Nothing hits better than a good horror movie when that's what you're really in the mood for. Whether you're keen to watch a slasher movie or get a dose of nostalgia with a sequel to an old favorite, Netflix has quite a strong line-up of horror films to watch this May.
Among the films there is the highly-anticipated next installment in the Fear Street franchise, the newly-added Beetlejuice sequel, and Sony's slasher rom-com Heart Eyes. Keep reading to find out our top picks for what to watch in May and the horror movies you can skip.
Fear Street: Prom Queen
The first new Fear Street movie since the 2021 trilogy arrives on Netflix this month, May 23, so obviously it should be at the top of your watchlist for this particular streaming service. Director Matt Palmer tackles the R.L. Stine novel of the same name, taking fans back into the cursed town of Shadyside for prom night.
It's 1988 and the race for prom queen is heating up with the biggest night of the year only days away. As the candidates for the crown prepare for the significant social event, they find their lives threatened as a masked killer begins murdering them one by one.
Peninsula (SKIP!)
Peninsula isn't a bad movie but it's nowhere near the level of its predecessor, Train to Busan, which also happens to be available on Netflix. Luckily, Peninsula is a standalone sequel so it's pretty easy to skip in favor of rewatching the excellent 2020 post-apocalyptic movie instead.
Peninsula tries to hit similar beats to the original, but it can't quite maintain that momentum and it doesn't have the same great character work at the center that we got with Gong Yoo as Seok-woo and his relationship with his daughter.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Twenty-six years after the original film, Tim Burton returned to helm another chapter in the Beetlejuice saga with original actors Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton returning to reprise their roles as Lydia Deetz and the titular character. Burton also tapped Wednesday star Jenna Ortega to step into the role of Lydia's daughter, Astrid.
Netflix recently added this Warner Bros. movie to its lineup, and it's the perfect comfort watch for anyone who grew up loving the 1988 movie. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice retains all of the same zany charm and silliness, while introducing new obstacles and characters to create a highly entertaining experience from start to finish.
The Nun (SKIP!)
The Nun had a lot going for it in the beginning by centering on the scary demonic nun introduced in The Conjuring 2 and casting Vera Farmiga's sister Taissa Farmiga as the lead character. But the movie itself is quite boring compared to the first two films in The Conjuring Universe.
With the teaser for The Conjuring: Last Rites having been released recently, I'm sure there will be fans eager to watch movies they missed from the franchise or plan a rewatch, but you can skip this one without missing much.
Heart Eyes
In an era where romantic comedies are far and few between, Heart Eyes feels like a breath of fresh air. Not only is it a competent slasher with some crazy gore, but it is also a genuine rom-com.
If you enjoy the comedy-horror genre then you're going to love this one, there's a reason it is currently one of the best-reviewed horror movies of 2025. It's fast, breezy, and refreshingly well-written, a great pick for a date night in.