December 2025: If you’re looking to replace the holiday cheer with pure dread, you’re in the right place. Netflix’s current horror lineup delivers bone-chilling terror, from Joko Anwar’s brutal Indonesian punishment in Grave Torture to the psychological masterpiece, Hereditary.
Too many options? We cut the filler. This definitive list of the Top 10 Best Horror Movies on Netflix 2025 is ranked by critical acclaim, viewer ratings, and current Netflix availability as of December 2025. Forget the search bar—your ultimate scare session awaits.
Why Netflix Horror Hits Different in 2025
Netflix has cemented itself as the go-to platform for genre enthusiasts, offering a curated blend of high-concept originals and certified classics that cater to every fear.
Mix of Originals & Classics – From International Gems to Timeless Terrors
The 2025 horror scene on Netflix is defined by its versatility. We see major studio classics (like the incredible Hereditary and A Quiet Place: Day One) sitting alongside Netflix’s own ambitious, high-quality Originals (like His House and Grave Torture). This ensures continuous freshness and access to timeless terrors.
Trends – Psychological Depth, International Gems, Jump Scares Galore
The platform is currently leading trends in:
- Psychological Depth: Films that delve into trauma, grief, and mental illness, turning the horror inward (e.g., His House).
- International Gems: Indonesian, Spanish, and UK-based horror that brings fresh perspectives and cultural terror (e.g., Grave Torture).
- Found Footage/Slow Burn: A return to atmospheric dread over cheap thrills (e.g., Creep).
Quick Tip – Watch with Lights Off for Max Chills
To maximize the terror, commit to streaming your selection with the lights off, surround sound up, and the phone on silent. These films rely heavily on atmosphere and sound design to deliver the ultimate scares.
The Top 10 Horror Movies on Netflix Ranked (December 2025)
The rankings are determined by verified critical reception (IMDb/Rotten Tomatoes) and current Netflix buzz for December 2025.
1. Hereditary (IMDb 7.3 | 2018)
The true masterpiece of modern psychological horror. When the secretive matriarch of the Graham family passes away, her daughter and grandchildren begin to unravel terrifying secrets about their ancestry. This is not a film for jump-scare enthusiasts, but for those who want unsettling, deeply disturbing psychological terror that hinges on trauma and fate.
Note: Availability is region-specific (primarily Netflix Canada/UK and selected regions).
- Why Watch: A bone-chilling slow-burn with unforgettable, disturbing imagery.
- Runtime: 2h 7m.
2. His House (IMDb 7.5 | 2020 Netflix Original)
A masterful blend of social commentary and supernatural horror. A refugee couple flees war-torn South Sudan only to find their asylum in a dilapidated UK house haunted by a malevolent spirit—and the ghosts of their past. It’s an emotional horror masterpiece that uses horror to explore the complexities of guilt and cultural displacement.
- Why Watch: Critically acclaimed (100% on Rotten Tomatoes!) and genuinely moving.
- Runtime: 1h 33m.
3. Grave Torture (IMDb 7.2 | 2024 Netflix Original)
Indonesian horror master Joko Anwar (known for Impetigore) delivers a brutal and thought-provoking Original. A woman, skeptical of religion after her parents’ traumatic deaths, vows to debunk the idea of supernatural torment after death. Her quest leads her to enter the grave of a newly deceased, notoriously sinful man to find the truth, with dire, brutal, and graphic consequences.
- Why Watch: A fresh 2024 standout that delivers unique, cultural terror.
- Runtime: 1h 57m.
4. The Ritual (IMDb 6.3 | 2017)
Following the death of a friend, four men hike through the remote forests of Sweden for a memorial trip that quickly turns into a chilling nightmare. As they become lost and fractured, they realize an ancient, malevolent entity—a massive, terrifying creature from Norse mythology—is hunting them. The film’s atmospheric dread builds relentlessly before a spectacular creature reveal.
- Why Watch: Cult favorite for its deep atmosphere and terrifying, unique creature design.
- Runtime: 1h 34m.
5. A Quiet Place: Day One (IMDb 6.8 | 2024)
The thrilling prequel to the smash-hit franchise, Day One moves the action to a terrifying, noisy urban setting. The film details the beginning of the alien invasion, following a woman (Lupita Nyong’o) and her cat trapped in New York City as the sound-hunting creatures descend. It’s a fresh, intense narrative focusing on the initial chaos.
- Why Watch: The perfect combination of high-stakes prequel action and intense urban survival.
- Runtime: 1h 39m.
6. The Babysitter (IMDb 6.3 | 2017 Netflix Original)
Need a break from deep psychological scares? This is the perfect injection of comedy-horror. When a young boy stays up past his bedtime, he discovers his cool, attractive babysitter (Samara Weaving) is actually the leader of a Satanic cult performing a sacrifice. It’s gory fun with heart, striking a near-perfect balance between laughs and slasher thrills.
- Why Watch: High-energy, self-aware horror comedy that makes gore feel fun.
- Runtime: 1h 25m.
7. Creep (IMDb 6.3 | 2014)
One of the best modern found-footage films. A cash-strapped videographer accepts a job in a remote mountain town to film a client’s last message for his unborn child. What starts as a heartwarming project quickly spirals into an uncomfortably intimate psychological cat-and-mouse game with a truly unhinged individual (Mark Duplass).
- Why Watch: A slow-burn freak-out that delivers huge scares with minimal effects.
- Runtime: 1h 17m.
