Best horror movies on Netflix in December 2024

If you like to be scared out of your wits, then Netflix's selection of horror movies won't disappoint. They've also got plenty of those cheesy, so-bad-they-are-good flicks for the less discerning. There are several great horrors on the streaming service - too many to include in one article. But we’ve tried. Here are the best horror movies to stream on Netflix this December 2024...

Talk to Me

Horror

2023 | Michael Philippou | 95 mins | 15

Summary:Talk to Me follows a group of friends who attempt to summon spirits by using an embalmed hand. They soon become hooked on the thrill, but one of them takes things too far - unleashing terrifying supernatural forces. You Don’t Know Me star Sophie Wilde, and Lord of the Rings actress Miranda Otto feature in this Australian supernatural horror.

Why you should watch: If you’re into your supernatural horror - we're talking ouija boards, evil spirits and people being possessed, then this should be right up your street. Described as being "fast-paced" and "often unpredictable" (Rotten Tomatoes), Talk to Me has proven to be something of a hit with audiences and critics alike. GQ were very complimentary of the movie last year, describing it as a "great entry to the new canon of economical gross-out horror movies", and insisting that it should be on everyone's watch list on Halloween. If you're squeamish, look away now, but if you're not, dive in… at your peril…

Available now

The Platform

Drama | Science Fiction | Thriller

2019 | Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia | 95 mins | 18

Summary:This Spanish horror is set in a dystopian future, in a prison that’s pretty different from ones we’re used to. Prisoners are fed via a platform, which descends from the top all the way down to the bottom of the prison. Those at the top take more than their fair share of food, whilst those at the bottom survive on scraps. Every month, the prisoners switch between the prison’s many floors. One day, a prisoner at the bottom decides to change the system. Spanish stars Iván Massagué and Zorion Eguileor lead.

Why you should watch: This Spanish horror is worth a watch simply for the unique premise alone. According to viewers, it's also pretty "messed up" too, which is essential when it comes to horrors - unless you have a weak stomach, that is. A review from the Daily Telegraph in 2020 summed up the movie best, saying: "It's anything but a balanced diet, but there's much to chew on regardless." Good news too, if you enjoyed this one, then the sequel is also on Netflix.

Available now

His House

Drama | Horror

2020 | Remi Weekes | 93 mins

Summary:This horror thriller tells the story of a couple from Sudan who escape to the UK. However, their move to a little English village doesn't go as smoothly as possible, as they learn that there is a hidden evil lurking beneath the surface. Loki star Wunmi Mosaku and Gangs of London actor Sope Dirisu play refugees Rial and Bol. Doctor Who and House of Dragon star Matt Smith also features.

Why you should watch: His House received widespread acclaim when it was first released, and for good reason. It's seriously unnerving and features some truly fantastic performances from its leads. The Guardian seemed impressed, describing the movie as "striking" and praising the fact that the director had some "effectively nasty tricks up his sleeve". On the outside, it might seem to be the same old haunted house movie, but it's so much more than that. Put your hot tea down, there'll be some jump scares!

Available now

Smile

Horror | Mystery

2022 | Parker Finn | 115 mins | 18

Summary:This psychological horror follows a therapist who witnesses the bizarre suicide of one of her patients right in front of her. After this, she goes through increasingly disturbing and distressing experiences that make her believe she is experiencing something supernatural. 13 Reasons Why actress Sosie Bacon and The Boys actor Jessie T Usher star.

Why you should watch: If you want something that'll mess with your head, Smile might well be the movie for you - it's seriously creepy. It's had some good reviews too, with iNews describing it as a "skin-prickling, unnerving viewing experience". It has an 80% critics score and a 77% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is pretty good all things considered. Definitely worth two hours of your time. The sequel lands in cinemas in October 2024, too.

Available now

Beetlejuice

Fantasy | Comedy

1988 | Tim Burton | 92 mins | 15

Summary:A couple have died in their home. Tragic enough, you might say. However, they are now ghosts and can't leave. In a bid to scare away the new owners of the home, they contact Betelgeuse, a "bio-exorcist", who promises to scare the new inhabitants away. However, things don't exactly work out as planned.

Why you should watch: With the sequel currently in the cinemas, why not go back and relive the iconic first movie? It's very funny, and totally off the wall in the way only director Tim Burton can achieve. And it features fantastic performances from Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin, and Geena Davis. It's a lot of fun, and has gone on to become a pretty legendary entry into the horror canon (not to mention spawning loads of cool Halloween costumes). Plus, it won't scare the pants off you, which is great if you're after something creepy and dark that isn't going to make you have nightmares for a week.

