Here's a life hack for all of you. Is the social distancing mandate making you feel isolated? Making you feel like there's no one around, no one to talk to? Well, fire up your laptop and start watching a horror movie! Soon enough, you won't feel alone in your bedroom anymore.
Okay, my poor meme-based jokes aside, who doesn't love the thrill of a great horror flick every now and then? In fact, its one of my friendship criteria, if you can't sit through a scary movie, I don't think we can be friends. The sentiment becomes especially relatable around this time of the year. The slight chill in the air and the hazy, misty night sky give rise to the perfect conditions, to curl up under a blanket, and scare yourself to death. Also, Halloween is on the near horizon, so 'tis officially the time for all things spooky.
Which is why, we curated this list for you. So, grab your comfiest quilt along with a heaping tub of hot popcorn, and kiss your good night's sleep, goodbye. Let's launch off with our list of the best horror movies on Netflix India that will make your blood run cold!
Disclaimer: The movies listed here are available on Netflix India on a temporary basis.
1. A Quiet Place
Director
John Krasinski
Star Cast
Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds
IMDb
7.5/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
With a highly original and interesting plotline, The Quiet Place certainly stands apart from your run-of-the-mill horror films on Netflix India. Revolving around a post-apocalyptic world which has monsters with sensitive hearing lurking in the shadows, The Quiet Place is perfect for giving yourself some unsettling chills. All the cast performances are simply exceptional and successfully bring the intriguing concept of the movie to life, so you can watch and shiver as the story unfurls on the screen.
2. Veronica
Director
Paco Plaza
Star Cast
Sandra Escacena, Bruna González, Claudia Placer
IMDb
6.2/10
Image Courtesy - Decider
This movie took Netflix India by storm when it first aired, and trust us, that's for good reason. Popularly touted to be one of the scariest movies to have been made to-date, Veronica is the perfect horror film for those looking to be seriously spooked. The movie might have been made in Spanish but don't let that deter you from switching the audio to English, turning on your subtitles and experiencing the chilling story of Veronica. Need more reason to include this in your top horror movies to watch list? It's based on a true story!
3. Oculus
Director
Mike Flanagan
Star Cast
Karen Gillan, Brenton Thwaites, Katee Sackhoff
IMDb
6.5/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
Oculus is one of those extremely under-rated horror movies on Netflix India, that will end up pleasantly surprising you. And by surprise, we mean scare you out of your wits. It's a one person against the world kind of a situation, and the frightening scenes of the movie jump at you out of nowhere. The plotline is very intriguing and contributes to the creepy aura of the film more than the jumpscares do. Perhaps, that's what makes it such a great Halloween watch!
4. The Shining
Director
Stanley Kubrick
Star Cast
Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
IMDb
8.4/10
Image Courtesy - Bustle
So, I'm one of those annoying people who love to say "the book is SO much better than the movie!", but, The Shining is one book-adapted horror flick that I'm willing to make an exception for. It's one of those classic horror movies on Netflix India, that everybody needs to experience at least once, whether you're a fan of the genre or not. Stephen King's status as a master storyteller remains undefeated, and the cinematic translation by Kubrick is so compelling, that one can't help but be enamoured by the lead's descent into madness!
5. Hush
Director
Mike Flanagan
Star Cast
John Gallagher Jr., Kate Siegel, Michael Trucco
IMDb
6.6/10
Image Courtesy - The New York Times
I'm always up for a Mike Flanagan horror flick, but Hush has a special spot on this list. And that's because it crafted the conventional home invasion thriller genre into an unpredictable, suspenseful horror movie that takes you by surprise. As a slasher film, Hush cleverly drives home the point that you don't need a 2-hour-long scream fest to be chilled to your bones. The premise of a deaf lead is interesting in itself, but executed so brilliantly that the movie takes the form of a silent and subtle, yet supremely scary watch!
6. The Invitation
Director
Karyn Kusama
Star Cast
Logan Marshall-Green, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Michiel Huisman
IMDb
6.6/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
If you're bored of the traditional horror genre and its hundred jump scares a minute, The Invitation is a brilliant flick you can pick up. Less horror, and more psychological thriller, this is a movie packed with tense, nerve-wracking scenes, and a build-up that might be slow but engaging through and through nonetheless. It's an intense horror film, that leaves you with a lot of thoughts once the credits roll pass, and the smooth performances of the whole cast only enhance both the intriguing plot, and the solid climax.
7. Sinister
Director
Scott Derrickson
Star Cast
Ethan Hawke, Juliet Rylance, James Ransone
IMDb
6.8/10
Image Courtesy - Collider
Do you dislike children for no good reason except for how annoying they can be at times? Well, we'd suggest you watch Sinister ASAP, because not only will you find a long list of reasons to despise toddlers, you'll also be terrified of them by the end of it. As the name rightfully suggests, this movie does an excellent job at maintaining a sinister and creepy atmosphere throughout, only interrupted by seriously spooky scenes that makes your skin crawl. Also, it has Ethan Hawke!
8. The Cabin In The Woods
Director
Drew Goddard
Star Cast
Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison
IMDb
7.0/10
Image Courtesy - Bloody Disgusting
A spoof film based on the horror genre, that also manages to be extremely scary in its own right? Where do I sign up! The Cabin In The Woods has somewhat acquired a classic spot on most horror movie recommendations lists, and trust us when we say that's for good reason. If you've always loved horror movies, this is a film that takes every stereotypical element you can think of, and mixes it up with its own interesting plotline to make a refreshing, gory and also hilarious Halloween watch.
