One of the necessary components to enjoying the Halloween season is great horror movies. You can search the ol' Interwebs and find a billion or so differing opinions on which movies are best or worst and why, including this list. I decided to limit such a lengthy discussion to titles available on Netflix Streaming. It's true that there's as much great stuff on the streaming services as there should be, but that doesn't mean there aren't any true gems to be found. The delivery service offers tons more horror classics that would make this list, so if you have the standard Netflix service, you will have a great selection to choose from. Here are my top ten horror films from the digital titles available this Halloween season. Enjoy!
Nosferatu
Nosferatu was originally intended to be an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula way back in 1922. Directed by master German expressionist director F.W. Murnau, the film was changed to simply being a similar vampire story about a count named Orlock due to Stoker's widow refusing to allow the filmmakers' to have the rights to her late husband's story. Nosferatu is a silent masterpiece, due in large part to the performance of Max Schreck, who plays Count Orlock like the bizarre, inhuman, and ghastly monster Dracula is depicted as in Stoker's novel. Nosferatu remains one of my all-time favorite horror movies and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Nosferatu was originally intended to be an adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula way back in 1922. Directed by master German expressionist director F.W. Murnau, the film was changed to simply being a similar vampire story about a count named Orlock due to Stoker's widow refusing to allow the filmmakers' to have the rights to her late husband's story. Nosferatu is a silent masterpiece, due in large part to the performance of Max Schreck, who plays Count Orlock like the bizarre, inhuman, and ghastly monster Dracula is depicted as in Stoker's novel. Nosferatu remains one of my all-time favorite horror movies and I can't recommend it highly enough.
Night of the Living Dead
This the original zombie classic that launched a seemingly-boundless genre of films about the walking and carnivorous dead. I own multiple copies of this film on DVD, which is of a better picture quality, but the version Netflix offers on its streaming service will suffice. It's a shocking movie even in black and while, and the messages about racism and mob mentality are still effective today. Can't recommend this one highly enough.
The Legend of Hell House
Based loosely on the novel by the unmatched Richard Matheson, The Legend of Hell House is a creepy and haunting late-70s haunted house movie that will leave you unsettled after watching. The use of sound design and lighting is brilliant, and achieves a level of dread and fright not possible via CGI or jump scares today.
House On Haunted Hill
The first of two Vincent Price films on this list, House On Haunted Hill was poorly remade around the turn of the 21st century. The classic cannot be matched however; it's based on the celebrated Shirley Jackson novel, "The Haunting of Hill House." While it's special effects may seem dated to some, House On Haunted Hill features a great story, a creepy, Gothic atmosphere, and the powerful presence of Vincent Price. The fact that the film is in black and while amplifies the scares.
Shadow of the Vampire
Shadow of the Vampire is a fictionalized account of the behind-the-scenes saga of the making of Nosferatu. Max Schreck was so effective in his role as Orlock that many people suggested he was actually a vampire. This joke became the premise of Shadow of the Vampire. It's a dark yet humorous film starring John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. While not terribly scary, the acting and the story makes this a fascinating film to watch during the Halloween season.
Blair Witch Project
True story: I went into The Blair Witch Project believing it was a true story. I was so frightened after watching this movie that I had a few stiff drinks before bed to make sure I'd sleep soundly through the night. The Blair Witch Project launched the reality TV craze and continues to spawn imitators with found-footage films to this day. There is zero gore or violence in this movie, but the story, acting, and the setting make this one of the most effective and haunting horror movies ever made. Just don't watch it before going on a camping trip.
The Fly
While the 1986 remake with Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis is a modern horror classic, the original Vincent Price version retains its title as one of the greatest sci-fi horror films ever. The make-up used for the half-man, half-fly is extremely effective and still manages to be unsettling today. Solid acting and writing make this is a must-watch film for your Halloween season viewing.
Fright Night
Fright Night is one of the best vampire movies ever made, period. It's a great, fun story that also manages to offer truly scary SFX and make-up. Even its sequel turned out well, despite the lackluster remake a few years back. Fright Night is a classic 80s film and classic horror movie, perfect for a nostalgic movie night during October.
Cabin in the Woods
Cabin in the Woods is the most recent movie on this list, and while it seemed to pass most moviegoers by, it has an intriguing premise that I can't divulge without ruining the movie. It's co-written by Joss Whedon, the guy who directed that little Avengers movie a few years back. The plot is seemingly overused in horror movies: a group of 20-somethings go to a cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway. What happens when they get there is pretty standard at first, but once the truth is revealed, the movie takes you on a new ride you could never have seen coming.
Scream
Last but not least is one of my favorite horror movies ever and a film I firmly believe should never have received a sequel. The slasher concept was overdone by the time Scream was made, but Nightmare On Elm Street director Wes Craven put a new spin on it that instantly made it fresh and fun. The whodunnit quality is one of the reasons I love the movie, along with the acting, direction, and of course, that horrifying Ghostface mask. Netflix Streaming currently has 3 of the 4 Scream films available to watch, but I recommend just watching the original and pretending the others don't exist.
Shadow of the Vampire is a fictionalized account of the behind-the-scenes saga of the making of Nosferatu. Max Schreck was so effective in his role as Orlock that many people suggested he was actually a vampire. This joke became the premise of Shadow of the Vampire. It's a dark yet humorous film starring John Malkovich and Willem Dafoe. While not terribly scary, the acting and the story makes this a fascinating film to watch during the Halloween season. Blair Witch Project
True story: I went into The Blair Witch Project believing it was a true story. I was so frightened after watching this movie that I had a few stiff drinks before bed to make sure I'd sleep soundly through the night. The Blair Witch Project launched the reality TV craze and continues to spawn imitators with found-footage films to this day. There is zero gore or violence in this movie, but the story, acting, and the setting make this one of the most effective and haunting horror movies ever made. Just don't watch it before going on a camping trip.
The Fly
While the 1986 remake with Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis is a modern horror classic, the original Vincent Price version retains its title as one of the greatest sci-fi horror films ever. The make-up used for the half-man, half-fly is extremely effective and still manages to be unsettling today. Solid acting and writing make this is a must-watch film for your Halloween season viewing.
Fright Night
Fright Night is one of the best vampire movies ever made, period. It's a great, fun story that also manages to offer truly scary SFX and make-up. Even its sequel turned out well, despite the lackluster remake a few years back. Fright Night is a classic 80s film and classic horror movie, perfect for a nostalgic movie night during October. Cabin in the Woods
Cabin in the Woods is the most recent movie on this list, and while it seemed to pass most moviegoers by, it has an intriguing premise that I can't divulge without ruining the movie. It's co-written by Joss Whedon, the guy who directed that little Avengers movie a few years back. The plot is seemingly overused in horror movies: a group of 20-somethings go to a cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway. What happens when they get there is pretty standard at first, but once the truth is revealed, the movie takes you on a new ride you could never have seen coming.
Scream
Last but not least is one of my favorite horror movies ever and a film I firmly believe should never have received a sequel. The slasher concept was overdone by the time Scream was made, but Nightmare On Elm Street director Wes Craven put a new spin on it that instantly made it fresh and fun. The whodunnit quality is one of the reasons I love the movie, along with the acting, direction, and of course, that horrifying Ghostface mask. Netflix Streaming currently has 3 of the 4 Scream films available to watch, but I recommend just watching the original and pretending the others don't exist. 
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