There is a movie for each unique mood. Sometimes you wish to view something light and calming, so you opt for a “feel good” film like ‘Forest Gump. ‘ Some days you feel the need for motivation to continue, so you end up viewing motivational sports movies like ‘Creed.”. ‘ And then there are these other days that we have a love/hate relationship with the type of films we’re watching. We search for the most frightening and horrifying films. We stay up all night to watch them and then question why we would traumatize ourselves this way, jeopardizing our good night’s sleep for the remainder of the week.

One of the horror sub-genres, disturbing movies provide a completely different type of escape to viewers who watch them. If you are one of those persons who squirm, twitch, and squeal with fright but like to scare themselves out with agonizing movies, then you do not need to haunt the dark web to search for these. Netflix also has its decent share of anxiety-provoking disturbing films that’ll provide the type of fright you seek.

28. The Deliverance (2024)

Disturbing in the manner it portrays possession and the way it is sometimes linked to our own personal demons, ‘The Deliverance’ features an abusive and alcoholic mother (Andra Day) faced with the presence of a demonic entity that has possessed her children. The only way she can save them is to admit her sins and take the Almighty as her savior. The question now is: Is it too late to do that already? Starring Glenn Close and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, ‘The Deliverance’ is an added blessing to the exorcism horror series and can be viewed right here.

27. Kampon (2023)

This Filipino horror movie is about an infertile couple, Clark (Derek Ramsay) and Eileen (Beauty Gonzalez), who adopt a young girl after she knocks on their door on a stormy night. But the girl, Jade (Erin Espiritu), says she is Clark’s daughter. Soon, supernatural dark occurrences begin to take place within the home, and without the couple realizing, they are linked to Clark’s history, such as a woman (Zeinab Harake) who was tormented by dark powers as a young child. So, whatever is going on with the couple traces its origin way back in time, and while Eileen seeks comfort in her new motherhood for Jade, Clark is left alone to fight what is real and what is not real. In the meantime, Jade’s actions also become creepy day by day. Directed by King Palisoc, ‘Kampon’ was nominated for nine awards during the 2023 Metro Manila Film Festival and won one. You are able to view the film here.

26. The Call (2020)

‘The Call’ is a South Korean thriller film directed by Lee Chung-hyun and makes for a gripping and unsettling piece of cinematic work. The dark underbelly of human nature is explored in this intense film, combining horror and suspense elements masterfully. Centered on tour-de-force performances from Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo, it explores the dark symbiosis of a 28-year-long phone call that bridges a woman in the present day with another locked in the past, each living unimaginable terrors. As the narrative goes on, it skillfully keeps the audience on the precipice of their seats, with horrifying surprises and psychological suspense, making it a perfect option for anyone looking for a truly disturbing and thought-provoking movie experience. You can watch ‘The Call’ here.

25. The Forest of Love (2019).

Directed by Sion Sono, ‘The Forest of Love’ is a Japanese crime-thriller whose villain is inspired from real-life serial killer Futoshi Matsunaga, who killed at least nine individuals in Kyushu, Japan, between 1996 and 1998. Directed by Sion Sono, this overlooked creepy drama traces the lives of a bunch of young filmmakers who plan to make a movie on a con man, Joe Murata (Kippei Shiina), but end up falling prey to the mind game of the psychopath’s charm and enticement. They are then compelled to commit dreadful crimes that worsen by the episode. Matsunaga’s offenses rank as some of the worst offenses in Japanese history and ‘The Forest of Love’ does a good job of keeping pace with the brutality. Sick at heart, ‘The Forest of Love’ is guaranteed to remain with you for a considerable period of time. Along with Shiina, the movie also features Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Kyoko Hinami, Eri Kamataki, Sei Matobu, and Natsuki Kawamura. You can see the movie here.

