Monster movies fall into an exceptional genre. Sometimes, we want to see the monster movies’ chaos and destruction. If you are a fan, check out this list of the best monster movies on Netflix. You’re free to add to the list.
There is no denying that a certain kind of fun comes with monster movies. From giant menacing monsters like Godzilla to simple and seemingly innocent monsters like pennywise, monster movies rock. My preference would be huge and menacing.
I love the excitement that comes with seeing men stand up against creatures ten times their size. In the end, man always wins.
1. Rampage (2018)
- Director: Brad Peyton
- Star cast: Dwayne Johnson, Naomi Harris, and Malin Akerman
Dwayne Johnson returns to give another exciting movie experience to his fans.
The film explores the efforts made by Primatologist Davis Okoye and geneticist Dr. Kate Caldwell in saving George, an albino gorilla. The fun is hyped up with the rampage of two mutated animals in Chicago.
This film keeps the theme simple. It reflects the kind of movies where giant monsters attack a big city, and the heroes step up to stop them. The admirable blend of humor, action, and drama makes this one of the best monster movies on Netflix.
Davis Okoye shares a special bond with George, who is growing alarmingly. Rampage also focuses on human drama, enough to stir up emotions in some of us, and it can even make some cry. The bonding between George and Davis reflects a real human relationship.
The film captures its audience with suspense and thrills throughout its runtime. It is well constructed and avoids the pitch falls of other senseless monster movies. Lest I forget, this is an entertaining movie for popcorn movie night.
2. Monster Hunter (2020)
- Director: Paul W. S. Anderson
- Star cast: Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, Meagan Good, and Diego Boneta
Director Paul Anderson manages to turn another video game into a movie entertaining enough to be among the best monster movies on Netflix. The plot is simple. Did fate pull Captain Artemis and her group of soldiers into the dangerous world of monsters?
Anyway, the dangerous monsters start picking off members of Captain Artemis’s team one by one. It soon becomes clear that they have to figure a way out of this world. Paul Anderson placed much focus on the special effects, for a good reason.
The plot and script may look too light, but you can’t argue that the special effects were not well made. Thai martial artist Tony Jaa adds spice to the film with his character and vibes.
Milla Jovovich does an excellent job portraying Captain Artemis, and her delivery is spectacular.
Monster Hunter is a visually fantastic movie that doesn’t rack the brain up, and it is watchable and entertaining with a good amount of martial arts.
Grab the popcorn and stream this movie if you want a fun monster movie experience.
3. Godzilla (2014)
- Director: Gareth Edwards
- Star cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen, Juliette Binoche, and Sally Hawkins
Man’s encounter with the prehistoric alpha predator Godzilla ended in releasing a nuclear bomb in Bikini Atoll in 1954.
In 1999, Monarch scientists Ishiro Serizawa and Vivienne Graham discovered the skeleton of a monster similar to Godzilla in a cavern revealed by a collapsed uranium mine.
The Monarch scientists also discover two giant spores. One of the spores is hatched with trails leading to the sea. The mystery begins. This Godzilla remake may not have been spectacular, but it ushered in a Netflix series of best monster movies.
When seismic activities caused the Janjira Nuclear Power plant in Japan to collapse, it became clear that they were not alone in the world.
Massive monsters emerge from the depths of the earth to wreak havoc on the population.
One monster rises to face them, Godzilla. You can expect a roller-coaster ride packed with destruction, action, thrills, and exciting scenes. There are fun moments and frightening moments as well. This adaptation was so much better than previous versions.
4. I, Frankenstein (2014)
- Director: Stuart Beattie
- Star cast: Aaron Eckhart, Bill Nighy, Yvonne Strahovski, Miranda Otto, and Socratis Otto
Once again, it is left for a monster to save humanity. Adam, the Frankenstein monster, is more human and does not have the menacing form and size like the other best monster movies on Netflix.
He rises to save humanity when he finds himself in the middle of a war between demons and gargoyles.
Since his creation, Adam has lived apart from society and kills any demon that pursues him. He is forced to publicly confront a group of demons where a police officer is accidentally killed. The gargoyles summon him and decide to imprison him as punishment.