8. Cargo (IMDb 6.3 | 2017)
The emotional apocalypse film starring Martin Freeman. In the wake of a vicious pandemic, a father is infected and only has 48 hours to find a safe home for his infant daughter before he transforms into a zombie. This film focuses on heartfelt survival and sacrifice rather than pure action, making it a powerful and unique entry into the zombie genre.
- Why Watch: A surprisingly emotional and heartfelt take on the end of the world.
- Runtime: 1h 45m.
9. Apostle (IMDb 6.3 | 2018 Netflix Original)
A dark, gory piece of folk horror. Dan Stevens travels to a remote Welsh island in 1905 to infiltrate a secret religious cult and rescue his sister, who they are holding for ransom. Director Gareth Evans (of The Raid fame) delivers a brutal and uncompromising vision filled with disturbing rituals and visceral violence.
- Why Watch: Excellent cinematography, historical setting, and extremely effective folk horror.
- Runtime: 2h 10m.
10. In the Tall Grass (IMDb 5.5 | 2019 Netflix Original)
Based on the novella by Stephen King and Joe Hill, the story sees a pregnant woman and her brother pulled into a massive field of tall grass after hearing a boy’s cry for help. Once inside, time and space begin to loop and fold, trapping them with a terrifying, ancient presence. It’s disorienting dread perfect for fans of mind-bending horror.
- Why Watch: A unique and claustrophobic setup based on King’s dark vision.
- Runtime: 1h 41m.
Netflix Horror Comparison Table: Quick Picks
| Rank | Movie | Year | IMDb | Why Watch | Runtime |
| 1 | Hereditary | 2018 | 7.3 | Unsettling psychological terror | 2h 7m |
| 2 | His House | 2020 | 7.5 | Emotional refugee horror masterpiece | 1h 33m |
| 3 | Grave Torture | 2024 | 7.2 | Brutal Indonesian cultural terror | 1h 57m |
| 4 | The Ritual | 2017 | 6.3 | Atmospheric folk horror cult fave | 1h 34m |
| 5 | A Quiet Place: Day One | 2024 | 6.8 | Intense prequel, urban survival in NYC | 1h 39m |
| 6 | The Babysitter | 2017 | 6.3 | Gory fun, perfect comedy-horror blend | 1h 25m |
| 7 | Creep | 2014 | 6.3 | Found-footage, intimate slow-burn freak-out | 1h 17m |
| 8 | Cargo | 2017 | 6.3 | Heartfelt emotional zombie apocalypse | 1h 45m |
| 9 | Apostle | 2018 | 6.3 | Gory cult horror and visceral violence | 2h 10m |
| 10 | In the Tall Grass | 2019 | 5.5 | Disorienting, mind-bending dread | 1h 41m |
Bonus Hidden Gems: More Chills Streaming in 2025
While the Top 10 are the highest-rated must-watches, Netflix has deep archives filled with essential viewing that’s currently flying under the radar.
Fear Street Trilogy (2021) – Slasher Nostalgia Across Eras
This is not one movie but three interconnected films (1994, 1978, 1666) based on the R.L. Stine books. This trilogy is a love letter to slasher films, following a group of teens who discover the terrifying history behind their town’s brutal murders. It’s perfect for a weekend binge, offering slasher nostalgia across three different eras of horror.
Marianne (French Series) – Witchy Terror Masterpiece
For those who want a long-form scare, this French series focuses on a horror novelist who returns to her hometown only to find the demonic spirit that haunts her books is real. It’s a truly chilling show, delivering witchy terror that many consider an international horror masterpiece.
Why Dive Deeper – International Flavors & Underrated Originals
Netflix’s best horror often comes from its international and underrated Original sections. If you’ve exhausted the mainstream, diving into the French, Indonesian, and Spanish archives will unlock the platform’s most innovative and brutal scares.
What’s Next for Netflix Horror in 2026
Upcoming Teases
Netflix is reportedly ramping up its horror slate post-holiday season. Expect new high-concept Originals hinted at by executives to fill the void left by other streaming platforms.
Predictions
We predict to see more collaborations with established horror directors. The success of Grave Torture makes expansion from Joko Anwar highly likely. Similarly, we anticipate more projects from the Mike Flanagan camp, who has dominated the horror series space.
Conclusion: Your Netflix Horror Night Sorted
You are now fully armed for your December scare session. Whether you prioritize unsettling psychological terror (like Hereditary) or prefer the brutal, unique jump scares of Grave Torture, your next horror binge is queued up.
Ready to scream? Queue up His House or A Quiet Place: Day One first. Happy watching—and don’t forget to double-check those corners!
FAQs
Q: Best horror movie on Netflix 2025 top pick?
A: Based on consistent critical acclaim and availability (region-permitting), Hereditary (2018) is widely considered the best horror movie currently streaming on Netflix.
Q: Is Smile on Netflix?
A: No, Smile (2022) is not generally streaming exclusively on Netflix as of December 2025 (it is primarily on Paramount+ and Hulu). You can find similar psychological terror in His House or Hereditary on the platform.
Q: Grave Torture Netflix original details?
A: Grave Torture is a 2024 Indonesian Original directed by Joko Anwar. It centers on a woman attempting to disprove the religious concept of post-death grave torment by entering a notorious sinner’s grave, with brutal consequences.
Q: What is A Quiet Place: Day One about?
A: It is the 2024 prequel detailing the beginning of the alien invasion in a noisy urban environment, specifically following a woman (Lupita Nyong’o) and her cat navigating the chaos of New York City on the first day.
Q: New horror additions Netflix December 2025?
A: While no major Original films launched exactly in December 2025, the newest trending title is the 2024 Indonesian Original, Grave Torture, which is seeing massive success this month.
