The best horror movies on Netflix right now (August 2019)

Posted: 05 Aug 2019 08:11 AM PDT

Sabienna Bowman has been covering entertainment news since 2010. She currently writes for Bustle, Reelgood, and PopSugar.

Is it time for a scary movie night? Before you get lost in the endless scroll, check out our list of the best horror movies on Netflix right now. Each month the streaming giant adds new movies, and, sadly, takes old favorites away, which makes it hard to keep track of what’s available from month to month. That’s where we come in. From foreign favorites to tried and true classics, we’ve rounded up the best scares the streamer has to offer. Now go ahead and pop the popcorn, dim the lights, and turn on your Roku device, because it’s time to queue up some spooky goodness.

You don’t have to spend all night scrolling to find the scary movie that’s right for you, though. We have you covered with a list of the best horror movies on Netflix right now.

If you’re in the mood for something a little more lighthearted, pick something from the full New on Netflix list that we update monthly.

In addition to this list of the best scary movies on Netflix, we also keep a running list of some other popular genres you can stream:

Horns

In 2014, Daniel Radcliffe was eager to move beyond the world of Harry Potter, and he took a big swing with the darkly comedic horror film Horns. The movie about a man who wakes up with horns and special powers after being accused of murdering his girlfriend isn’t perfect. However, seeing Radcliffe embrace such an adult character makes this a fun watch, especially if you’re a Potter fan.

Stonehearst Asylum

This wry, gothic horror film is slight, but a whole lot of fun. The star-studded cast includes Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess, Michael Caine, Ben Kingsley, and David Thewlis. And they all prove themselves to be up to the task of playing patients and doctors in an 1899 asylum that’s a macabre nightmare for all involved.

The Babysitter

The Babysitter is a Netflix original that flew under the radar when it was initially released. The horror comedy focuses on a young boy who realizes his babysitter is engaging in Satanic rituals after he goes to bed. It’s twisted, a little bit silly, and a delight to watch.

The Woman in Black 2

The Woman in Black 2 is a divisive pick. The sequel to the 2012 film was largely panned by critics, but the followup is a moody, jumpscare-fueled good time. This time a group of children are brought to the isolated house from the first film to escape the World War II bombings. Aided by fine performances from the young actors, this sequel is better than its given credit for being.

Terrifier

Coulrophobes, beware: Terrifier is a next level evil clown film. The clown in question is stalking three women and things get out of hand fast. There’s gore, there’s terror, and there’s enough nightmare fuel to keep even seasoned horror fans awake for nights on end. Forget It‘s Pennywise, this movie’s scary clown will haunt your dreams forever.

Emelie

If The Babysitter is too funny for you, then check out Emelie. Once again, a babysitter proves to be more than meets the eye, but where The Babysitter leans into the horror comedy genre, Emelie is pure scares. As the kids slowly begin to realize that there’s something not right about their sitter, a creeping sense of dread permeates the film.

Cargo

Prepare to have your heart broken, because Martin Freeman brings his A-game in this story of a man crossing Australia’s outback to find a safe place for his baby daughter before a mysterious outbreak leaves him incapacitated. The scares in this father-daughter film are even more intense than usual because the stakes are so high for the child. Even her father is a ticking time bomb, which only adds to the breathless sense of doom in every scene.

The Rezort

In a world where zombies exist, the wealthiest people can pay to hunt the ravenous undead on a secluded island. This is a terrible idea, of course, but it makes the movie so much fun to watch you’ll be happy to go along with the premise that hunters would jump at the chance to get away from it all for a weekend of zombie killing.

Eight Legged Freaks

Before Sharknado, there was 2002’s schlocky monster masterpiece Eight Legged Freaks. Starring Scarlett Johansson and David Arquette, this throwback to ’50s era B movies features some surprisingly scary giant spiders to go along with its laughs.

Stephanie

Stephanie is indie horror done right. The movie hinges on the pitch-perfect performance of the young Shree Crooks, who plays Stephanie, a little girl left alone by her parents after some sort of apocalyptic event. This sounds like an unforgivable abandonment, but there’s so much more to this clever film.

As is the case with most anthology films, every installment of XX isn’t created equal. However, this boldly experimental collection is comprised entirely of fresh female voices in horror including directors Jovanka Vuckovic, Annie Clark, Roxanne Benjamin, and Karyn Kusama.

The Lodgers

If moody, gothic horror is your thing, then queue up The Lodgers tonight. Set in the kind of crumbling manse that’s catnip to the genre, the movie focuses on orphaned twins Rachel and Edwards who are bound to the house by a curse meant to punish their ancestors.

The Doll

Annabelle would take one look at the doll at the center of The Doll and cede her scary toy crown immediately. This Indonisian horror film hinges on the husband of dollmaker bringing home a doll/ Unfortunately, the doll is possessed by a demon, making it extremely hard to get rid of.

