Netflix has become a powerhouse for streaming horror, with some of the best horror shows ranking among the platform’s most iconic original series. From ambitious slow-burn chillers to wildly inventive nightmares, horror is one genre where Netflix consistently pushes boundaries. Over the past decade, it’s become the go-to platform for fans looking for scary, stylish, and unforgettable horror storytelling.
The best Netflix horror shows have also helped redefine what small-screen horror can be. No longer just jump scares and clichés, these series explore everything from psychological torment to full-blown apocalyptic chaos. Whether it’s ghost stories soaked in atmosphere or grotesque tales of body horror, Netflix has managed to bring fresh life to horror TV by treating each series as a creative event.
Each of the best horror shows on Netflix is terrifying in its own way, but what they all share is a strong sense of identity. These aren’t just good horror shows – they’re the cornerstones of the genre on the small screen in the age of streaming. From international standouts to instant classics, these series all prove Netflix is leading the way in horror television.
10
Brand New Cherry Flavor (2021)
A Surreal Body Horror Nightmare Set In Hollywood’s Darkest Corners
There are few shows out there like Brand New Cherry Flavor. It is pure nightmare fuel, and that’s exactly why it should be counted as a horror triumph for Netflix. Set in early-‘90s Los Angeles, it follows Lisa Nova (Rosa Salazar), an aspiring filmmaker who spirals into supernatural chaos after being betrayed by a sleazy producer. From there, it only gets more depraved – with witchcraft, curses, and one of the most disturbing uses of a kitten ever put on screen.
Created by Nick Antosca and Lenore Zion, Brand New Cherry Flavor blends Hollywood satire with Cronenberg-esque body horror. Every episode dives deeper into bizarre surrealism, turning Lisa’s revenge plot into a descent into madness that’s equal parts grotesque and stylish. If you’re a fan of horror that makes you feel physically uncomfortable in the best way, this is essential viewing.
While not for the squeamish, Brand New Cherry Flavor is a rare and incredibly dark horror series that commits completely to its twisted aesthetic. It doesn’t explain everything – and that’s part of the horror. It’s disorienting, bold, and unforgettable, earning its place among Netflix’s most daring horror entries.
9
Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet Of Curiosities (2022)
A Masterclass In Horror Anthology Storytelling Guided By A Genre Icon
Few names carry more weight in horror than Guillermo del Toro, and Cabinet of Curiosities delivers exactly what fans expect from his macabre imagination. This eight-episode anthology offers a hand-picked showcase of dread, mystery, and monstrosity, with each installment helmed by a different acclaimed horror director.
What makes this anthology stand out is its balance of style and substance. Stories like “The Autopsy” and “Pickman’s Model” range from Lovecraftian paranoia to psychedelic body horror, and every episode is introduced by del Toro himself like a horror-themed Rod Serling. The series celebrates both classic horror and boundary-pushing new visions, making it a treasure trove for horror fans.
While anthologies can often feel uneven, Cabinet of Curiosities maintains a remarkably high standard throughout. It’s a love letter to the horror genre that honors its past while forging a bold future. For Netflix to commit to something this artistically ambitious speaks volumes about its place in the horror TV landscape.
8
All Of Us Are Dead (2022-Present)
A Relentless Zombie Thriller That Never Lets Up On The Tension
South Korea has delivered some of the most intense horror in recent years, and All of Us Are Dead is a prime example. The series drops viewers into a high school at ground zero of a sudden zombie outbreak, and it doesn’t take long before all hell breaks loose. The pacing is fast, the stakes are high, and the character work is surprisingly emotional.
The show sets itself apart with the way it grounds its horror in teenage dynamics. There’s classic zombie action – gory, fast, and chaotic – but it’s the survival drama between students like Cheong-san (Yoon Chan-young) and On-jo (Park Ji-hu) that gives the series heart. As their world collapses, the horror isn’t just external – it’s personal.
Unlike many zombie stories that fizzle out, All of Us Are Dead thrives on unpredictability. With a second season in development, it’s one of Netflix’s most successful international horror hits, proving that the undead still have bite when the storytelling is this sharp.
7
Midnight Mass (2021)
A Haunting Meditation On Faith, Death, And The Monstrous Side Of Belief
Midnight Mass isn’t just a horror story – it’s a theological gut-punch. Created by Mike Flanagan, the show takes place on Crockett Island, a fading fishing community that welcomes the mysterious Father Paul (Hamish Linklater) just as miracles – and horrifying consequences – begin to unfold.
This is slow-burn horror done right. Instead of relying on cheap scares, Midnight Mass builds dread through character-driven storytelling and existential themes. Riley Flynn (Zach Gilford), a disgraced local returning home, becomes the emotional anchor as the series peels back layers of guilt, faith, and grief. When the supernatural finally erupts, it’s both terrifying and tragic.
What makes Midnight Mass so effective is how it uses horror to examine human nature. It’s chilling in its restraint, then unforgettable in its final, blood-soaked episodes. Thought-provoking and deeply unsettling, this is one of Netflix’s most ambitious horror dramas – and one that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
6
The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina (2018-2020)
A Bold, Stylish Reinvention Of Teenage Witch Horror With Real Bite
Forget the lighthearted ‘90s version – The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina leans hard into occult horror, creating a world of blood rituals, demonic conspiracies, and witchcraft drenched in gothic style. Kiernan Shipka’s Sabrina Spellman is a teenage witch torn between two worlds, and her journey becomes darker with every season.
