The Scariest Movies on Netflix Right Now

It's not always easy coming up with a list of the scariest movies on Netflix. The problem is, there are many horror movies on Netflix but there are very few scary horror movies on Netflix.

When you think of horror, you might think of the hack and slash type of movie that has blood splattering scenes at every turn. Although I do enjoy those type of horror movies, they are rarely the scary ones. It's not enough to just Google "scary movies Netflix" anymore because you will just be shown a huge list of boring, unoriginal, horror flicks.

The scariest movies on Netflix are the ones that leave a mark on you. They are the movies that keep you tense throughout the film and even when you head to bed. Some of these movies may make you check over your shoulder before you turn off the lights. Some of these might just give you some nightmares. These movies could be considered the best horror films on Netflix but above all, they are the scariest movies on Netflix.

Oculus

Oculus is the story of a girl suspecting an antique mirror had something to do with her parent's death when she was a child. What makes Oculus one of the scariest movies on Netflix is something that can only be explained as the genius of Stephen King. Stephen King has a way of creeping into those uncomfortable places in your mind and then burrowing in deep. I always talk about how Stephen King has produced some of the best horror movies of all time from his books and Oculus is no exception. I wasn't really sure about Oculus when I saw the trailer and just thought it was going to be another teen beat cheesy horror flick. Don't make the same mistake I did. I know you feel like you've seen all the possible variations of a haunted house story there is but trust me, Oculus takes that genre and makes it more terrifying than it's ever been. When creating a horror movies list it's easy to just start with the bloodiest and most gore-filled movies out there because most of the time, that's what people like to watch. Creating a horror movies list based on movies that are actually pretty terrifying is a whole other ball game. Oculus is one of the scariest movies on Netflix because it draws you in with its unique approach to a genre in need of some originality. For example, who of us hasn't seen the "monster in the mirror" type of Hollywood trick? Everyone has seen that age-old trick and most of us are tired of it already. Would you believe me if I told you that Oculus actually pulls off that age-old trick and makes it very creepy? This movie is seriously chilling and easily makes the list of some of the best Netflix scary movies.

Backcountry

Next up on this list of the scariest movies on Netflix we have Backcountry. Backcountry is another great example of how a familiar plot can be redone in a fun and terrifying way. Backcountry is the story of hikers venturing out into the Canadian wilderness and quickly becoming lost. Alone and afraid they become prey to the wildlife. This movie instantly made my horror movies list when I saw it. If there's one thing I'm scared of in life it's bear's in the wild. What separates Backcountry from the rest of the "bear attack" movies you've seen in the past is that the fear is at an all-time high. This is what I look for in the best Netflix scary movies. I try to find movies that can instill fear in the viewer by comparing it to their real life. I'll tell you what, I don't plan on going camping in the wilderness of Canada anytime soon! This movie really got under my skin. I think it's one of the Netflix top scary movies because it has an extremely brutal and gory scene in it. Usually, gratuitous gore doesn't really help a movie be all that scary, but the gore in Backcountry seems horrifyingly real. Everyone knows the power of a bear but you might just squirm in your seat watching a particular scene in this movie. I still can't get the image out of my head. Like I mentioned at the start, the best horror films on Netflix are the ones that leave a mark on you and Backcountry definitely did.

The Babadook

It's really no surprise to see The Babadook on a list of the scariest movies on Netflix. If you haven't seen this one yet, you need to watch it tonight. The Babadook is the story of a troubled widow who comes to realize that her son's story of a terrible presence in their home may just be real. I think that The Babadook should be considered for the list of the best horror movies of all time. Very few movies come with the inventive style of The Babadook and it deserves to be high on the list of scary movies. It's possible that because this is an Australian movie on Netflix it's giving all of us in America a tiny bit of culture shock, which adds to the mystique of the film, but I think it's much more than that. I think the main reason The Babadook is one of the best horror films on Netflix is because of the psychological torment of the mother. You feel possessed watching this movie as the evil creeps up from out of the darkness. The Babadook really brought me back to my childhood days and being scared of the Boogeyman. I really want to look into the folklore of this movie because I'm sure it's just as terrifying. If you're spending hours Googling for "Netflix scary movies", then stop right now and turn on The Babadook.

It Follows

I think It Follows is one of the most original horror movies I have ever seen. It might just be my favorite of this list of the scariest movies on Netflix. It Follows is the story of a girl who comes to realize that a fatal curse is following her after a recent sexual encounter. I feel like It Follows should be shown in every high school these days. It serves as a perfect example of the dangers of unprotected sex. What's more than that, is that it's one of the creepiest movies I've ever seen. What's most impressive about It Follows is how unnerving the movie is. You don't have time to leave your seat in this one. There is always impending doom at every turn. It Follows has very minimal special effects and instead opts to focus on the nightmarish atmosphere of the movie. I put myself in the position of the people in It Follows and I seriously couldn't come up with a good solution of how to save myself. Put yourself in the same position and I don't think you will find an answer either. I really hope It Follows is a sign of things to come in the next evolution of horror movies. If this isn't one of the scariest movies on Netflix about sex, I don't know what is.

So there you go. These are absolutey the scariest movies on Netflix right now. If you need help finding movies on Netflix in all of your favorite categories, make sure to check the homepage for all my updates!