We all want to take advantage of the nicer weather, but who doesn’t love a night in now and then? With spooky season in full swing, there’s no better time to gather your courage, some snacks, and maybe someone to hold on to, and put on a scary movie. We’ve put together a list of our favourite ones available on Netflix Australia this Halloween season.
SEE MORE: 15 Wickedly Wonderful Halloween Activities In Brisbane
Fun for the whole family:
The Addams Family (1991)
Run time: 99 minutes
When a man claiming to be Uncle Fester, shows up at the Addams’ doorstep, everyone’s favourite eccentric family is overjoyed. However, they soon start suspecting the man may not be who he says he is, and must find a way to stop the con man and his accomplice from stealing the family estate and fortune. With plenty of gags and the Addams’ signature macabre aesthetic, this is the perfect family film for Halloween.
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Run time: 91 minutes
This sweet family film features an over-protective Dracula (Adam Sandler) trying to keep his daughter Mavis (Selena Gomez) safe. Things get complicated when a human, played by Andy Samberg, inadvertently wanders into their monster hotel and falls in love with Mavis.
Zombieland (2009)
Run time: 88 minutes
A comedic take on the zombie apocalypse, Zombieland brings plenty of laughs, thrills, gore and sweet moments that make it a well-rounded horror/comedy mashup, and a somewhat more family-friendly alternative to cult classic Shaun of the Dead.
Must-see classics:
Jaws (1978)
Run time: 124 minutes
One of the first-ever blockbusters, this classic Steven Spielberg film will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout its run time, with John Williams iconic score heightening the tension at every moment. The “man vs beast” story to rule them all, Jaws still holds up as a thrilling ride, outdated special effects and all.
The Exorcist (1971)
Run time: 122 minutes
The horror film against which all subsequent possession movies have been measured up against, there’s a reason The Exorcist is still one of the first films that comes to mind when you think “horror”. Linda Blair’s acting as Regan, a possessed 12-year-old girl, is absolutely chilling, and the tense string music feels like a cold hand on your shoulder.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Run time: 81 minutes
One of the most successful indie and found footage movies of all time, The Blair Witch Project took some time to find its audience, as it was a sleeper hit at the time of its release. With much of the dialogue being improvised, the acclaimed film follows three young filmmakers investigating the myth of the Blair Witch, only to find more than they bargained for.
Get Out (2017)
Run time: 104 minutes
Jordan Peele’s acclaimed directorial debut has a well-earned spot on this list, thanks to its slow build and satisfying reveals. It’s centred around a young black man (Daniel Kaluuya) who travels to meet his white girlfriend’s family for the first time. Their bizarre behaviour, at first seeming to stem from uncertainty on how to handle their daughter’s interracial relationship, conceals something far more sinister.
Hereditary (2018)
Run time: 127 minutes
Recognized as one of the most terrifying horror movies in recent years, Hereditary centres around a dysfunctional family dealing with the death of Annie (Toni Collette)’s secretive mother. Her passing triggers the unravelling of cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about the family, and the horrifying truths behind their heritage.
IT (2017)
Run time: 135 minutes
The killer clown that has been terrifying young and old since Stephen King’s novel came out in 1986 got another turn in 2017, with an eerie Bill Skarsgård taking on the role of Pennywise. The classic story taps into childhood fears like no other and will have you wishing for a night light by the end of it.
Under the radar:
Cuckoo (2024)
Run time: 103 minutes
If you’re not intimidated by a little weirdness and the supernatural, Cuckoo starring Hunter Schafer is for you. The film follows teenager Gretchen (Schafer) who is staying with her family at a remote hotel after a loss (it’s giving The Shining), when sinister things connected to a mysterious hooded figure start happening.
1922 (2017)
Run time: 101 minutes
It wouldn’t be a horror movie list without another Stephen King mention, and this Telltale Heart-esque story of a farmer, his wife and their son will have you biting your nails as much as any of his better-known classics. A grotesque and chilling exploration of guilt, this film is not for weak stomachs and might unsettle even more seasoned thriller fans.
Apostle (2018)
Run time: 129 minutes
Gothic horror gets its moment to shine in this film about a 20th century ex-missionary who travels to a remote Welsh island in order to save his sister from a cult, which turns out to be more than the usual religious fanaticism. With Dan Stevens as the leading man and Michael Sheen as the main antagonist, this film has both gore and charisma in spades.
No One Gets Out Alive (2023)
Run time: 87 minutes
Ambar, an undocumented immigrant, rents a room in a shabby boarding house in Ohio, but soon starts having disturbing nightmares and visions, fuelled by the unearthly sounds coming from the basement. As Ambar realises she’s in danger, Red, the owner of the boarding house will go to any length to keep her there.
Aussie horror:
Sweet River (2020)
Run time: 102 minutes
A mother’s search for the truth takes on a dark turn in this Aussie slow burn flick. When her son’s presumed killer dies, Hanna decides to investigate further, only to uncover another secret the town is hiding… a secret with a body count.
Cargo (2017)
Run time: 105 minutes
Ironically breathing new life into the well-trod zombie genre, Cargo’s plot revolves around Andy (Martin Freeman)’s struggle to get his infant daughter to safety before his time in the world of the living runs out. This post-apocalyptic thriller brings freshness to familiar territory and, as a bonus, is set in rural Australia.
Talk to Me (2023)
Run time: 95 minutes
A stunning directorial debut from Aussie YouTube stars Danny and Michael Philippou, this thriller follows a group of friends who discover a mysterious embalmed hand that allows them to contact spirits. The adrenaline of it all, plus the personal losses some in the group have suffered soon unleash terrible consequences and the situation gets rapidly and gruesomely worse.
And, of course, keep an eye out for Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, streaming on Netflix Australia from November 7! What films did we miss?