Short, scary, and unmissable: Netflix horror miniseries you can’t miss

Netflix horror miniseries deliver short but intense stories, ideal for viewers who crave thrills without committing to long seasons. Titles like The Haunting of Hill House and Midnight Mass, both from Mike Flanagan, weave chilling tales of ghosts and religious fanaticism, while Ju-on: Origins reinvents Japanese horror with a darker, hyper-realistic edge.

You will also find bold reinterpretations of classic stories, like Dracula, and Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, a collection of unsettling anthology tales. Here is a selection of the best horror miniseries available on Netflix, with trailers and synopses.
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The best horror miniseries on Netflix – our selection

If you’re looking for a Netflix horror miniseries that combines tension, eerie atmospheres, and gripping stories, the platform offers an unmissable selection of titles. From modern reinterpretations of classic horror to original tales exploring the supernatural and the dark side of the human psyche, each production leaves a mark with compelling narratives and memorable performances. Below you’ll find the best horror miniseries available on Netflix, with an overview of plot, cast, and reasons why you should definitely watch them

Parasyte – The Grey

• Parasyte: The Grey (2024) is a sci-fi horror reimagining of the famous manga Kiseiju – The Uninvited Guest, with a screenplay by Ryu Yong-jae. The story follows Jeong Su-in (Jeon So-nee), a young woman attacked by an alien parasite. Instead of fully taking over her body, the entity forms an unusual and unexpected bond with her. Meanwhile, her story intertwines with Seol Kang-woo (Koo Kyo-hwan), a man desperately searching for his missing sister who hunts parasites. These creatures take over human bodies to survive and are targeted by a special task force called The Grey, led by Choi Jun-kyung (Lee Jung-hyun), a woman determined to exterminate them after a personal tragedy.
• Why watch it: The parasite transformations feature high-quality special effects, delivering body horror scenes that both fascinate and unsettle viewers. The series also explores existential themes such as the essence of humanity, coexistence with the unknown, and the moral implications of survival.
• Age Rating: TV-14

Marianne

• Marianne (2019) is a supernatural horror miniseries that drags viewers into a chilling nightmare. The story follows Emma Larsimon (Victoire Du Bois), an acclaimed horror writer who, after years of success, decides to return to Elden, her hometown. What should be a simple homecoming soon turns into a nightmare as terrifying events begin to mirror the stories in her novels. With the help of childhood friends, played by Lucie Boujenah and Tiphaine Daviot, Emma must confront an ancient evil, discovering that the monsters she created might be far more real than she ever imagined.
• Why watch it: Marianne is one of the most acclaimed French horror series in recent years, masterfully building an anguishing atmosphere and a relentless crescendo of tension that keeps you glued to the screen. A psychological horror that blurs the line between reality and fiction, it delivers a gripping narrative with a convincing cast.
• Age Rating: TV-14

The Haunting of Bly Manor

• The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) is a nine-episode gothic horror miniseries created by Mike Flanagan and inspired by the classic story The Turn of the Screw by Henry James. Considered the second chapter of the horror anthology that began with The Haunting of Hill House, the series reunites the same director and part of the cast, including Victoria Pedretti, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, and Amelia Eve. The story follows Dani (Victoria Pedretti), a young governess hired to care for two orphans in the majestic yet eerie Bly Manor. What seems like a chance for renewal soon turns into a nightmare, with ghostly presences, dark secrets, and a past that refuses to stay buried.
• Why watch it: The Haunting of Bly Manor is a gothic love story blending horror and drama, exploring themes such as loss, regret, and the weight of the past. It delivers an emotional and unsettling tale, with an atmosphere suspended between melancholy and terror.
• Age Rating: TV-14