Available now

American Psycho

Thriller | Drama | Crime

2000 | Mary Harron | 102 mins | 18

Summary:Investment banker Patrick Bateman is hiding a very dark secret from his friends and everyone who knows him. He's handsome, fit, and successful. But, he's also a psychopath. As the movie progresses, his fantasies escalate until he is consumed by an uncontrollable bloodlust. Batman actor Christian Bale plays the lead in this early noughties horror, with Willem Dafoe and Jared Leto in supporting roles.

Why you should watch: Another modern classic, American Psycho - based on the Bret Easton Ellis book of the same name - is considered to be one of the best movies of the 21st century. Despite its very dark subject matter (murder in the most horrid way possible), American Psycho is actually a deliciously funny social satire, too. That's partly thanks to the script and Bale's fantastic performance. The Times were very complimentary of the movie, describing it as "ferociously intelligent, horribly violent, and darkly funny". What more could you ask for?!

Available now

Gerald's Game

Horror | Thriller

2017 | Mike Flanagan | 104 mins

Summary:Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, Gerald's Game follows a couple as they head off to spend their holiday in an isolated house. However, during some kinky foreplay, Gerald dies of a heart attack, leaving his wife handcuffed to the bed. With no key and next to no hope of rescue, Jessie must battle her own internal demons. The Haunting of Hill House star Carla Gugino leads this movie, which was directed by horror legend Mike Flanagan.

Why you should watch: If you're after something that'll leave you tense and on the edge of your seat, Gerald's Game is perfect. It is generally regarded as one of Flanagan's more underrated projects (which says a lot considering they're all brilliant). Gugino gives a fantastic performance as the trapped Jessie, and the film will certainly leave you with little to no nails by the end of it. Adaptations of Stephen King's works are generally pretty hit or miss, but this one is definitely a hit.

Available now

The Cabin in the Woods

Horror | Mystery

2012 | Drew Goddard | 95 mins | 15

Summary:This sci-fi comedy horror follows a group of college kids who go on a retreat to a remote cabin. While there, things go horrifically pear-shaped... Soon the killings start, with monsters picking off the friend group one by one. Thor star Chris Hemsworth, House of Cards actress Kristen Connolly, and Anger Management's Anna Hutchison star.

Why you should watch: Horrors don't all have to be blood, gore and ghosts. Yes, this one has people being killed by monsters, but it's also very funny, and a cheeky take on the 'group of wildly different college students trapped in a room together' trope. The performances, premise - and the twist - are all good fun too! You'll have a riot watching this one. It has stood the test of time, too, holding a 74% rating on Rotten Tomatoes more than a decade later.

Available now

Saw

Crime | Horror | Thriller

2003 | James Wan | 10 mins

Summary:The first in the gory franchise sees two men stuck in a bathroom together, chained to pipes with seemingly no way out - and no idea how they got there. The men each have specific instructions to kill the other or face the consequences. It's all a twisted "game" set by the terrifying, sick mind of The Jigsaw Killer. The first in the franchise stars Insidious actor Leigh Whannell, Stranger Things star Cary Elwes, and legendary actor Danny Glover.

Why you should watch: If you like your horror films gory as hell, then this is the franchise for you. Not going to lie, you'll probably watch a lot of this film through your hands, and you'll definitely be on the edge of your seat during some of Jigsaw's sick games. The twists are truly killers (pun intended) - and guess what? If you enjoyed this one, there's another three of them available on Netflix. With 10 films in the series (and an 11th set to be released next year), they must be doing something right. See where it all started here.

Available now

Apostle

Horror | Mystery | Thriller | Drama

2018 | Gareth Evans | 130 mins | 18

Summary:Set in the early 20th century, Apostle follows Thomas Richards as he goes on a life-threatening mission to save his sister. Travelling to a remote village in Wales, he attempts to get her back from the clutches of a terrifying fanatic religious cult who are keeping her captive. Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens, Bohemian Rhapsody's Lucy Boynton, and Good Omens actor Michael Sheen lead the cast of this chilling movie.