However, word spreads fast as the demon prince Naberius mobilizes a group of demons to capture Adam so he can learn the secrets of resurrection.
The rest of the movie is an entertaining adventure of Adam. The special effects are not too showy, just enough to keep the interest.
The film tells the origin story of Frankenstein’s monster decently, and the lead protagonist is interesting enough to keep viewers entertained. One major caveat in this movie is that it keeps the violence toned down.
5. Kong: Skull Island (2017)
- Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
- Star cast: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, John Goodman, Brie Larson, and Jing Tian
The Computer-generated imagery places this film among the best monster movies on Netflix. Kong looks very menacing and realistic, and other monsters look natural. In my opinion, the producers did an excellent job with the movie’s special effects.
The battles scenes are well choreographed to ensure a fun-filled moment. The nature of the scenes gradually lures you into believing every motion picture you see. One of the most entertaining scenes is the fight between Kong and the skull crawler.
The cast delivers decent performances to keep the entertainment going. Tom Hiddleston does well in his character, Samuel Jackson fills the screen with the vibes we’ve come to know him for, and Goodman is also excellent in his role.
Kong: Skull Island delivers an impressive viewing experience, and it effortlessly sits high on the list of best monster movies on Netflix. The producers kept the plot simple enough to avoid too many plot holes, which would have ruined the fun experience.
6. King Kong (2005)
- Director: Peter Jackson
- Star cast: Naomi Watts, Jack Black, Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, and Colin Hanks
In 1993, during the Great Depression, financially troubled filmmaker Carl Denham hired New York City actress Ann Darrow to star in a film. Ann learns that her favorite playwright, Jack Driscoll is the screenwriter.
Carl intends to sail to and film the mysterious skull island but deceives the crew by pretending to be sailing to Singapore. This is a clear example of waking up sleeping trouble. I mean, Kong lived his life on the island without disturbing the peace.
The cinematography is stunning, and Naomi Watts wows us as Ann Darrow, with Jack Black pulling off magic in playing Carl Denham. The only downside is that Kong doesn’t appear until an hour and a quarter into the movie.
This masterpiece from Peter Jackson breaks past previous versions to be among the best monster movies on Netflix. Kong is brilliantly designed and portrayed. Overall, the film contains ample detail and good cinematography.
7. Bleach (2018)
- Director: Shinsuke Sako
- Star cast: Sota Futkushi, Hana Sugisaki, Ryo Yoshizawa, and Erina Mano
This movie title confuses me every time; I wonder what Warner Bros thought when they made the film. Nevertheless, this is one of the best monster movies on Netflix that features spirits as monsters. Yes, sometimes, the monsters are not always massive and menacing.
Bleach is entertaining enough based on what it turned out to be. Despite the few shortcomings, keeping the fun and excitement was solid. You can expect the same vibes as the Japanese anime from Japan.
Bleach keeps a straightforward storyline, making it easy for viewers to stay up to speed with the movie. I would have loved some depth to the storyline, but it was adequate to be entertaining.
One area that popped this film was the computer-generated imagery. You can’t deny how good it was, and for a movie like this, CGI is the backbone. The creatures were outrageously designed but realistically and menacingly. Watch it if you are looking for some fun.
8. Dracula Untold (2014)
- Director: Gary Shore
- Star cast: Luke Evans, Dominic Cooper, Sarah Gadon, and Charles Dance
To save his people, he became a monster. Now, he is feared and rejected by the same people he fights to save. The tale of Dracula is well known among vampire fans and the likes. Without a single doubt, this movie is currently streaming as one of the best monster movies on Netflix.
Vlad Draculea was the prince of Wallachia and Transylvania in the 15th century. He was a royal ward in the palace of the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire during his childhood and trained as an elite soldier among the Sultan’s elite Janissary corps.
After slaughtering thousands of soldiers by impaling them on spears, Vlad became known as Vlad the Impaler, son of the dragon. This act darkened his world and caused him to abandon his past. But the past is never really gone.