The Midnight Club

• The Midnight Club (2022) is a horror series that set a Guinness World Record for the most jumpscares in a single episode: 21 in the first installment alone. Created by Mike Flanagan and based on the novel by Christopher Pike, the series follows eight terminally ill teenagers living in a hospice. Each night, they secretly gather to tell horror stories, forming the mysterious Midnight Club. What begins as a pastime soon turns unsettling, as their tales start to intertwine with reality, revealing dark secrets about the facility. The cast — including Iman Benson, Igby Rigney, Ruth Codd, Annarah Cymone, William Chris Sumpter, and Aya Furukawa — brings depth and authenticity to these well-developed characters.
• Why watch it: The Midnight Club delves into existential themes like life, death, and friendship, blending supernatural horror with thoughtful reflections. It’s an engaging story that combines spine-tingling thrills with genuine emotional resonance.
• Age Rating: TV-14

The Haunting of Hill House

• The Haunting of Hill House (2018) is one of the most acclaimed horror series of recent years, also created and directed by Mike Flanagan. Comprising ten episodes, the series is a modern retelling of Shirley Jackson’s classic novel, intertwining past and present to reveal the traumas of the Crain family. Seemingly close-knit and without secrets, the family is actually scarred by a childhood spent within Hill House, the most haunted mansion in the country. The five siblings, now adults, must confront the dark presences that still haunt them, while their father, played by Henry Thomas and Michiel Huisman, tries to piece together their past. The cast also features Carla Gugino as the enigmatic mother Olivia, alongside an ensemble delivering an intense and chilling story.
• Why watch it: The Haunting of Hill House is a sophisticated horror series that blends supernatural elements with psychological drama, exploring themes such as grief, guilt, and family trauma. It’s a masterful narrative that keeps viewers on edge until the final episode.
• Age Rating: TV-14

V Wars

• V Wars (2019) is a sci-fi horror series that puts a fresh spin on classic vampire tales. Created by William Laurin and Glenn Davis, based on the comic series by Jonathan Maberry, the ten-episode series builds to a surprising finale. The story follows Dr. Luther Swann (Ian Somerhalder), a scientist confronted with a mysterious epidemic that turns people into vampires. Meanwhile, his best friend Michael Fayne (Adrian Holmes) rises as the leader of this new species. Humanity splits into two opposing factions: survivors and vampires. With the help of Jacky Lai, Luther fights desperately to stop the conflict before it’s too late.
• Why watch it: V Wars explores not only the terror of vampirism but also its social and moral implications, portraying a brutal war between two species fighting for survival. It’s a gripping mix of action, suspense, and reflections on human nature.
• Age Rating: TV-14

Ratched

• Ratched (2020) is a psychological thriller miniseries exploring the origins of Mildred Ratched, the ruthless nurse made famous by the film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Created by Ryan Murphy, the series stars Sarah Paulson as Mildred, an enigmatic woman who arrives in California to work at a cutting-edge psychiatric hospital. Beneath her professional facade lies a dark soul: brutal therapies and unsettling experiments push the boundaries of morality and sanity. The cast also includes Finn Wittrock and Cynthia Nixon, supporting the protagonist in a story of manipulation, revenge, and transformation.
• Why watch it: Ratched is visually stunning, featuring pastel-toned cinematography and sets inspired by ’40s and ’50s cinema, creating a chilling contrast with its dark themes. This psychological thriller exposes the darkest corners of psychiatry and the human mind.
• Age Rating: TV-14

Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities

• Cabinet of Curiosities (2022) is a horror anthology series created by visionary Guillermo del Toro, comprising eight episodes, each telling a unique and independent story. Inspired by tales from various authors and directed by a range of filmmakers, the series delves into the occult, the macabre, and the supernatural with a refined and unsettling style. Every episode takes viewers on a journey into terror, with grotesque and visually striking plots reminiscent of Black Mirror, but firmly in the horror genre. Thanks to its meticulous aesthetic and narrative depth, the series immerses viewers in a dark, disturbing universe that leaves an indelible impression.
• Why watch it: Cabinet of Curiosities is a collection of visually stunning horror tales, each exploring a different facet of terror. Praised for its cinematic quality and compelling stories, it’s perfect for fans of sophisticated, suggestion-rich horror.
• Age Rating: TV-14

