When it comes to paranormal movies, we can’t just get enough of them. The absolute thrill of watching a good movie with elements of mysticism, science, and over-the-top mysteries, is one every lover of this genre can relate to.
If you’re looking for the next paranormal movie to delve into over the weekend or after a long day of work, Netflix is the first streaming platform that should be on your mind.
Here’s a list of the best paranormal movies on Netflix;
1. The Conjuring (2013)
- Cast: Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Ron Livingston, Lili Taylor, Shanley Caswell, Hayley McFarland.
- Rating: 7.5/10
One of the best paranormal movies on Netflix of the 2010s, The Conjuring, tells the story of demonologists Lorraine and Ed Warren who are summoned to the home of Roger and Carolyn Perron to deal with occurring supernatural events.
In 1971, Roger and Carolyn move into a new secluded farmhouse with their five daughters, seeking a fresh start, and within the first few nights, they are plagued by paranormal events.
However, things escalate quickly, especially after learning of the gruesome history of the house, and the Perrons and Warrens find themselves in a race against time to battle the forces of evil that have latched unto them. The sequel, The Conjuring 2, is also on Netflix.
2. Gerald’s Game (2017)
- Cast: Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Chiara Aurelia, Carel Struycken, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel.
- Rating: 6.5/10
Gerald’s Game is a 2017 film adaptation of the novel of the same name written by Stephen King. Although previously thought to be unfilmable, it is now one of the best paranormal movies on Netflix and in the world.
Mike Flanagan brought the story to life in a way that garnered praise and positive reviews from critics and audiences alike.
It tells the story of a couple, Jessie and Gerard Burlingame, who take a trip to an isolated lake house hoping to spice up their sex life.
After he traps his wife in handcuffs, Gerard dies from a heart attack, leaving Jessie trapped and causing her to slip into delirium.
She is forced to confront the traumas of her past, as well as figure out a way to escape. It is, to date, considered one of the best psychological thrillers on Netflix.
3. Creep (2014)
- Cast: Mark Duplass, Patrick Brice
- Rating: 6.3/10
For those who love the “recorded footage” storyline, Creep is a must watch. It follows the story of two men, a naive videographer, Aaron, and his deranged client, Josef. With the camera constantly rolling, we are able to follow the film from an interesting perspective.
Aaron is a struggling photographer who receives an ad from a strange man online to film him for the day, as he is dying from a brain tumor and wishes his unborn child to have a video diary of him.
However, Aaron discovers he got more than he bargained for when Josef starts behaving oddly. If you find this interesting, the sequel, Creep 2, is also available on Netflix.
4. Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
- Cast: Elizabeth Reaser, Annalise Basso, Lulu Wilson, Henry Thomas, Parker Mark, Kate Siegel.
- Rating: 6.2/10
Ouija: Origin of Evil is a prequel film to the 2014 film Ouija, which unfortunately received mainly negative reviews, though this one garnered mainly positive reviews.
It is perhaps one of the spookiest films ever made and follows the story of a family engaged in a phony séance business whose lives drastically changed after the introduction of an Ouija board into the business.
In 1967, following the death of her husband Roger, Alice Zander works out of her home as a spiritual medium, aided by her daughters Paulina and Doris.
After the introduction of an Ouija board into her proceedings, she unknowingly contacts a spirit that possesses Doris, drastically changing their lives for good. I personally think it’s one of the best paranormal movies on Netflix.
5. Hush (2016)
- Cast: John Gallagher Jr., Michael Trucco, Kate Siegel, Samantha Sloyan.
- Rating: 6.6/10
Although it has a simplistic plot, the storytelling and jump scare makes Hush one of the best paranormal movies on Netflix to date. Mike Flanagan directed it, so you know it’s going to be good.
Hush tells the tale of a deaf-mute author Maddie Young, who has retreated to a life of solitude in the woods with her cat.
However, her peaceful existence is disrupted when a masked killer appears at her window, and Maddie must fight for her life – in silence. The suspense elements present in the movie will keep you intrigued from start to finish.
6. Cam (2018)
- Cast: Madeline Brewer, Patch Darragh, Melora Walters, Devin Druid, Imani Hakim, Michael Dempsey.
- Rating: 5.9/10
Nobody loves their social media account getting hacked; it’s just plain terrifying. Well, the story Cam tells involves that.
Alice “Lola_Lola” Ackerman secretly works as a camgirl and is desperate to move her rank on the site to number 1.
