Spooky season is upon us and what better way to celebrate than with a movie night in with Netflix. From classic favourites to modern horror films, we have compiled a list of the top ten spookiest films to watch this Halloween. Read on to find out what films made our list!
Paranormal Activity
This found-footage thriller, released in 2007, follows a young couple as they try to discover the source of the supernatural activity that has taken over their home. It spawned a successful franchise, with a seventh installment released in 2020, making it a great introductory movie for newbies of the horror genre.
Sinister
This 2012 supernatural horror film, starring Ethan Hawke, follows a true-crime writer and his family as they move into a home where a family was gruesomely murdered. As he starts to investigate the house and the crime, he discovers a box of home movies that show other gruesome crimes. Prepare to be scared!
The Witch
This 2016 indie horror film follows a Puritan family who is forced to leave their settlement and is tested by forces of evil. The Witch was applauded for its use of period-accurate dialogue and costumes, as well as its eerily haunting soundtrack.
The Conjuring
This 2013 supernatural horror film is one of the most successful and popular horror films of recent times. It follows a family who is terrorised by a dark presence in their home and the two paranormal investigators who try to help them. It was the first movie in the Conjuring franchise, with a ninth installment due out in 2024.
The Babadook
This 2014 psychological horror follows a single mother and her son as they attempt to cope with the death of the child’s father and a mysterious entity that takes over their lives. This movie has been praised for its portrayal of grief and the human condition, as well as its effective use of horror elements.
Hereditary
This 2018 horror film follows a family who is haunted by a sinister presence after the death of their grandmother. Hereditary has been praised for its creative storytelling, intense cinematography and terrifying jump scares.
It Follows
This 2014 supernatural horror follows a young woman who is pursued by a mysterious entity after a sexual encounter. It Follows has been praised for its minimalist approach and its retro influences.
The Witch In The Window
This 2018 film follows a single father and his son as they renovate an old house and become entangled in its sinister history. The Witch In The Window is a unique take on the haunted house genre, with its use of psychological horror elements.
The Autopsy Of Jane Doe
This 2016 horror film follows a father and son as they investigate the death of an unidentified woman. The Autopsy Of Jane Doe has been praised for its effective use of suspense and tension.
The Ritual
This 2017 horror follows a group of friends who embark on a hiking trip in the Swedish wilderness and are terrorised by a mysterious presence. The Ritual has been praised for its effective use of atmosphere and its exploration of folklore.
Hush
This 2016 slasher film follows a deaf woman who must fight for her life when she is attacked by a masked killer. Hush has been praised for its intense premise and its depiction of disability.
The Cabin In The Woods
This 2012 horror comedy follows a group of teenagers who are terrorised by demonic forces in an isolated cabin. The Cabin In The Woods is an entertaining take on the slasher genre, with its use of 4th-wall breaking comedy and meta-references.
Conclusion
These are our picks for the top ten spookiest Netflix movies to watch this Halloween. Whether you’re a horror newbie or a seasoned fan, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy. So grab some popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready for a scary movie night!