Why you should watch: What is scarier than a fanatic cult that want to use you for their own ends? Nothing much. Why? Because at the end of the day, they're not monsters or ghouls or aliens - they're humans. And yet, there's something inhuman about them. The Apostle deals with a creepy cult, a spooky village in Wales, and features some great performances from its leads. The reviews for The Apostle were pretty positive when it first came out, with Variety comparing it to the original The Wicker Man, which is a very complimentary comparison. A worthy addition to the folk horror canon.

Available now

Cam

Horror | Mystery

2018 | Daniel Goldhaber | 95 mins

Summary:This psychological horror tells the story of a cam girl who chillingly learns that a doppelgänger has stolen her life and career. Not only that, but her double is now pushing her sexual envelope further, and seems to be downright determined to ruin her life. The Handmaid's Tale star Madeleine Brewer leads the cast of this creepy movie.

Why you should watch: The idea alone is terrifying... Someone who looks exactly like you has taken over your life and career - and is trying to ruin it. Doppelgängers and clones are some of the scariest tropes in the horror genre, and Cam utilises it to much success. Brewer is great in the lead role(s), and the movie received great reviews when it was first released six years ago. Described as "chilling" by Vice and "underrated" by The Guardian, Cam isn't a horror that should be slept on.

Available now

Veronica

Horror

2017 | Paco Plaza | 105 mins

Summary:Another Spanish horror, this tells the story of a young girl called Veronica who, with her group of teenage friends, uses a Ouija board during a solar eclipse to speak to Veronica's dead father. However, the seance goes wrong, and Veronica becomes possessed by evil spirits. Spanish actress Sandra Escacena plays the titular role.

Why you should watch: The idea of a Ouija board is creepy enough as it is, and it's used to full effect here. Not only is Veronica genuinely frightening to watch at times, but it also features a fantastic performance from Escacena. She's so good that she actually won an award for her spooky performance. It's an effective horror movie, with the creepiness ramped up to 11.

Available now

Under the Shadow

Drama | Horror | War

2016 | Babak Anvari | 84 mins

Summary:Persian language horror Under the Shadow is set in Iran and follows a mother and daughter trying to survive in an active war zone. To make matters worse for them, they begin to be haunted by an evil djinn (spirit). Gangs of London actress Narges Rashidi leads the cast in this psychological horror.

Why you should watch: If you’re after plenty of jump scares and supernatural goings on, then Under the Shadow is one of the better films on this list. The movie received widespread acclaim when it was released, so much so that it was actually selected as the British entry for Best Foreign Language Film at the Oscars in 2017. Rashidi's performance drew much praise too, and some critics went so far as to compare the movie with another horror great, The Babadook. An unsettling horror that's well worth checking out.

Available now

The Wailing

Horror | Mystery

2016 | Na Hong-jin | 156 mins

Summary:This South Korean drama follows a policeman who investigates what's happened at a small village, where a disturbing epidemic has made the inhabitants violent and deranged. The policeman's daughter has been infected - and so he must work out how to save her, before she too turns into a murdering berserker. Kwak Do-won leads the cast.

Why you should watch: The Wailing has had some fantastic reviews since being released eight years ago. Despite being over two and a half hours long, The Wailing is anything but a slow burn, with many a critic praising its pace. It was a hit in Asia too, winning several awards. At 156 minutes long, you'll experience every horror trick imaginable, which is great if you're playing horror bingo or want to be truly terrified.

Available now

Annihilation

Science Fiction | Horror

2018 | Alex Garland | 115 mins | 15

Summary:This sci-fi horror follows a group of scientists as they enter 'The Shimmer', a quarantined area where everything inside has mutated - and that includes plant life and animals. But something even stranger is to be found there too. Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac all star.

Why you should watch: It is truly unnerving at times, and there's plenty of weirdness to make you feel on edge. One particular scene involving a bear will give you nightmares, and a sequence in act three will leave you freaked out for a while later. Portman is typically great, and the ending will give you chills. As The Guardian said in a review at the time, Annihilation "will shock, fascinate and haunt audiences".

Available now

Creep

Horror

2014 | Patrick Brice | 82 mins | 15

Summary:A handheld camera movie like The Blair Witch Project, Creep follows a videographer who answers an ad to go and film some content for a stranger. The stranger's video is meant to be for his son's birthday - however, his requests get weirder and weirder as things take a turn for the worse. The Morning Show star Mark Duplass plays the weird Josef, while Patrick Brice plays the videographer Aaron.

