As the nights draw in and the air takes on a chill, it’s time to start thinking about what movies to watch for Halloween. Whether you’re looking for a classic horror flick to make you scream, a spooky comedy to lighten the mood, or a family-friendly film that will keep the kids entertained, there’s something for everyone on this list. So grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for a night of cinematic scares!
For those who love to be scared, there are plenty of classic horror movies to choose from. John Carpenter’s Halloween is a must-see for any fan of the genre, and its sequel, Halloween II, is just as good. Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street is another classic slasher flick, and it’s sure to give you nightmares. And if you’re looking for something more recent, Jordan Peele’s Get Out is a must-see. It’s a horror movie with a social conscience, and it’s sure to leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled.
If you’re not in the mood for anything too scary, there are plenty of spooky comedies to choose from. Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is a holiday classic that’s perfect for Halloween. It’s a fun and festive film that the whole family can enjoy. Hocus Pocus is another great choice for a Halloween comedy. It’s a lighthearted film about three witches who are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night. And if you’re looking for something more recent, ParaNorman is a great animated film that’s perfect for Halloween. It’s a funny and heartwarming story about a boy who can see ghosts.
Spine-Tingling Flicks for a Haunting Halloween
The Exorcist (1973): A Descent into Nightmare
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable cinematic experience with William Friedkin’s iconic horror masterpiece, “The Exorcist.” This chilling tale follows the horrifying possession of a young girl, Regan MacNeil, by a demonic entity. As seasoned Jesuit priests perform an exorcism, the film delves into the darkest recesses of evil, unfolding a terrifying journey that will haunt your nightmares. With its groundbreaking special effects, unsettling atmosphere, and unforgettable scares, “The Exorcist” remains an undisputed classic of the genre, guaranteed to leave an enduring mark on your psyche this Halloween.
Essential Elements of Terror:
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Demonic Possession | The terrifying possession of Regan by a malevolent force. |
| Spine-Chilling Visuals | Disturbing and grotesque special effects that evoke a visceral sense of horror. |
| Psychological Depth | Exploration of the themes of good versus evil, faith versus doubt. |
| Unforgettable Performances | Powerful portrayals by Ellen Burstyn and Linda Blair that capture the terror and anguish of the possession. |
Eerie Classics to Send Shivers Down Your Spine
The Uncanny Valley of Horror
These films explore the eerie realm where human and non-human entities blur. Their unsettling atmosphere lingers long after the final frame.
Notable examples include:
- Ex Machina (2014): A brilliant scientist creates a lifelike android, blurring the lines between artificial and human intelligence.
- Annihilation (2018): A biologist enters a mysterious and alien zone, encountering mutated creatures that challenge the boundaries of nature.
- Hereditary (2018): A family’s dark secrets unravel in a chilling tale of possession and demonic forces.
Classic Monsters that Haunt Our Dreams
From iconic vampires to terrifying werewolves, these films featuring classic monsters have become timeless staples of the horror genre.
Notable examples include:
- Dracula (1931): Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of the iconic vampire has left an enduring legacy in film history.
- Frankenstein (1931): Boris Karloff’s portrayal of the tragic monster has become synonymous with the character.
- The Wolf Man (1941): Lon Chaney Jr.’s transformation into the titular beast remains one of the most iconic horror sequences.
| Movie | Year | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Dracula | 1931 | Tod Browning |
| Frankenstein | 1931 | James Whale |
| The Wolf Man | 1941 | George Waggner |
Modern Masterpieces that Will Keep You Up at Night
A24’s Masterful Offerings
A24 has become synonymous with thought-provoking and unsettling horror masterpieces. “Hereditary” (2018) grips viewers with its chilling exploration of familial darkness and supernatural terror. The film’s slow-burn tension builds to an unforgettable climax, leaving audiences haunted long after the credits roll. “Midsommar” (2019) transports viewers to a remote Swedish village where a sinister pagan ritual unfolds. The film’s stunning visuals and disorienting atmosphere create a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.
The Babadook (2014)
One of the most haunting and acclaimed horror films of the 21st century, “The Babadook” follows a widowed mother (Essie Davis) struggling to cope with her troubled son. As they are tormented by a malevolent entity that manifests through a terrifying children’s book, the film explores themes of grief, mental illness, and the primal fears that lurk within all of us.
| Director: | Jennifer Kent |
|---|---|
| Stars: | Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman |
| Production Company: | Screen Australia, Film Victoria |
| Runtime: | 93 minutes |
Asian Horror Gems that Will Haunt Your Dreams
8. Shutter (2004)
This Thai horror masterpiece follows Tun and Jane, a young couple who accidentally hit and kill a female ghost while driving home. As they attempt to cover up the incident, they are relentlessly haunted by the vengeful spirit, who seeks bloody retribution. With its terrifying visuals, eerie atmosphere, and shocking twists, “Shutter” is sure to leave a lasting mark on your psyche.
Table: Shutter (2004) Details
| Title | Director | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Shutter | Banjong Pisanthanakun and Parkpoom Wongpoom | Thailand |
Gory Slashers for the Adrenaline Junkies
Prepare yourself for a spine-chilling experience with these terrifying and gruesome slasher flicks that will send chills down your spine and leave you craving for more.
9. Sinister
When a true-crime writer discovers a series of disturbing home movies, he soon realizes that his family has become the target of a malevolent supernatural entity. This unsettling film will leave you with a lingering sense of dread.