24. Do You See What I See (2024)

‘Do You See What I See’ is an aesthetic Indonesian horror movie by Awi Suryadi. The movie revolves around Mawar (Diandra Agatha), a teenage orphan in her early twenties, whose dream of having a sweet boyfriend comes true in a rather unconventional way. She is certainly in love with him but her friends realize soon enough that the fellow, who has never been seen by them, may not be a fellow after all. As Mawar’s demeanor begins to shift, her friends discover that her enigmatic boyfriend, Restu, is not of this world. ‘Do You See What I See’ isunsettling but auspiciously so. If you’re into this kind of thing, this Indonesian horror movie is for you. You can pour a cup here.

23. Of Good Report (2013)

Directed by Jahmil X.T. Qubeka, this noir set in South Africa delves into the illicit relationship between introverted high school teacher Parker Sithole (Mothusi Magano) and his pupil, sixteen-year-old Nolitha (Petronella Tshuma). The affair gets off to a steamy start, but then it becomes catastrophic, and we learn that beneath all that virtue is a hunter. Based in a poor black neighborhood where nothing can stop anyone from doing anything, ‘Of Good Report’ is a fearless film. You can view it here.

22. The Woman in The Window (2021)

Joe Wright’s ‘The Woman in the Window’ brings together psychological suspense and a chilling environment to create an absorbing thriller. Amy Adams plays Dr. Anna Fox, an agoraphobic woman who finds herself a witness to what may be a crime in her neighbor’s apartment. The movie is a riveting exercise in perception and reality, expertly navigating the lines between truth and deception. Wright uses a signature visual approach, emphasizing the unsettling atmosphere. Amy Adams’ subtlety, bolstered by the film’s creative storytelling, heightens the unsettling undertones. Feel free to stream it here.

21. The Paramedic (2020)

‘The Paramedic,’ a Spanish thriller by Carles Torras, explores psychological horror with a haunted narrative. Featuring Mario Casas as Ángel, a paramedic turned stalker following a tragic accident, the movie follows his spiral into obsession and manipulation. The disturbing exploration of Ángel’s crumbling psyche, combined with Casas’ unsettling performance, results in a tense atmosphere. Torras weaves a twisted and sinister story that delves into the fine line of caregiver and abuser, keeping audiences on edge as Ángel’s behavior becomes increasingly worse in a dark journey into the human mind and the dangers of unchecked fixation. Stream the movie here.

20. Creep (2014)

Creep’ introduces us to flailing videographer Aaron and begins rather harmlessly as he takes a job to go to a secluded cabin for a day’s work. When he arrives at the cabin, Aaron meets client Josef, who says he has a brain tumor and may die before his wife delivers their baby. Therefore, he assigns Aaron the duty of filming a video log as a present for his unborn baby. At first a common task, events later take a sinister twist with dark secrets being exposed. Further, even though Aaron succeeds in escaping alive, he cannot get Josef off his back, raising questions regarding whether the latter had been acting a charade all along. You may view the film here.

19. Under the Shadow (2016)

In the context of the Tehran missile attacks in 1984, a man leaves for the war, and his wife and daughter are left behind in their apartment. One prevalent Islamic belief is that Djinn are wicked beings swept away by the wind to locations that cause horror and agony. When all others depart, the mother and the daughter are left to themselves, searching for the lost doll, which is so precious to the daughter but has been now claimed by the Djinn with a motive to be left alone by the two. The mother and daughter have to fend for themselves in their war-torn environment as an eerie dark force wriggles in the corners and taunts them. You can view the film here.

18. Run Rabbit Run (2023)

Daina Reid’s ‘Run Rabbit Run’ delves into trauma in layers. One of the layers involves a woman traumatized by the disappearance of her sister when they were children. Another layer involves a mother-daughter relationship threatened by an evil force. Sarah learns that her daughter Mia loves rabbits, like her own sister Alice, and though it’s all supposed to be cute, Mia’s actions soon begin to take a very weird form, one that’s definitely disturbing. As Sarah struggles to understand why Mia is acting like this while coping with her own demons, ‘Run Rabbit Run’ ends with an unveiling of a surprising secret from Sarah’s past. You may view the film here.