Cloverfield

The found footage genre is a bit tired these days, but that doesn’t take away from the frustrating effectiveness of Cloverfield. The movie follows a completely average group of young New Yorkers who are partying the night away until a Godzilla-like creature descends on the city. By keeping the monster out of view, the film creates an unnerving atmosphere that effectively keeps viewers on edge — as long as you can stand the shaky-cam.

Little Evil

Adam Scott walks away with this horror comedy as he plays the befuddled stepfather to the antichrist. Director Eli Craig also gave the world Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, and he employs the same level of playfulness with genre tropes here that made his other film such a joy to watch.

The Blackcoat’s Daughter

Kiernan Shipka and Emma Roberts star in this atmospheric tale of two girls stranded in their boarding school as another braves the harsh winter to reach a mysterious destination. Along the way, there’s plenty of unease as the movie slowly unravels its central mystery and the darkness lurking within the school.

Hush

The sheer amount of tension in Hush is breathtaking. Set in a remote area, a deaf writer’s retreat is interrupted by the appearance of a masked killer in her window. What follows is a survival story that’s not for the faint of heart.

The Silence

Netflix’s original films can be hit or miss, and to be fair, there’s more than a dash of the superior A Quiet Place in The Silence, but it stands on its own as a compelling horror movie all the same. Shipka turns in a sharp performance as a young girl whose heightened senses make her valuable in a world where sound is dangerous. And while the movie doesn’t entirely live up to its promise, her performance alone is reason enough to watch.

Backcountry

A couple of city folk head out into the wilderness and get more than they bargained for in this underappreciated gem. In a refreshing twist, it’s not evil hill folk that plague them, but rather a bloodthirsty bear that they’ll have to use their wits and sheer endurance to escape.

The Golem

If you alone possess the power to save your community from a plague, you would do it no matter the cost, right? Unfortunately for the hero of this spooky film, the protector she conjures turns out to be an even bigger threat than the plague. The Golem is an effectively creepy story that draws on folklore to create a nightmarish and infinitely watchable movie.

Veronica

When Veronica first appeared on Netflix, there was more than one trend piece declaring it the scariest movie of all-time. It’s definitely not that. But it’s still more than your standard possession movie fare thanks to the way it plays with the hysteria that religious fervor can create, and that’s more than enough reason to check it out.

Yoga Hosers

Yoga enthusiasts take on Canadian nazis disguised as sausages in this trippy horror comedy that doesn’t get enough credit for being absolutely bonkers. Kevin Smith is the director, and while it definitely serves up more laughs than scares, it’s perfect for a campy scary movie night.

Await Further Instructions

On the day after Christmas, a British family awakens to a message warning them not to venture outside their home due to an unknown black substance hanging in the air. In a true horror movie fashion, their own infighting and pettiness quickly becomes even more dangerous than the mysterious threat as their paranoia drives them to make a series of rash decisions.

Life After Beth

Aubrey Plaza is a comedic genius; that’s just a fact, between Legion and this movie, she’s also proven herself to be capable of delivering genuine scares too. Life After Beth follows Plaza’s Beth as she returns from the dead, only for her and her boyfriend to quickly realize she’s more undead than alive.

Under the Shadow

This Middle-Eastern horror movie is brilliant and deeply scary. Set in a recently bombed apartment building during the Iran-Iraq War, the residents begin to believe that the missile carried a curse that will doom them all. By mixing the very real terror of war-time with supernatural twists, Under the Shadow stands as one of the best horror movies of the 21st Century so far.

The Perfection

If body horror freaks you out, then move on to the next movie on this list. Everyone else prepare to be grossed out and impressed by the gory drama of The Perfection. The Netflix original stars Allison Williams as a music prodigy who leads her teacher’s latest star pupil down a shocking path. To say anything more would spoil the dark twists of this well-crafted tale.

The Conjuring

The Conjuring has its own extended universe now, but none of it would exist without the exquisite scares found in the 2013 movie that started it all. Ultimately, this is a simple horror film with a familiar premise: a family moves into a creepy house and spooky events start to occur. But it’s James Wan’s careful direction that gives this movie the unique, haunting mood that has pulled in so many fans.

Insidious

Speaking of Wan, after you devour The Conjuring take his 2010 film Insidious for a spin. When it comes to mainstream horror, he truly is one of the most inspired directors working today. With Insidious he pumped fresh blood into the tired scary kid genre, and began a fruitful working relationship with his frequent star Patrick Wilson.

47 Meters Down

Are you planning on going to the beach this summer? 47 Meters Down might change your mind. Mandy Moore and Claire Holt star in this shark fueled nightmare about two women who find themselves stranded in a cage surrounded by sharks after their diving adventure goes wrong. This intense film will keep you squirming in your seat until the very end.

