15 Underrated Horror Movies to Stream Now

1. 15 Underrated Horror Movies to Stream Now: Hidden Gems Worth Your Screams

In the vast, ever-expanding universe of streaming services, it’s easy to get lost. The algorithms dutifully push the latest blockbusters and well-trodden classics, leaving countless brilliant films to languish in digital obscurity. This is especially true for the horror genre. For every The Exorcist or Hereditary that dominates the conversation, there are dozens of genuinely terrifying, thought-provoking, and masterfully crafted scary movies that fly completely under the radar. These are the films that don't get the massive marketing budgets or the primetime placement on your streaming homepage, yet they offer some of the most unique and unsettling experiences in modern horror. This list is a celebration of those hidden gems. We’re diving deep into the catalogs of Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Max, and Shudder to unearth the most deserving underrated horror movies you can stream right now. Forget the usual suspects; these are the films that will surprise you, scare you, and remind you that the most potent fears often lurk in the unexpected. Prepare to dim the lights and discover your new favorite nightmare.

1. The Ritual (2017)

A Folk Horror Nightmare in the Swedish Wilderness

The Ritual, a British supernatural folk horror film, follows a group of old college friends who reunite for a hiking trip in the remote wilderness of northern Sweden after the tragic death of one of their own. What starts as a somber tribute quickly descends into a desperate fight for survival when they become lost and stumble upon an ancient evil that stalks the forest. The film masterfully blends psychological trauma with visceral, creature-feature terror, creating an atmosphere of relentless dread. The true horror of The Ritual lies not just in the monstrous entity hunting them, but in the festering guilt and resentment among the friends, which the entity expertly exploits.

Why It's a Valuable Watch

The creature design in this film is absolutely top-tier—a grotesque and wholly original creation that will linger in your mind long after the credits roll. But beyond the monster, the film offers a powerful exploration of grief, masculinity, and accountability. It’s an emotionally resonant story that grounds its supernatural elements in painfully real human conflict. If you're a fan of underrated horror movies that deliver both intelligent storytelling and genuine scares, The Ritual is an essential watch. You can typically find it streaming on Netflix.

2. His House (2020)

The Horrors of the Refugee Experience

Remi Weekes's directorial debut, His House, is a profoundly unsettling and critically acclaimed film that unfortunately didn't receive much mainstream attention upon its release. The story follows a refugee couple from South Sudan who, after making a harrowing escape, are granted asylum in a small English town. They are placed in a shabby house and given strict rules to follow as they attempt to assimilate. However, they soon discover a malevolent presence lurking within the walls of their new home—a supernatural force tied to the unspeakable horrors they endured to get there.

The Value in Its Social Commentary

His House brilliantly blends the haunted house subgenre with a powerful and timely social commentary on the migrant experience. The real terror in the film is not just the ghostly apparitions, but the trauma of displacement, the struggle with cultural identity, and the survivor's guilt that haunts the protagonists. The performances from Wunmi Mosaku and Sope Dirisu are phenomenal, conveying a depth of pain and fear that is both heartbreaking and terrifying. This is one of the most intelligent and important underrated horror movies of the last decade, using supernatural elements to explore real-world horrors. It's available on Netflix.

3. Creep (2014)

A Masterclass in Found-Footage Unease

The found-footage subgenre is often maligned, but Creep is a prime example of how effective it can be when done right. The film follows Aaron, a videographer who answers a cryptic online ad to film the daily life of a man named Josef, who claims to have a terminal illness and wants to leave a video diary for his unborn son. Upon arriving at Josef's remote cabin, Aaron quickly realizes that his client is far more eccentric and dangerous than he initially seemed. The film's brilliance lies in its simplicity and the deeply unsettling performance by Mark Duplass as Josef.

