Netflix’s 15 Horror Gems That’ll Give You Goosebumps

In reality, I may be considered a bit of a scaredy-cat, often finding myself unnerved by the complexities and uncertainties of the real world and the people in it. However, there’s a peculiar fascination I hold for the zone of horror movies, a zone where the terrifying and supernatural can be controlled and observed from the safety of my own home. I find solace in the notion that the horrors of the screen, no matter how spine-chilling, are a refuge from the horrors that lurk beyond it.

Over time, I’ve had the opportunity to explore a plethora of Netflix’s finest horror offerings. These movies, in particular, have left me in awe of their ability to invoke fear and fascination. They’ve taken me on a rollercoaster of emotions, making me appreciate the art of horror storytelling while providing an escape from the often-scarier realities of life.

Now, I’d like to share these 15 exceptional horror movies that I’ve watched and found truly amazing.

The Conjuring (2013)

The Conjuring,” directed by James Wan, is a spine-chilling supernatural horror film that unfolds a tale of terror from start to finish.

It begins with the Perron family, led by Carolyn and Roger, moving into a seemingly idyllic farmhouse in 1971.

However, their dream home quickly turns into a nightmare as eerie occurrences escalate. Mysterious bruises, unexplained noises, and malevolent spirits terrorize the Perrons, driving them to seek help from paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. As the Warrens delve into the investigation, they uncover the dark history of the house, where a witch named Bathsheba once practiced devilish rituals, leaving a curse that lingers.

The family’s torment intensifies as Carolyn becomes possessed by Bathsheba’s vengeful spirit, prompting a harrowing battle between good and evil. In a climactic exorcism, Lorraine confronts Bathsheba, unraveling her sinister secrets and breaking the curse, ultimately freeing the Perron family from the clutches of this malevolent force.

“The Conjuring” masterfully blends suspense, psychological horror, and heart-pounding terror, delivering a cinematic experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end.

Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary” is a chilling horror film from 2018 that unravels the story of a deeply disturbed family.

The movie begins with the death of Ellen, the secretive matriarch of the Graham family.

Her daughter, Annie (Toni Collette), is an artist who struggles with grief and her strained relationship with her family, including her husband Steve (Gabriel Byrne), her son Peter (Alex Wolff), and her daughter Charlie (Milly Shapiro).

Strange and unsettling events start to occur after Ellen’s death, including mysterious symbols, séances, and the appearance of a sinister cult. As the family’s lives spiral out of control, Annie unearths dark family secrets, revealing that her mother was involved in a cult that worships a demon named Paimon.

The film takes a horrifying turn as Paimon’s presence becomes more pronounced, leading to a terrifying climax involving possession and the ultimate descent into madness for the Graham family.

“Hereditary” is a psychologically intense and disturbing film that explores themes of grief, mental illness, and the horrors that can lurk within a family’s history, leaving audiences deeply unsettled and haunted by its disturbing imagery.

The Witch (2015)

The Witch” is a haunting and atmospheric horror film set in 17th-century New England.

The movie begins with William, a devout Puritan, being banished from their religious settlement due to a religious dispute.

He takes his family, including his wife Katherine, teenage daughter Thomasin, young son Caleb, and twins Mercy and Jonas, to a remote farm on the edge of a dark, ominous forest. Strange occurrences start happening, including the disappearance of the infant, Samuel, under Thomasin’s care.

The family begins to suspect supernatural forces at play, believing that a witch in the woods is responsible. As paranoia and religious hysteria grip the family, they turn on each other, and Thomasin is accused of being a witch.

The film’s climax reveals the horrifying truth that there is indeed a coven of witches in the woods, who have made a pact with the devil. The film ends with Thomasin joining the coven, embracing her newfound power.

“The Witch” is a slow-burning and unsettling exploration of religious fervor, isolation, and the primal fears of the unknown, culminating in a chilling and ambiguous conclusion that lingers long after the credits roll.

The Babadook (2014)

The Babadook” is a psychological horror film that tells the story of Amelia (Essie Davis), a widowed mother struggling to cope with the death of her husband, who died in a car accident while she was in labor with their son, Samuel (Noah Wiseman).

