In keeping with my tradition of celebrating Halloween, the following is a list of the best of Netflix movies to stream & watch if you’re in a spooky mood. Some are horror movies, some are crime movies, some supernatural, but all are a bit creepy in their own ways.
Mindhunter
Why you should watch: If you like true crime like me (I’m a bit obsessed), then you will love love love Mindhunter, a Netflix original series from David Lynch. Based on the detectives who coined the term ‘serial killer’, this show is effing amazing. Great characters, all around writing, and the actors who play the actual serial killers are downright amazing. In a creepy as hell sort of way, naturally.
All Good Things
Why you should watch: If you watched The Jinx on HBO, then you know about Robert Durst. This movie All Good Things is based on Durst’s life over 20 years or so, including the disappearance of his wife in the 70s and later the death of his friend. Ryan Gosling plays the “Durst” character so well that he’s downright chilling.
1922
Why you should watch: I really enjoyed this movie. It feels like a classic sort of horror movie… bad things continue to happen after an initial traumatic event in the beginning. It’s all downhill from there. Based on a novella by Stephen King, I’d say 1922 does it justice.
Manhunt: Unabomber
Why you should watch: I love love love this show, almost as much as I loved Mindhunter. The Unabomber case has always fascinated me, and they really pull it off well. A bit slow in parts, I would totally recommend this show.
Creep
Why you should watch: I never thought Mark Duplass could play a scary character. This movie changed my mind about that. At first I thought it was cheesy, but as the movie went on, it lived up to it’s name more & more… downright creepy. Watch out for Peachfuzz.
Stranger Things
Why you should watch: This show is an obviously perfect choice for Halloween movie binging. Government coverups, 80s nostalgia out the wazoo, stranger monsters roaming about… what’s not to love? Not to mention, Season 2 is just about to come out. WOOT!
The Good Neighbor
Why you should watch: This is another movie that surprised me in how much I ended up liking it; really well executed & the ending left me reeling. Nice use of suspense.
Okja
Why you should watch: Full disclosure- this is NOT a horror movie. That said, I’m including it anyway, because by the end of the movie, it almost DOES feel like a horror movie. So good. I can’t say it enough. So so good. Watch this flick; it is so worth every moment.
Dig Two Graves
Why you should watch: This is more of a traditional horror movie. Death of a young person. Some evil characters with supposedly magic powers. Rising the dead. An old dude with a voice that sounds a lot like Jeff Bridges. It’s got a little bit of everything. Give it a watch.
Zodiac
Why you should watch: The Zodiac killer tormented San Francisco for years. This film portrays the serial killers twisted acts to a T. It’s dark, filmed oh-so-well, & stars not only (my personal favorite) Jake Gyllenhal, but also Mark Ruffalo & Robert Downey Jr. Super good.
Nightcrawler
Why you should watch: Jake Gyllenhal is downright creepy in this movie. Playing a strange guy who decides to take up filming crime scenes to sell to news stations, he is truly freaky. This really highlights the dark side of media. It’s dark, & damn good.
We Need To Talk About Kevin
Why you should watch: If you ever wanted to have children, just remember that some children grow up to be terrible human beings. This movie displays that perfectly, in a horrid way.
The Astronaut’s Wife
Why you should watch: 90s horror movie alert! Charlize Theron & Johnny Depp are great in this flick.
Gerald’s Game
Why you should watch: this movie was nothing like I expected. Based on a Stephen King short story, it’s definitely psychologically creepy. A pleasant surprise.
The Most Hated Woman in America
Why you should watch: this movie is also not a horror movie. But, it involves murder, & it really is a great film, so I’ve decided to include it. Based on a true story.
Little Evil
Why you should watch: this movie is charming. A farce playing on movies about possessed children, like The Omen, this movie is a cute little comedy. Not to mention it stars Adam Scott, which in my book means it’s a winner either way.
Horsemen
Why you should watch: Who’s murdering people & hanging them from hooks? Dennis Quaid is a widower & detective who, go figure, is neglecting his family for his work. Not bad, & quite gorey.
The Invisible Guardian
Why you should watch: a bad ass chick detective is hot on the trail of a sadistic serial killer. She’s got a dark past of her own. All of it ties in very nicely together- I would recommend this one highly. PS: it’s subtitled, so if you’re lazy, skip this one.
The Tortured
Why you should watch: wow this movie is DARK. A bit gruesome & more torture than I usually watch, still I was struck by the story. Basically: a young child is kidnapped & murdered by a pedophile. But things go wrong for him once the dead child’s parents get a hold of him…
The Disappointments Room
Why you should watch: this is another classic horror-esque movie. It’s mediocre but entertaining.
The New Daughter
Why you should watch: Look out, your daughter’s been possessed. Poor Kevin Costner. Again, this one is mildly entertaining.