The Power of Unpredictability

What makes Creep so valuable is its masterful manipulation of tone and tension. It walks a fine line between dark comedy and psychological horror, leaving the audience constantly on edge. You're never quite sure if Josef is just a harmless oddball or a genuine threat, and that ambiguity is where the true terror resides. The found-footage format feels earned here, creating an intimate and claustrophobic experience that makes the escalating nightmare feel disturbingly real. For those who appreciate character-driven, slow-burn underrated horror movies, Creep and its equally effective sequel are must-sees, often found on Netflix.

4. The Endless (2017)

Cosmic Horror and Sibling Bonds

From the creative duo of Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, The Endless is a mind-bending sci-fi horror film with strong Lovecraftian themes. The film follows two brothers who, years after escaping a UFO death cult, receive a cryptic video message that prompts them to return for a single day. Once back, they find that the cult members haven't aged and that there are strange, unexplainable phenomena occurring around the camp. They are drawn into a cosmic mystery that challenges their perception of time, reality, and their own fractured relationship.

Intellectual and Eerie Storytelling

The value of The Endless is in its sheer originality. It’s a film that trusts its audience to piece together a complex and ambitious narrative. The horror is less about jump scares and more about a creeping, existential dread. It explores fascinating concepts of cycles, free will, and the terrifying notion of being trapped in a story you can't escape. The chemistry between the two lead actors (who are also the directors) feels authentic, grounding the high-concept cosmic horror in a relatable story about family. This is an excellent choice for viewers who like their horror to be thought-provoking and weird, and it's often available on Prime Video.

5. The House of the Devil (2009)

A Pitch-Perfect Retro Throwback

Before he became a household name with films like X and Pearl, Ti West directed this masterful homage to the Satanic panic horror films of the late '70s and early '80s. The House of the Devil follows a cash-strapped college student, Samantha, who takes a mysterious babysitting job at a remote mansion on the night of a lunar eclipse. The film is a masterclass in slow-burn tension, meticulously recreating the aesthetic and pacing of the era it emulates. For much of its runtime, very little happens, but the sense of impending doom is almost unbearable.

The Art of the Slow Burn

The value proposition here is pure, unadulterated atmosphere. West's patient direction builds an incredible amount of suspense through suggestion and off-kilter details rather than explicit scares. When the horror finally erupts in the final act, it's all the more shocking and effective because of the carefully constructed buildup. It’s a film for viewers who appreciate craftsmanship and the art of suspense over constant action. If you're looking for an underrated horror movie that feels like a lost classic from a bygone era, you can often find this gem streaming on Shudder or Prime Video.

6. Under the Shadow (2016)

War, Oppression, and a Malevolent Djinn

This critically acclaimed Persian-language film is set in war-torn Tehran during the 1980s. It follows Shideh and her young daughter, Dorsa, who are haunted by a mysterious evil in their apartment building as Iraqi bombs fall on the city. As neighbors flee, Shideh finds herself increasingly isolated, battling not only a supernatural entity—a djinn that steals personal belongings—but also the oppressive political and social restrictions of post-revolution Iran.

Horror with Historical and Cultural Depth

Under the Shadow is a phenomenal example of how horror can be used to explore complex political and social themes. The djinn becomes a powerful metaphor for the pervasive fear and anxiety of living under a patriarchal, wartime regime. The film is a terrifying haunted house story at its core, but its historical context and cultural specificity elevate it to something far more profound. It's a gripping, intelligent, and deeply frightening film that deserved a much wider audience. Look for it on Netflix.

7. The Call (2020)

A High-Concept South Korean Thriller

If you're looking for a gripping and unpredictable ride, The Call is a must-watch. This South Korean film centers on two women living in the same house but 20 years apart, who are able to communicate through an old cordless phone. Initially, they form a friendship, with the woman in the past attempting to change the future for the better. However, when the woman in the past is revealed to be a dangerous serial killer, a deadly cat-and-mouse game across time begins.

