The Barbarian movie on Netflix is making waves all over again—three years after its original theatrical release in 2022! With a staggering 92% on Rotten Tomatoes and a growing cult following, Barbarian is the streaming horror surprise you don’t want to miss.
Set in a run-down Detroit neighborhood, the movie starts off with a classic horror setup—a young woman books a rental house, only to find it already occupied by a mysterious stranger. But trust us, that’s just the beginning. What follows is a spine-tingling, unpredictable ride that plays with your expectations and delivers twist after terrifying twist.
Director Zach Cregger (yes, the guy from The Whitest Kids U’ Know) makes a jaw-dropping debut with this film. From psychological dread to full-on horror chaos, he nails it all.
Pro Tip: Go in blind. Don’t watch the trailer. Don’t Google spoilers. Just hit play and prepare for the madness.

Originally released in 2022 with a modest budget of just $4.5 million, Barbarian pulled in $45 million at the box office and became one of the biggest sleeper hits of the year. Fast forward to 2025, and thanks to its debut on Netflix, it’s finding a brand new audience.
As of this writing, it’s ranked among the top 5 most-watched movies on Netflix. New viewers are discovering its brilliance—and seasoned horror fans are rewatching it just to catch all the insane details they missed the first time.
In short, the movie isn’t just scary—it’s smart.
The massive success of this movie turned Zach Cregger into one of Hollywood’s hottest new directors. He’s now working on a highly anticipated horror-thriller called Weapons with New Line Cinema and has been tapped to direct a new Resident Evil reboot. Not bad for a first-time filmmaker, right?

If you’re even remotely a fan of horror, this one’s a must-watch. Just dim the lights, grab some popcorn, and don’t say we didn’t warn you when the movie turns completely bonkers—in the best way possible.