20 Top Halloween Movies on Netflix and Secret Codes to Find Them (2026)

By Arlo Bennett

Posted on October 19, 2026

Every October, the same thing happens. You open Netflix, scroll for 40 minutes, watch three trailers, and end up rewatching something you've already seen. Halloween night is too short for that.

So I've done the digging for you. Below are 20 Halloween movies on Netflix worth your time, from properly terrifying horror to cozy family picks that won't give the kids nightmares. I've also included Netflix's secret category codes, a little trick that opens up hidden genre lists the home screen never shows you.

Not sure where to start? Jump to the quick picks in Part 1, or keep reading for the full lineup.

Two quick notes: Netflix's library changes by region and over time, so a title may not be available where you live. The secret codes are a good way to find what is.

Part 1. Best Halloween Movies on Netflix at a Glance

If you are overwhelmed by choices and want to dive straight into a movie night that fits your exact Halloween mood, here are the selected highlights from the 20 featured titles below:

Top Netflix Halloween Movie Highlights:

Scariest Asian horror: Incantation (2022). A terrifying Taiwanese found-footage masterpiece that breaks the fourth wall, perfect for hardcore horror fans who want genuine, lingering dread with the lights off.
Best retro slasher: Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021). 90s neon, classic slasher tropes and a bloody mystery. It's also the first of a trilogy, so it works well for a multi-night marathon.
Best twist: The Sixth Sense (1999). Bruce Willis, a young Haley Joel Osment and that famous ending. Even if you already know the twist, it holds up.
Most unsettling found-footage thriller: Creep (2014). A masterclass in awkward, boundary-pushing tension and psychological terror that will make you think twice about online classified ads.
Best action-comedy: Day Shift (2022). High-octane vampire hunting meets buddy-cop humor starring Jamie Foxx and Snoop Dogg, perfect for a lively Halloween pizza night with friends.
Funniest slasher: The Babysitter (2017). A fast-paced, blood-soaked dark comedy with endless laughs, wild action, and an unforgettable villain performance by Samara Weaving.
Best for the whole family (ages 10+): The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022). Halloween decorations come to life, and there are plenty of laughs along the way. A few jump scares make it a better fit for tweens than for little ones.
Best dark animation: Wendell & Wild (2022). The Nightmare Before Christmas director Henry Selick returns with a gothic, punk-rock stop-motion story.

Found your favorite pick? Save it before it's gone. Netflix titles vanish all the time, usually because a licensing deal ran out. If a Halloween pick is on your watchlist, VidiFab Streaming Video Downloader lets you save it to your Windows PC or Mac as a 1080p MP4 or MKV file, so it's still there when you're ready to press play. Copy it to a USB drive and watch it anywhere: on an older TV, an outdoor projector, or at a cabin with no Wi-Fi. No Netflix app needed.

Part 2. Best Halloween Horror Movies on Netflix for a Real Scare

1. Incantation (2022)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/10 | 79% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 51m | TV-MA (not MPAA-rated)
Quick Summary: A mother tries to protect her young daughter from a curse she brought on herself six years ago by breaking a religious taboo.
Editor's Review: This is the one I'd pick if you want to be properly rattled. The film talks to you directly, and by the end you may feel you took part in something you shouldn't have. It jumps between two timelines, so it asks for your full attention, but it pays off. Don't watch it alone, and don't watch it right before bed.

2. Fear Street Part One: 1994 (2021)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.2/10 | about 84% critics
Runtime & Rating: about 1h 47m | R
Quick Summary: Teens in the cursed town of Shadyside learn that the killings haunting their town for centuries may not be random, and that they could be next.
Editor's Review: It's popcorn horror, and I mean that as a compliment. The 90s soundtrack, the mall setting, the Scream-style kills and a pack of teens you actually root for make it easy fun. The story won't surprise you, but it's a great gateway for friends who say they don't like horror. Parts Two and Three are on Netflix too, so you can turn it into a trilogy night.

3. The Ritual (2017)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3–6.4/10 | 74% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 34m | TV-MA on Netflix
Quick Summary: Four friends hike through the Swedish wilderness to honor a late friend and take a wrong turn into forest that something old is guarding.
Editor's Review: The first half is a slow, grief-heavy hike where the tension comes from the friends, not the monster. Then the woods start to feel wrong, and it gets properly creepy. The creature design is the best part, and I won't spoil it. The ending is a little uneven, but the atmosphere is worth it. Good pick for anyone who's ever felt uneasy on a camping trip.

