Buzz
Image: CBS FilmsMuch like with any major holiday, the buildup to Halloween is nearly as exciting as the actual day itself. From pumpkin carving to scenic autumn road trips, there are plenty of ways to embrace the festive atmosphere before October 31st. However, one of the best ways to dive into the spooky season is by hosting a scary movie marathon—or several.
Luckily, Netflix has you covered no matter what type of Halloween movie you're in the mood for. Whether you're seeking family-friendly films or spine-chilling horror flicks, there's something for everyone. Plus, there are a few terrifying Netflix Originals exclusive to the platform that you won’t find anywhere else.
We've compiled a list of the best Halloween movies so you can create a must-watch list without having to pay for rentals. And if you're not planning on heading out for trick-or-treating this year, be sure to save one of these films for October 31st. There's no better way to forget about the real world than with a good old-fashioned jump scare.
Top Halloween Movies on Netflix
1. It Follows
Here’s the truth: the most unsettling moments in horror don’t rely on loud music or surprise appearances—it’s all about that creeping, overwhelming sense of dread. That’s the best way to describe the feeling you'll have watching this film. The plot centers around a deadly curse with a bizarre twist: the curse is an entity that takes on various human forms and follows its victim wherever they go, passed on through sexual intercourse (talk about an awful STD). I won’t spoil too much, but the image of a naked man standing on a suburban rooftop is one that I can’t shake—watch it and you’ll understand.
2. There’s Someone Inside Your House
There's nothing quite like a classic slasher film featuring high school students to get you into the Halloween mood. This one follows a transfer student from Hawaii who moves to Nebraska and suddenly finds herself caught up in a series of grisly murders. The downside: People are being killed. The upside: The victims aren’t exactly the nicest, so I suppose that makes it a bit easier to stomach?
3. Nightbooks
If you're looking for something more family-friendly, this dark fantasy film delivers all the key elements for a Halloween hit: magical books, ancient spirits, enchanted woods, and of course, chilling stories. The stunning visuals and art direction are also worth a watch for grown-ups.
4. Hubie Halloween
Starring a fantastic ensemble cast, including Adam Sandler, Kevin James, and Maya Rudolph, this comedy-horror flick follows Hubie, a Halloween-obsessed deli worker who must save his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts, from a sinister kidnapper. The problem? No one believes Hubie, since the residents and local authorities think he’s nothing more than a troublemaker.
5. Fear Street: The Trilogy
Adapted from R. L. Stine's book series, the Fear Street trilogy follows a group of teenagers as they work to break a curse that has haunted the town of Shadyside, Ohio, for 300 years. Meanwhile, the neighboring town of Sunnyside seems to be perpetually blessed with good luck. Each movie in the series, set in different time periods, is filled with suspense, mystery, and plenty of spine-chilling moments, but beware—there’s also an abundance of blood and gore for those who aren’t faint of heart.
6. A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting
This delightful kids' Halloween movie follows a babysitter on a daring rescue mission to save the child she's watching from the Boogeyman, who has snatched him on Halloween night. Along the way, she encounters various fantastical monsters and discovers a secret society of babysitters who protect children from these creatures.
7. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
The latest reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise reunites the original team, including Bill Murray, Annie Potts, Ernie Hudson, and Dan Aykroyd, with newcomers like Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Kumail Ali Nanjiani, and Finn Wolfhard. Together, they face off against an eerie mix of both new and familiar ghosts, as well as the obnoxious government antagonist, Walter Peck.
8. Velvet Buzzsaw
A blend of psychological thriller and artsy horror, this film stands out as one of the most visually stunning in the genre. Morf (Jake Gyllenhaal) discovers that his newly unearthed art may be too lifelike for comfort, and the plot quickly spirals into a supernatural frenzy, where paintings and sculptures take on a life of their own. The Netflix original perfectly balances the eerie and the absurd, offering a clever satire of the pretentious art world.
9. Eli
As the title suggests, Eli is the focus of this chilling story. A young boy who must live in a sterile bubble, wearing specially sealed clothing due to his severe allergies to the outside world, Eli’s parents take him to a high-tech facility in hopes of finding a cure for his condition. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that not everything in this cold, clinical environment is as it seems.
10. The Babysitter
This dark comedy blends classic teen horror elements with an up-and-coming cast and a satanic cult, providing plenty of Halloween fun. A boy's babysitter seems like the perfect fit until he stays up late and discovers she's part of a bloodthirsty cult. Now, he races against time to stop her and her friends from making him their next victim, mixing soft horror with humor. For an even better Halloween experience, check out the sequel, The Babysitter: Killer Queen, available on Netflix.
