Top 10 Scary Films on Netflix in 2023
Netflix has become the go-to streaming platform for horror movie enthusiasts, offering a vast collection of bone-chilling films to satisfy even the most dedicated scare-seekers. As we venture into 2023, the lineup of spooky and terrifying movies on Netflix has expanded, promising to send shivers down your spine and keep you at the edge of your seat. From supernatural encounters to psychological thrillers, here are the top 10 scary films on Netflix in 2023 that will leave you sleepless and yearning for more.
10. Psycho
Source:- Netflix
Year: 1960
Director: Alfred Hitchcock
Stars: Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, Martin Balsam, John Gavin
Runtime: 109 minutes
Undoubtedly a monumental masterpiece, “Psycho” remains an iconic cinematic achievement that continues to captivate audiences even after 57 years since its release. Attempting to find fresh perspectives on this timeless classic may seem futile, but nevertheless, we persist. Over five decades, the profound impact of Alfred Hitchcock’s directorial prowess and storytelling genius has reverberated through the realms of popular culture.
9. His House
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2020
Director: Remi Weekes
Stars: Wunmi Mosaku, Sope Dirisu, Matt Smith
Runtime: 93 minutes
In the realm of horror, nothing drains the essence quite like films that shy away from embracing their terrifying potential. While horror can frighten audiences in various ways, the least a horror film can do is be genuinely scary and not play games. Remi Weekes’ “His House” is a film that refuses to hold back. It immerses viewers in tragedy from the very beginning, leaving a trail of ghosts in its wake within the first 10 minutes. This haunting narrative surpasses even the chilling horror of “The Grudge” as it lingers in the shadows, waiting for its unsuspecting protagonists to stumble upon its eerie manifestations.
8. Gerald’s Game
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2017
Director: Mike Flanagan
Stars: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood
Runtime: 103 minutes
Director Mike Flanagan skillfully trims, condenses, and refines Stephen King’s novel, Gerald’s Game, to unearth the underlying themes. The result is a tense and gripping thriller that showcases the exceptional talents of Bruce Greenwood and Carla Gugino, allowing their craft to shine without constraints. Flanagan has established himself as a commendable force in the horror genre, evident from his previous works such as Absentia (2011), Oculus, Hush, and Ouija: Origin of Evil, all centered around resilient female protagonists. Gerald’s Game follows suit, exploring the struggle of women reclaiming independence by confronting past traumas, whether literal or metaphorical.
7. Under the Shadow
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2016
Director: Babak Anvari
Stars: Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi, Bobby Naderi, Ray Haratian, Arash Marandi
Runtime: 84 minutes
Babak Anvari skillfully weaves a captivating narrative in Under the Shadow, presenting a unique blend of period drama and horror that vividly captures the oppressive atmosphere of post-revolutionary Iran. Drawing from his own experiences, having come from a family that ultimately fled from the rule of the Ayatollah, Anvari uses the film as a powerful statement of rebellion and a heartfelt tribute to his mother.
6. Apostle
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2018
Director: Gareth Evans
Stars: Dan Stevens, Lucy Boynton, Mark Lewis Jones, Bill Milner, Michael Sheen
Runtime: 129 minutes
Following his monumental success with The Raid films, Welsh director Gareth Evans introduces the wider world to his visceral filmmaking style through Apostle. Departing from the video game-like aesthetics of his previous works, Apostle reveals Evans’ aspiration to be recognized as a serious visual director and auteur.
5. Creep 2
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2017
Director: Patrick Brice
Stars: Mark Duplass, Desiree Akhavan, Karan Soni
Runtime: 80 minutes
Creep did not necessarily demand a sequel. The original film, released in 2014, showcased a rather distinctive serial killer who formed personal connections with his victims before ending their lives as a testament to his twisted “art.” It stood on its own as a self-contained story. However, Creep 2 takes a different approach. Instead of merely replicating the first film, it dives deeper into the psyche of the central psychopath, Aaron (played by Mark Duplass), in ways that are unexpected and surprisingly genuine.
4. The Mist
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2007
Director: Frank Darabont
Stars: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden
Runtime: 126 minutes
In Stephen King’s works, many of the monsters and ghosts serve as vehicles to explore the sociological dynamics of “civilized” society. They expose how easily people abandon their polite facades and succumb to fear and paranoia, committing horrific acts in the name of individual survival. Frank Darabont’s adaptation of The Mist executes this approach efficiently and satisfactorily.
3. Fear Street Part 1: 1994
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2021
Director: Leigh Janiak
Stars: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Flores Jr., Julia Rehwald, Fred Hechinger, Maya Hawke
Runtime: 107 minutes
The first installment of Netflix’s Fear Street trilogy, based on R.L. Stine’s novels, establishes itself as a far more brutal and bloody entry than the family-friendly Goosebumps adaptations of recent years. Fear Street Part 1: 1994 embraces slasher film history, paying homage to Scream and referencing obscure ’80s slashers like Intruder. However, it cleverly distracts the audience from deeper mysteries that will be explored in Fear Street: 1978 and Fear Street: 1666. The film not only presents a well-crafted mythology but also features engaging supporting characters and surprisingly grisly violence that exceeds expectations.
2. The Platform
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2019
Director: Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia
Stars: Iván Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan, Emilio Buale Coka, Alexandra Masangkay
Runtime: 94 minutes
The Platform captivates with its compelling and straightforward premise, withholding unnecessary details from the audience. The reasons behind people being placed in this diabolical vertical prison structure remain unknown, where sustenance arrives daily on a descending stone slab, increasingly contaminated with perishables. The operation of this social experiment is shrouded in mystery, although glimpses of dedicated cooks crafting perfect dishes for the condemned prisoners arouse our curiosity.
1. Cargo
Source:- Netflix
Year: 2018
Directors: Yolanda Ramke, Ben Howling
Stars: Martin Freeman, Simone Landers, Anthony Hayes, David Gulpili, Susie Porter, Caren Pistorius
Runtime: 105 minutes
We’ve witnessed numerous takes on worldwide zombie apocalypses, enough to satisfy even the most ardent undead enthusiasts during a real-life zombie outbreak. Among these takes, only a few are truly inspired, some are watchable but unremarkable, and many fall into the realm of mediocrity, whether in movies or on TV. Cargo, directed collaboratively by Yolanda Ramke and Ben Howling, lies somewhere between “inspired” and “solid,” making it a worthwhile discovery on Netflix for those with a craving to witness twitching, walking corpses menace a family’s survival in the isolated Australian Outback.
