Following the success of the webcam horror movie sub-genre, several horror films depicting the dark side of social media began to flood the mainstream. In these disturbing movies, evil exists on the Internet, and characters are haunted by the World Wide Web. The question is, how does one expel an evil that has been invited through technology?

Horror has a way of turning even the most innocent or simple experiences into the most benign ones. However, since the Internet and social media have become such an integral part of modern life, it's only natural for horror filmmakers to use them as a source of terror and entertainment. To deliver the most terrifying techno-horrors, Friend Request, Host, and Selfie from Hell play on newfound fears such as venturing into the forbidden dark web, being stalked online, and the lethal consequences of social media obsession. Fortunately, there's no shortage of films that tackle the Internet and social media in particular, with several tech-related horror movies flying under the radar. These are the best horror movies that will make audiences want to quit social media, ranked by entertainment value.

15 'Selfie from Hell' (2018)

Director: Erdal Ceylan

When an online vlogger from Germany, Julia (Meelah Adams), visits her cousin Hannah (Alyson Walker) in the U.S. only to become ill. Hannah scours the Internet to find the cause of the strange illness, only to discover an inaccessible site on the dark web. Her seemingly normal home transforms into a haunted house.

Viewers who love horror movies with lots of jumpscares will definitely enjoy this; like many other dark web movies, it offers a glimpse into the terrifying online world. However, the film is a little formulaic, and it is difficult for some viewers to enjoy it thoroughly. Nevertheless, Selfie from Hell does a great job of warning people to stay away from the darkest corners of the Internet, given that bad things are certainly bound to happen when they venture there.

Watch on Tubi

14 'Megan is Missing' (2011)

Director: Michael Goi

This totally disturbing and obscure film follows 14-year-old Megan (Rachel Quinn) and 13-year-old Amy (Amber Perkins), two young teens who are kidnapped and consequently tortured after talking with a stranger on the Internet that turned out to be a child predator.

If there is a scarring movie that will likely keep anyone — especially young teens — away from the net, it is probably Michael Goi's one. Often criticized for its usage of explicit content, Megan is Missing is a horror film that features a lot of gore and unsettling scenes. Ultimately, it sends out thought-provoking messages on the dangers of the Internet world and the cyber predators that inhabit it.

Rent on Amazon

13 'Feardotcom' (2002)

Director: William Malone

In this William Malone horror film, detective Mike Reilly (Stephen Dorff) collaborates with Department of Health associate Terry Huston (Natasha McElhone) in New York City and looks into strange murders that happen 48 hours after visitors register on the website feardotcom.

Although it is far from being among the best horror films out there — rather, it is on the other side of the spectrum, as it was panned by critics and, ultimately, a box-office bomb — Feardotcom is frightening because of its realistic and believable narrative. Even if not expertly executed, this 2002 horror thriller manages to disturb audiences by showcasing the crimes around a deadly website and sending out messages that certainly provide a lot of food for thought.

Watch on Pluto

12 'Friend Request' (2016)

Director: Simon Verhoeven

Friend Request revolves around a popular college student, Laura (Alycia Debnam-Carey), who makes the mistake of unfriending a mysterious girl named Marina (Liesl Ahlers) and invites a demonic presence into her life. When her friends die mysteriously, a frightened Laura has no choice but to figure out how to fight this evil.

The list of social media horror movies cannot be complete without mentioning Friend Request. The plot may become predictable at some point, since it shares some similarities with iconic and timeless slashers like Friday the 13th. However, this gripping horror movie is more than satisfying to watch. Though it may seem a bit campy with its idea of a Facebook demon, Friend Request does have a lot of fun moments and some blood too.

Watch on Tubi

11 'Ratter' (2015)

Director: Branden Kramer

In this 2015 film, a young graduate student living alone in New York is tormented by a hacker who stalks her through all of her technological devices. When video feeds are not enough, he goes from virtual to a physical stalker.

Ratter manages to induce real-life panic and fear by focusing solely on online prowling. Shot through the lens of a webcam, cellphone, wobble cam, and other devices, this home invasion horror movie is frighteningly realistic. This short cyber horror movie is quite different from movies of its type in that it does not rely on gore or violence to tell the story. It has enough suspense to make it terrifying.

Rent on Apple TV

10 'Initiation' (2020)

Director: John Berardo

John Berardo's movie illustrates a party that starts innocently but quickly takes a sinister and bloody turn when a star athlete is found impaled in his dorm room. Soon, bodies start turning up on campus as a metal mask-wearing killer picks and kills frat boys and sorority girls.

Initiation crosses slasher-horror and crime thriller tropes to deliver an engaging story. It paves the way for modern-day horror slashers by incorporating new elements such as social media bullying, women's rights, and more. An indie horror flick, Initiation is more than just another horror movie for horror’s sake; while far from being a groundbreaking horror movie, it takes time to develop characters as well as the storyline, which is what makes it so memorable.

Watch on Roku

9 'Unfriended: Dark Web' (2017)

Director: Stephen Susco

In Unfriended: Dark Web, a group of friends stumbles upon a laptop that has access to the dark web, where they watch a series of disturbing videos about people who appear to be in danger. Soon after, they receive anonymous messages informing them that they will all die if they disconnect or call the police. The fun night suddenly turns into horrifying as they die one by one while others watch in terror.

The only similarity between this video call horror movie sequel to Unfriended and the first installment of the franchise, is that they are both depicted on laptop screens. Stephen Susco succeeds in creating a cruel and unsettling movie that offers a bleak glance at how terrifying the Internet age can be.

