Netflix has revolutionized the way we watch movies. For better or worse, the streaming giant ushered in the age of digital streaming, handing us virtually unlimited options to watch from the comfort of our homes. Although dozens of platforms have emerged over the years, Netflix continues to reign supreme as the most dominant streaming service. The technological titan reportedly closed out 2024 with roughly 300 million subscribers across the globe. Netflix offers various categories that subscribers can peruse to find the perfect movie for that night.
Horror, comedy, drama, biopics, award-winners, blockbusters, Netflix has them all. However, if you’re looking for a selection of intense films, that’s technically not a category on Netflix. But don’t worry, Movieweb’s got you covered. Are you in the mood for something that’ll get your heart racing and your blood pumping? Then check out these 10 intense films currently available on Netflix.
‘Talk to Me’ (2023)
Mia (Sophie Wilde) is having difficulties dealing with the recent passing of her mother. Her life changes when, at a party, a mummified hand is brought out as a party trick that allows those to become temporarily possessed by the dead. When she sees her mother, Mia becomes obsessed, but soon the spirits take a malicious hold of her brother.
One of the Most Pulse-Pounding Horror Films of All Time
There may not be any scene more nerve-racking in all of the horror genre than when Mia’s brother first gets possessed by a demon. Yet, this shocking scene is only the start of the pulse-pounding horror that made Talk to Me a massive hit on release, as the film never relents. At the same time, the movie is not just shock value, as it presented a unique and fresh take on supernatural horror that would launch the career of YouTubers and stuntmen turned filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou.
‘Grave of the Fireflies’ (1988)
Taking place near the end of World War II, Grave of the Fireflies follows siblings Seita (a teenage boy) and his younger sister Setsuko, who are dealing with increased bombings in their hometown of Kobe. After losing their mother in the bombings, the two navigate a series of tragedies together, but cannot escape the horrors of hunger, poverty, and violence.
An Emotional and Tragic Journey
Coming from Studio Ghibli, one might be surprised to see one of their movies on this list, given the studio’s reputation for crafting heartfelt, poignant, family-centric content. Yet, Grave of the Fireflies does not offer a cathartic release, instead showing the inescapable tragedy of the horrors of war and the innocence most affected. For many, the movie is heavy and heartbreaking, making it so they are unable to sit through the entire film; there are some seriously intense emotions to navigate. Still, the movie remains an essential animated classic.
‘Creep’ (2014)
A videographer, Aaron (Patrick Brice), is contracted by a man who claims he is dying, Josef (Mark Duplass), and wants to make a video for his family to remember him by. As the two get to know each other, Aaron becomes increasingly disturbed by Josef’s behavior, eventually deciding to abandon the project. Yet, Josef’s obsessive and possessive nature makes him unwilling to let go of his new ‘friend.’
Killing for Company
The found footage horror movie was so unnerving and effective, hinging on a phenomenal performance by Mark Duplass, that it gained a sequel and a spin-off TV series. Here, the movie remains consistently intense because there is no escape from Josef’s bizarre and manipulative behavior, which, for viewers, feels like watching an inevitable car crash unfold in slow motion.
‘Don’t Move’ (2023)
Having recently lost her son, Iris (Kelsey Asbille), decides to head into the forest to take her own life. Yet before she can follow through, she runs into the charismatic Richard (Finn Wittrock), who injects her with a slow-acting paralytic agent. Finding a new reason to fight, Iris runs and attempts to find help, and constantly finds ways to fight off Richard.
A Dangerous Game of Cat and Mouse
A deeply engaging game of cat and mouse with the clock ticking, Don’t Move wastes no time creating a tense fight for survival. The movie would blend the high-stakes chase with psychological horror and an emotional story through Iris’s own struggles with her past, overlapping with her dire situation in trying to escape Richard. Engaging from the start, Don’t Go is ideal for those seeking non-stop, intense cinema outside the horror genre.
‘Leave the World Behind’ (2023)
From the visionary creator of Mr. Robot comes the Netflix original film and sci-fi thriller, Leave the World Behind. Here, a family’s getaway to a luxurious rental home takes a dark turn when the homeowners unexpectedly appear at their doorstep.
