5 scariest PG-13 horror movies to watch on Netflix

Sometimes you're in the mood to watch something spooky but not too spooky and that's the beauty of a PG-13 horror movie. Netflix has lots of terrifying horror films to stream, but they also have a strong collection of slightly milder PG-13 flicks that can be watched by younger viewers.

If you have teens who are looking to dip their toe into the world of horror, these films often function as the perfect gateway to see just how much they'll like it and if they're ready to venture into something more frightening.

From Insidious to lesser-known Mike Flanagan movies, here are some of the best PG-13 horror movies streaming on Netflix right now.

Insidious (2010)

You can't go wrong with this 2010 movie, considered a modern classic in some circles. From the team that brought us Saw, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, Insidious is a supernatural horror film centering on the Lambert family. When Renai (Rose Byrne) and Josh (Patrick Wilson) Lambert's youngest son falls into a coma, the family begins witnessing terrifying events that lead them to discover a dark family secret and the truth about their son's "illness." Insidious kicked off a massive multi-million dollar franchise that has since spawned five movies. The first and the fifth movies are now on Netflix.

Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

If you're a fan of Mike Flanagan's films and television shows like Oculus, The Haunting of Hill House, The Fall of the House of Usher, and Gerald's Game then you need to add Ouija: Origin of Evil to your watchlist. While both the 2016 sequel and its 2014 predecessor Ouija are streaming, I recommend skipping straight to this one since it's miles better than the first and serves as a prequel anyway. Starring Hill House vets Elizabeth Reaser, Lulu Wilson, and Henry Thomas, Origin of Evil is a 1967-set film about a widowed mother who runs a scam seance business with assistance from her daughters and accidentally invites an evil presence into her home.

Lights Out (2016)

Teresa Palmer stars in this suspenseful movie based on a scary short film. If you're afraid of the dark, Lights Out is sure to get under your skin. Palmer plays a young woman who must protect her brother when he starts seeing an entity in the darkness. As she digs into the truth, she learns of a disturbing connection between the supernatural being and her mother, played by Maria Bello.

The Haunting in Connecticut (2009)

The Haunting in Connecticut isn't the most original horror film out there, but for a PG-13 movie it does have some nail-biting moments and frightening imagery. When Sara (Virginia Madsen) and Peter's (Martin Donovan) son Matt (Kyle Gallner) is diagnosed with cancer, the family is faced with the unknown as Matt starts witnessing paranormal activity around their home.

Before I Wake (2016)

Before I Wake is another underrated Mike Flanagan gem that is on Netflix and features a great cast with actors like Kate Bosworth, Jacob Tremblay, Annabeth Gish, and more. A dark fantasy film, Before I Wake hinges on Flanagan's talent for creating layered family drama amid horrifying circumstances. Tremblay plays eight-year-old Cody, the foster son of a grieving couple who previously lost their biological child. To their great surprise, Cody's dreams can manifest in reality—but so can his nightmares.