So you’re flipping through Netflix for a great horror movie. Suddenly you realize it’s 30 minutes later and you still haven’t found something that looks interesting. We have you covered. The movies below didn’t get the love they deserved and maybe you were gaslit by a downvote on Rotten Tomatoes and didn’t realize it.
We have gone through the Netflix interface and put together a list of 11 movies that may not have caught your attention the first time, but definitely deserve your consideration in the long run. We have provided the trailer (and synopsis) for each which doesn’t mean it’s going to be a great movie, but maybe we’ve saved you a few minutes of getting hypnotized into the sunken place by that Netflix menu “clicking” sound.
Sweetheart (2019)
Here’s one that combines the isolation of Castaway with the suspense of Predator. This creature feature gets high marks for action, special effects, and acting. You’ll notice the final girl is actually the only girl so no tropes are needed.
By acclaimed director J.D. Dillard (Sleight), Kiersey Clemons (Dope) plays a mysterious woman who washes ashore on a mysterious beach. Trying to survive during the day, she discovers that she isn’t as alone as she thinks she is.
Eli (2019)
Maybe it’s unjust to compare this movie with The Shining. Still, there are similarities. A young boy starts seeing ghosts in his new home which also happens to be a giant mansion. The ghosts start communicating with him and his parents think it’s all a part of his illness. This may or may not be true, but you’ll want to find out.
As a last resort to cure their son’s auto-immune disorder, the Millers move into a sterile manor during his treatments. Eli is tormented by terrifying visions — deemed hallucinations — but something sinister may lurk within these walls.
Countdown (2019)
This is probably the most derivative suggestion on this list. The gimmick is simple: you download an app on your phone and it tells you the exact moment of your death. It’s an American attempt at Japanese horror. Although not as good as some of the material it borrowed from, Countdown is an ample tale that gives bubble gum horror a little more flavor.
In Countdown, when a young nurse (Elizabeth Lail) downloads an app that claims to predict exactly when a person is going to die, it tells her she only has three days to live. With time ticking away and death closing in, she must find a way to save her life before time runs out.
The Silence (2019)
Yeah, yeah, The Silence is reminiscent of A Quiet Place. But it’s not bad. Who doesn’t love Stanley Tucci? Cinematographer and director John R. Leonetti gives us a nailbiter. You may not agree with his treatment of the first Annabelle or The Butterfly Effect 2, but here, he is in top form and although the film is not perfect, it’s definitely a good time.
When the world is under attack from terrifying creatures who hunt their human prey by sound, 16-year old Ally Andrews (Kiernan Shipka), who lost her hearing at 13, and her family seek refuge in a remote haven. But they discover a sinister cult who are eager to exploit Ally’s heightened senses. Based on the acclaimed novel, The Silence is directed by John R. Leonetti (Annabelle) and stars Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, Miranda Otto, John Corbett, Kate Trotter and Kyle Breitkopf. Watch on April 10th, only on Netflix.
Hell Fest (2018)
There are better movies with this premise out there, but Hell Fest is still a thrill ride with plenty of gore. And we love that Tony Todd makes a cameo as The Barker. With Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights recently making a return, this movie is the perfect primer for eager fans who love a scary Halloween-haunt house. The ending isn’t that great, but don’t let that get in the way of this above-par movie.
On Halloween night, three young women and their respective boyfriends head to Hell Fest — a ghoulish traveling carnival that features a labyrinth of rides, games and mazes. They soon face a bloody night of terror when a masked serial killer turns the horror theme park into his own personal playground.
The Forest (2016)
A famous YouTuber got into trouble for filming a vlog in this forest known as the Aokigahara. This place is a notorious location where people take their own lives. It’s a scary concept and The Forest takes it there. Atmospheric and sometimes unpredictable this one isn’t getting an iHorror award, but it will creep out some, and distance others.
A young woman’s hunt for her missing sister leads to horror and madness in this terrifying supernatural thriller starring Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones and The Hunger Games franchise). When her troubled twin sister mysteriously disappears, Sara Price (Dormer) discovers she vanished in Japan’s infamous Suicide Forest. Searching its eerie dark woods, Sara plunges into a tormented world where angry spirits lie in wait for those who ignore the warning: never stray from the path.
We Summon the Darkness (2019)
Over-the-top and visually striking, We Summon the Darkness is one of those Blumhouse-like productions. Some great guitar solos, and Johnny Knoxville as a televangelist is a nice touch. And Alexandra Daddario (we love that last name) is always a pleasure to watch.
Three best friends embark on a road trip to a heavy-metal show, where they bond with three aspiring musicians and head off to one of the girls’ country home for an after-party.
Little Evil (2017)
This might be the most intentionally funny movie on this list. Adam Scott is the perfect everyman to play the lead in this hilarious send-up of Satanic Panic. Thanks to his character naivete he’s often the punchline, but give it some time, he gets his licks in. And Bridget Everett is hilarious as frank friend.
Meet Gary. He just married Samantha, the woman of his dreams. There’s one problem, his stepson is the antichrist. Adam Scott and Evangeline Lilly star in the Netflix horror-comedy from the director of Tucker and Dale vs. Evil.
1BR (2019)
Have you ever looked for an apartment? How about in Los Angeles? Tinseltown is so rich in history that unless you somehow find a new build apartment building in town, you’re likely to get a place nearly 100 years old. 1BR is an anxiety-driven opus about knowing where you live and, more importantly, who your neighbors are.
After leaving behind a painful past, Sarah scores the perfect Hollywood apartment only to discover that her surprisingly welcoming neighbors may harbor a dangerous secret.
The Devil Below (2021)
This masc-Descent clone has been called devoid of character development. That might be true, but when you’re scrolling through the thousands of other titles on Netflix, this one might be worth a watch. The monster is cool and so is Will Patton.
A group of four amateur adventurers who specialize in exploring remote and forsaken places pay a visit to Shookum Hills, a town in the remote Appalachian Mountains, which was abandoned decades ago due to a mysterious coal mine fire.
Unfriended (2014)
Screen life has become an unsteady trend. It’s become the natural progression of the found footage genre. Unfriended could arguably be the mainstream movie that started it all. The jump sacres and webcam acting are top-notch. You can add to the experience by viewing this on your laptop. This film was underrated when it first came out, but now that it lives on Netflix, it might be a good time to reconnect.
A group of online chatroom friends find themselves haunted by a mysterious, supernatural force using the account of their dead friend.
There you have it. Eleven great titles you may have missed on Netflix for whatever reason. If you have seen some of these let us know. And as always, if we missed something drop us a comment.