Why you should watch: Found-footage horror films are always a bit hit or miss, but this is definitely one of the better ones. Creep is a deeply unsettling film that was met with plenty of praise when it was released a decade ago. The performances were praised - in particular Duplass' - and The Guardian even recommended it in their 'My Streaming Gem' series of reviews back in 2020. If you DO decide to give it a watch, then Netflix also has the sequel available. A third film is in development.

Available now

Final Destination

Horror

2000 | James Wong | 98 mins | 15

Summary:Alex has a premonition before boarding a plane, and refuses to get on alongside some of his classmates - meaning they escape certain death when the plane subsequently goes down. However, Alex and his friends find that cheating death isn't as easy as all that... Death is coming for them, one way or another, as they begin being killed off one by one...

Why you should watch: Perhaps the ultimate teen disaster movie, Final Destination has gone down as something of an iconic movie - and franchise, for that matter - within the horror movie genre. It's gruesome, it's got some seriously big jump scares, and it's nail-bitingly tense. It's also pretty funny at times too, with some of the deaths perhaps being a bit unintentionally daft. There are five in the franchise, all available on Netflix, apart from the fourth movie which is mysteriously absent from the streaming service.

Available now

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Horror | Thriller

2019 | André Øvredal | 108 mins | 15

Summary:This supernatural horror follows a group of teens who find a mysterious notebook, which foretells terrifying events. The scary tales within the pages soon become a frightening reality for the teens. The film stars Fear the Walking Dead's Zoe Colletti, and Hunger Games: Mockingjay's Michael Garza.

Why you should watch: This is pretty spooky, and some sequences are downright disturbing. One scene in particular, involving a slow-moving monster, is particularly horrific and will give you nightmares for sure. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was a low budget affair, but did very well at the box office, and received some great reviews at the time. And good news - there's a sequel in the works, but no release date yet.

Available now

Run

Thriller | Horror | Drama

2020 | Aneesh Chaganty | 90 mins | 15

Summary:This psychological horror tells the story of wheelchair-using teen, Chloe, who is kept in isolation - she's not even allowed to read the mail. She soon begins to suspect her mother has been keeping a dark secret about her upbringing from her. And when she starts investigating, she learns some horrific truths... Sarah Paulson of American Horror Story fame leads this movie, which also features Kiera Allen as Chloe.

Why you should watch: This movie will certainly keep you on the edge throughout. The tension ramps up steadily and, with the help of strong performances from the main cast, is easily one of the better psychological horrors on offer at the moment. Run was a hit with audiences when it was released in 2020, becoming Hulu's most watched original movie on the platform at the time.

Available now

Disappear Completely

Thriller | Horror

2024 | Luis Javier Henaine | 100 mins

Summary:This Mexican horror follows a photojournalist who begins to experience something truly horrific. After visiting the scene of a crime, Santiago begins to slowly lose his five senses, one by one. Mexican actor Harold Torres plays the journalist in this horror thriller.

Why you should watch: It's a concept that is truly chilling - losing all five of your senses, slowly and one by one. It's horrific to think about, and horrifying to watch what happens to Santiago over the course of this film. It's had some good reviews from critics, with indieWire describing the horror as "brutal". Perfect if you're after a film that's going to leave you seriously unnerved.

Available now

Till Death

Horror | Thriller

2021 | SK Dale | 89 mins | 15

Summary:This horror thriller tells the story of a woman who wakes up to find herself chained to her dead husband, with no means of getting free. To make matters even worse for her, there are assassins on the way to kill her. Megan Fox leads a cast that also includes Merlin star Eoin Macken and Avengers actor Callan Mulvey.

Why you should watch: This movie is thrilling, edge-of-your seat horror, with a great performance from Megan Fox. No matter how outlandish the set pieces, Fox's performance keeps it all grounded, and the viewer invested. Till Death had some great reviews when it first came out, with Variety writing: "S.K. Dale's direction and Fox's commitment go a long way toward making Till Death a glossy, entertaining lark." If you're after something fun that's going to leave you uncomfortable, Till Death could be the movie for you.

Available now


As you can see, there is plenty of choice when it comes to streaming horrors on Netflix. There are the classics, like Beetlejuice, Saw and Final Destination, to modern horror flicks, like Run. There’s a horror for all tastes, so if you’re after something supernatural with plenty of jump scares, or a psychological horror that’ll mess with your head, or even a slasher with lots of gore, you are literally spoilt for choice here!

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