uncomfortable the entire way through.
7
1922 (2017)
There are dozens of Stephen King adaptations in both movies and television. A few have gone straight to Netflix, including 1922, which is based on King’s novella of the same name from 2010, and features Thomas Jane and Molly Parker in the lead roles.
The story centers on a man who conspires with his son to murder his wife, leaving them both destroyed by guilt afterward. Although not among the most well-known King adaptations, reviews were strong, with 1922 sitting at a very impressive 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.
6
The Babysitter (2017)
Sometimes, great horror movies aren’t all about scaring the audience. Horror films are versatile and can blend well with other genres, including comedy. That’s what makes The Babysitter work so well, especially since it plays on the most popular tropes of slasher projects.
The Babysitter centers on a freshman in high school who has a crush on his babysitter (Samara Weaving). One night, he sees her and her friends sacrifice someone to a satanic cult, changing everything about their dynamic. The movie is just a ton of fun and spawned a blast of a sequel, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, in 2020.
5
Bird Box (2018)
One of the first movies to truly become a huge hit on Netflix was Bird Box. It was setting viewership records before the masses knew about those numbers and became the talk of the internet. Seemingly everyone wanted to see what people were talking about.
Bird Box is set in a post-apocalyptic world where entities that people see cause them to take their own lives. A woman (Sandra Bullock) attempts to protect herself and two children as they head for safety while wearing blindfolds. The entire thing is intense and captivated audiences everywhere.
4
His House (2020)
His House is a smaller horror movie that should’ve been a bigger hit on Netflix. It features a small but great cast, an interesting setup, and some genuine scares. The main story sees a refugee couple from South Sudan who struggle to adapt to their new life in an English town where an unspeakable evil lurks under the surface.
The entire setup features some stunning visuals and some incredible character moments. As noted, the lead performances are great, with Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù and future Academy Award nominee Wunmi Mosaku delivering some stellar work.
3
Gerald’s Game (2017)
Like 1922, Gerald’s Game is a Stephen King adaptation that was released straight to Netflix. This one is told on a smaller scale and is actually one of the simplest King tales, which works to its advantage. The setup is terrifying and the directorial work by Mike Flanagan is fantastic.
Jessie (Carla Gugino) goes to an isolated lake house with her husband to enact a sexual fantasy, only for him to have a heart attack and die, leaving her tied to the bed with nobody to help. She must find a way to escape while also experiencing hallucinations as things get worse.
2
Cam (2018)
Writer Isa Mazzei pulled from her own life experiences to pen the screenplay for Cam. The movie centers on a camgirl who discovers that she has been replaced on her website by an exact replica, with no understanding of what happened or who caused this.
Madeline Brewer does great work as the lead actor, delivering a performance of a woman who is terrified but willing to fight to get her life back. The movie is also filled with scary scenes that make for an underrated horror experience.
1
Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
Technically, it’s three movies, but the Fear Street trilogy is the peak of Netflix original horror films. Loosely based on books by R.L. Stine, the story mixes the slasher subgenre with a story about witches. Each also takes place in a different year, making for something new each time.
The first is in 1994 and pays homage to the likes of Scream, while the sequel goes back to the late ’70s and feels like Friday the 13th. THe third entry goes all the way back to 1666 for a witchcraft tale, yet they all connect for a masterfully told trilogy. Add in popular actors like Sadie Sink and a heartfelt LGBTQ+ romance at the center and this is a special series.