The movie begins with Amelia and Samuel living a strained and isolated life, haunted by grief and Samuel’s fear of a menacing monster he believes is lurking in their house.

One night, Samuel asks his mother to read a mysterious pop-up book titled “Mr. Babadook,” which seems to unleash a sinister presence in their home. As Amelia’s mental state deteriorates and her behavior becomes increasingly erratic, she begins to believe that the Babadook is real and poses a threat to her and her son. The Babadook itself becomes a terrifying manifestation of her unresolved grief and trauma.

The film’s climax sees Amelia confronting the Babadook in a harrowing and intense battle, ultimately overcoming her fear and choosing to confront her pain and grief instead of succumbing to it.

“The Babadook” is a psychological horror masterpiece that explores themes of grief, motherhood, and the darkness within, leaving viewers with a profound and chilling examination of the human psyche.

A Quiet Place (2018)

A Quiet Place” is a suspenseful and post-apocalyptic horror film that follows the Abbott family as they struggle to survive in a world overrun by blind, noise-sensitive creatures that attack anything that makes a sound.

The film begins by introducing us to the Abbotts — Lee (John Krasinski), Evelyn (Emily Blunt), their deaf daughter Regan (Millicent Simmonds), and their two younger sons, Marcus and Beau.

The family communicates through sign language and lives a life of absolute silence to avoid attracting the creatures.

Tragedy strikes early in the film when Beau is killed by one of the creatures due to an accidental noise.

The story then jumps forward in time, and Evelyn is pregnant. The family is doing its best to prepare for the baby’s arrival, including creating a soundproof room in their basement. The tension escalates as Evelyn goes into labor during an attack, and Lee must find a way to protect his family from the deadly creatures while also caring for his newborn baby.

Throughout the film, we see the family’s resourcefulness and determination to survive, but they face numerous close calls and encounters with the creatures. Regan, who feels responsible for Beau’s death, discovers that her hearing aid’s high-frequency feedback can incapacitate the creatures. This discovery becomes crucial in their fight for survival.

In the climactic final act, the family uses this knowledge to fend off the creatures and protect the baby. Tragically, Lee sacrifices himself to save his children. The film ends on a note of hope as the remaining family members, armed with their newfound knowledge, prepare to confront the creatures head-on.

“A Quiet Place” is a gripping and emotionally charged thriller that explores themes of family bonds, survival, and the lengths parents will go to protect their children in a world where making even the slightest noise can mean certain death. The film’s masterful use of silence and sound design creates a sense of constant tension and terror, making it stand out in the horror genre.

Gerald’s Game (2017)

Gerald’s Game” is a psychological thriller film that revolves around Jessie Burlingame (Carla Gugino) and her husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood), who decide to spice up their marriage by retreating to a remote lake house for a weekend getaway.

However, their kinky sex game turns into a nightmare when Gerald unexpectedly dies of a heart attack, leaving Jessie handcuffed to the bed with no one around to help her.

As Jessie struggles to escape and survive, she begins to experience hallucinations and memories from her traumatic childhood, particularly involving her abusive father. She also imagines a sinister, ghostly version of Gerald taunting her.

Amidst her desperate attempts to free herself, Jessie must confront her own inner demons, find the strength to survive, and come to terms with her past.

The film culminates in a gripping and intense battle for her life, as she manages to escape the handcuffs and defeat her inner and outer demons.

“Gerald’s Game” is a haunting and psychological thriller that delves into themes of trauma, survival, and resilience, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats as Jessie’s ordeal unfolds.

Bird Box (2018)

Bird Box” is a post-apocalyptic horror-thriller film that begins with an inexplicable and deadly phenomenon sweeping the globe.

People are driven to madness and suicide after encountering mysterious supernatural entities that take on the form of their deepest fears.

The story centers on Malorie (Sandra Bullock), a pregnant woman who seeks refuge in a house with a group of survivors, including Tom (Trevante Rhodes), Olympia (Danielle Macdonald), and others. They quickly realize that the only way to avoid the creatures is to keep their eyes covered, relying on their other senses for navigation.

The film unfolds in two parallel timelines, one showing the survivors’ struggle to survive in the present and another revealing the past events that led Malorie to this point.

