The newest addition to horror movies on Netflix is Day Shift, starring Jamie Foxx. However, the movie is really an action-comedy that uses aspects of horror films, but doesn't thoroughly resemble the genre throughout.
While movies like this aren't ideal for horror lovers, they are a great place to start for those unfamiliar with the genre. For those who haven't experimented much with watching horror films, it's hard to tell whether they'd enjoy them or not. These not-so-scary horror movies available on Netflix are great for those beginning to take an interest in horror.
Dark Shadows
The plot of this film follows Barnabas Collins, a vampire, who escapes his tomb two centuries after an evil witch leaves him there to suffer in solitude as an immortal. Set in 1970s Maine, Barnabas comes face to face with the sad state of his once great manor and family.
This dark comedy is funnier than it is scary. However, it does have a few creepy moments and enough paranormal aspects to give off a creepy vibe. For those that haven't watched any horror films, this movie is a great start to dipping their toes into the dark waters of the horror genre.
Let Me In (2010)
In this remake, a young boy, Owen, is an outcast whose only friend is the strange girl Abby who only comes out at night. However, Owen begins to suspect she is hiding a terrifying secret when her caretaker disappears and a series of murders take place.
This movie has a series of disturbing and scary scenes, leaving chills up your spine. However, the scare level is minimum compared to other vampire stories. Despite the slight gore and violence, the plot focuses more on the friendship and drama of hiding such a big secret.
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark
This movie is adapted from a collection of short stories written by Alvin Schwartz. In the film, Sarah Bellows turns her horrible experiences into terrifying tales. When a group of teenagers stumbles upon Sarah's home, the monsters in her stories become more than just fiction.
This is the perfect film for teenagers who want to begin experimenting with the horror genre. The movie features some bloody scenes and a few jump scares, but overall it's low on the horror scale. The film is also perfect for those that like a little bit of terror, but aren't ready for all of the gore and violence that comes with many horror movies.
Christine (1983)
Developed from a Stephen King novel, this film follows the car of nerd Arnie who gets bullied frequently by his classmates. When a bully defaces the car, the damages are fixed by the car itself. After this, the paranormal vehicle goes on a killing spree, going after the bullies.
There are a few shocking kills in this film and some chilling violence. However, many viewers consider the idea of a killer car a little too ridiculous to be considered terrifying. While the film pulls off the possessed object storyline well, the film is far lighter than other paranormal horror movies.
Tremors: Shrieker Island
In the seventh installment of the Tremors franchise, this film follows Burt Gummer as he must assemble an able-bodied team to fight off giant worm-like creatures that have let loose on a tropical island.
The original Tremors is considered far superior to this film, but other films featuring these creatures are far scarier than this installment. While it still satisfies what is expected of creature features, this film succeeds in being far less terrifying than others within the genre. Though the creatures are terrifying to be sure, the plot is far more focused on action and humor than terror.
Vampires (1998)
Directed by John Carpenter, Vampires melds the concept of the bloodsucking creatures with the action of a Western film. The plot follows Jack Crow who goes after a powerful vampire after they slaughter most of his vampire-hunting team.
At best, the vampires in this film are traditional monsters that can't go out in the sun and can be killed by a stake to the heart. While the monsters are certainly creepy, there isn't much in this film that can be considered terrifying horror. This film is perfect for someone with a love of action and suspense but hasn't watched much horror movies.
Gerald's Game (2017)
Gerald's Game is a Stephen King adaptation that stays close to the source material, offering fans a spooky psychological thriller. In this film, a woman accidentally kills her husband during foreplay, left handcuffed to a bed in a remote location.
The scariest aspect of this film is when the woman begins seeing the "Moonlight Man", a creepy, tall, and deformed man-like creature that comes to her at night. This film is a bit creepier than other mild horror movies, but the added mystery of psychology downplays the threat of a terrifying creature lurking in the darkness.
In The Tall Grass
In The Tall Grass is a Lovecraftian horror movie adapted from a Stephen King novel that incorporates psychology into a twisted tale involving a time loop. The plot follows a brother and sister that get lost in the tall grass and begin getting stalked by an evil presence.
In regards to suspense, this film is a bit scarier than other non-scary films. However, the jump scares are minimal and don't offer the same thrill as a truly terrifying tale. Though the film can be considered fairly scary, it's a good challenge for those interested in watching horror but appreciate some mystery and suspense.
Secret Obsession
The danger seems to be over when Jennifer wakes up in this hospital with amnesia following a terrible attack. However, the real danger begins when she goes home with her supposedly doting husband.
Secret Obsession is one of the worst Netflix horror movies. However, it is rated so low because the scares are made pretty obvious, leaving the movie less than intimidating. For those less familiar with the clichés of horror thrillers, this movie is a great start to get acclimated with the genre without it terrifying them. In regards to horror films, sometimes the best place to start is at the worst.
Intrusion (2021)
When a couple move to a small town, they walk into their house in the midst of a home invasion. This leaves the wife paranoid about everyone around her, traumatized over the experience.
This movie manages to be scary without much physical violence or gore to be seen. However, it's far more focused on psychological thrills than terror. While the film succeeds in making the smallest encounters in the couple's lives intimidating, the fright is focused on dread and anxiety over the unknown. The plot of this film is a great transitional watch for viewers interested in thrillers but not familiar with the terror associated with horror films.