Twists, Turns, and Terrific Performances

The "value proposition" of The Call is its relentless suspense and ingenious plot. The film is a masterfully constructed thriller that keeps you guessing with every twist and turn. The performances from the two leads, Park Shin-hye and Jeon Jong-seo, are incredible, with Jeon Jong-seo delivering a particularly chilling and unhinged portrayal of the villain. It’s a slick, stylish, and emotionally charged horror-thriller that showcases the best of modern South Korean cinema. You can find this underrated gem on Netflix.

8. Apostle (2018)

A Brutal and Uncompromising Folk Horror

From director Gareth Evans (The Raid), Apostle is a visceral and often brutal folk horror film that is not for the faint of heart. The story is set in 1905 and follows a man named Thomas Richardson who travels to a remote Welsh island to rescue his sister from a mysterious religious cult. The cult, led by the charismatic Prophet Malcolm, is facing a famine, and their desperation leads them to increasingly extreme and violent acts to appease the island's strange deity.

Intense Atmosphere and Unflinching Gore

Apostle is a film that fully commits to its grim and grimy aesthetic. The atmosphere is thick with dread, and the moments of violence are shocking and unflinching. What makes it a valuable watch is its unique world-building and its blend of historical drama, folk horror, and creature feature elements. It’s a challenging and intense film, but for those who can stomach its brutality, it offers a rich and rewarding horror experience that is unlike anything else. This Netflix original is one of the most intense underrated horror movies on the platform.

9. The Dark and the Wicked (2020)

A Bleak and Hopeless Descent into Evil

This independent horror film from Bryan Bertino (director of The Strangers) is a truly bleak and terrifying experience. It centers on two siblings who return to their family's isolated farm to care for their dying father. They soon discover that their mother is convinced a malevolent force is waiting to claim their father's soul, and it isn't long before they begin to experience a series of relentlessly grim and terrifying supernatural events themselves.

The Power of Atmosphere and Nihilism

The value of The Dark and the Wicked lies in its suffocating atmosphere of pure, hopeless dread. This is not a film with a triumphant final girl or a monster that can be easily defeated. It is a slow, methodical descent into a nihilistic nightmare where evil is patient, inevitable, and all-consuming. The scares are incredibly effective, relying on quiet, unnerving moments and a palpable sense of isolation rather than jump scares. It's a challenging watch, but for fans of truly dark and atmospheric horror, it's an unforgettable and deeply scary film, often available on Shudder.

10. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

Found Footage Meets Medical Horror

What begins as a medical documentary about a woman's battle with Alzheimer's disease slowly transforms into a terrifying found-footage horror film. A student film crew documents Deborah Logan's life, but as her symptoms become more bizarre and frightening, they begin to suspect that something far more sinister than a degenerative disease is at play. The film's blend of real-world medical horror with supernatural possession is incredibly effective.

A Unique and Disturbing Premise

The value here is the film's creative and disturbing premise. The slow erosion of a person's identity due to Alzheimer's is a real and terrifying prospect, and the film uses that as a foundation for its supernatural scares, making them feel all the more plausible and unsettling. The lead performance by Jill Larson as Deborah is phenomenal, and the film features one of the most genuinely shocking and unforgettable final scenes in modern found-footage horror. This is a true hidden gem, often streaming on Prime Video or Tubi.

11. The Night House (2020)

Grief, Secrets, and Architectural Horror

Rebecca Hall gives a tour-de-force performance as Beth, a woman reeling from the unexpected suicide of her husband. Left alone in the lakeside home he built for them, she begins to experience disturbing supernatural events. As she digs into her husband's past, she uncovers a dark and twisted secret that makes her question everything she thought she knew about the man she loved.

A Complex Psychological Puzzle

The Night House is an intelligent, emotionally layered, and genuinely eerie horror film. Its value lies in its complex narrative and its profound exploration of grief and depression. The horror is as much about the terrifying specters haunting the house as it is about the internal ghosts that haunt Beth. The film uses clever visual tricks and architectural space to create a sense of disorientation and dread. It’s a smart, sophisticated, and ultimately terrifying film for those who enjoy psychological horror that leaves them with questions to ponder. It's frequently available on Hulu.

