5 of the scariest horror movies streaming on Netflix right now

Netflix has a surprisingly robust collection of horror movies available to stream, both licensed and original content. But with so many options, making a selection is overwhelming. Here are five genuinely scary movies on Netflix right now!

The Ritual (2017)

Folk horror meets creature feature in this starkly terrifying and atmospheric horror film based on Adam Nevill's novel of the same. Dare I say the movie even improves on the book in some ways, cutting out that weird second half involving the black metal fanaticism.

Don't get me wrong—the book is great, but I wouldn't say I liked its sharp turn in the latter half. I appreciate that the movie focused on its strengths. The Ritual boasts one of my favorite (and one of the creepiest) creature designs I've seen in modern horror.

His House (2020)

His House is an incredibly moving and viscerally terrifying horror film about a refugee couple from South Sudan who discover a menacing evil presence lurking in their new town.

A beautiful, atmospheric score and powerful performances from the lead actors help make His House a stand-out film. It's the rare horror movie that holds a perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes.

The Babadook (2014)

One of the most cited movies using grief as a metaphorical monster, The Babadook, still holds up for me after all these years. It gave me horrible dreams the first time I saw it, and I still think it's a frightening and well-made horror movie.

Part character study, part gripping, tension-filled nightmare, The Babadook plunges viewers into dread and will leave you with a creeping sense of unease. You'll never look at pop-up books the same way, that's for sure.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Wes Craven's iconic slasher film is considered a classic for a reason. Even if the special effects aren't as scary in 2024 as in 1984, Freddy Kreuger remains a popular horror figure who has infiltrated many of our nightmares over the decades.

All of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies are currently streaming on Netflix, and while there are several great entries in the film series, at the very least, you should watch or revisit the original and meet the midnight monster as he terrorizes teens as they sleep.

Verónica (2017)

Teenage Verónica and her friends use an Ouija board to contact the ghost of her late father in this 2017 Spanish horror film. It's a familiar premise that has been done to death in the horror genre, yet Paco Plaza's movie takes a simple concept and elevates it into something quite freaky.

Verónica keeps it simple and still manages to pack several unnerving punches throughout its runtime. Plus, if you end up enjoying the film, I recommend checking out its prequel, also on Netflix and directed by Plaza, Sister Death.

Other great horror movies currently streaming on Netflix include The Rental, Fear Street, Creep, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and It Follows.

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