Waiting for the World to End
Unlike other sci-fi films, Leave the World Behind captures the beginning stages of an apocalypse. We join the main characters in their confusion and terror as the apocalypse slowly takes hold of the world. Cyberattacks gradually take out their technology, leaving them in a dark and uncertain place that’s frightening to behold.
‘Boy Erased’ (2018)
Boy Erased is a biographical drama that captures a closeted young man’s experience at a conversion therapy program, designed to turn him from a homosexual into a heterosexual. It’s based on the experiences of Garrard Conley and is adapted from his memoir of the same name.
A Hard Look Back Into the Past
Boy Erased isn’t intense in the same way as other entries on our list; there are no heart-pounding action scenes or startling jump scares. Rather, the film’s intensity stems from its controversial subject matter and from its characters’ prejudiced views of homosexuality. Between unaccepting parents and cruel facility directors, Boy Erased highlights the physical, mental, and emotional abuse endured by closeted teens, making this potentially a complicated watch for any modern viewers.
‘Bird Box’ (2018)
Bird Box is the Netflix original film that had everyone talking back in 2018. Based on the 2014 novel by Josh Malerman, it depicts a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by mysterious creatures. One look at these deadly entities, and the viewer either descends into madness or is forced to commit suicide.
Fighting a Monster You Can’t See
It’s a heart-pounding ride as you follow Malorie (Sandra Bullock) and her two unnamed children, blindfolded, through the vacant world, trying to survive the creatures and find a community of survivors. The flashback sequence where the monsters first appear is particularly jarring, as chaos unfolds around our characters and people spontaneously commit suicide. Every time the monsters appear, you find yourself on the edge of your seat, absolutely terrified — and you never even see what the creatures look like.
‘Godzilla Minus One’ (2023)
Godzilla Minus One is the latest installment in Toho’s long-running Godzilla franchise. This Japanese epic brings the iconic monster back to its early roots. It’s not an antihero who takes on other creatures and aids humanity. Rather, Godzilla is a vicious monster who wreaks havoc and causes mass destruction in post-World War II Japan. Godzilla is truly terrifying in this film — as it should be.
Big Action, High Stakes
The scene where Godzilla chases multiple Japanese ships across the ocean will have your heart pounding against your chest. It’s so intense that you’ll almost feel like you’re on board with the passengers, running for your life. Godzilla Minus One was a huge commercial and critical success, demonstrating that the iconic kaiju can still thrill audiences almost 70 years after the ‘King of Monsters’ was first released.
‘Smile’ (2022)
After witnessing a patient commit suicide in an unusual manner, a therapist becomes tormented by harrowing visions and strangers with eerie, nonsensical grins. Smile is one of the best horror films of the 2020s. This movie is pure nightmare fuel, packed with jump scares, graphic violence, and disturbing suicides.
Leave the World with a Smile
When you think you know what’s happening, Smile takes an unexpected turn that makes your jaw drop to the floor. It also features one of the most alluring and haunting antagonists in recent memory, as well as a finale that’s far from a happy ending. Viewer beware — you may want to leave the lights on at night after watching this one. The film’s sequel, Smile 2, is equally, if not more, intense; sadly, it’s not on Netflix.
‘The Passion of the Christ’ (2004)
Few films are as intense as Mel Gibson’s 2004 film, The Passion of the Christ. This biblical epic captures the arrest, torture, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ (Jim Caviezel) in shockingly gruesome detail. It showcases the horrors that Jesus endured in a way that no religious film had ever done before.
Mel Gibson’s Violent Passion Project
The Passion of the Christ attracted controversy for its graphic content. It’s violent, it’s bloody, it’s brutal. The film’s intensity will make you want to cover your eyes, while its magnificence urges you to keep watching through the cracks between your fingers. The movie, while a celebration of the trials seen by Jesus Christ, is an exercise in brutality in its unflinching characterization of the suffering he endured for his people.
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