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The 8 Scariest Movies on Netflix You Haven’t Seen
Netflix’s massive catalog is home to a huge number of great horror movies from around the world, including some of the most acclaimed (and scary) films of recent times. But with such a huge collection at your fingertips, it can be easy to miss some of the truly mind-blowing gems that the streamer has to offer. That’s why we’ve put together this handpicked list collecting the most gripping, creepy, and terror-inducing movies on the platform that are sorely under-watched. You might not have heard of them before, but they’re sure to be haunting your nightmares if you give them the chance. So, without further ado, here’s our selection of the scariest movies you haven’t seen that you can watch right now on Netflix.
Looking for more scares and screams? Be sure to check out our list of the best horror movies on Netflix, the best R-rated scary movies on Netflix, or the best horror shows on Netflix.
Disclaimer: These titles are available on US Netflix.
‘His House’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 100% | IMDb: 6.4/10
His House
- Release Date
-
January 27, 2020
- Runtime
-
93 minutes
- Director
-
Remi Weekes
- Writers
-
Felicity Evans, Toby Venables, Remi Weekes
Directed and written by Remi Weekes in his feature directorial debut, His House is a gripping horror thriller that follows the story of a refugee couple from South Sudan. Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu star as Rial and Bol, who make a traumatic escape from their war-torn homeland, losing a child along the way. Struggling to build a life for themselves in an English town, Rial and Bol discover an evil force that has followed them to their new home. Besides Mosaku and Dirisu, the film also features Matt Smith, Emily Taaffe, and Dominic Coleman in supporting roles.
His House was highly acclaimed when it premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, receiving praise from critics for its concept and narrative, which draws on the haunting experiences of real-life refugees and transforms the story through elements of traditional horror, suspense, and social conscience. The film earned several accolades, including four British Independent Film Awards out of 15 nominations. The movie won Weekes a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer, and it also earned nominations for Best Actress (Wunmi Mosaku) and Outstanding British Film.
‘Creep’ (2014)
Rotten Tomatoes: 91% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Creep
- Release Date
-
June 23, 2014
- Runtime
-
82 minutes
- Director
-
Patrick Brice
- Producers
-
Jason Blum, Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass
-
-
Patrick Brice
Aaron Franklin
-
Katie Aselton
Angela (voice)
An iconic 2010s found-footage horror film, Creep was written by Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass and directed by Brice in his feature directorial debut. The film follows a videographer who is hired to film a dying man’s message to his unborn son. Traveling to a remote cabin to meet his client, the videographer soon begins to suspect that the man is not who he says he is — and realizes he may have walked into a deadly trap.
A highly acclaimed horror thriller, Creep had its world premiere at the 2014 South by Southwest festival and was subsequently released on VOD and streaming in 2015. The movie was a huge hit with horror fans and has developed a dedicated cult following. Contained and claustrophobic, Creep draws every ounce of terror out of the captivating performances of its two stars. It’s an undeniable masterpiece of suspenseful storytelling, and it’s developed a franchise of its own in the years since its release. A sequel, Creep 2, was released in 2017, and a spin-off series, The Creep Tapes, premiered on Shudder in 2024, with a third film currently in the works.
‘Cargo’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Cargo
- Release Date
-
May 18, 2018
- Runtime
-
105 minutes
- Director
-
Yolanda Ramke, Ben Howling
- Writers
-
Yolanda Ramke
An Australian post-apocalyptic thriller, Cargo was directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke and is based on their eponymous 2013 short film. The movie is set shortly after a deadly virus that turns people rabid has overtaken the world, following a couple and their baby as they travel across rural Australia in search of a safe haven. The film features Martin Freeman, Simone Landers, Anthony Hayes, David Gulpilil, Susie Porter, and Caren Pistorius in lead roles.
Cargo premiered at the 2017 Adelaide Film Festival and was released theatrically in Australia in May 2018, with an international release on Netflix. The film received highly favorable reviews from critics, who praised the film’s character-driven approach that subverts many of the cliches of the zombie movie genre. Anchored by Martin Freeman’s powerful performance in the lead role, the movie presents a chillingly suspenseful horror story set against the stunning backdrop of rural Australia. The film earned several accolades, including five nominations for AACTA Awards, the Australian equivalent of the Academy Awards.
‘Bulbbul’ (2020)
Rotten Tomatoes: 88% | IMDb: 6.6/10
Bulbbul
- Release Date
-
June 24, 2020
- Runtime
-
94 minutes
- Director
-
Anvita Dutt
- Writers
-
Anvita Dutt
- Producers
-
Anushka Sharma
-
-
Rahul Bose
Indranil / Mahendra
-
-
Parambrata Chatterjee
Sudip
Written and directed by Anvita Dutt, Bulbbul is an Indian Hindi-language period horror drama set in 1880s Bengal. Tripti Dimri stars as the titular character, a child bride married to a wealthy lord who grows close to her husband’s youngest brother, Satya (Avinash Tiwary). Decades later, when Satya returns home from London, he meets a grown-up Bulbbul, who is now the lady of the house. Meanwhile, the village is gripped by a series of killings believed to be the work of a witch. The movie also features Paoli Dam, Rahul Bose, and Parambrata Chattopadhyay in key roles.