10. The Conjuring
A family moves into a haunted farmhouse and soon finds themselves plagued by a series of terrifying supernatural events. Based on a true story, this paranormal horror will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
11. The Silence of the Lambs
When a young FBI trainee seeks the help of an imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer to catch another serial killer, she finds herself drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. This psychological thriller is a masterpiece of suspense.
12. Candyman
A graduate student researching urban legends accidentally summons the vengeful spirit of Candyman, a hook-handed killer who murders anyone who dares to say his name five times in a mirror. This atmospheric horror will haunt you long after the credits roll.
13. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
A group of teenagers on a road trip falls prey to a cannibalistic family and their terrifying patriarch, Leatherface. This iconic horror classic has been terrorizing audiences for generations.
14. Halloween
On Halloween night, a masked psychopath named Michael Myers escapes from an asylum and returns to his hometown to target Laurie Strode and her friends. This slasher masterpiece set the standard for all subsequent horror films.
15. Nightmare on Elm Street
A group of teenagers are haunted by Freddy Krueger, a disfigured serial killer who invades their dreams and murders them in their sleep. This classic horror film has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning numerous sequels and reboots.
16. Friday the 13th
Camp counselors at Camp Crystal Lake become the targets of a hockey-masked killer named Jason Voorhees. This slasher franchise has become one of the most successful and enduring in horror history.
17. Child’s Play
A seemingly innocent doll possessed by a serial killer’s soul wreaks havoc on a family. This slasher film spawned a popular franchise that continues to terrify audiences.
Haunting Documentaries that Will Send Chills Up Your Bones
If you’re looking for some truly chilling Halloween viewing, look no further than these haunting documentaries. They’ll send shivers down your spine and leave you questioning what you thought you knew about the paranormal.
1. The Conjuring 2 (2016)
Based on the real-life case of the Enfield Poltergeist, this sequel to the hit horror movie follows the Warrens as they investigate a haunted house in London. The film is full of jump scares and disturbing imagery, and it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.
2. The Exorcist (1973)
This classic horror film follows a young girl who is possessed by a demonic force. The film is notorious for its graphic violence and foul language, but it’s also a powerful and well-made film that will stay with you long after you’ve watched it.
3. The Amityville Horror (1979)
Based on the true story of the Lutz family, this film follows a family who moves into a haunted house in Amityville, New York. The family soon experiences a series of terrifying events, and they eventually flee the house in terror.
4. Poltergeist (1982)
This classic horror film follows a family who is terrorized by poltergeists in their new home. The film is full of jump scares and suspense, and it’s sure to leave you feeling uneasy.
5. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
This cult classic horror film follows a group of friends who are terrorized by a family of cannibals in rural Texas. The film is incredibly violent and disturbing, but it’s also a well-made and suspenseful film that will stay with you long after you’ve watched it.
6. Sinister (2012)
This found-footage horror film follows a true-crime writer who discovers a box of home movies that document a series of gruesome murders. The writer soon realizes that he and his family are being targeted by the same evil force that killed the families in the videos.
7. The Babadook (2014)
This Australian horror film follows a widowed mother who is struggling to raise her troubled son. The mother and son are soon terrorized by a mysterious creature that appears in a children’s book.
8. Hereditary (2018)
This A24 horror film follows a family who is haunted by a dark secret from their past. The film is full of jump scares and disturbing imagery, and it’s sure to leave you feeling uneasy.
9. Midsommar (2019)
This A24 horror film follows a group of American friends who travel to Sweden for a midsummer festival. The friends soon realize that they have stumbled into a dangerous cult.
10. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
This found-footage horror film follows three student filmmakers who go missing in the woods while filming a documentary about a local legend. The film is known for its realistic and immersive style, and it’s sure to leave you feeling unsettled.
| Rank | Title | Year |
|—|—|—|
| 1 | The Conjuring 2 | 2016 |
| 2 | The Exorcist | 1973 |
| 3 | The Amityville Horror | 1979 |
| 4 | Poltergeist | 1982 |
| 5 | The Texas Chainsaw Massacre | 1974 |
| 6 | Sinister | 2012 |
| 7 | The Babadook | 2014 |
| 8 | Hereditary | 2018 |
| 9 | Midsommar | 2019 |
| 10 | The Blair Witch Project | 1999 |
Best Movies to Watch for Halloween
As the nights grow shorter and the air turns crisp, it’s time to cozy up and enjoy some spooky movie classics. Here are our picks for the best movies to watch for Halloween:
- Halloween (1978): This classic slasher film follows the masked killer Michael Myers as he terrorizes a group of babysitters on Halloween night.
- The Exorcist (1973): This controversial horror film tells the story of a young girl who becomes possessed by a demonic force.
- Night of the Living Dead (1968): This black-and-white horror film follows a group of survivors as they try to escape from a horde of flesh-eating zombies.
- Psycho (1960): This Alfred Hitchcock classic follows a young woman who checks into a remote motel and finds herself at the mercy of a deranged killer.
- The Shining (1980): This Stanley Kubrick masterpiece follows a family who moves into a haunted hotel for the winter.
People Also Ask About Best Movies to Watch for Halloween
What are some good horror movies for Halloween?
Some good horror movies for Halloween include Halloween, The Exorcist, Night of the Living Dead, Psycho, and The Shining.
What are some family-friendly Halloween movies?
Some family-friendly Halloween movies include Hocus Pocus, Casper, Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Coraline.
What are some good Halloween movies for kids?
Some good Halloween movies for kids include It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Winnie the Pooh: Boo to You Too! Winnie the Pooh, Room on the Broom, Toy Story of Terror!, and Monsters, Inc..
