Scary movies are one thing, but in this age of TV, we are getting more and more streaming shows in the horror genre when the concept just cannot fit into a movie. Some of the best ever made are on Netflix right now, and I would recommend these five this month if you’re looking for something both spooky and over two hours long to watch for Halloween. You may notice a particular…pattern with this list:
The Haunting of Hill House
Netflix
The Haunting of Hill House (93% Rotten Tomatoes Score) – The Mike Flanagan original has been voted the best show in Netflix history, and that’s a classification I’d agree with. The story of a disintegrated family haunted by its past is an emotional ride that has its scares, but works best as a compelling drama. (I’ll take this moment to note that other shows voted as the best in Netflix history, Mindhunter and Dark, I would not consider horror. You might, and if so, you could tack them onto this list).
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Netflix
The Haunting of Bly Manor (88% Rotten Tomatoes score) – More Mike Flanagan haunting? You bet. Despite reusing a number of cast members, as Flanagan often does, this is not a direct sequel to Hill House, but an entirely new story, set in the wake of the mysterious death of an au pair.
Midnight Mass (87% Rotten Tomatoes score) – Mike Flanagan returns with a story of a small island where a new arrival sparks miracles in the community, but something is amiss. I cannot say anything else about it, as it’s one of the best “reveals” I’ve seen in a series.
The Fall of the House of Usher
Netflix
The Fall of the House of Usher (91% Rotten Tomatoes score) – This time, Mike Flanagan dips into an adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe stories, combining them together to create a story about a family butchered by their own misdeeds, one by one.
Kingdom (98% Rotten Tomatoes score) – I ran out of Mike Flanagan shows. He has one more, The Midnight Club, but for the first time, I didn’t think it was very good. So, I am turning to Kingdom, one of the best pieces of zombie media in history, an amazing series that spans two seasons and ties in a zombie plague to 17th-century Korean conflict. It’s incredible.
So, you get the idea here. Netflix had a golden horror goose with Mike Flanagan, but he’s now moved on. He’s making both a Carrie and Dark Tower series for Amazon, and he’s also now a part of the DCU with a Clayface movie that’s currently filming. Flanagan is definitely up there with some of the all-time great horror writers and directors. For some actual movies of his, check out Doctor Sleep, Gerald’s Game and Hush. The first two are on Netflix, while Hush, you’ll have to find elsewhere. What a talent.
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