9. The Nun
Director
Corin Hardy
Star Cast
Demián Bichir, Taissa Farmiga, Jonas Bloquet
IMDb
5.3/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
If you're still traumatised to this day by the terrifying ordeal that The Conjuring was, The Nun should be next on your list of horror movies to watch soon. We're not going to the extent of saying that this one is an Oscar worthy film, but as far as horror movies go it gets the job done. It has lots of jump scares, and unanticipated scary scenes, and the film a decent mention under religion-based/demon-themed horror movies on Netflix India. A perfect date-watch if you asked us!
10. Bulbbul
Director
Anvita Dutt
Star Cast
Tripti Dimri, Avinash Tiwary, Rahul Bose
IMDb
6.6/10
Image Courtesy - NDTV Gadgets 360
Once upon a time, the genre of horror in Bollywood was full of unconvincing, overly sexual stories. But with the recent releases in the category, we've encountered a lot more meaningful entertainment and stuff that's actually socially relevant. We'd definitely count Bulbbul in the latter group. One of the latest Bollywood horror movies on Netflix India, Bulbbul is a hauntingly beautiful story, quite literally. If nothing else, watch it for the stunning cinematography, and you won't be disappointed!
11. Gerald's Game
Director
Mike Flanagan
Star Cast
Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Chiara Aurelia
IMDb
6.6/10
Image Courtesy - Popsugar
As a huge Stephen King fan, the first time I watched this movie, I did so with a lot of excitement. And thankfully, I wasn't disappointed. It has that classic 70s horror vibe, but with a contemporary plotline that keeps things interesting. The cast did a phenomenal job at bringing this engaging story to life, and despite limited action-packed scenes, the movie creates an eerie, suspenseful experience for the watcher. The movie is more introspective than gruesome, and honestly we could all use a bit more of that in the genre of horror movies.
12. Under The Shadow
Director
Babak Anvari
Star Cast
Narges Rashidi, Avin Manshadi, Bobby Naderi
IMDb
6.9/10
Image Courtesy - JustWatch
Does the merging of supernatural horror and factual, historical trauma pique your interest? If you answered in affirmative, Under The Shadow is certainly a must-watch movie for you. It's much more than a simple horror movie with ghosts going boo, it also reflects on the real-life horrors of war. A ghoulish story based in a Middle Eastern Islamic country, Under The Shadow is both insightful, and completely unsettling.
13. Shutter
Director
Banjong Pisanthanakun, Parkpoom Wongpoom
Star Cast
Ananda Everingham, Natthaweeranuch Thongmee, Achita Sikamana
IMDb
7.1/10
Image Courtesy - GrokPost
You might have seen the Hollywood version of this movie while channel-surfing on your TV, but the real deal is so much more frightening. When was the last time you felt terrified to sleep alone at the thought of a ghost crawling out from under your bed? As a 20 something I'm ashamed to admit that for me it was when I watched the original Thai Shutter movie. The reason its a must-mention on our list of the best horror movies on Netflix India, is because it does exactly what a brilliant scary flick is supposed to do. Induce sleepless nights by scaring the daylights out of you!
14. Stree
Director
Amar Kaushik
Star Cast
Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi
IMDb
7.6/10
Image Courtesy - Bollywood Hungama
Like we mentioned earlier, the Bollywood horror genre has matured significantly in recent years, with meaningful stories and terrific scripts now taking the centre stage. Stree is one such movie. One of the best Bollywood horror movies on Netflix India, Stree is both strongly socially relevant and uproariously funny. There's a perfect blend of comedy and horror within the movie, and the brilliant acting by the cast makes it a thoroughly entertaining flick.
15. The Ritual
Director
David Bruckner
Star Cast
Rafe Spall, Arsher Ali, Robert James-Collier
IMDb
6.3/10
Image Courtesy - Collider
Psychologically thrilling and spectacularly spooky, The Ritual gives you a dose of good old fashioned horror, but in a refreshingly modern way. The premise of this horror film falls under your classic horror plots, with a group of friends getting lost in a forest. But the scenes with which this plot has been executed, have been crafted beautifully, and with a generous helping of mystery. The best part about this horror movie on Netflix is its refusal to submit to cliches despite a storyline quite typical to the genre.
16. The Babysitter
Director
McG
Star Cast
Judah Lewis, Samara Weaving, Robbie Amell
IMDb
6.3/10
Image Courtesy - Den Of Geek
Is there anything more perfect than a classic comedy-slasher movie for Halloween night? I don't think so! Especially if you're averse to films that end up leaving you scarred and terrified, this one is the ideal pick for you. It's got the perfect dosage of blood and gore to keep your adrenaline pumping, but also the right amount of comedy to make the whole thing hilarious. It's one of those horror movies with no lulls whatsoever till the very end, and it keeps you tensed in your seat throughout!
17. Warm Bodies
Director
Jonathan Levine
Star Cast
Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer, John Malkovich
IMDb
6.8/10
Image Courtesy - IMDb
Okay, to be fair here, this one isn't exactly a horror movie although it is based on a post-apocalyptic world packed with terrifying zombies. It's more of a romantic comedy within the scary movie genre, and despite sounding impossible the combination of these three actually works wonders! Warm Bodies is a very heartwarming film, funny on a lot of occasions, and thrilling on most! Again, a perfect date-night Halloween movie to cosy up with!
Keep your popcorn tub close at hand, grab a comforting blanket, and stay up all night getting scared out of your wits! Now, that's what a perfect Halloween sounds like, no?