17. Two (2021)

Directed by Mar Targarona and featuring Marina Gatell and Pablo Derqui, ‘Two’ is a true-to-life horrific film that depicts two individuals, Sara and David, waking up nude in a hotel room and discovering their bodies are sewn together at the abdominal area. With neither of them having a clue how they ended up where they are, or who sewed them up, they attempt to get to know one another in hopes of finding the means to discover what is happening. For discovering who the person is responsible for getting them locked away like this, you can watch the movie here.

16. There’s Someone Inside Your House (2021)

An adaptation of the same-named book by Stephanie Perkins, ‘There’s Someone Inside Your House,’ follows the story of Makani and a team of her peers from Osborne High School as they battle against time to beat a lethal serial killer. The killer, who has only one M.O. to put on the victims’ faces during the murder, appears to target those who have harmed someone in the past. But as the crew discovers one dark secret after another, friends and enemies begin to blur, and Makani finds herself wondering that anyone of them could be out for blood. You can watch the movie here.

15. Things Heard & Seen (2021)

According to the book ‘All Things Cease to Appear’ by Elizabeth Brundage, ‘Things Heard & Seen’ is about Catherine Claire, an art restorer, who relocates to a farmhouse in Upstate New York with her husband and daughter. Despite having an ideal family, the movie dispels the illusion very early as it indicates that she lives with bulimia. Meanwhile, her husband George starts an affair, and their daughter feels that something supernatural is present in the house. But after Catherine finds an old Bible and an antique ring, the distinction between the world of the living and the world of the dead seems to vanish as all the characters are compelled to face the ghastly repercussions of their previous errors. You can watch ‘Things Heard & Seen’ here.

14. Eli (2019)

Netflix’s ‘Eli’ is a supernatural horror film about a boy who seemingly has a rare condition that gives him allergic reactions whenever he is outside. As a result, he has to put on safety gear if he is venturing outside. His parents admit him to a remote facility run by Dr. Isabella Horn (Lili Taylor). During the initial days, Eli is really content, finally able to move around without the cumbersome protective suit and getting to hug his parents. Soon, he begins experiencing paranormal activity within the facility, making him think that the facility is haunted. The film was directed by Ciarán Foy, whose credits include ‘Citadel’ and ‘Sinister 2’. You can watch it here. Read More: Top Medical TV Shows on Netflix

13. Clinical (2017)

In Netflix’s ‘Clinical,’ Nora Jane (India Eisley), a young patient, brutally attacks psychiatrist Jane Mathis (Vinessa Shaw) before attempting to take her own life. This experience results in Jane’s diagnosis with PTSD and sleep paralysis. A severely deformed man named Alex (Kevin Rahm) seeks treatment from her. Even though she has doubts, she takes him as her patient. She learns that Nora has been returned home from the mental institution where the little girl was committed. When strange occurrences begin to happen in her vicinity, Jane realizes that Nora has come back to kill her. Luke Harvis and Alistair Legrand wrote the script, with Legrand having directed the production. You can view ‘Clinical’ here.

12. Fractured (2019)

Netflix’s psychological thriller ‘Fractured’ features Ray Monroe (Sam Worthington), whose daughter Peri (Lucy Capri) gets chased by a stray dog and falls into an open trench. Ray and his wife Joanne (Lily Rabe) take her to the closest hospital and have her admitted there. He then realizes that his wife and daughter are missing, and the hospital people claim not to know anything about them. They even inform him that he had arrived there alone for treatment. Fearing for his family, Ray starts his frantic search for them. Worthington’s performance in the film, along with Brad Anderson’s direction and Björn Charpentier’s cinematography, have been praised by critics. You may see the movie here.