4. Veronica (2017)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.2/10 | 86% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 45m | not rated by the MPAA
Quick Summary: In 1991 Madrid, a teenage girl looking after her younger siblings starts to suspect something followed her home after a Ouija session during an eclipse.
Editor's Review: It's loosely based on a real police case, and the film uses that to unsettling effect. What I like is that the scares come from ordinary places: a cramped apartment, a bedtime routine, kids you want to protect. It's not the most original possession story, but it's well made, and the lead performance carries it. Watch it in Spanish with subtitles, because the dub loses something.

5. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 4.7/10 | 31% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 23m | R
Quick Summary: Leatherface returns after decades in hiding when a group of young entrepreneurs tries to revive a Texas ghost town.
Editor's Review: I'll be straight with you: critics didn't love this one, and the story is thin. But it's short and very gory, with some seriously brutal kills. Think of it as a "turn your brain off" slasher, not something that will haunt you. It's a good pick if you want blood and a bit of nostalgia, but watch it with friends, not for deep scares.

Part 3. Best Psychological Thrillers on Netflix for Halloween

1. Gerald's Game (2017)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.5/10 | 91% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 43m | TV-MA
Quick Summary: A weekend getaway goes wrong when a woman is left handcuffed to a bed in a remote lake house with no one around to help.
Editor's Review: I went in thinking a movie set almost entirely on one bed couldn't hold me for 100 minutes. It did. Carla Gugino carries the whole thing, and the scariest parts are inside her head, not in the room. Fair warning: one scene is genuinely hard to watch, so keep a cushion handy. If you like your thrillers slow and suffocating, this is a great pick.

2. Creep (2014)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/10 | 91% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 20m | R
Quick Summary: A videographer answers an online ad for a one-day filming job and spends it with a client who gets stranger by the hour.
Editor's Review: This one is all about awkwardness. Mark Duplass plays a man who is just friendly enough to keep you in the room, and you spend the whole movie wondering when to leave. It's funny at first, then you stop laughing. At 80 minutes it's easy to squeeze in, and if you like it, there are sequels. Maybe don't watch it right before you take a gig from a stranger.

3. Fractured (2019)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.5/10 | 56% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 40m | rating not confirmed, see notes below
Quick Summary: After his wife and injured daughter vanish from a hospital, a father becomes convinced that something is very wrong there.
Editor's Review: Critics were lukewarm, but viewers have kept this one alive for years, mostly because of its ending. It's the kind of movie where you play detective from the couch and either feel clever or get fooled. Sam Worthington sells the panic well. It's not a masterpiece, but it's a solid pick for a night when you want something gripping and don't want to think too hard.

4. The Perfection (2018)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.1/10 | 71% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 30m | TV-MA
Quick Summary: A former cello prodigy reconnects with the rising star who replaced her, and a night together takes a very dark turn.
Editor's Review: I won't tell you anything else, because the less you know, the better. Just go in blind and give it the first 20 minutes. It changes direction more than once, and some people love that while others feel it loses its footing. It's also a bit gross in places, so maybe don't eat during it. If you want a thriller that people will argue about afterwards, this is the one.

5. The Sixth Sense (1999)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 8.2/10 | 86% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 47m | PG-13
Quick Summary: A child psychologist tries to help a frightened young boy who says he sees dead people.
Editor's Review: You probably know the twist already, and it still works. What makes the movie last is how sad and gentle it is under the scares. Haley Joel Osment was incredible, and Bruce Willis plays it quiet and a little broken. A rewatch is almost better than the first watch, because you start spotting everything you missed. It's the safest pick on this list if you want something spooky without anything too brutal.

Part 4. Best Halloween Comedy Movies on Netflix

1. Hubie Halloween (2020)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 5.3/10 | 54% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 43m | PG-13
Quick Summary: Adam Sandler plays the well-meaning "Halloween helper" of Salem, who tries to keep his town safe on Halloween night while everyone laughs at him.
Editor's Review: Let's be honest: critics weren't kind, and it's very silly. But it's also warm, cozy and packed with familiar faces, and it feels like Halloween in a way few movies do. Sandler has said he made it for his kids, and you can tell. If you want something to throw on with the family while carving pumpkins, this is it. Just know the humor is more "goofy" than "clever," with a few crude jokes mixed in.

2. Day Shift (2022)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.1/10 | 57% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 53m | R
Quick Summary: A pool cleaner in the San Fernando Valley secretly hunts vampires for a living and needs to make a quick payday to cover his daughter's tuition.
Editor's Review: Jamie Foxx is effortlessly charming, Snoop Dogg shows up in a cowboy hat, and the fight scenes are bloody, fast and a lot of fun. The first half is the strongest, and the second half gets a bit repetitive. It's a bit long, but great for a pizza night with friends. Leave the kids out of this one, since it's properly gory.

