Netflix has become the modern viewer’s equivalent of a treasure chest, packed with cinematic jewels for every mood. Whether one seeks the tender charm of a romance such as To All the Boys I Have Loved Before, the pulse-racing suspense of a thriller like Bird Box starring Sandra Bullock, or the heartwarming joy of a family feature like Paddington, Netflix rarely disappoints. This rich variety extends brilliantly into the realm of horror, especially during Halloween, making it impossible to ignore what comes next.

Five Netflix horror films await that no self-respecting devotee of Halloween could possibly brush aside.

The Babysitter behaves like a coming-of-age tale that accidentally took a wrong turn into ritualistic mayhem. Young Cole Johnson, as wide-eyed as any child in suburbia, discovers that his babysitter Bee, played by Samara Weaving and blessed with the poise of a cheerleader and the morals of a piranha, is leading a satanic cabal featuring assorted misfits named Max, Sonya, Allison, and John. Pandemonium follows, decorated with sufficient gore to unsettle the upholstery.

As Halloween fare, it suits the viewer who enjoys their terror with a wink rather than a breakdown. Its shocks arrive dressed in glitter and sarcasm, rather than bleak despair. The gleeful violence, self-mocking quips, and candy-coloured carnage create a spectacle as ridiculous as it is riveting. It is perfect for anyone who prefers to scream elegantly and laugh immediately afterwards, ideally without spilling the popcorn.

Hubie Halloween arrives like a candy bowl filled mostly with marshmallows and the occasional peanut to feign substance. Adam Sandler plays Hubie Dubois, a man so unfailingly earnest that the citizens of Salem, Massachusetts, mock him with the dedication usually reserved for political campaigns. As the self-appointed guardian of Halloween decorum, he patrols the night armed with good intentions, which proves inconvenient when residents begin to disappear and responsibility inconveniently lands in his hesitant lap.

It is tailor-made for viewers who prefer their frights softened by caramel and community spirit. The film celebrates the pumpkin-scented ideals of small-town festivity, complete with mischief, fanciful attire, and the annual victory of the underdog. Adam Sandler dispenses his customary silliness with the punctuality of a door-to-door salesman, a routine only George Clooney has ever managed to derail, having coaxed Sandler into the unthinkable act. 

A Classic Horror Story begins with all the promise of a scenic Italian holiday and swiftly transforms into a brochure for never leaving one’s home again. Five travelers set off in a camper through southern Italy, only to awake after an abrupt crash with their vehicle vanished and their optimism stolen with it. The forest surrounding them is as welcoming as a tax audit, and the wooden house they discover contains a cult so enthusiastic about ritualized barbarity that one almost admires their team spirit.

The Horror Continues: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' Reboot Lands on Netflix

As Halloween approaches, it caters to those who consider merriment in horror a vulgar distraction. The film toys with genre conventions like a cat with a disoriented mouse, offering blood, dread, and the sort of meta-reveal that makes one question their life choices and perhaps their streaming subscriptions. It is ideal for viewers who enjoy their terror unvarnished and relish the rare pleasure of a horror ending that leaves the mind gnawing long after the lights return.

Eli centers on young Eli Miller, who suffers from a severe autoimmune condition that renders him unable to experience the outside world without physical harm. His parents take him to an isolated medical facility advertised as a sterile clean house, supervised by Dr. Isabella Horn, for an experimental treatment promising hope. However, the house’s antiseptic calm soon fractures as Eli encounters ghostly figures, unexplained disturbances, and an increasing sense that his caregivers may not be entirely truthful.

For Halloween viewing, this film provides a claustrophobic, eerie experience that gradually tightens its grip. The tension escalates toward a startling twist that recontextualizes every prior scene, rewarding viewers who enjoy bold narrative risks and last-minute revelations. Its inventive mix of medical dread, spectral suspense, and an unexpected supernatural detour makes it a compelling option for audiences seeking originality rather than familiar haunted-house antics.

The Girl in the Picture differs sharply from traditional Halloween viewing, as it is a true-crime documentary rather than a work of fiction. It investigates the harrowing life of a woman known publicly as Sharon Marshall, whose tragic death in a hit-and-run left behind a young son and countless unanswered questions. As the narrative unfolds, it exposes a labyrinth of stolen identities, manipulation, and the sinister presence of federal fugitive Franklin Delano Floyd, creating a profoundly unsettling portrait of real-world terror.

For Halloween, this documentary is a powerful choice for viewers who find authenticity more disturbing than the supernatural. Its slow, merciless reveal of truth offers a level of fear that lingers beyond the closing credits, fueled by the knowledge that every horror was lived rather than scripted. The relentless revelations, emotional weight, and chilling reminder of human cruelty make it a gripping and unforgettable option for a night of genuinely haunting storytelling.

12 Best Horror Films of This Decade So Far: 2020–2025 Must-Watch Scares

Which of these Netflix movies do you think would be the perfect Halloween watch? Let us know in the comments!