With the recent success of Netflix shows such as Squid Game and Stranger Things, it’s pretty obvious that almost everybody loves a good thriller. It must be remembered here that Netflix has also produced some truly bone-chilling titles under the Horror genre as well.
With titles such as Dark, Stranger Things and Penny Dreadful, every horror-buff will find their fill on Netflix. Read on to find the best horror shows trending on Netflix as of 2021.
Some shows on this list are available for streaming only in Japan. In order to unlock the Japanese Netflix library, you’ll have to find some useful VPNs for unblocking Netflix content. Useful, because every VPN will not be able to bypass Netflix’s geo-restrictions. Not just unblocking Netflix, but there are more benefits of a VPN as well.
This list was compiled by taking into account the best running shows on Netflix and also shows that were most watched in the genre, were famously acclaimed, and had great iMdb ratings.
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Without further ado, let’s jump right into the bone-chilling, blood-curdling, mind-bending horror library that Netflix has to offer!
#1 Brand New Cherry Flavor
Created by: Nick Antosca and Lenore Zion
Cast: Rosa Salazar, Catherine Keener, Eric Lange, Manny Jacinto, Jeff Ward
The most recent Netflix mini-series, Brand New Cherry Flavor tops the list of hit binge-worthy Horror shows on Netflix these days. It’s a truly wild storyline based on the book by the same name. The plot is centered around a story of revenge. The lead, Rosa Salazar plays Lisa Nova who is a filmmaker going to Hollywood. But her first film is stolen by Eric Lange, a vile producer in Hollywood. In order to get her revenge, she takes help from a witch and strikes a deal with the devil. The curse that ensues affects everyone involved.
#2 Ju-On Origins
Directed by: Sho Miyake
Cast: Yoshiyoshi Arakawa, Yuina Kuroshima, Ririka, Koki Osamura, Seiko Iwaido
Netflix’s adaptation of the JU-ON franchise has added a more brutal and savage flavor to the show. Ju-On origins is a show that perfectly combines the horror aesthetics in the west and the east. The thrilling, anticipatory antics of Japanese cinema and the gory, blood-bathed, hack and slash type of horror in American cinema.
The show is told as a true story, delving deep into the origins of where the Ju-On curse really came from. The story revolves around a researcher who’s looking to find why a certain home is cursed and what vile crime happened there long ago.
#3 Dracula
Created by: Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat
Cast: Claes Bang, Dolly Wells, John Heffernan, Morfydd Clark, Lydia West, Mark Gatiss, Joanna Scanlan
The 2020 BBC adaptation of the famed Transylvanian devil Dracula does a great job at portraying Dracula as the ravished monster that he is and the flip side as the gentle seductive nobleman. The show is made with attention to detail and is definitely amongst the greatest adaptations of the franchise.
Another new addition to the story was showing a more vulnerable and humane side of Dracula. Unlike all previous adaptations, this time Dracula isn’t just the demon that he is, but also has somewhat of a conscience. Interesting story overall. The second and third seasons however, weren’t as good as the first one.
#4 Dark
Creators: Baran bo Odar
Cast: Louis Hofmann, Karoline Eichhorn, Lisa Vicari
Amongst the best mind-bending thrillers, Dark is definitely in the list. It is a science fiction thriller set in a small German town. The storyline revolves around the past of the town, and the crimes the residents there committed.
The story unfolds as two children go missing, and then a thrilling story about four families starts to surface. With the new genre of supernatural mixed with science fiction, Dark is everything the name suggests. Piece by piece the story unfolds, packing more of a thriller than a screamer. The somber themes and storyline make the three seasons a fine watch for any horror lover out there.
#5 Stranger Things
Creators: Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer
Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder
No list of horror shows or movies, or the genre in general is possible without mentioning Stranger Things. The show aired in 2016 and is still a hit where the fourth season is awaited in 2022. The show is set in the 1980s, adding a fine bit of nostalgia into the suspense and horror to create a great experience. It’s reminiscent of what scared us most as kids.
The story takes place in the town of Hawkins in Indiana. A young boy’s disappearance sets the story into motion where his mother and a few of his teenage friends go on a search. The story spirals into alternate universes, demons and even magic. A mixture of many unnerving elements, Stranger Things will keep you hooked.