3. The Babysitter (2017)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.3/10 | 70% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 25m | TV-MA
Quick Summary: A 12-year-old boy stays up past his bedtime and discovers that his cool babysitter belongs to a satanic cult.
Editor's Review: It's fast, flashy and full of freeze-frames and on-screen captions, which will either charm you or annoy you. Samara Weaving is the reason to watch, because she's funny, creepy and magnetic all at once. At 85 minutes it never overstays its welcome, and there's a sequel if you want more.

4. Vampires vs. the Bronx (2020)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 5.7/10 | 91% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 25m | PG-13
Quick Summary: A group of Bronx teens realize that the real estate company buying up their neighborhood is run by vampires.
Editor's Review: This one is a hidden gem. The vampires are literally gentrifiers, which is a clever idea that never gets preachy, and the kids feel like real friends you'd root for. The scares are light and the jokes land, so it's a good gateway for younger or nervous horror fans. It's an easy 85 minutes. Critics adored it, while audience scores are lower, so go in with an open mind.

5. The Dead Don't Die (2019)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 5.4/10 | about 55% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 44m | R
Quick Summary: Zombies rise in the sleepy town of Centerville, and a small-time police force tries to cope.
Editor's Review: I'll be straight: this is not Shaun of the Dead. It's a Jim Jarmusch movie, so expect deadpan jokes, slow pacing and a lot of characters who seem completely unbothered by the apocalypse. Bill Murray and Adam Driver are great together, and the cast is stacked. If you like dry, offbeat humor, you'll enjoy it. If you want fast zombie laughs, you might get restless. It's a love-it-or-hate-it pick, which makes it good for a movie night with friends who like to argue.

Part 5. Best Family Halloween Movies on Netflix (Kid-Friendly)

1. A Babysitter's Guide to Monster Hunting (2020)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: about 6.2/10 | 70% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 35m | PG
Quick Summary: On Halloween night, a teenage babysitter learns that monsters are real when the boy she's watching is kidnapped by the Boogeyman, and she joins a secret society of monster-hunting sitters to get him back.
Editor's Review: This one is pure Halloween-night fun for kids around 8 to 12. The monsters are cartoonish more than scary, the babysitter headquarters looks great, and Tom Felton clearly enjoys playing an over-the-top villain. Some critics found the story messy, and they're not wrong, but kids rarely mind. If your family loved Goosebumps, start here.

2. The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 5.6/10 | 46% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 29m | TV-14
Quick Summary: A skeptical dad and his teenage daughter team up to stop Halloween decorations from coming to life and wrecking their new town.
Editor's Review: Marlon Wayans is the heart of this movie. He's the dad who hates Halloween, and his dynamic with his daughter makes the silly slapstick work. Critics weren't kind, but for a family night it's easy and charming. A heads-up for parents: it's rated TV-14, and there are plenty of jump scares and creepy decorations, so it's better for tweens and up than for little kids.

3. We Have a Ghost (2023)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.1/10 | 42% critics
Runtime & Rating: 2h 6m | PG-13
Quick Summary: A family discovers a ghost named Ernest in their new home, and when they post about it online, they become famous and attract attention from some very serious people.
Editor's Review: David Harbour is the best reason to watch. He plays the ghost almost entirely without words, and he makes Ernest sad, funny and sweet at the same time. The movie runs long and tries to be a comedy, a mystery and a family drama all at once, so it doesn't always land. But the bond between the ghost and the kid at the center is genuinely touching. Think Casper for the social media age, best for ages 10 and up.

4. Nightbooks (2021)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 5.8/10 | 87% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 43m | TV-PG
Quick Summary: A boy who loves scary stories is trapped by a witch who demands that he tell her a new one every night.
Editor's Review: This is my pick for kids who like their Halloween a little spooky. It's creepy without being gory, and Krysten Ritter is a delight as a witch who's both funny and a bit menacing. I love that it's really a movie about being proud of the weird things you love. Some scenes might be too intense for very young kids, so watch with them the first time. Great pick for ages 9 and up.

5. Wendell & Wild (2022)

IMDb / Rotten Tomatoes: 6.4/10 | 80% critics
Runtime & Rating: 1h 45m | PG-13
Quick Summary: A grieving teenager summons two scheming demon brothers who promise to help her, but their plans are not what they seem.
Editor's Review: From the director of Coraline and The Nightmare Before Christmas, this is gorgeous stop-motion with a wonderfully weird sense of humor. It has more going on than it can fully handle, with a lot of characters and plot threads, but the visuals are worth it. The PG-13 rating is mostly for dark themes and a few jokes, and its director has said he expects kids around 9 or 10 to watch it. Take a look at the first few minutes yourself before putting it on for younger kids.

