7 Horror Hidden Gems to Stream on Netflix in December 2023

With so many horror movies on offer, it's easy to get overwhelmed by all the choices, and just as easy to miss movies like these that have proven to be hidden gems in the genre.

Cargo (2017)

6.3 on IMDb

An action-packed post-apocalyptic drama in which the world is engulfed by a rapidly spreading epidemic. Cargo stars Martin Freeman in a race against time to protect his infant daughter after he is infected. Fans say that with movies like this on the market, the zombie apocalypse genre will never get old. Cargo has been praised for the remarkable depth of its characters and its ability to tell a story that is terrifying and thrilling, yet somehow also depicts touching moments of humanity.

Creep (2014)

6.3 on IMDb

This unsettling, slow-burn film uses found-footage cinematography to follow the story of Aaron, a struggling videographer who takes on a strange new client. He ends up traveling to a remote location to record his client, Josef, who claims to be dying of a brain tumor. It begins with Aaron being tasked with documenting every moment of Josef's life to later show his unborn child, but Josef's behavior slowly becomes disturbing and increasingly erratic, building to a truly twisted ending as his true motives are revealed.

Cam (2018)

5.9 on IMDb

Inspired by the filmmaker's own experiences in the cam girl industry, this mind-bending mystery horror slowly builds as we watch an ambitious webcam model go through her usual routine of logging into her account on a cam girl website, only to find that her identity has been stolen and an eerily identical woman performing shows for her fans has seemingly replaced her.

The unsettling supernatural elements soon come to light as the mysterious doppelganger becomes increasingly reckless and disturbing in her actions, and it becomes clear that she is an otherworldly force that will not relent.

He Never Died (2015)

6.3 on IMDb

Kidnapping and revenge take a refreshing and terrifying turn in this horror thriller when a gang of mobsters kidnaps the daughter of a cannibalistic loner. To save his daughter, Jack must hold back his violent vampiric tendencies long enough to find her and then take revenge.

Despite the rather gruesome nature of his actions, Jack's mysterious, human-hungry character is somehow oddly relatable, and the Canadian humor makes for moments of comedy gold

Sister Death (2023)

5.7 on IMDb

While 2017's Veronica gained a decent following among horror fans, its prequel, Sister Death, seems to have slipped under the radar. Sister Death takes place before the events of Veronica, when a young novice with supernatural powers takes a teaching position at an all-girls school that was once a convent.

Strange events and unsettling disturbances soon plague the new teacher, and later the convent's terrifying past comes to light. Fans have found this Spanish horror prequel to be intense and exciting, and we would certainly recommend it if you enjoyed Veronica.

The Pope’s Exorcist (2023)

6.1 on IMDb

Inspired by the actual written records of the real-life Father Gabriele Amorth, the Vatican's chief exorcist, The Pope's Exorcist tells the terrifying story of a child's possession, but slowly leads Father Amorth to discover deep, dark secrets that have been covered up by the Vatican for centuries.

Follow the disturbing journey as the gritty and unorthodox Father Amorth works to not only confront an evil demon, but take on the higher powers of the Church in this terrifying supernatural horror.

Case 39 (2009)

6.2 on IMDb

No good deed goes unpunished in this old but golden horror that follows Emily, a social worker, and her most difficult and possibly last case. When Emily encounters Lilith, or "Lily," she becomes determined to take the young girl away from her abusive parents, who seem intent on causing her a gruesome death.

It doesn't take long to realize that Lily's parents weren't as evil as they seemed, and the child isn't as innocent as she seems, having been possessed by a malevolent entity.