Browsing Netflix for good horror can be such a pain in the ass. Let’s be real here: There’s a lot of junk out there and finding the kind of horror that really sticks with you is always cause for celebration. Luckily, Orlando Weekly and Gorelando have compiled this list of the 15 best and most frightening horror romps on the streaming circuit. I tried to make these as polarizing and diverse as possible because frankly, I’m not here to entertain you. I’m here to culture you in the ways of a gore aficionado. Now grab a butcher’s knife and learn something! – Adam McCabe

AbsentiaAn intelligently crafted story of what actually happens when people go missing around the world. The audio editing and frights are genuine and carry this brood-fest all the way to the end. Watch out for the “behind-the-door” scare – you’ll know it when you see it.
AntiviralFrom the mind of Brandon Cronenberg, son of the legendary David Cronenbereg, comes a body-horror masterpiece about our society’s unhealthy (literally) obsession with celebrities. The characters in this movie are so obsessed that they purchase the diseases carried by celebrities and inject them into their own flesh. Caleb Landry Jones’ performance is downright brilliant, and it’s easily one of the most well-crafted dark satires I’ve seen since American Psycho. It should be on every film-lover’s queue.
Evil Dead 2If you’re a horror-lover, there’s a good chance that you’ve already seen Sam Raimi’s classic romp to the original cabin in the woods. Bruce Campbell kills it as the cheeseball chainsaw-knight. This movie’s cult status is unparalleled.
Grave EncountersEasily one of the finest found-footage films in the genre, Grave Encounters documents the final day(s) of a ghost-hunting crew as they traverse an old asylum. Every shot is meticulously crafted, the scares are brilliant, and the pacing keeps everything interesting. It swept the Tribeca Film Festival, and I guarantee it’ll sweep your living room – make sure the lights are out.
Ichi The KillerTakashi Miike’s masterpiece from 2001 is one of the most violent and twisted films ever conceived. It’s also a brilliant and wacky detective story that even inspired the likes of Quentin Tarantino and many other filmmakers for years to come. Kakihara is a personal favorite anti-hero of mine.
Kill ListWhat starts as a gritty (and oddly hilarious) crime thriller quickly escalates into a tale of unbridled horror. Sure, the heavy Cockney accents can be a little tough to understand at times, but it doesn’t take away from the gut-wrenching violence on-screen.
Let The Right One InArguably one of the most brilliantly crafted films of the last 10 years, Let The Right One In tells the story of a young boy struggling to fit in and his encounter with a young (but not-so-young) vampire girl. While the film has its heart in the right place, there’s no denying the raw, oftentimes disturbing nature of the film. If you haven’t seen it yet, it’s a film-lover’s dream. Avoid the American remake Let Me In at all costs.
Rosemary’s BabyThis classic Roman Polanski film brings us the psychotic and dreadful pregnancy of Rosemary, as well as the strange people who inhabit her apartment building. A powerful and raw performance by Mia Farrow makes this one a classic. It’s a little long, but this is the horror you need to experience in order to fully appreciate most modern efforts in the genre.
The BayLike a little political/social commentary in your found footage films? Well Barry Levinson’s mockumentary The Bay is just chilling enough to make you stay away from large bodies of water for the foreseeable future. It’s a hell of a trip.
The CallerRemember that terrible movie The Lakehouse? Well, it’s kind of like that … only a young woman discovers that her telephone is linked to the past, and there’s a psychopathic former tenant on the other line. Insanity ensues. The whole thing plays out like a twisted fairytale, and I kept coming back for repeated viewings. It’s a real diamond in the rough.
The InnkeepersFor variety’s sake, I’ve only put one Ti West film on this list–- House of the Devil and The Sacrament are also other terrific options. Out of all of his efforts though, I’d say The Innkeepers is by far his best. It’s the first horror film I’ve seen in years that explores specifically the idea of the terror we inflict on ourselves, and the consequences of those thoughts. It’s a slow-burner, but that’s part of the charm.
The PactA disturbing indie ghost story about a family suffering through the sins of their parents. If you’re looking for a well-rounded ghost story that hits all the right notes, you could do way worse. Fantastic scares, solid performances and a hell of an ending. Brace yourself.
The RoadNot to be mistaken with the Viggo Mortensen flick, this foreign film by director Yam Laranas documents a chilling tale of a cursed stretch of road and the tragic family who gave it life. You’ll come for the scares and stay for the atmosphere.
Both V/H/S films The V/H/S films are a great little showcase of the indie filmmaking talent in the horror community. Sure some of the shorts are hit-and-miss, but you can’t deny the devilish urgency behind the cameras in this cornucopia of found-footage badassery.
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