Part 6. How to Use Netflix Secret Codes to Find Hidden Halloween Movies

Netflix secret codes are numeric shortcuts that help you browse specific movie genres and collections that may not appear on your homepage. Here are the ones worth bookmarking for Halloween.

Top Secret Category Codes for Halloween:

Halloween Favorites (Films+Series): 108663
Family Halloween Treats: 81346195
Halloween Comedies: 81510605
Horror Movies (General): 8711
Psychological Thrillers: 4809
Supernatural Horror: 42023
Teen Screams: 52147
Vampire Horror Movies: 75804
Werewolf Horror Movies: 75930
Zombie Horror Movies: 75405

Quick Guide: How to Enter Category Codes on Computer, TV, and Mobile:

On a computer: Open https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/CODE in your browser, replacing CODE with the category number (for example, /genre/8711 for Horror Movies).
On a smart TV: Open the Netflix app, go to the Search icon, and type the code into the search box. Netflix should show the hidden category in the results, so just select it to browse the full list.
On mobile: Open the Netflix app, tap Search, and type the code into the search bar. The matching category should pop up in the results. If nothing shows up, paste the link above into your phone's browser instead.

Tip: Searching by code in the app doesn't work on every device or region. If it comes up empty, open the link on a computer or phone, add a few titles to My List, and they'll be waiting on your TV.

Part 7. How to Watch Halloween Movies on Netflix Without Buffering

Nothing ruins a Halloween movie night faster than the Netflix screen keeps buffering right at the scariest moment. The good news is that a few simple fixes will usually get you through the whole movie without a single spinning wheel.

Watch Halloween Movies Buffer-Free on PC/Mac with VidiFab

If you prefer streaming on your laptop or desktop without dealing with Netflix app restrictions or internet lag, VidiFab Streaming Video Downloader is the perfect companion tool. It allows you to download any Netflix Halloween movie directly to your Windows PC or Mac in high-definition up to 1080p MP4 or MKV format. Here's what makes it handy:

VidiFab Streaming Video Downloader

Download Halloween movies and horror films from Netflix, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Prime Video, and more as MP4/MKV for offline viewing on your devices.

Download Free

No ads, whatever plan you're on. Whether you subscribe to the ad-free or the ad-supported plan, the files VidiFab downloads don't have ads, so nothing interrupts the scary parts.
Easier online watch parties. Want to watch Netflix with friends on Discord or over a video call? Playing a local file and sharing your screen is usually smoother than sharing the Netflix app itself, which can show a black screen.
Your movies stay yours. Files live on your own device, so they won't disappear when a title leaves Netflix.
Easy to move around. Copy a file to a USB drive, phone, tablet or another computer and watch it anywhere, including on an older TV, a projector or a campsite with no Wi-Fi.

Tips for Seamless Netflix Playback on Smart TV

Prefer to watch on the big screen as usual? These three quick fixes solve most buffering problems.

Tip 1. Use a wired connection. Plug one end of an Ethernet cable into your router and the other into the LAN port on the back of your TV, then choose the wired connection in your TV's network settings. It's usually much faster and steadier than Wi-Fi. If your TV can't be wired, move the router closer and connect to the 5GHz Wi-Fi band when you can.
Tip 2. Clear the Netflix app cache. The exact path varies by brand, but you can usually find it under Settings > Apps > Netflix. If there's no clear-cache option, unplug the TV for a minute and plug it back in.
Tip 3. Close apps you're not using. Older TVs don't have much memory, and too many apps running in the background can slow Netflix down.

📽️ Tip: Watching on a projector gives Halloween movies a much better atmosphere, and the bigger picture makes everything creepier. Here's how to watch Netflix on a Projector.

Final Thoughts

Whether you want supernatural horror like Incantation, a classic twist like The Sixth Sense, dark comedy like The Babysitter, or a family pick like The Curse of Bridge Hollow, Netflix has something for every Halloween mood. Use the secret category codes from Part 6 to find hidden gems, and save your favorites with VidiFab Streaming Video Downloader as MP4/MKV files, so buffering and sudden title removals can't spoil movie night.

Now turn down the lights, grab your snacks, and press play!

Arlo Bennett (Entertainment Writer)

I write about must-watch movies and TV shows, plus detailed reviews of video downloaders and media tools. I help you discover what to watch next and pick the right tools to save and manage your favorite content. My goal is to give you clear, honest insights so you can enjoy streaming and offline viewing without the hassle.

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