12. Haunt (2019)

A Brutal and Efficient Slasher

From the writers of A Quiet Place, Haunt is a lean, mean, and incredibly effective slasher film. On Halloween night, a group of friends visits an "extreme" haunted house that promises to feed on their darkest fears. The fun quickly turns deadly when they realize the costumed characters are part of a sadistic cult who are not playing pretend. The film takes a familiar premise and executes it with brutal efficiency.

No-Frills Terror

The value proposition for Haunt is its straightforward, no-nonsense approach to the slasher genre. It doesn't waste time on unnecessary subplots or convoluted mythology. It is simply a tense and gruesome fight for survival. The villains are genuinely menacing, and the kills are creative and gory. For horror fans who are looking for a well-made, intense, and scary ride without any pretense, Haunt is a fantastic choice and a perfect watch for the Halloween season, often found on Shudder.

13. The Empty Man (2020)

From Cult Classic to Cosmic Horror Epic

Initially dismissed upon its release, The Empty Man has since found a passionate cult following, and for good reason. What starts as a standard procedural about an ex-cop investigating a missing girl evolves into a sprawling, ambitious, and terrifying cosmic horror epic. The film’s now-famous 20-minute opening sequence, set in the mountains of Bhutan, is a self-contained masterpiece of dread that sets the stage for the philosophical and existential horror to come.

Ambition and Atmosphere

The value of The Empty Man is its sheer ambition and its commitment to building a unique and unsettling mythology. It is a slow-burn film that demands patience, but it rewards viewers with a deeply philosophical and genuinely frightening experience that explores belief, nihilism, and the nature of evil. It's a film that gets under your skin and stays there, sparking conversation and analysis long after it's over. Don't be fooled by its initial reception; this is one of the boldest and best underrated horror movies of recent years, often streaming on Hulu.

14. Cam (2018)

A Neon-Soaked Techno-Thriller

Cam is a smart and stylish psychological thriller set in the world of online camgirls. Alice is a successful performer who is obsessed with climbing the ranks of the website she works for. Her world is turned upside down when she discovers she has been locked out of her account and replaced by an exact duplicate of herself who is pushing the boundaries of what Alice is willing to do online.

Modern Fears and Identity Theft

This film's value comes from its timely and terrifying exploration of modern anxieties surrounding online identity, doxxing, and the loss of digital control. It's a techno-horror story for the 21st century, using the specific world of camming to explore universal fears about who we are online versus in real life. The mystery is compelling, and the neon-drenched visuals create a unique and unsettling atmosphere. It's a sharp, original, and thought-provoking thriller that was unfortunately overlooked by many. It is a Netflix original film.

15. The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)

Atmospheric Dread and Demonic Possession

From director Osgood Perkins (son of Anthony Perkins), The Blackcoat's Daughter is a slow-burn atmospheric horror film that is heavy on mood and ambiguity. The film follows two separate storylines: one about two students, Kat and Rose, who are left behind at their Catholic boarding school during winter break, and another about a troubled young woman named Joan who is making her way toward the same school. The film patiently and masterfully weaves these two narratives together, building to a shocking and devastating conclusion.

A Masterpiece of Mood

The value of this film is its impeccable sense of atmosphere. Perkins uses sound design, stark visuals, and deliberately slow pacing to create an almost unbearable sense of dread. It’s a film that doesn't hold the viewer's hand, requiring you to pay close attention to its subtle clues and shifting timelines. For those who appreciate artful, ambiguous, and deeply unsettling horror, The Blackcoat's Daughter is a modern masterpiece of the genre that has been criminally underseen. It is often available to stream on Max.

In a sea of endless content, it’s easy to miss out on some truly special films. The 15 underrated horror movies listed here represent some of the most creative, terrifying, and thought-provoking entries the genre has to offer. So next time you're endlessly scrolling, give one of these hidden gems a chance. You might just discover your new favorite scream.