The 10 Scariest Netflix Horror Movies You Need to Watch in 2025

There’s something about great horror that doesn’t just make you jump in your seat—it lingers with you, settling into your bones and making t...

There’s something about great horror that doesn’t just make you jump in your seat—it lingers with you, settling into your bones and making the world feel just a little bit colder, and Netflix has truly mastered that art in recent years with a slate of films that don’t rely on cheap tricks or endless jump scares, but instead worm their way under your skin, twisting dread and discomfort into every shadow, every silence, and every unexpected sound, so if you’re searching for movies that will genuinely haunt you long after the credits roll, you’re in just the right place.

Let’s start with Hellhole, a Polish horror gem that feels criminally underrated and absolutely deserves a spot on your watchlist. Set in a decaying monastery in the 1980s, the film follows a detective as he goes undercover to investigate a string of missing women, only to discover a secret cult performing satanic rituals and preparing for a prophecy that could quite literally unleash hell on Earth. What sets Hellhole apart is its relentless, eerie atmosphere—it’s a slow-burn mystery that piles on the tension until its shocking final twist, and the gritty practical effects give every nightmare-fueled moment real, tactile weight. If you love religious horror with a dark, oppressive vibe (think The Omen or The Name of the Rose), this is one to seek out.

Then there’s A Classic Horror Story, the kind of film that knows exactly how to play with your expectations. Elisa and a group of strangers crash their RV in the middle of nowhere and wake up near a wooden house surrounded by cult symbols and animal skulls, and from there, things only get stranger. Directors Roberto De Feo and Paolo Strippoli have crafted an Italian horror flick that’s both a loving homage to and a sly critique of the genre’s most iconic tropes; it’s self-aware, visually striking, and just twisted enough to keep even jaded horror fans on their toes.

Cobweb is another underrated thriller that quietly outshone many mainstream releases in 2023. It’s a story about eight-year-old Peter, whose fears are dismissed by his overprotective parents when he hears strange tapping from inside his bedroom wall. As the sounds intensify, Peter discovers a voice—his supposed sister, Sarah—claiming to be trapped by their parents. Lizzy Caplan and Anthony Starr deliver chilling performances as the parents, and while the twist might feel a little predictable, the journey is loaded with atmospheric tension and genuinely spooky moments, making this a perfect pick for a dark October night.

This series is one for the books if you enjoy ghost series. If intelligent horror comedies are more your speed, Dead Talent Society is a must-watch. In a world where ghosts must earn haunting licenses to avoid sinking into oblivion, it captures a rookie ghost and her inexperienced diva guide as they experience an afterlife that’s equal parts Beetlejuice and The Ring. It’s wild, creative, and surprisingly heartwarming, with smart scares and an energy that’s both original and nostalgic.

On the slasher front, Heart Eyes stands out as a Valentine’s Day-themed romcom-horror mashup where a serial killer targets couples, and two unsuspecting coworkers become the latest prey. Director Josh Rubin serves up inventive kills and over-the-top gore, but it’s the witty banter and slow-burn romance that really make this bloody romp memorable—if you’re looking for a twisted love story with your scares, don’t skip this one.

Returning to more familiar horror territory, Insidious: Chapter 2 (from director James Wan) picks up right where the first film left off, with the Lambert family haunted by the aftershocks of their ordeal in the Further. As Josh’s wife, Renee, grows more suspicious of his increasingly strange behaviour, the family is drawn deeper into a terrifying battle against evil forces that refuse to let go, uncovering dark secrets from Josh’s past and delivering all the tension and chills fans have come to expect from the franchise.

Apostle is a Netflix original that stands out for its folk-horror energy. Directed by Gareth Evans (of The Raid fame), it portrays the story of Thomas, a lapsed missionary who infiltrates a remote island cult to rescue his kidnapped sister, only to find himself trapped in a web of sacrifices and supernatural terror that redefine how horror series are made. With Dan Stevens and Michael Sheen leading an impressive cast, Apostle builds its horror slowly, layering in mystery and violence until the final, unforgettable climax.

Survival thriller Till Death offers a different kind of terror, with Megan Fox delivering one of her most intense performances as Emma, a woman forced to fight for her life after waking handcuffed to her husband’s corpse in a secluded lake house. The tension is relentless as Emma drags the body through a maze of traps and dangers, the claustrophobic atmosphere never letting you breathe easy until the credits roll.

Fans of post-apocalyptic horror will want to check out 28 Years Later, the much-anticipated third instalment in Danny Boyle and Alex Garland’s iconic zombie saga.

Nearly three decades after the original outbreak, a quarantined island community faces new threats as a boy named Spike and his father venture into the infected mainland. Balancing brutal action with emotional depth and featuring standout performances from Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes, the film revitalises the franchise with a rich, haunting atmosphere.

Finally, The Ritual is a chilling folk horror deep in the Scandinavian wilderness, where four friends’ hiking trip becomes a nightmare as they stumble into an ancient, malevolent force that feeds on their guilt and fear. Praised for its psychological tension and suffocating forest setting, The Ritual is a masterclass in how environment and atmosphere can be just as crazy as any monster lurking in the shadows.

Each of these films proves that Netflix is more capable of delivering horror that truly gets under the fans' skin, offering even stories that linger long after the lights are back on—so if you’re ready for scares that are smart, stylish, and genuinely unsettling, these are the movies to add to your queue next.