20 Best Horror Movies on Netflix — Ranked from Least to Most Terrifying

True horror aficionados might gravitate toward specialty services like Shudder, but Netflix — the largest platform of its kind — offers a wide variety for viewers at every level of fright tolerance.

The genre covers many shades of fear, from subtle unease to full-throttle terror. Below are 20 standout horror titles currently on Netflix, arranged subjectively from the mildest chills to the most severe scares.

20
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

The original Beetlejuice endures for a reason, and Tim Burton’s sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, recaptures that off-kilter spirit while carving out its own identity. Nostalgia is present, but the movie adds fresh twists that keep the universe lively.

More dark comedy than straight horror, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice returns three decades later: Lydia (Winona Ryder) has tried to close that chapter of her life, yet when her teen daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega) inadvertently opens a doorway to the afterlife, pandemonium follows.

19
The Babysitter (2017)

Horror can be uproarious as well as unnerving, and McG’s The Babysitter leans into both. Twelve-year-old Cole (Judah Lewis) harbors a crush on his charismatic babysitter Bee (Samara Weaving), only to discover one night that she might lead a murderous cult.

The film gleefully embraces its outlandish plotting: one moment you’re laughing, the next you’re cringing at a bloody set piece. If you want a genre entry that toggles between comedy and violence without apology, The Babysitter delivers.

18
Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)

Which is more frightening — vampires or the slow creep of gentrification? Oz Rodriguez answers: both. Vampires vs. the Bronx is a sharp horror-comedy that blends social commentary with classic monster-movie fun.

Released in 2020, the film balances humor, heart, and genuine menace: memorable characters, well-timed scares, and an unexpectedly poignant look at community make this one of the year’s more enjoyable offerings.

17
Jaws (1975)

Some argue whether Steven Spielberg’s Jaws is strictly thriller or horror — it sits comfortably between both. The story of a great white terrorizing a New England beach town remains a masterclass in suspense.

Jaws is famous for many things, not least John Williams’ iconic score. Spielberg teases the threat expertly, building dread from absence and sound, and then delivers gut-clenching moments that still resonate decades later.

16
The Blackening (2023)

Tim Story’s The Blackening uses horror-comedy to confront a violent, racially charged premise: a group of Black friends retreat to a cabin, only to face a murderous assailant whose motives are steeped in racism.

The film is sharper than its setup suggests — it balances biting humor with genuine suspense, and its tonal confidence makes it both entertaining and thought-provoking. It’s a horror-comedy that lingers after the credits roll.

15
Cargo (2017)

Martin Freeman headlines this compact, emotional post-apocalypse tale. After being bitten by a zombie, a father races across the Australian wilderness to secure care for his infant daughter before he transforms.

Based on an earlier short, Cargo emphasizes human connection more than gore. It’s a tender, often heartbreaking exploration of community and sacrifice amid collapse — a zombie story with surprising warmth and hope.

14
Till Death (2021)

Megan Fox, familiar to many from Jennifer’s Body, turns in a more harrowing performance in Till Death. The film positions her as a survivor forced into extremity.

Emma awakens to a nightmare: handcuffed to her husband, who promptly kills himself, she soon realizes he arranged a hit on her. Trapped and hunted, she must outwit two assassins. Fox’s performance anchors the film, proving she can carry visceral, modern thriller-horror roles.

13
Until Dawn (2025)

A stranded group of friends seeks shelter at an eerie, deserted lodge — and soon discovers Glore Valley harbors far darker secrets than they expected.

Adapted from Supermassive Games’ cult video game, David F. Sandberg’s Until Dawn blends time-loop mechanics, uncanny creatures, and sharp jump scares. Initially divisive among fans of the original, the movie rewards repeated viewings with layered visuals and committed horror craft.

12
There’s Someone Inside Your House (2021)

Patrick Brice teams with producers James Wan and Shawn Levy to adapt Stephanie Perkins’ novel into a tense slasher. The story follows Makani (Sydney Park), who moves from Hawaii to Nebraska and becomes entangled in a string of murders where victims’ secrets are exposed before each killing.

It’s a straightforward slasher by design — unpretentious and effective. If you’re after a crowd-pleasing, jump-scare-driven mystery to watch with friends, this one fits the bill.

11
Tarot (2024)

Tarot asks a simple, sinister question: what if a group of friends read an old deck in a Catskills mansion and then died in the exact ways depicted by those cards? If that premise excites you, this 2024 supernatural horror aims to satisfy.

Spenser Cohen and Anna Halberg craft a twisty plot around the familiar trope, delivering inventive kills, a foreboding atmosphere, and meticulous production design — all calibrated to produce the scares audiences came for.

Source: Polygon