Bulbbul premiered on Netflix in June 2020, receiving highly favorable reviews from critics. Centered on a brilliant performance by Tripti Dimri, the film is a well-crafted horror story with a strong underlying feminist message. The movie is a perfect example of gothic horror adapted to the Indian context, with a gripping narrative and gorgeous cinematography. Appropriately, Bulbbul received a number of accolades, including two Filmfare OTT Awards out of three nominations, but the movie is still relatively underappreciated by international audiences.
‘Apostle’ (2018)
Rotten Tomatoes: 79% | IMDb: 6.3/10
Apostle
- Release Date
-
September 21, 2018
- Runtime
-
130 Minutes
- Director
-
Gareth Evans
- Writers
-
Gareth Evans
Written, directed, and edited by Gareth Evans, Apostle is a period folk horror film set in an isolated island community at the beginning of the 20th century. The film stars Dan Stevens as Thomas Richardson, a former missionary who infiltrates a mysterious cult in order to find his kidnapped sister. The movie also features Michael Sheen, Mark Lewis Jones, Paul Higgins, Lucy Boynton, Elen Rhys, and more.
Apostle premiered at the 2018 Fantastic Fest, receiving largely positive reviews. A Wicker Man-style slow burn with an explosive final act, the movie is an atmospheric thriller with plenty of cult horror and some well-choreographed action. It’s an enigmatic and fantastical experience, further enhanced by the striking cinematography and stellar central performance by Dan Stevens. While the movie’s pacing may throw off readers looking for quick scares, Apostle’s story of creeping dread pulls you slowly but surely into a truly terrifying world. The film received four nominations for BAFTA Cymru awards, winning one for Best Make-Up & Hair.
‘Incantation’ (2022)
Rotten Tomatoes: 77% | IMDb: 6.2/10
Incantation
- Release Date
-
July 8, 2022
- Runtime
-
110 Minutes
- Director
-
Kevin Ko
- Writers
-
Che-Wei Chang, Kevin Ko
-
Hsuan-yen Tsai
Li Ruo-nan
-
Directed and co-written by Kevin Ko, Incantation is a Taiwanese found-footage film inspired by a real case of mass hysteria. Presented through a non-linear narrative, the movie revolves around an isolated mountain religion that worships a malevolent ancestral deity. When the deity’s curse is accidentally unleashed, it leaves a troubled mother (Tsai Hsuan-yen) scrambling to save her young daughter. The film stars Tsai Hsuan-yen, Huang Sin-ting, Kao Ying-hsuan, Sean Lin, and more.
Incantation premiered in Taiwan in March 2022, receiving positive reviews and breaking box office records. The film went on to become Taiwan’s highest-grossing movie of the year and highest-grossing horror movie of all time. Using the popular found footage format to great effect, the film is a terrifying and mind-bending experience that draws the viewer into the story and the terrible curse at its heart. The movie has earned numerous accolades and is a must-watch for fans of Asian folk horror.
‘The Ritual’ (2017)
Rotten Tomatoes: 74% | IMDb: 6.4/10
The Ritual
- Release Date
-
October 13, 2017
- Runtime
-
94minutes
- Director
-
David Bruckner
- Writers
-
David Bruckner
Directed by David Bruckner and written by Joe Barton, The Ritual is a British folk horror film based on Adam Nevill’s eponymous 2011 novel. The movie follows four friends who go on a hiking trip in the Swedish wilderness to honor the memory of their tragically deceased friend. The trip, however, turns deadly when they step off the marked trail and find themselves hunted by the ancient evil that lurks in the woods. The film stars Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier, Paul Reid, and Sam Troughton.
The Ritual received positive reviews after its premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Though its premise and beats are familiar, the film’s cinematography and brilliant characterizations help make it thoroughly enjoyable. Part creature feature, part cult movie, and part survival thriller, the film effectively explores feelings of helplessness in the face of inescapable horror, whether that horror comes from everyday human violence or supernatural Scandinavian monsters.
‘Don’t Move’ (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 73% | IMDb: 5.8/10
Don’t Move
- Release Date
-
October 25, 2024
- Runtime
-
92 Minutes
- Director
-
Brian Netto, Adam Schindler
- Writers
-
T.J. Cimfel, David White
Starring Kelsey Asbille, Don’t Move is a highly suspenseful thriller film directed by Adam Schindler and Brian Netto and written by TJ Cimfel and David White. The movie follows a grieving mother who is targeted by a serial killer. Though she initially manages to break away, she discovers that she’s been injected with a paralytic that’s shutting her body down bit by bit. Besides Asbille, the movie also stars Finn Wittrock, Moray Treadwell, and Daniel Francis.
Don’t Move was quite favorably received when it premiered on Netflix in October 2024, and it went on to receive a Saturn Award nomination for Best Television Presentation. An exciting, old-school thriller with plenty of tense situations and a strong emotional core, the movie is a gripping watch with excellent performances, especially by Asbille in the lead role. While it is ultimately predictable, Don’t Move is still an enjoyably terrifying experience that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat.