10 Best Underrated Horror Movies On Netflix

When people look for movies to watch, Netflix is often one of the first places they search. There are just so many subscribers out there and the catalog is vast enough that there are plenty of great options. The horror genre is well represented on the streaming service and some of the biggest releases are currently there, from 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple to Nope to The Black Phone to the acclaimed Fear Street trilogy from 2021.

However, one of the best things about searching through the catalog on Netflix is finding the hidden gems. The movies that weren't big hits upon release and got forgotten quickly, or they're the films that flopped commercially, yet were appreciated by critics. Some are even relatively well known but don't get the level of appreciation that they truly deserve. There are plenty available on Netflix, making up a wide selection of underrated horror films that fans of the genre need to check out.

These movies include big screen takes on popular video games, completely original films that are unsettling, slashers that veer into the comedy genre, adaptations of Stephen King novels, and more. Each of them is worth a viewing for anyone who wants a good scare or two.

Until Dawn (2025)

Until Dawn is the latest in a long line of adaptations of video games. This one tells an original story set inside the game's universe and works for two reasons. One is that the time loop scenario is well-crafted and the other is that it features a talented young cast.

The movie follows a group of friends who get trapped in a time loop where a new threat comes to kill them each time it resets. That keeps things interesting and avoids a pitfall of time loop films, where things get repetitive. Odessa A'zion, Ella Rubin, and Ji-young Yoo lead the young cast that stands out.

The Ritual (2017)

Several movies over the past two decades share the title The Ritual, but this one from Netflix is the best. The film is based on a 2011 novel of the same name and tells the story of a group of four friends who go on a hiking trip through a Swedish forest.

While there, they begin to notice strange occurrences and come to realize that an ancient evil presence is lurking in the woods. The setting of this British film adds to the unease of the situation and helped it earn solid reviews, including a 74% Rotten Tomatoes rating.

Host (2020)

During the early days of the pandemic, ideas for several movies came to light, including Host. The film is shot entirely on a Zoom video call, focusing on friends who accidentally summon a demon to join their call. They then watch as demonic events take them down one by one.

Host is an incredibly unique film. Since it was made during the pandemic, every actor was in charge of their own video, lighting, makeup, and more. It also clocks in at a short 56 minutes, so nothing drags and it makes the best use out of every single minute for a chilling experience.

Heart Eyes (2025)

Heart Eyes came and went without making much of an impact, which is a shame because it's one of the most fun horror movies in recent memory. The film's concept centers around the titular Heart Eyes Killer, who comes around every Valentine's Day and murders unsuspecting couples.

The extra fun twist here is that the main characters (played by Olivia Holt and Mason Gooding) are mistaken for a couple when they actually don't like each other. They ultimately have to come together as they try to stop the killer in this homage to rom-coms and slashers. There are creative kills that keep up the frights as well.

Better Watch Out (2016)

A lot of people associate holiday movies with joy and laughter and while that's mostly true, a few horror projects are ideal to watch during that time of the year. Better Watch Out is one of them and it's probably unlike anything you think it'll be upon first learning about it.

Explaining the actual plot gives away too much, so it's enough to say that the movie follows a babysitter who must defend a child from home intruders, only to learn that things aren't as they seem. The film features wild twists and some solid gore, making for a Christmas hidden gem.

Jennifer's Body (2009)

Over the years, Jennifer's Body has gotten more of the recognition it deserves. Upon release, it was poorly marketed to focus on Megan Fox's sex symbol status, which isn't at all what the film is about. That means the wrong target audience saw it, leading to lackluster views.

Jennifer's Body has since been appreciated as a feminist cult classic, yet far too many people still overlook it. Fox plays a girl who gets sacrificed by a rock band, only to come back possessed by a demon and exact revenge on boys everywhere. Despite its early poor reception, this is one of the best horror films of the 2000s.

Gerald's Game (2017)

We have seen plenty of Stephen King adaptations over the years, often to much fanfare. People have fond memories of The Green Mile, The Shining, Stand By Me, and It. While not many people discuss it, Gerald's Game is one of the best King adaptations.

Gerald's Game centers on Jessie (Carla Gugino), who goes to a remote cabin with her husband, only for him to die of a heart attack after tying her up for some fantasy role-playing. Jessie must then figure out a way to get free despite being trapped on the bed, making for a harrowing tale.

Creep (2014)

Creep is one of those movies that feels scary because it's so simple in its setup. The found footage movie sees a videographer get hired by a man who is dying to record messages to his unborn child, whom he won't be able to meet.

While sweet on the surface, each moment the videographer spends with this man peels back the layers of something unsettling. Mark Duplass is incredible as Josef and you never know what he's going to do next. The film was a critical darling that spawned a sequel and a TV series, despite being a low-budget project.

His House (2020)

More people should discuss just how great Wunmi Mosaku is. She recently landed an Academy Award nomination for her work in Sinners, but that wasn't her first foray into the horror genre. She appeared alongside Sope Dirisu and Matt Smith in His House.

Released straight to Netflix, His House sees Dirisu and Mosaku as a refugee couple from South Sudan who move into a new home in an English town. While life should theoretically be better, they come to learn that an evil entity lurks beneath them, throwing their lives into disarray.

Cam (2018)

Cam isn't just a great underrated Netflix horror movie; it's also one of the platform's best original films. Written by Isa Mazzei and inspired by her own past as a camgirl, the story is centered on Alice Ackerman, who indeed works as a camgirl.

She one day discovers that she has been replaced on the website by a replica of herself and must fight to figure out what's happening and make sure she isn't erased entirely. Madeline Brewer delivers a criminally underrated performance in this film that holds a stellar 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.