11. Enola Holmes
Millie Bobby Brown shines as the spirited Enola Holmes, with Henry Cavill and Sam Claflin portraying her famous brothers. This Netflix Original Film, rich in mystery, centers around a murder and a disappearance, set against a backdrop of fall vibes, fashionable outfits, and a touch of Victorian eeriness. Playful and lively, it's a perfect Halloween watch for those who aren't into horror or for families with older children.
12. 1922
A Netflix Original, this Halloween film adapts a Stephen King novella. The plot follows a farmer who admits to killing his wife, but she's not done with him yet. As is often the case with King's stories, this one is not exactly for younger audiences. With Netflix's signature cinematic style, this one is sure to give even adults a restless night’s sleep.
13. We Have a Ghost
This hilarious haunted house flick stars Stranger Things' David Harbour, who becomes a ghost haunting a newly settled family and soon goes viral on social media. The CIA, along with a supernatural expert portrayed by Tig Notaro, and the delightfully quirky Jennifer Coolidge as the eccentric West Bay Medium, add a light and humorous touch to the spooky tale.
14. World War Z
Typically, zombies are portrayed as slow and sluggish creatures in horror films, but in this star-packed story of a global zombie pandemic, the undead are fast, ferocious, and relentless. The living are in a desperate race against time, with researchers and government teams working to stop the spreading terror.
15. In the Tall Grass
Stephen King reigns as the master of horror in both literature and film, but this adaptation may be one of his finest. When two siblings respond to the desperate cries of a young boy lost within a vast, eerie field of tall grass, they venture into the unsettling green expanse. Soon, they realize they cannot escape. No amount of technology, whether it be a compass or Google Maps, can help them. In fact, with no Wi-Fi connection, something more sinister lies within the grass: a supernatural force that traps them in an unbreakable loop of endless time, where escape is impossible.
16. The Silence
Set in a world overrun by deadly creatures that hunt through sound, a family fights to survive as they try to find refuge. Along their journey, they encounter a chilling and menacing cult. The intense battle for survival against both the creatures and the cult will keep viewers on edge. With standout performances by Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, and Miranda Otto, this gripping Netflix Original is a perfect horror film to enjoy during Halloween season.
17. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
A chilling retelling of the true events surrounding a woman’s relationship with the infamous serial killer Ted Bundy, this dark and gripping film stars Zac Efron and Lily Collins. While it's more of a courtroom drama with a sinister undertone than a traditional horror film, it remains a compelling watch around Halloween, especially for those who prefer psychological suspense over physical terror.
18. American Psycho
For those who are drawn to serial killer-themed horror, this cult favorite features Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a wealthy and successful stockbroker on Wall Street by day, but a brutal murderer by night, killing people in the confines of his sleek, luxurious apartment.
19. The Good Nurse
In this eerie crime drama, based on a true story, Oscar winners Eddie Redmayne and Jessica Chastain portray two close friends working as nurses. Their bond is tested when Chastain begins to suspect that her seemingly trustworthy friend is secretly murdering his patients.
20. The Ritual
Four friends set off on a hiking journey through the haunting Swedish wilderness, unaware of the terrifying fate that awaits them. This gripping horror film intensifies with every step they take deeper into the forest. The Ritual is the perfect choice for those craving a chilling, atmospheric horror movie this Halloween.
21. Bodies Bodies Bodies
From the horror powerhouse A24 comes this creepy yet darkly humorous Gen Z horror film. Starring Amandla Stenberg, Rachel Sennott, and Pete Davidson, it follows a group of friends who gather for a wild party in a mansion, only to find themselves caught in a deadly and disastrous turn of events.
22. I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House
If you're into eerie, ghost-infested old houses, this Netflix Original is for you. It follows a nurse who is assigned to care for an elderly horror novelist, only to find herself haunted by an ominous presence—something (or someone) that refuses to let her go.
23. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
A true horror classic, Texas Chainsaw Massacre has been rebooted several times, but the 2022 version brings the iconic tale into the present day. A group of influencers unwittingly stumbles into Leatherface's territory, and the horrors of his infamous hooks are unleashed once again.
24. Tarot
The lesson of this 2024 horror film is clear: never mess with supernatural forces. A group of friends gets more than they bargained for when they unwittingly summon terrifying horrors from a tarot deck they should have never touched.