Rent on Apple TV

8 'Like Me' (2017)

Director: Robert Mockler

In the entertaining Like Me, a teenage girl desperate for human connection sets out on a killing spree that she broadcasts on social media. It is safe to say that Robert Mockler is among the most unique and underappreciated horror movies, even though it is also a widely divisive one.

The color-soaked cinematography blended with an outstanding portrayal of characters by the cast and the inventiveness of the kills will surely engender many in this disturbing serial killer tale. Furthermore, Kiya's (Addison Timlin) representation of millennial isolation sheds light on the dark side of trying so hard to be relevant online. The thrilling psychedelic horror film is a must-see for fans of the subgenre.

Watch on Tubi

7 'Cam' (2018)

Director: Daniel Goldhaber

In a true social media horror movie (a film that could easily take part in Black Mirror cinematic universe), Alice (Madeline Brewer), a cam girl, discovers that a doppelgänger has hijacked her followers, and she must figure out who the double is to regain access to her account.

Aside from giving viewers a glimpse into the world of cam girls, Daniel Goldhaber's psychological horror film is expertly woven to have a great blend of sci-fi and supernatural. Many fans have compared Cam to Black Swan, but with a cyber twist and cam girls. Cam is pretty creepy and perfectly captures what it's like to be obsessed with achieving status rank online or being obsessed with numbers. Although the film was great, some viewers may find the ending unsatisfying.

Watch on Netflix

6 'Tragedy Girls' (2017)

Director: Tyler MacIntyre

Two small-town friends, McKayla Hooper (Brianna Hildebrand) and Sadie Cunningham (Alexandra Shipp) are obsessed with becoming social media stars and resort to murder to entertain their distraught fans. Fortunately for them, they capture a serial killer Lowell (Kevin Durand), and commit several brutal murders for their ominous social media page while pinning them on him.

Tyler MacIntyre presents a slasher genre with a modern twist. Tragedy Girls is as dark as slasher films can get, featuring psychopath killers, gore, killing spree, suspense, and terror. Its satire is an aspect that differs it from traditional slasher films. While some may find this comedy-horror funny, it may put others off since these villains show no remorse for their heinous actions and virtually go unpunished.

Watch on Tubi

5 'The Cleansing Hour' (2019)

Director: Damien LeVeck

Directed by Damien LeVeck, The Cleansing Hour is a worth-mentioning entry in both the exorcism and Internet subgenres. The film focuses on two entrepreneurs who run a webcast that streams live exorcisms. Although this is just a well-planned money-grabbing scheme featuring staged hoaxes, the film takes a wild turn of events when an actress becomes mysteriously possessed by a real demon that holds the crew hostage.

While this Shudder original movie is hardly a masterpiece, it is a well-executed one nonetheless. The Cleansing Hour seamlessly combines social media elements with the horror genre, ultimately delivering a refreshing and unique premise. It is also fun and surprisingly frightening at times, featuring numerous twists and turns to keep viewers invested. Furthermore, it is considered one of the best Shudder originals.

Watch on Shudder

4 'Spree' (2020)

Director: Eugene Kotlyarenko

In 2020's Spree, a lonely rideshare driver will stop at nothing to become famous online. He devises a deadly plan to go viral and soon earns himself a reputation as the "Rideshare Killer."

No doubt, Spree is another shocking horror-comedy movie that satirizes the lengths people will go to become famous online and delivers a refreshing take on the similar digital era/reality we're living in. While not at all a scary film, it is an atmospheric only. Plus, it is unsettling to see sweet Joseph David Keery from Stranger Things as a bloodthirsty villain. Nonetheless, his presence in the film is one of the reasons why so many viewers love it.

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3 'Host' (2020)

Director: Rob Savage

In 2020's lean Host — one of the scariest pandemic movies — a group of friends attempt an online séance during their weekly Zoom meeting only to invite a demonic presence into their homes. What happens next turns Host into one of the best webcam horror movies that maximizes the format.

A Zoom-based British horror movie with a well-timed jump scare, pacing that doesn't meander, and superb acting has distinguished it from many other modern horrors. Despite being conceived during the COVID-19 lockdown, Host is among the most compelling internet horror movies, juggling between genuine tension and unsettling scares while every action is played on a Zoom call. Like Unfriended and movies of the like, this desktop horror feature will indeed have many viewers hiding under their blankets — there is no helping it.

Watch on Shudder

2 'Deadstream' (2022)

Director: Vanessa and Joseph Winter

In an attempt to win back his followers, a problematic internet personality has a bright idea of live streaming one night alone in a haunted house named Death Manor, where several people have died. However, as audiences would probably guess, things start to go south when he annoys a vengeful spirit.

With a runtime of only 90 minutes, Vanessa Winter and Joseph Winter's low-budget, unpredictable found-footage Deadstream is entertaining and comical. Additionally, the clever way it manages to blend technology with horror elements is one of its strongest aspects, and the unpredictability in the way it scares viewers in one minute and cracks them up in the next is also worth mentioning.

Watch on Shudder

1 'Pulse' (2001)

Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa

Pulse (translated from Japanese: Kairo) is perhaps one of the country's most atmospheric horror movies, as well as one of the most recommended. The techno-horror film centers on two groups of people who learn that ghosts might be attempting to infiltrate the world through the Internet.

Among the best horror movies about online interactions, this sinister thriller Pulse is the best out of the bunch, and it does a very good job at depicting the digital horrors of social alienation (with some people even believing that Pulse has predicted recent years of isolation), as well as the withdrawal from relationships. No doubt, the haunting 2001 movie provides food for thought and makes for an intriguing time in front of the screen; this is, of course, especially true if audiences are into Japanese horror features.

Watch on Peacock

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