Horror is one of the most beloved genres across Asia, and fans are increasingly turning to Netflix for their fright fix – whether that’s in the form of terrifying ghost tales, laugh-out-loud creepy comedies, or fiendish family-friendly stories.
In the Asia-Pacific region, viewing of horror content on the streamer grew by 20% between 2020 and last year. Over the same period, viewing hours of horror content in Southeast Asia increased even more, by over 40%.
In conjunction with Halloween, here’s a selection of viewers’ favourite films and series, based on recent top 10 rankings, which includes some of the biggest horror hits of the region this year. Check it out!
- ‘The Watcher’
Created by Ryan Murphy of “American Horror Story” fame, this limited series is based on the true tale of the infamous “Watcher” house in New Jersey.
After the Brannock family moves into what was supposed to be their suburban dream home, it quickly becomes a living hell. Ominous letters from someone calling themself “The Watcher” are just the beginning as the neighbourhood’s sinister secrets come spilling forth.
Featuring a star-studded cast including Naomi Watts, Bobby Cannavale, Mia Farrow, Margo Martindale, Richard Kind, and Jennifer Coolidge. (Ah, but what does FMT think?)
- ‘The School for Good & Evil’
Best friends Sophie and Agatha find themselves on opposing sides of an epic battle when they’re swept away into an enchanted school, where aspiring heroes and villains are trained to protect the balance between Good and Evil. With upper case.
Malaysia’s own Michelle Yeoh, Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington, Laurence Fishburne and more star in this fantastical film based on the book by Soman Chainani.
- ‘The Curse of Bridge Hollow’
In this horror comedy, a doting father (Marlon Wayans) and his teenage daughter (Priah Ferguson) are forced to team up and save their town after an ancient and mischievous spirit causes Halloween decorations to come to life and wreak havoc.
Comedy actors Rob Riggle, John Michael Higgins, Nia Vardalos and Lauren Lapkus also star.
- ‘The Midnight Club’
Based on the novel by bestselling young adult author Christopher Pike, this horror series from Mike Flanagaan (“The Haunting of Hill House”, “Midnight Mass”) tells of a hospice with an enigmatic history, where eight members of the Midnight Club meet each night as the clock strikes 12 to tell sinister stories – and look for signs of the supernatural.
- ‘The Stranger’
This Australian film revolves around two strangers who strike up a conversation on a long journey. One is a suspect in an unsolved missing person’s case; the other, an undercover operative on his trail.
Their uneasy friendship is at the core of this tightly wrought thriller, based on the true story of one of the largest investigations and undercover operations in Australia. Starring Golden Globe nominee Joel Edgerton and Bafta award-winner Sean Harris.
- ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2’
When strangers Reet and Ruhan cross paths, their journey leads to an abandoned mansion and a dreadful spirit that has been trapped there for 18 years. India’s hit horror comedy stars Tabu, Kartik Aaryan, and Kiara Advani.
- ‘Incantation’
Raking in NT$170 million (RM27 million) as of June, Taiwan’s highest-grossing film of the year is also the country’s biggest horror film of all time.
Directed by Kevin Ho, this spine-chilling tale tells of Li Ronan, who was cursed six years ago after breaking a religious taboo. Now, she must protect her daughter from the horrifying consequences of her actions.
This found-footage fright fest is, scarily enough, inspired by a true story.
- ‘School Tales the Series’
Thailand’s horror anthology series of the year is built around school-bound tales of terror that have been passed from class to class, ultimately evolving into myths and urban legends that ensnare curious minds.
All eight standalone episodes come with their own flavour of shocks and scares, each helmed by some of Thailand’s top directors.
- ‘Unsolved Mysteries’, volume 3
The iconic and gripping series returns with a three-week event featuring more unexplained deaths, baffling disappearances, and bizarre paranormal activity. Out now: a seemingly popular and happy high-school leaver is hit by a train; hundreds of witnesses in Michigan spot strange lights in the sky; and a 20-year-old leaves a college party and is never seen again.
More new episodes premiere tomorrow.
- ‘Guillermo Del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities’
Having launched this week with two tales debuting daily, this collection of unprecedented and genre-bending stories from the acclaimed Academy Award-winning filmmaker is meant to challenge traditional notions of horror.
From the macabre to the magical, gothic to grotesque, these eight sophisticated and sinister tales feature famous faces such as Rupert Grint, F Murray Abraham, Crispin Glover and many others – and include two original stories by del Toro himself.