Iconic horror movie called 'one of the best of the 21st Century' is now streaming for its 10th anniversary

Netflix has a spine-chilling addition for horror enthusiasts this Halloween, as the streaming giant has unleashed The Babadook, the formidable supernatural thriller that's been haunting audiences since its 2014 release.

This Australian fright-fest received thunderous applause from critics at the time of its premiere, earning accolades as one of the most "inventive" and unsettling horrors of recent times; it succeeded in "genuinely freaked out" viewers everywhere.

Garnering an exceptional 98 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes by critics, the movie has since fuelled a myriad of Halloween costumes and celebrations.

Crafted by the renowned Australian director Jennifer Kent, The Babadook is a quintessential pick to amp up the fear factor of any Halloween movie binge this October.

Essie Davis stars as the beleaguered single mother Amelia in this chilling narrative, grappling with her son Samuel's (played by Noah Wiseman) increasingly erratic behaviour following a devastating family tragedy, reports the Mirror.

Obsession takes hold as Samuel convinces himself of an ominous entity prowling within their home, a nightmarish being emerging from the shadows of a sinister children's tale.

A decade after its startling debut, prominent reviewers lauded The Babadook, placing it among not just the top horror picks for the year, but elevating it as one of the standout movies of 2014 altogether.

As penned by Cinemablend: "With scares that will have audiences hiding behind their hands or shrieking for help, The Babadook is easily the best horror film of 2014.

"But bolstered by knockout performances, and a mind-bending narrative beautifully shot and colored, The Babadook is so much more. It's one of the best films of the year."

RogerEbert.com described the film as: "The finest and most genuinely provocative horror movie to emerge in this still very-new century."

A 2022 retrospective in Parade presented its case for why it remains "still the best horror movie so far this century".

The article also noted that the film presents a "uniquely terrifying and unnerving experience", touting its "stunning psychological depth" and labeling the creature's design as "climb-the-walls, scare-the-peanuts-out-of-your-M&Ms-scary".

Additionally, The Babadook has garnered a substantial following amongst film-goers over the last decade, with many singing its praises.

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On X (formerly Twitter), a viewer exclaimed: "Long overdue, but watched THE BABADOOK for the first time and I can't pull my jaw from the floor."

They continued, "Everyone talks about how scary this movie is but I am utterly flummoxed at how emotional and affective it is. One of the best horrors I've seen... ever? Jennifer Kent, you goddamn genius."

Moreover, a Reddit user claimed: "The Babadook (2014) is one of the best horror films I've ever seen."

They elaborated on their experience, stating: "Having heard nothing but good things about The Babadook I went in with high expectations but it managed to meet my expectations and exceed them in multiple ways."

They made it clear that, for them, the film wasn't just another monster flick: "I already knew that this was not a monster movie. This is a psychological horror and I'd easily put it up there with the likes of The Shining and Repulsion as one of the best psychological horrors ever made."

The question remains: Are you ready to confront The Babadook as Halloween approaches?

The Babadook is available to stream on Netflix.