50 Best Horror Movies on Netflix Streaming Right Now

5. The Babadook

Directed by Jennifer Kent

Written by Jennifer Kent

Starring Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall, Hayley McElhinney, Barbara West, Ben Winspear

Hands down, The Babadook is one of the best horror films released in the last twenty years. Whereas many movies in the horror genre skimp on character development and story, The Babadook masters both and also serves up some intimidating scares. It starts slow and works diligently to color in its characters but trust us, the payoff is real, genuine terror on the part of the audience member. This film is likely to resonate the most deeply with middle-aged viewers and those with children but it certainly has enough scares to be a hit with most any audience member.

While boogeyman stories often feature the shadowy menace terrorizing children, this movie sees fit to have a little boys mother receive the brunt of the terror.

Just know that if you do have children, you might think twice about reading them a bedtime story after seeing The Babadook.

Next: 5. Before I Wake