What begins as a coming-of-age story quickly morphs into a supernatural war filled with terrifying creatures and twisted alternate dimensions. Sabrina battles everything from the Dark Lord to the Eldritch Terrors, and the series never holds back on pushing boundaries – both visually and narratively. It’s campy, yes, but never at the expense of genuine horror.
Visually lush and unapologetically weird, Sabrina succeeds by embracing its chaos. It’s horror through a comic book lens, where the stakes are cosmic and the villains are devilishly fun. Though it ended with controversy, it remains one of the boldest genre swings Netflix has ever taken – and horror fans were all the better for it.
5
Marianne (2019)
A French Nightmare That Turns A Writer’s Fiction Into Real Terror
One of Netflix’s most underrated gems, Marianne is an absolutely terrifying French horror series that lives up to its reputation as a spiritual successor to The Exorcist. It follows Emma Larsimon (Victoire Du Bois), a bestselling horror author who discovers that her demonic creation, Marianne, is real – and she’s not done tormenting her.
What makes Marianne so effective is its raw, unrelenting approach to fear. The scares hit hard and often, and the series crafts its dread with a cinematic eye for detail. Long, lingering shots build suspense, while sudden bursts of gore keep viewers off balance. Then there’s the titular demon – one of the most chilling entities in a Netflix show thanks to Mireille Herbstmeyer’s unforgettable performance.
Although it was canceled after one season, Marianne earned a cult following for good reason (as evidenced by its 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes). It’s tightly written, genuinely disturbing, and boasts some of the most nightmarish imagery in any Netflix horror show. Its impact is lasting – and for fans of supernatural terror, it’s essential.
4
Sweet Home (2020-2024)
A Monster Apocalypse Series With Real Emotional Depth And Grotesque Thrills
Sweet Home wastes no time plunging viewers into chaos. Based on the popular webtoon, this Korean horror series traps residents of an apartment complex as a terrifying monster apocalypse begins outside – and sometimes, inside – their very walls. However, beneath the blood and body horror, it’s a deeply human story about survival, guilt, and sacrifice.
Lead character Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang) is a suicidal teen who becomes an unlikely hero as he and the other tenants fight back against ever-mutating creatures. The monsters are nightmarish – distorted reflections of human desires – and the practical effects mixed with CGI deliver on both gore and creativity. Few Netflix shows balance spectacle and storytelling like this.
As the seasons progress, Sweet Home evolves into a more complex sci-fi horror hybrid, but it never loses its core appeal: emotional stakes, unpredictable danger, and monstrous thrills. It’s a standout in Netflix’s international horror slate, and one of the most visually ambitious series the platform has ever released.
3
The Fall Of The House Of Usher (2023)
A Devilish Modern Reimagining Of Poe’s Stories With Horror In Every Frame
Mike Flanagan’s swan song for Netflix, The Fall of the House of Usher is both a gothic revenge saga and a deeply satisfying horror anthology wrapped into one. Loosely adapting several Edgar Allan Poe stories, it follows the corrupt Usher family as they begin dying off one by one in increasingly horrific ways.
Bruce Greenwood leads the ensemble as Roderick Usher, while Carla Gugino steals the show as Verna – the supernatural force bringing retribution. Each episode is a twisted morality tale, highlighting the grotesque greed and hubris of the Ushers while delivering standout deaths that range from brutal to poetic. The horror isn’t just stylish – it’s thematic, with every scare serving a narrative purpose.
Flanagan’s ability to fuse literary elegance with modern carnage makes Usher feel like prestige horror. The writing is razor-sharp, the visuals rich in atmosphere, and the performances utterly unhinged in the best way. It’s not just a love letter to Poe – it’s a masterclass in serialized horror.
2
The Haunting Of Hill House (2018)
A Ghost Story That Redefined Horror Television For A New Generation
The Haunting of Hill House didn’t just raise the bar for horror shows – it shattered expectations. Loosely based on Shirley Jackson’s novel, this series reimagines the haunted house genre as a heartbreaking family drama. The Crain siblings, led by stars like Victoria Pedretti and Oliver Jackson-Cohen, are haunted not just by ghosts, but by trauma that refuses to let go.
Mike Flanagan’s direction blends long takes, chilling reveals, and emotional depth in ways rarely seen on TV. Episodes like “Two Storms” are technical marvels, while “The Bent-Neck Lady” delivers one of the most devastating twists in modern horror. It’s not about jump scares – though it has plenty – but about how horror lingers in memory and grief.
Hill House remains the gold standard for Netflix horror. It’s intelligent, deeply moving, and terrifying in a way that feels earned. Even years later, no other ghost story on the platform has matched its emotional resonance or visual storytelling power.
1
Stranger Things (2016-2025)
The Ultimate Horror Blockbuster That Launched A Cultural Phenomenon
Stranger Things isn’t only Netflix’s flagship series, but it’s also arguably the most influential horror show of the 21st century. What began as a love letter to Stephen King and Spielbergian adventure has evolved into a sprawling supernatural epic, blending small-town mystery with cosmic terror and nostalgia-fueled storytelling.
Millie Bobby Brown’s Eleven became an instant icon, but it’s the ensemble – led by Winona Ryder, David Harbour, and Finn Wolfhard – that gives the show its emotional heart. From Demogorgons to Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), each season raises the stakes without sacrificing character-driven horror. The Upside Down remains one of TV’s most iconic creations.
No other Netflix horror show has had this kind of cultural impact. Its balance of monster horror, sci-fi spectacle, and 1980s aesthetic redefined what a streaming horror series could be. With its final season approaching, Stranger Things has already earned its legacy – and secured its place as Netflix’s greatest horror triumph.
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
