The catharsis of a good horror film is hard to beat. And when you watch one on Netflix, there’s no creepy walk home or waves of dread as you cross the cinema car park afterwards.

Just keep those lights on a bit later than usual though, ok?

A generous scoop into everything tense, horrific and gory on Netflix reveals a few surprises.

First: how good have the last few years been for horror? We’ve seen handfuls of modern classics recently, and several of them are ready and waiting on Netflix. The service could also do with a bunch more scares, so we'll keep an eye on the Netflix library and add top titles are they appear...

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1. Under The Shadow

Under The Shadow isn't about blood and gore shocks but a film that has an utter feeling of fear and dread permeate throughout it. Based during the Iran/Iraq conflict, this is the tale of a mother and daughter hiding from the horrors of war in a house that seems to be haunted. At times beautifully shot, this is a wonderful movie about horror - real life and otherwise.

2. Child's Play (2019)

Yep, we were up in arms too when it was revealed that they were remaking Child's Play - especially without the permission of its creator Don Mancini and the voice of Chucky Brad Dourif. But, then Mark Hamill was revealed as the new voice and the movie is, pretty damn good. It's not a great remake as it doesn't really do the original justice but as a standalone movie it's far cleverer than it needs to be and a whole lot of horror fun.

3. Gerald’s Game

Director Mike Flanagan's first Stephen King movie (he also made Doctor Sleep) is a brilliant slow burn of a movie, with the fantastic Carla Gugino taking centre stage. Given most of the movie takes place in one room (it's based on a sex game gone wrong, which sees Gugino handcuffed to a bed), it's a masterful film full of suspense and one of the most gruesome scenes that is not for the squeamish!

4. Apostle

Gareth Evans was fresh from directing to of the best action movies of all time, The Raid and The Raid 2, when he took on Apostle. The movie is quite the departure for the director but still a brilliant, unnerving watch. Based on Dan Steven's character coming back home to find the occult has taken his town and, most importantly, his sister, this is turn of the century fable that's a pretty frightening watch.

5. Eli

Eli is about a boy who can't go outside because he's allergic to lots of things. When he arrives at a medical facility that's sealed off from the outside, he finally starts to feel normal again. Well, until things take a very odd and sinister turn. This movie is scary, tense and full of twists.

HEAD TO SHORTLIST.COM FOR THE 10 MORE OF THE BEST HORROR MOVIES ON NETFLIX