As they hop on a dangerous journey, blindfolded to protect themselves from the entities, they face various challenges, including treacherous rapids and hostile survivors.

Tensions rise within the group as they face not only the external threat but also their internal fears and conflicts. Malorie’s journey is further complicated by her maternal instincts as she cares for two children, one of whom is her biological son, while the other is Olympia’s daughter.

In the climax, they reach a sanctuary for the blind, where they can live free from the entities. However, it’s revealed that a group of fanatical survivors intends to force people to see the entities, believing it’s a path to salvation.

A deadly showdown ensues, resulting in the deaths of some characters, including Tom. Malorie and the children manage to find refuge with the blind survivors, bringing the film full circle.

“Bird Box” is a tense and suspenseful thriller that explores themes of motherhood, survival, and the limits of human endurance. It keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as the characters navigate a world where simply opening one’s eyes can lead to madness and death, and it’s Malorie’s determination and love for her children that drive her to protect them at any cost.

The Ritual (2017)

The Ritual” is a gripping horror film that kicks off with a group of four friends — Luke (Rafe Spall), Phil (Arsher Ali), Dom (Sam Troughton), and Hutch (Robert James-Collier) — Hop on a hiking trip in the Swedish wilderness to honor the memory of their deceased friend Robert.

Tragedy strikes early when Dom injures his knee, forcing them to take a shortcut through a dense and foreboding forest.

As they venture deeper into the woods, they encounter unsettling and supernatural occurrences, including eerie symbols and a gutted animal carcass suspended in the trees. It becomes clear that they are not alone in the forest, and an unseen malevolent presence begins to stalk them. The tension escalates as the group becomes increasingly lost, injured, and psychologically tormented.

Amid their struggles, they stumble upon an abandoned cabin containing strange and disturbing artifacts, including a pagan deity.

The film’s central conflict revolves around their desperate fight for survival as they are pursued and picked off one by one by an ancient and terrifying force that dwells in the forest. Luke eventually confronts the deity, which forces him to relive the trauma of Robert’s death. He discovers that the creature feeds on fear and is appeased by sacrifice. Luke ultimately overcomes his fear and faces the creature, leading to a climactic showdown in the woods.

“The Ritual” delves into themes of guilt, trauma, and the power of collective fear, weaving a haunting narrative that keeps viewers on edge throughout. It’s a suspenseful and atmospheric horror film that combines psychological horror with supernatural elements, offering a chilling exploration of the darkness that can lurk within the human psyche and the wilderness.

Train to Busan (2016)

Train to Busan” is a South Korean zombie apocalypse film that begins with a harried fund manager named Seok-woo (Gong Yoo) and his young daughter Soo-an (Kim Su-an) boarding a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan. Unbeknownst to them, a viral outbreak that turns people into bloodthirsty zombies has broken out in South Korea.

As the train departs, a wounded woman infected with the virus stumbles on board, setting off a chain reaction that leads to a terrifying and suspenseful battle for survival.

The film’s central conflict centers on a group of passengers who must protect themselves against the rapidly spreading zombie threat while dealing with their own internal struggles and moral dilemmas. As the train hurtles toward Busan, the passengers must make difficult choices and form alliances to stay alive.

The film explores themes of sacrifice, selflessness, and the human instinct to survive, culminating in a heart-wrenching and intense climax as the survivors reach Busan, only to face a final showdown with the undead.

“Train to Busan” is a thrilling and emotional rollercoaster that masterfully combines action-packed zombie horror with poignant character development, making it a standout in the genre.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

“The Autopsy of Jane Doe” is a chilling horror film that commences in a small-town morgue run by father and son coroners, Tommy (Brian Cox) and Austin (Emile Hirsch).

Their ordinary night takes a horrifying turn when the sheriff brings in an unidentified female corpse, known as Jane Doe (Olwen Kelly), found in the basement of a gruesome crime scene.

As they begin to conduct a meticulous autopsy, strange and inexplicable phenomena occur. Jane Doe’s body reveals bizarre internal injuries that defy explanation, and they find odd symbols and clues etched into her skin.

The autopsy room becomes a nightmarish battleground as supernatural occurrences intensify, with the corpses in the morgue reanimating and malevolent spirits stalking the duo.