11. Hold the Dark (2018)

Jeffrey Wright appears in Jeremy Saulnier’s Netflix movie ‘Hold the Dark’ as Russell Core, a novelist with extensive experience of wolf behavior. Russell is contacted by a woman called Medora Slone (Riley Keough) from the fictional village of Keelut, Alaska, and asks him to go there and shoot a pack of wolves since she thinks that they have killed and eaten three children. Bailey is one of the children who were taken. Having known that wolves don’t act that way, Core goes to Keelut and subsequently discovers Bailey’s dead body frozen in the family house. Vernon (Alexander Skarsgård), Medora’s husband, returns from Iraq and murders a number of officers to get his son’s body from the police. Inspired by the novel of the same title by William Giraldi, ‘Hold the Dark’ has a visceral feeling of fear throughout its duration. You can see the movie here.

10. The Open House (2018)

Featuring Dylan Minnette, Piercey Dalton, Sharif Atkins, Patricia Bethune, and Aaron Abrams, Netflix’s ‘The Open House’ is the story of a woman, Naomi, and her son, Logan. Following the death of Logan’s dad in a heartbreaking accident, the two are left to struggle financially. At the request of Naomi’s sister, they agree to travel to her mountain retreat and stay there until a buyer can be found through the open house event. After they arrive there, both start noticing that odd things are happening around them. Items go missing. There are phone calls with seemingly no one on the other end. They receive little help from the police. Isolated from the rest of the quiet town, they fight fear and paranoia. Unaware to them, their house has been infiltrated by the serial killer “Evil Boots.” Feel free to watch the film here.

9. The Platform (2019)

This Spanish science fiction horror follows the tale of an extraordinary multi-level prison where two prisoners are housed on each level. Food is transported on an elevator-like platform, which makes a halt on each floor for a certain duration, during which the prisoners must consume whatever they can. They can’t store anything for future use. If they do, the prison authorities will either freeze or boil them to death by controlling the temperature of the cell. The main character, Goreng (Iván Massagué), voluntarily becomes a part of the prison population to obtain a diploma. He soon finds out that it’s the worst decision he has ever made in life. The director of the film is Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. After its premiere at the 44th Annual Toronto International Film Festival, Netflix made ‘The Platform’ available to its worldwide audience. You can view the film here.

8. Cam (2018)

Directed by Daniel Goldhaber, Netflix’s tech horror film ‘Cam’ makes a strongly applicable commentary on the digital age, privacy loss, over-exposure on the internet and risks of identity theft. Screenwriter Isa Mazzei based her script on her own experience as a camgirl. It features Madeline Brewer as Alice Ackerman, who broadcasts sex content on a site named FreeGirlsLive with the screen name “Lola_Lola.” She one day finds out that she is unable to access her account. After inquiring further, she learns that there’s a doppelganger using it.  Desperate to recover it, she contacts the site customer support, her followers, and even the police, but everyone appears unable to assist her. Through the course of the movie, she grows increasingly agitated and unstable, accusing fellow camgirls for sabotaging her. You can view ‘Cam’ here.

7. Bird Box (2018)

On Earth in Netflix’s ‘Bird Box,’ the planet has been taken over by malevolent creatures capable of assuming the form of a human’s worst nightmare and then compelling them to madness and eventual suicide. The movie features two storylines centered on the same person, Malorie (Sandra Bullock) and five years apart from each other. One traces a still-pregnant Malorie surviving her first moments after the invasion, while the other covers her trying to preserve her children. Susanne Bier-directed and an adaptation of Josh Malerman’s 2014 homonymic novel, the film had generally good reviews from the critics. You can watch it here.

6. In the Tall Grass (2019)

From another Stephen King novella (co-authored with his son Joe Hill), Netflix’s ‘In the Tall Grass’ is a violent and bloody story full of all Stephen King’s usual material, such as incest, time travel, cannibalism, and madness. Becky and her brother Cal (Laysla De Oliveira and Avery Whitted) overhear a cry for help from a field of tall grass from a young boy when they are driving to San Diego. They venture into the grass in search of the boy but realize later that they cannot escape. To add fuel to the situation, Becky is six months pregnant. They find that the father of the child, Travis (Harrison Gilbertson), is also in the field and trapped. Directed by Vincenzo Natala, the movie also features Patrick Wilson, Rachel Wilson, and Will Buie Jr. You can view ‘In the Tall Grass’ here.