Ghoul 

• Ghoul (2018) is a horror-thriller miniseries composed of three episodes, created and directed by Patrick Graham. Set in a dystopian India under a totalitarian dictatorship, the series depicts a world where censorship suppresses freedom, books are burned, and education is a privilege for the few. In this oppressive climate, young Nida Rahim (Radhika Apte), an intelligence agent, is sent to a secret detention center to interrogate the country’s most dangerous terrorist. What begins as a routine interrogation soon descends into a supernatural nightmare when disturbing clues suggest the prisoner (Manav Kaul) may not be of this world.
• Why watch it: Ghoul is an intense miniseries that blends supernatural horror with sharp social critique. Its tense narrative, oppressive setting, and dark atmosphere make for a short but unforgettable story, elevated by a high-caliber cast.
• Age Rating: TV-14

Dracula

• Dracula (2020) is a horror miniseries produced by Netflix and the BBC, offering a fresh reinterpretation of Bram Stoker’s classic. Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat, the minds behind Sherlock, the three-episode series reinvents the legend of Count Dracula with a gothic yet modern style, full of twists and sharp writing. The story follows Count Dracula (Claes Bang) from his dark Transylvanian home to Victorian London, where he schemes his rise and satisfies his insatiable thirst for blood. Dolly Wells and John Heffernan round out the cast, portraying key characters in this reimagined vampiric myth.
• Why watch it: Dracula is a modern retelling of Stoker’s classic, featuring innovative storytelling and a magnetic performance by Claes Bang. The series has been praised for its fresh approach, blending horror, irony, and psychological tension.
• Age Rating: TV-14

Ju-on: Origins

• Ju-on: Origins (2020) is a six-episode horror miniseries that delivers a more realistic and unsettling take on the famous Ju-On franchise. The story follows Yasuo Odajima (Yoshiyoshi Arakawa), a paranormal researcher obsessed with a cursed house and its unsolved mysteries. Among these, the most terrifying involves a mother and son who suffered a traumatic event within its walls. Meanwhile, Haruka Honjo (Yuina Kuroshima), a TV actress troubled by strange occurrences, hears eerie noises in her home and suspects it is haunted. Seeking Odajima’s help, she becomes entangled in a macabre journey that leads her to the cursed house and its horrific past.
• Why watch it: Ju-on: Origins explores the roots of the curse with a darker, more realistic approach, setting it apart from previous franchise adaptations. The series heightens psychological tension with a pervasive, anxious atmosphere.
• Age Rating: TV-14

The Fall of the House of Usher

• The Fall of the House of Usher (2023) is a horror miniseries inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s 1839 classic, adapted for modern times by Mike Flanagan. The story follows Roderick Usher (Bruce Greenwood), the powerful and ruthless head of Fortunato Pharmaceuticals, a company tied to an opioid that has devastated many lives. Roderick’s life takes a dark turn when, over the course of just a few days, his six children die under brutal and mysterious circumstances. As the mystery deepens, the spirits of the deceased begin to haunt him, revealing chilling details of their tragic fates. Carla Gugino and Mary McDonnell also appear, playing pivotal roles in this tale of decay and terror.
• Why watch it: The Fall of the House of Usher is a contemporary take on Poe’s classic, exploring the decline of a dynasty through a gripping, unsettling narrative. The miniseries is rich in tension, symbolism, and gothic atmosphere.
• Age Rating: TV-14

Discover More Horror Miniseries on Netflix

If you want to explore even more horror miniseries on Netflix, you can access hidden categories on the platform using secret codes. Although there isn’t a specific code for horror miniseries, you can find new titles by browsing horror TV series (code 83059), TV miniseries (code 4814), and horror movies (code 8711). Simply enter the URL https://www.netflix.com/browse/genre/ followed by the desired code to access the content.