The best horror films on Netflix – in cyberspace nobody can hear you scream

EntertainmentStreamingThe best horror films on Netflix – in cyberspace nobody can hear you screamSlashers, demonic infestations, sinister Scandinavians – ‘spooktacular' really is the only word for this streaming contentWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Slashers, demonic infestations, sinister Scandinavians – ‘spooktacular' really is the only word for this streaming content

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: GoodLifeStudio/Getty)

Young smiling couple watching a scary movie at home. Both Caucasian, casual, about 20 years old.

(Image credit: GoodLifeStudio/Getty)

That was in my list of thebest films to watch on Netflixin January, although that was largely due to a lack of competition. There is not a lot for horror fans when it comes toNetflixoriginals, aside fromCastlevaniaand some of the gnarlier episodes of Black Mirror. And to be perfectly honest, there is not a lot for horror fans among the third-party offerings on Netflix either, as I discovered when I researched this story.

Nonetheless, I have dug deep into the entrails of their available content, and sucked out the best of what’s available. If you’re looking for the likes of Dawn of the Dead, The Exorcist, It Follows, The Witch, Alien or practically anything else that could be considered a horror classic, you will need to look elsewhere but there is some high-class trash and a few nuggets of more artsy-fartsy modern horror.

Midsommar

Despite what I just said, Midsommar is on Netflix and is widely considered a modern horror classic. Like a lot of modern horrors, it places some hapless young people in a seemingly benign situation that gradually becomes deeply creepy and eventually homicidal.

Without giving away too much, let’s just say that if I turned up at some Scandinavian festivities and old people started killing themselves while everyone sat there and applauded, I personally would get the f**k out of Dodge, and probably notify the cops on my way to the airport. Like many of today’s young people, the protagonists of this are far too polite to do that, but let’s just keep our fingers crossed that they survive to the end of the film, eh?

Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts

You may also like:Get Out.Another modern classic, this is more a slightly scary take on modern race relations, as opposed to a wholly satisfying horror film. Also whatever you do, don’t watch the trailer as it gives away literally the entire plot.

Ash vs Evil Dead

Nowthat’smore like it. I don’t know what possessed Starz to make three entire series of an extremely R-rated follow up to the classic Evil Dead movies – demons from another dimension, probably. But I’m very glad they did, as the great Bruce Campbell gets one last, extended hurrah as Ash Williams – aka ‘Ashy Slashy’.

Event Horizon

However, very much to my surprise, and despite the heavy hand of director Paul WS Anderson – he made all those ridiculous Resident Evil films – Event Horizon has come to be seen as something of a cult classic in recent years. That’s presumably at least in part because Anderson layers on the religious symbolism with a trowel, giving a veneer of seriousness. The idea here is that an experimental warp drive, or something, on the titular spaceship The Event Horizon has opened some sort of outer-space portal to, literally, the Biblical Hell. Yes, that old chestnut.

As a result of this retrospective acclaim, I rewatched Event Horizon recently. I have to admit that on second viewing it is an effectively creepy watch for much of its run time, even if the ‘running around screaming while covered in blood’ conclusion loses the mood a bit. Anderson takes a lot of cues from Alien but the monsters are more supernatural or psychological, rather than being actual monsters with big, sharp teeth. There’s also a viciously effective bit where a crew member is sucked into space and suffers the effects of explosive decompression.

You might also like: Life.Another reasonably effective Alien ‘homage’, this one starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds wearing his ‘I’m being serious now’ face.

Today’s best Netflix dealsNetflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Premium$22.99/mthViewatNetflix

Today’s best Netflix deals

Netflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflixNetflix - Premium$22.99/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix - Standard with ads$6.99/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Standard with ads

$6.99/mthView

$6.99/mth

/mth

atNetflix

Netflix - Standard$15.49/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Standard

$15.49/mthView

$15.49/mth

/mth

atNetflix

Netflix - Premium$22.99/mthViewatNetflix

Netflix

Netflix - Premium

$22.99/mthView

$22.99/mth

/mth

atNetflix

TOPICSnetflix

TOPICS

BOOX Note Max

This E Ink notebook can replace your Kindle and Chromebook in oneBOOX’s new E Ink tablet can turn into an Android-powered laptop too

BOOX’s new E Ink tablet can turn into an Android-powered laptop too

Sky Stream remote

Sky Stream gets a great new trick that unlocks long hidden potentialA Sky Stream puck update gives you a host of new channels

A Sky Stream puck update gives you a host of new channels

With Love, Meghan on Netflix

Is this the most insufferable Netflix trailer of all time?Meghan Markle has a show coming

Meghan Markle has a show coming

Ghost of Tsushima Legends series

One of PlayStation’s best exclusives to become unlikely new action seriesGhost of Tsushima will get a new adaptation

Ghost of Tsushima will get a new adaptation

Cassandra on Netflix

Netflix’s sci-fi horror series looks astonishing in full trailerCassandra looks like a slow-burn horror

Cassandra looks like a slow-burn horror

Reacher Season 3

My favourite Amazon Prime Video show gets a rip-roaring S3 trailerReacher is back, and having bigger fights than ever

Reacher is back, and having bigger fights than ever

The Penguin

Huge award wins show you can’t afford to miss these HBO showsIt’s a hit-factory, with some unreal TV in the last year

It’s a hit-factory, with some unreal TV in the last year

Unforgiven

I hadn’t seen this Oscar-winning Western classic – now it’s a favouriteUnforgiven is an all-timer for genre fans

Unforgiven is an all-timer for genre fans

The Kardashians S6 on Hulu

Love it or hate it – one of the biggest ever reality shows is to returnThe Kardashians are coming

The Kardashians are coming

Zero Day on Netflix

Two-time Oscar-winner stars in Netflix’s new thriller seriesZero Day brings Robert De Niro back to Netflix

Zero Day brings Robert De Niro back to Netflix

Midsommar#

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox#

Ash vs Evil Dead#

Event Horizon#

Midsommar

Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox

Ash vs Evil Dead

Event Horizon