16 Best Horror Movies On Netflix, Amazon Prime, YouTube (2021)

If you’re looking for the best horror movies on Netflix or Amazon Prime to watch in 2021, you’re looking in the right place. These are some of the scariest movies you’ll find on the web. Whether you want to skip sleeping for a night or two, engage in a casual jumpscare, or just scar yourself with an eerily realistic gory scene, pick your poison here.

Fair warning, the films on this list are some of the best scary movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and other streaming platforms. There are jumpscares, slasher films, and plain out psychological horror going on in these films. So be careful who you watch these with.

1. Psycho

One of the Alfred Hitchcock classics from 1960, Psycho is the tale of a woman on the run, meeting a charming young man, who is a killer. It is one of the scariest movies online and it isn’t all “boo, gotcha!” This movie nails the suspense-thriller balance and will keep you on the edge.

2. Inside (2007)

If you check out my Best Christmas Horror Movies list, you’ll see this one secured a place there too. Inside (2007) is a psycho-killer-based horror set on Christmas Eve. A pregnant woman being hounded by another woman, trapped in her house. As simple as the story sounds, the movie is a scarier affair, thanks to at least one gory scene every few minutes.

3. Hereditary (2018)

One of the new horror movies that left an impression on almost everyone, not the polite kind of impression. Hereditary (2018) is a psychological horror movie with a blend of paranormal and just pure bad luck. Saying much about the movie might even become a spoiler itself, so let’s just say you must watch it if you want to see one of the most disturbing movies of the modern-day.

4. The Witch (2015)

The Witch is set in 1630 New Zealand, where a family is haunted by black magic and witchcraft. A truly nerve-wracking horror, this film will send shivers down your spine with sudden twists and an almost unpredictable plot.

5. Nosferatu (1922)

You won’t need subtitles on this one because it has no sound. One of the best scary movies and a timeless classic, Nosferatu (1922), is an example of what true horror may look like. Count Orlok, a vampire (and a pretty scary one) has found a new bride and a new home, but that’s not all to it. While it’s a silent film, the background music will do a number on you. You can watch Nosferatu for free on YouTube.

6. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

If you’re into horror movies you’ve probably heard or even seen this one. Another gem from the 60’s, Rosemary’s Baby is directed by none other than Roman Polanski. It’s a cult classic when you want to watch the best horror films on Satanism, dark arts, and pure psychological horror.

7. Us (2019)

Despite mediocre critic-ratings, Us is a movie that you can call a wholesome horror film to watch in 2021. It’s not just paranormal, but it’s a slasher/psychological/twisted horror-thriller. You should watch this movie just for the doppelgänger-element which makes it an unusual horror film.

8. A Quiet Place (2018)

Another post-apocalypse horror movie, A Quiet Place is one of the best horror movies in terms of jump scares and a modern post-apocalyptic plot. Starring John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, the movie revolves around a family’s attempt to survive an attack from creatures with ultra-sensitive hearing.

9. The Lighthouse

Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe stuck in a lighthouse, gasping for sanity. The Lighthouse is one of Pattinson’s commendable works, and after this one and Tenet, I’m looking forward to Pattinson as Batman. Directed by Robert Eggers, the movie is filled with hallucinations, disagreements, and psychologically-inspired paranormal activity.

10. Frankenstein (1931)

I know you’ve heard the name, read the stories, probably made memes too. Starring Boris Karloff, the 1931 iteration of Frankenstein is way ahead of its time. You’ll feel chills down your spine when Frankenstein grabs the doctor by the collar. Watch it for the sheer horror and originality of Mary Shelley’s novel.

11. Bride Of Frankenstein

Yep, someone decided to get the monster married! It’s not as chilling or scary as the original Frankenstein, but it’s good to see him meet his match. Watch it for sheer entertainment and a deeper look into the Frankenstein universe. The movie has an amazing storyline, which may not make it the scariest movie of all time, but makes it a good horror-thriller package.

12. The Babadook

‘Cause it’s in a word, or if it’s in a book, you can’t get rid of the Babadook. Chilly right? This paranormal thriller is one of the best new horror movies, hands down. It’s based around a single mother reading a weird (and honestly creepy) book to her kid, unleashing a supernatural creature, feeling its presence.

13. Saw (2004)

You can find plenty of slasher movies online in 2021, but this one is unique. Saw, the best way I can put it is a self-slasher movie. Everything from the scares to the antagonist is on point, and the camera work is done for maximum spook factor. By the time you’ve finished it, you’ll be forced to think if you’d do what the people in the movie did.

14. The Invisible Man (1933)

You must’ve heard of the invisible man one way or the other. The cinematic adaptation of H.G. Wells’ science-fiction novel is just as amazing. It’s the story of a doctor who finds the key to invisibility and starts killing people. Well, the movie is more complicated and well-filmed than my explanation. You can watch the original 1933 movie, or you can also go for the latest 2020 iteration, directed by Leigh Whannell.

15. American Psycho (2000)

Talking about slashers, have you seen the ‘Christian Bale with an ax meme’? It’s from this movie. American Psycho isn’t exactly a horror film, as much it is a psychological-slasher. If you watch the film, you’ll laugh at some of the otherwise hideous things done by Bale’s character. If you want to see Bale running around naked with a chainsaw, laugh a little, and be grossed out at times, go for this one.

16. Shaun Of The Dead

This is more of a horror-comedy than a pure horror movie. If you like Shaun of the Dead, you should also watch The Babysitter on Netflix. The plot is based around a zombie apocalypse, that leads our protagonist to realize he needs to save everyone. Despite the cliche, the movie does justice to the plot with well-timed punches, and at times, absolutely gory details of zombie slaughter.

About The Scariest Movies You Can Watch In 2021

Now that you’ve read through the list, time for another fair warning here. The movies listed above have jump scares, psychological horror, paranormal activity, and other scary things. Avoid watching these movies with kids and people with heart troubles. Of course, some of them, like American Psycho, or Shaun of the Dead is not as scary and can be watched by almost anyone.