Halloween is just around the corner, and we’ve gathered up some of the best horror flicks to sit in and binge on while you celebrate the spooky season this year.
Whether you’re a supernatural horror-movie buff, a slasher addict, or you simply wish to enjoy a family-friendly Halloween horror film, there is something for everyone. We’ve rounded up a list of the best scary movies to watch on Netflix right now, and also added a scare factor rating under each recommendation. You’re welcome!
The Exorcist
Hailed as one of the scariest movies ever made, William Friedkin’s 1973 horror film The Exorcist still haunts us, even today. When it was released, it traumatized moviegoers so much, it caused them to pass out and run out of the theatres. Real people even died during the making of the movie, due to natural and unexplained causes before the film’s release. The Exorcist was also the highest-grossing R-rated horror film of its time. The movie centres around a 12-year-old girl who is possessed by a demonic entity, enabling her mother to seek the help of two priests to exorcise the demon.
Scare Factor: 8.5/10. We still can’t get over the spinning head scene.
Dead Silence
Before James Wan worked on the blockbuster hit The Conjuring, he directed the 2007 movie Dead Silence. Don’t let this box office flop fool you — Dead Silence was a movie that was way ahead of its time. We all know James Wan has a thing for creepy dolls, and he manages to make the ventriloquist doll just as scary as Annabelle. The plot begins with newlywed Jamie, who is forced to return to his hometown after his wife meets a grisly end. He discovers the legend of Mary Shaw, a murdered ventriloquist who haunts the town.
Scare Factor: 8/10. If you’re an Annabelle fan, this movie is just for you!
Veronica
A horror flick that is loosely based on the Vallecas case from 1991, where a teenage girl named Estefanía Gutiérrez Lázaro mysteriously died after performing a sèance at her high school using an ouija board. In this film, the girl is named Veronica, who takes care of her younger siblings at home and protects them from an evil force that has entered their apartment after the sèance.
This movie gained international recognition in 2017, after audiences claimed to have turned it off halfway through watching, because it was unbearably frightening.
Scare Factor: 8/10. Veronica does an awesome job at building suspense, before ending on a creepy and unsettling note.
The Eye
Also known as Seeing Ghosts, The Eye is a Hong Kong-Singaporean horror film that centres around a young violinist, Mun, who undergoes a corneal transplant to fix her blindness. As a result, she receives both the gift of eyesight and the second sight to see ghosts. Thanks to the movie’s success, it has spawned two sequels (The Eye 2 and The Eye 10), and also three remakes (Adhu in Tamil, Naina in Hindi, and a Hollywood remake with the same name starring Jessica Alba).
Scare Factor: 7.5/10. The elevator scene still lives in our head rent free.
Orphan
If psychological horror flicks are more of your thing, Orphan will be right up your alley. The movie tells the story of a couple who adopt a nine-year-old girl, Esther, from an orphanage. Soon enough, Esther starts to display sinister behaviour, proving there is more behind her angelic facade. You have to watch the movie to find out what the plot twist is, though! It’s hard to believe Orphan is actually based on the true story of Barbora Skrlová, who posed as a twelve-year-old girl and encouraged the mentally ill mother to abuse her children.
Scare Factor: 7/10. Beware of some gruesome scenes!
The Curse of La Llorona
Based on the Latin American legend of La Llorona, The Curse of La Llorona is set in 1970s Los Angeles, focusing on a troubled single mother who must save her children from a dark entity that is trying to steal them. She has no choice but to turn to a disillusioned priest who practices mysticism to keep the evil at bay. If you’re a fan of The Conjuring movies, this film needs to be on your watchlist. It is the sixth installment in The Conjuring Universe franchise, after all!
Scare Factor: 7.5/10. Lots of jump scares, so get your popcorn ready.
Sinister
Sinister was born after one of the movie’s writers had a nightmare after watching and being spooked by the 2002 horror flick The Ring. The plot revolves around a washed-up true-crime writer who discovers a cache of Super 8 home movies, all depicting several brutal murders in the attic of his new house. The discovery proves to be more than he bargains for, and even puts his family in danger. Take note that Sinister is rated R, so be careful when watching with the family.
When you’re done, feel free to watch the sequel: Sinister 2, which is another thrilling addition to the franchise.
Scare Factor: 8/10. Not only does Sinister have good jump scares, it’s an eerie film overall.
Corpse Bride
If you are looking for a more family-friendly horror flick that won’t cause your kids to have any sleepless nights, Corpse Bride is the perfect choice. This musical horror-comedy film directed by Tim Burton introduces Victor, a merchant’s son who accidentally gets married to a Corpse Bride named Emily. She eventually whisks him off into the underworld as she desires him for herself. This movie was also recently put on Netflix, so enjoy it whenever you can.
Scare Factor: 3/10. This is more of a family-friendly Halloween movie, suitable for the entire brood.
The Fear Street Trilogy
Teen slasher fans, rejoice! The Fear Street movies will give you just the adrenaline rush you need. Loosely based on the popular Fear Street books written by R.L. Stine, this trilogy of horror films revolves around the fictional, notorious town of Shadyside. This residential neighbourhood was cursed by a witch back in the 1600s, leading to a string of murders for generations to come. These films also pay homage to iconic slasher films that came before its time, promising a hell of a ride.
Scare Factor: 6.5/10. The movies are more gory than chilly, but the storyline is top notch.
Hush
Before Mike Flanagan rose to prominence for directing The Haunting of Hill House and Bly Manor, he was known for directing one of 2016’s best horror movies, Hush. Starring his wife Kate Siegel who also co-wrote the film, the plot focuses on a deaf writer who retreats into the woods to live a solitary life. However, she must fight for her life in silence when an unknown masked killer appears at her window.
Scare Factor: 7/10. The whole movie is so quietly eerie, you won’t know what’s going to happen next in this slasher flick!