Now, when the Turks threaten his kingdom, Vlad obtains a monstrous power and becomes a monster feared by his people. The power gives him the ability to protect his family and his kingdom, which he eventually loses. This film is a thrilling journey for anyone who dares to watch it.
9. Clash of the Titans (2010)
- Director: Louis Leterrier
- Star cast: Sam Worthington, Gemma Arterton, Mads Mikkelsen, and Alexa Davalos
I was surprised to find this movie showing as one of the monster movies on Netflix. Perseus manages to survive a life-threatening childhood to become one of the greatest warriors known to man. Clash of the Titans is not a crazy movie, but it is fun.
Growing up, Perseus faces the Minotaur and Medusa and survives. That was an exceptional feat but not surprising seeing that he is the son of Zeus. This movie is a feast for the eyes with plenty of spectacular effects, even to the tiniest detail.
The producers put in a lot of work in popping up the little details like Charon and his Stygian ferry. The characters are well backed-up by the backgrounds and scenery, and clash of the Titans maintains this attention to detail throughout the film.
The story might lack a little depth, but it is interesting enough to keep you entertained. Fall in love with the beautiful scenery and backgrounds and get immersed in the battle with monsters. This film may not compete with the other best monster movies on Netflix, but it certainly has its place.
10. The Yin Yang Master (2021)
- Director: Li Weiran
- Star cast: Chen Kun, Zhou Xun, William Chan, and Qu Chuxiao
This is a Chinese fantasy monster movie currently streaming on Netflix. In this film, the Yinyang bureau guards demon souls, and a supernatural artifact called the scale stone. Qing Ming is a half-human half-demon officer who is a Yinyang master.
When he is scapegoated for killing a guard and his senior Cimu, Mings escapes and begins a new life, traveling between the human and demon realms. If you like Chinese fantasy, Wuxia movies, you will love this one.
The approach of the Chinese makes this film one of the best monster movies on Netflix. Ming soon finds himself embroiled in a robbery of imperial tributes delivered by Boya when the demon king threatens to return to the human realm.
The computer-generated imagery in this film is spectacular. It follows the path of other Chinese fantasy films. The characters are funny and deliver adequate performance.
Don’t expect too much depth to the story. This film is a good fantasy flick to occupy yourself with but nothing too serious.
11. The Silence (2019)
- Director: John R. Leonetti
- Star cast: Stanley Tucci, Kiernan Shipka, and Miranda Otto
What can we do if the world comes under threat from creatures who kill with sound? Unfortunately, this movie does its best to imagine this scenario.
When a swarm of creatures called Vesps attacks the world, Ally, a teenager, takes refuge in a remote house with her family.
This movie might be based on a novel published in 2015, but it shares many plot similarities with other movies such as The Quiet Place.
Nevertheless, the familiar plot makes it one of the best monster movies on Netflix currently streaming.
The film is an entertaining and well-made movie with adequate performances from the cast and sound special effects. I wish they improved on the special effects and reduced the cliché lines from the dialogues.
The underlying religious tone in this movie may not suit many. But if you can overlook that, you will have a swarm of creatures to battle with. It may not be a breathtaking blockbuster, but it has its strengths.
12. It (2017)
- Director: Andy Muchietti
- Star cast: Jaeden Lieberher, and Bill Skarsgård
Asides from being a horror movie, it is also a monster movie with the horror figure being a monster. Twelve-year-old Bill Denbrough builds a paper boat for his six-year-old brother Georgie.
Georgie sails the boat along the streets of small-town Derry, Maine, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows.
When George attempts to retrieve his paper boat from a storm drain, he meets a clown who introduces himself as Pennywise, the dancing clown. This monster beckons George to come closer before dragging him down the drain.
This 2017 adaptation was a significant improvement and one of the best years. There are a few changes and a slight deviation from the previous structure, but it stays loyal to the franchise’s theme. The characters are way more logical than before.
In the end, It is a brilliant movie that blends horror with monsters making it one of the best monster movies on Netflix.
There is no doubt this movie will be scary for kids, even when the central characters are kids. Please sit back and enjoy it. Grab a popcorn and blanket to cover your eyes, though.