Things, as usual, get complicated when she discovers her account had been taken over by a creepy doppelganger.
Alice sets out on a one woman mission to discover this mysterious usurper, determined to set things right. It is one of the best paranormal movies on Netflix and garnered a lot of positive reviews upon its release in 2018.
7. Fear Street (2021)
- Cast: Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch, Benjamin Florres Jr., Julia Rehwald, Fred Hechinger, Ashley Zukerman, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Maya Hawke.
- Rating: 6.2/10
Largely influenced by the movie Scream, the Fear Street trilogy is a gripping slasher film about a curse that has settled on a small town, inciting brutal murders.
Based on the books by R. L. Stine, the three films span across three time eras – 1994, 1978 and 1666, each with a different experience with murderers.
In the first installment, a group of teenagers accidentally encounter the ancient evil which has been causing the murders for centuries, and they set off on a deadly journey to put an end to it.
The film was positively received and inspired the release of two sequels, which were also well received.
8. Bird Box (2018)
- Cast: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich, Danielle Macdonald, Sarah Paulson, Jacki Weaver, Rosa Salazar.
- Rating: 6.6/10
Though it lacks plenty jump scares, Bird Box is perhaps one of the best paranormal movies on Netflix. It even became the most watched film on Netflix within 28 days of its release.
It tells the story of survivors in a post apocalyptic world possessed by entities that not many know about. However, one thing is sure – you see them, you die.
Played by famous actress Sandra Bullock, Malorie Hayes and her two children must navigate, blindfolded, through dangerous territory to a safe haven for survivors of the apocalypse. Viewers are left a “will they? Won’t they?” conundrum throughout the film.
9. The Babysitter (2017)
- Cast: Samara Weaving, Judah Lewis, Hana Mae Lee, Robbie Amell, Bella Thorne.
- Rating: 6.3/10
The Babysitter is a 2017 comedy horror film, perhaps one of the best of its genre to date; it’ll be an error to skip it on the list of the best paranormal movies on Netflix.
So popular was it that it inspired a sequel that was released in 2020. It can be described as an ’80s slasher homage, with just enough comedy and spookiness to keep you at the edge of your seat.
The Babysitter tells the story of pre-teen Cole, who is often bullied by his neighbor. He befriends his babysitter, Bee, and one night when his parents are out, he stays up past his bedtime only to discover his beautiful babysitter is part of a cult offering sacrifices to the devil.
Cole is in for one wild night as he must fight off attempts to kill him by Bee and the members of her cult.
10. 1922 (2017)
- Cast: Thomas Jane, Neal McDonough, Molly Parker, Dylan Schmid
- Rating: 6.2/10
1922 is a slow burn horror drama film based on the 2010 novella of the same name by Stephen King. It follows the story of a man who is slowly consumed by guilt over a horrendous act committed in his past.
Wilfred “Wilf” James is a Nebraskan farmer who leaves with his wife Arlette and their teenage son, Henry. Strongly opposed to his wives idea to sell the farm and relocate, he convinces his son to assist him in killing her.
Afterward he slowly but steadily sinks into a psychological decline, culminating in him suffering a twisted fate himself.
11. The Ritual (2017)
- Cast: Rafe Spall, Asher Ali, Robert James-Collier, Sam Troughton, Paul Reid, Matthew Needham.
- Rating: 6.3/10
The Ritual is based on a novel of the same name written by Adam Nevill in 2011. It tells the story of a band of college mates who go hiking to honor the memory of their recently deceased friend.
However, when they take a wrong turn, they end up in a forest of Norse Legend, where an evil being existed and stalks them every way.
It tells the struggles the friends face, particularly Luke, who was present when his friend was killed but was torn on how to intervene and thus continued to hide.
You can’t think of the best paranormal movies on Netflix and not include “Ritual,” it’s a must-watch for all.
12. Cargo (2017)
- Cast: Martin Freeman, Simone Landers, Anthony Hayes, David Gulpilil, Susie Porter, Natasha Wanganeen, Caren Pistorius.
- Rating: 6.3/10
Cargo is a post-apocalyptic horror drama film based on a 2013 short film of the same name. However, despite the genre, Cargo is not so scary as it is moody and sad.
In the aftermath of a pandemic in an Australian setting, Andy Rose, along with his wife, Kay, and their baby Rosie are in search of refuge.
Things take a dark turn, however, when both Andy and his wife get infected. Andy must find safe hands to entrust his daughter to while at the same time protecting her from his changing nature.