The Witch

Set in 1630 New England, a family believes their daughter is practicing witchcraft in this unsettling horror film. The Witch feels like a throwback in all of the best ways. It relies on mood and silence to create an overwhelming sense of dread that permeates every frame. This movie is more than a collection of jump scares, it’s a rumination on all the ways fear can be our biggest enemy of all.

Gerald’s Game

There have been plenty of Stephen King movies at the box office lately, but perhaps the best modern adaptation of his work is Netflix’s Gerald’s Game. The 2017 film stars Carla Gugino as a woman who accidentally kills her husband, leaving herself chained to a bed with no hope of being set free. As her predicament grows more dire, the film becomes more and more claustrophobic as it depicts her growing desperation.

Apostle

Downton Abbey fans, prepare to see Matthew Crawley as you’ve never seen him before. Dan Stevens stars as a man who returns to his home to find that his sister is being held captive by a religious cult (as one does), and then embarks on a quest to get her back. And there’s lots of creative torture along the way, so maybe don’t eat while you watch this one.

Scream

Kevin Williamson and Wes Craven deconstructed slasher films in the brilliant 1996 film Scream, and for at least a decade afterward the genre had nowhere else to go. Yes, the movie is that good. By turns funny and genuinely heart pounding, the story of a teen girl who finds herself stalked by the scary movie loving Ghostface is a romp from beginning to end.

The Invitation

The Invitation is easily one of the most underrated modern horror films of our time. Set during an increasingly unsettling dinner party, the guests slowly begin to realize that all is not as it seems. This intense, slow burn movie is absolutely riveting.

Carrie

Another King adaptation, the original Carrie is an undisputed masterpiece. Sissy Spacek wows as a young woman who realizes she possesses some interesting powers just in time to serve up some vengeance to the classmates who taunt her. Even if you know what happens in the prom scene, there’s never a bad time to rewatch this classic.

Gremlins

Horror Christmas movies are their own special subset of the genre, and Gremlins is their king. The movie created the adorable, but also dangerous Mogwais that made everyone want a pet named Gizmo. And it also spawned plenty of memorable pop culture moments (including the “don’t feed it after midnight” rule). But what this movie doesn’t get enough credit for is just how scary things get when the Mogwais start multiplying.

Creep

Proving that nothing good comes from answering ads on the internet, Creep stars Mark Duplass as a man who is hired to film another guy’s video for his unborn child. The only problem is the other man’s requests just keep getting stranger by the minute. This 2015 film is a reminder that a film doesn’t need a big budget to be an effective horror movie.

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil

Horror comedies have to strike a tricky balance between making you laugh and incorporating at least a few real scares. Tucker & Dale vs. Evil manages to do both and then some. The movie stars as Tyler Labine and Alan Tudyk as two country guys who are just trying to have a nice vacation when a bunch of college kids start killing themselves on their property. Things only get more delightfully twisted from there.

I Am the Pretty Little Thing That Lives in the House

Slow burn horror movies are some of the genre’s best, and I Am the Pretty Little Thing That Lives in the House is a prime example of why these films work so well. Ruth Wilson plays a woman hired to care for an ailing author in a house that seems to hold its share of dark secrets. The movie takes its time getting going, but Wilson’s performance carries it through to an eerie conclusion.

Train to Busan

Train to Busan plays out like a waking nightmare. A dad and his daughter find themselves trapped on a train during a zombie outbreak in this South Korean film. Thanks to some brilliant cinematography and a tight narrative, this movie creates an unrelenting sense of tension and dread that will leave you breathless.

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane

File this one under the overlooked slasher gem category. Starring Amber Heard, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane starts off as a typical horror movie with a teen heading out to a shady party where two murders clue the viewer in on the fact that the heroine is in a bad situation. However, there’s more to this clever movie than the premise lets on, and that’s exactly why it needs to be added to your Netflix queue, STAT.

Truth or Dare

Every horror movie list needs at least one scary movie that’s just schlocky fun. And Truth or Dare more than fits the bill. This movie about a group of college grads trapped in a demonic game of truth or dare is not great, it’s not even good. But it is so bad that you can build a fantastic movie night around enjoying the cheesiness of it all.

The Ritual

Four college friends embark on a trek through the Scandinavian wilderness in this atmospheric movie that mixes the very human emotions of grief and guilt with a heavy dose of mythology. There are plenty of scares to be had as you watch the men become aware of the dangerous situation that they’re in. However, The Ritual is the rare scary movie that’s just as good on a dramatic level as it is as a genre film.

Happy Streaming! Don’t forget to leave the lights on.

The post The best horror movies on Netflix right now (August 2019) appeared first on The Official Roku Blog.

Sorti Martin

Tuesday, 6 August 2019

The best horror movies on Netflix right now (August 2019)

The best horror movies on Netflix right now (August 2019)

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