With each revelation, the mystery deepens, leading them to realize that Jane Doe may be the vessel for a malevolent entity seeking revenge against those who wronged her. The father-son team must use their wits and medical skills to unravel the sinister puzzle and survive the night.

“The Autopsy of Jane Doe” is a tension-filled and claustrophobic horror film that combines elements of psychological horror with the supernatural, creating an atmosphere of dread and unease. It explores themes of death, family bonds, and the unknown, leaving viewers with a sense of lingering horror and a chilling twist ending that raises disturbing questions about the true nature of Jane Doe and the dark forces that surround her.

The Perfection (2018)

“The Perfection” is a psychological horror thriller released in 2018.

The film follows the twisted journey of Charlotte, a former musical prodigy who returns to the prestigious Bichoff Music Academy after a period of absence.

She meets the school’s new star, Lizzie, and they form an instant connection. However, as their relationship deepens, a series of unsettling events unfold.

Charlotte accompanies Lizzie on a trip to China, but their journey takes a nightmarish turn when Lizzie falls ill. What initially seems like a medical crisis takes a shocking and gruesome turn, revealing dark secrets within the academy and a sinister plot involving their former mentor, Anton.

As Charlotte and Lizzie uncover the horrifying truth about the academy and their own pasts, the film takes unexpected twists and turns, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.

“The Perfection” is a mind-bending and disturbing exploration of obsession, manipulation, and revenge, with a narrative structure that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.

Veronica (2017)

“Veronica” is a Spanish horror film released in 2017, loosely based on a true story.

The movie begins by introducing us to Veronica, a teenage girl who lives in a Madrid apartment with her younger siblings, as their mother frequently works long hours.

During a solar eclipse, Veronica and her friends attempt to contact her deceased father using a Ouija board in the school’s basement. However, something goes awry during the séance, and Veronica becomes possessed by a malevolent entity.

Strange and terrifying occurrences plague her life, and she begins to experience disturbing visions. Desperate to save herself and her siblings, Veronica seeks help from a blind nun who has experience with the supernatural.

As the possession intensifies, Veronica’s life unravels, leading to a chilling climax in her apartment building. The film maintains a constant sense of dread and effectively combines elements of psychological and supernatural horror.

“Veronica” keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as it explores themes of guilt, family, and the unknown, making it a standout entry in the horror genre.

The Haunting of Hill House (2018)

The Haunting of Hill House” is actually a Netflix television series released in 2018, based on Shirley Jackson’s 1959 novel of the same name.

The series follows the Crain family, primarily focusing on the adult siblings: Steven, Shirley, Theo, Luke, and Nell.

The story alternates between two timelines, one depicting their traumatic experiences living in Hill House as children, and the other showing their present-day lives as they grapple with the lingering trauma from their past.

In their childhood, the Crain family moved into Hill House, intending to renovate and flip it, but they soon realize the mansion is filled with malevolent supernatural forces.

The family members experience horrifying events, including apparitions and unexplainable phenomena, which drive them out of the house. Tragedy strikes when their mother, Olivia, is consumed by the house’s dark power.

In the present day, the adult Crain siblings are haunted by their past experiences and the loss of their mother. They each have their own coping mechanisms, with Steven becoming a writer of supernatural books, Shirley working as a mortician, Theo as a therapist with a unique ability to sense emotions through touch, Luke struggling with addiction, and Nell grappling with mental health issues.

Nell’s untimely death brings the family back to Hill House, where they must confront their traumatic memories and the malevolent forces that continue to haunt them.

The series weaves a complex narrative, exploring themes of family, grief, mental illness, and the blurred line between the supernatural and psychological horror.

It is a chilling and emotionally resonant tale that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish, culminating in a heart-wrenching and shocking conclusion that leaves a lasting impact.

“The Haunting of Hill House” is a masterful and modern take on a classic ghost story.

With these 15 spine-tingling horror movies available on Netflix, you’re in for a rollercoaster of emotions, from heart-pounding scares to psychological thrillers that will linger in your mind long after the screen goes dark. Prepare to be terrified, thrilled, and captivated by these gripping tales of the macabre, and then share your experiences with fellow horror enthusiasts to spread the chills and thrills. Happy viewing!