5. 1922 (2017)

The film version of the 2010 namesake novella by Stephen King, Netflix’s horror-drama ‘1922’ is shot on location in the eponymous year on a farm in Hemingford Home, Nebraska, and revolves around farmer Wilf James (Thomas Jane) and his family. Satisfied with the way things are going at the farm, he wishes to spend all his life there. But his wife, Arlette (Molly Parker), disillusioned and dissatisfied, wishes to sell it. Wilf confides in his son Henry (Dylan Schmid) about killing Arlette, reminding him that she objects to his girlfriend, Shannon (Kaitlyn Bernard). Henry is reluctant to assist. After they kill her, they dispose of her body in a dry well on the property, where rats eventually begin consuming it. Yet, this abhorrent act condemns the son and father eternally, for they nearly willingly embark upon their roads to self-destruction. Watch the movie here.

4. I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016)

An atmospheric horror movie, ‘I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House,’ is a tale of a horror writer and her caretaker as they continue to encounter supernatural energies in their home. The said author, Iris Blum, has chronic dementia, and therefore, the owners of her estate have engaged Lily Saylor to take care of her. Lily starts seeing dark silhouettes of a woman in the house and panics. As time goes on, fantasy and reality become confused in her vision. We are reminded of the fact that Iris had stated in one of her books that there are some worlds where the living and the dead together exist. Is her house such a world? This movie shares the beauty of classic horror due to its location and intriguing characters. This is the movie for you if you prefer foreboding atmospheres over jump frights. The horror in this movie is the restraint exercised by the director. A feeling of tension exists throughout, making the audience very uneasy at times. You can view the movie here.

3. The Perfection (2019)

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One of the most unsettling Netflix originals, ‘The Perfection,’ is a movie that you need to keep kids away from. The main character in the movie is a musical genius named Charlotte (Allison Williams), who is attending the finest music academy at her mentor’s invitation. She is able to befriend one of the school’s top students, Lizzie, and eventually, they engage in a sexual relationship too. Once the two of them arrive at the school, they notice that behind the disguise of a musical school, something pretty horrific happens. But how are the two going to be able to escape the fury of such vicious criminals? Violence is the reason that we are requesting you to view this movie in the presence of adults only. The scenes are so gory that even the most die-hard fans of violence on the big screen find them too much. The director, Richard Shepard, cleverly employs genre conventions to provide us with a thriller that will linger in our minds for ages to come. Feel free to view the movie here.

2. Apostle (2018)

One of the best horror films you can watch on Netflix, ‘Apostle’ is directed and written by Gareth Evans. The film revolves around the life of a man named Thomas Richardson, who goes back to his hometown to receive the news that his sister has been kidnapped by an evil cult and is now kept as a prisoner on their remote island. Thomas is set to save her from this ordeal and embarks as quickly as he can. Thomas intends to go inside the organization while disguising himself as one of their cult members. When he enters the island, he is appalled by how they cruelly carry out rites and rituals. He gradually realizes that the cult members intend to sacrifice her sister as a human offering. The stunning art direction we are able to witness in this movie is something we are going to remember for a very long time. There is a constant feel of fear along with the movie, and this becomes only possible due to Evans’ command over the camera. You can watch the movie here.

1. Gerald’s Game (2017)

Gerald’s Game is a psychological horror film based on a Stephen King novel. It starts out on a innocent note when a man and his wife retreat to a secluded lake retreat to spice up their love life. Things turn ugly when the husband suddenly dies and the wife, Jessie, finds herself handcuffed to the bed frame. Jessie is shocked when the demons within her mind begin lurking in the dark corners of the abandoned house as she tries to master the returned evil that had been suppressed deep inside her centuries ago. The most frightening aspect about this movie is that it’s difficult to understand if everything that Jessie experiences is real or merely an illusion of her deepest phobia. You may view ‘Gerald’s Game’ here. Read More: Most Sexually Graphic Movies on Hulu