Netflix And More: The Best Atmospheric Horror Movies For A Dark And Stormy Night
Don’t let the rain get you down; some of the best horror movies on Netflix, On Demand, Amazon Prime, and Showtime are perfect for a dark and stormy night. From chilling ghost stories to monster flicks, some of the best horror movies are available on Netflix and other streaming platforms. All of the movies listed below have received high marks from both critics and fans alike.
Identity
During a ferocious storm, 10 strangers band together after they realize they are being killed off one by one.
You might be surprised how many horror movies, despite the old stigma, don’t actually take place on a dark and stormy night. But this film starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, and Amanda Peet certainly does. Many viewers thought this film was a typical slasher movie until they saw the twist-ending. The surprising twist has had horror fans going back to this well time and time again. Identity is available via Movies On Demand.
1408
Based on the short story by Stephen King, 1408 is about a novelist who makes a living debunking famous haunted locations. But after he checks into room 1408, at the famed Dolphin Hotel, he learns that some haunted stories can’t be discredited.
If you’re in the mood for more John Cusack horror movies after watching Identity, then you should enjoy this film co-starring Samuel L. Jackson. Currently available on Showtime, 1408 received phenomenal reviews from critics who praised the film for its nightmarish imagery, edge-of-your-seat suspense, and genuinely scary moments.
The Shining
Hired as a caretaker for The Overlook Hotel, a man begins to unravel as an evil presence closes in.
Similar to 1408, the haunted hotel is as much of a character in this film as any actor. The Shining is often listed as one of the best horror movies of all time, and you can watch this scary Stephen King classic on Netflix.
The Innkeepers
During the final days of an old Victorian Inn, two employees try to uncover the hotel’s haunted past; unfortunately for them, they are successful.
With movies like The House of the Devil, The Sacrament, You’re Next, and The Innkeepers, filmmaker Ti West continues to leave his mark in the horror industry. With great reviews and chilling suspense, this stylized ghost story is considered one of the most underrated horror movies of 2012. The Innkeepers is currently available via Movies On Demand.
The Babadook
A single mother realizes that her son’s fear of a monster in their house may be more than just her son’s imagination.
This IFC smash-hit is one of the most popular horror movies on Netflix. In addition to it being a genuinely scary film, The Babadook also provides a very heartfelt and thought-provoking story.
Curse of Chucky
Set in a very large and creepy house, Chucky terrorizes a family.
The most recent movie in the horror franchise, Curse of Chucky uses less humor (compared to past Chucky movies) in exchange for more suspense and terror. Currently streaming on Netflix, this film plays more like a haunted house flick than the typical Child’s Play movies.
Them
This French horror film is about a couple that lives alone in seclusion in the country until a group of strangers shows up to keep them company.
Often referred to as the best home-invasion horror movie of all time, this 76-minute feature is very intense from start to finish. The sounds are likely to scare you as much as the visuals in this movie that has been called “very scary.” Them is currently streaming on Amazon Prime.
The Monster
After their car breaks down on the side of the road during a storm, a mother and daughter must try to survive a monster lurking in the woods.
If you enjoy monster movies or films with equal amounts of drama and horror, then The Monster is for you. This is considered one of the most underrated horror movies of 2016, and it’s currently available on Amazon Prime.
The Awakening
Set in 1921 London, Rebecca Hall plays Florence Cathcart, an author who makes a living debunking ghost stories. She visits an all-boys boarding school that has reported sightings of a child ghost, but Rebecca soon learns that she won’t be debunking any ghost stories in this school.
This film is perfect for those in the mood for a ghost story but don’t want anything too scary. Currently available on Netflix, The Awakening pays homage to horror movies like 1963’s The Haunted.
Housebound
If you’re in the mood for a unique ghost story, filled with equal amounts of wit and scares, then look no further than this gem. Housebound has a stunning score of 97 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, and the site provides the premise for one of the best movies on Netflix.
“Kylie Bucknell is forced to return to the house she grew up in when the court places her on home detention. Her punishment is made all the more unbearable by the fact she has to live there with her mother Miriam – a well-intentioned blabbermouth who’s convinced that the house is haunted. Kylie dismisses Miriam’s superstitions as nothing more than a distraction from a life occupied by boiled vegetables & small-town gossip. However, when she too becomes privy to unsettling whispers & strange bumps in the night, she begins to wonder whether she’s inherited her overactive imagination, or if the house is in fact possessed by a hostile spirit who’s not particularly thrilled about her return.”
It Follows
After a sexual encounter, a young woman is followed by a mysterious presence.
Considered one of the best horror movies of 2015, this has quickly become one of the most popular films streaming on Netflix. The feel of this movie has been compared to John Carpenter’s Halloween; like Carpenter’s horror classic, critics have called It Follows smart, suspenseful, and downright scary.
I Am the Pretty Thing that Lives in the House
A live-in nurse takes care of an elderly author who lives in a haunted house.
If you’re looking for jump-scare moments then this is not the movie for you; this slow-burn ghost story is a throwback to horror movies of yesteryear. Directed by Oz Perkins, Anthony Perkins’ son, this Netflix original movie continues to haunt subscribers.
OTHER HORROR ARTICLES FROM THE INQUISITR
New Horror Movies From 2016 & 2017 On Netflix For A Scary Weekend
Best Horror Movies 2016 New To Netflix That Flew Under The Radar
Five Horror Movies On Netflix Featuring Strong Women
The Best Horror Movies On Demand For Free
The Five Scariest Horror Movies On Netflix
From Netflix’s I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in theHouse to Identity, some of the best horror movies are perfect for a dark and stormy night.
[Featured Image by Columbia Pictures]
