Spooktacular Flicks: Best Movies to Watch This Halloween Season
Alright, guys, it's that time of the year again when the leaves turn into a crunchy carpet, pumpkin spice lattes are back, and the air is filled with an eerie chill. You know what that means? It's Halloween season! And what's the best way to celebrate this spooktacular time? By binge-watching some spine-tingling, hair-raising movies, of course! So, grab your popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready to dive into our ultimate list of movies to watch this Halloween season. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and movies to watch halloween season.
Classic Horror: Timeless Favorites
Let's kickstart our list with some classic horror films that have stood the test of time and continue to send shivers down our spines.
Dracula (1931)
Universal Pictures
Kicking off our list is the original vampire flick, Dracula, starring the iconic Bela Lugosi. This black-and-white classic is a must-watch for any Halloween movie marathon. The film's atmospheric sets, Lugosi's chilling performance, and the Universal Monsters lore make it an essential addition to your list of movies to watch this Halloween season.
Psycho (1960)
Paramount Pictures
Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is a masterclass in suspense and tension. With its shocking twists, memorable score, and Bernard Herrmann's iconic screeching strings, this film is a must-watch for any horror enthusiast. Plus, who can resist the allure of the infamous Bates Motel and its mysterious proprietor?
The Exorcist (1973)
Warner Bros.
The Exorcist is often hailed as one of the scariest films ever made, and for good reason. This chilling tale of possession and exorcism features some of the most disturbing and unsettling imagery in cinema history. So, if you're looking for a film that'll make you question your faith in humanity, this one's for you.
Modern Horror: New Classics
While classic horror films will always hold a special place in our hearts, there are plenty of modern movies that deserve a spot on your list of movies to watch this Halloween season.
Get Out (2017)
Universal Pictures
Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, is a chilling and thought-provoking horror film that tackles racial issues in a clever and terrifying way. With its unique premise, memorable characters, and a twist ending that'll leave you reeling, this film is a must-watch for any horror fan.
Hereditary (2018)
A24
Hereditary is a slow burn that builds to an absolutely bonkers finale. This family drama turned horror film features stunning performances, particularly from Toni Collette, and a plot that keeps you guessing until the very end. If you're looking for a film that'll mess with your mind, Hereditary is a must-watch this Halloween season.
Midsommar (2019)
A24
From the mind of Ari Aster comes Midsommar, a folk horror film that's equal parts beautiful and disturbing. This film follows a couple on a crumbling relationship as they attend a mid-summer festival in a rural Swedish town. What follows is a mind-bending and unsettling exploration of love, loss, and the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic communities.
Slasher Flicks: Blood and Gore
No Halloween movie marathon would be complete without a few slasher films that'll have you jumping out of your seat and checking under your bed.
Halloween (1978)
Compldrich Pictures
Halloween is the quintessential slasher film that spawned a horror subgenre and launched the careers of Jamie Lee Curtis and John Carpenter. This film follows the relentless pursuit of the masked killer Michael Myers as he stalks babysitters on Halloween night. With its atmospheric score, tense build-ups, and iconic final girl, Halloween is a must-watch this Halloween season.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
New Line Cinema
Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street is another classic slasher film that introduced the world to the iconic dream-stalking killer Freddy Krueger. This film follows a group of teenagers who are terrorized in their dreams by a disfigured, claw-handed man. With its innovative dream logic, memorable kills, and a chilling performance by Robert Englund, A Nightmare on Elm Street is a must-watch for any horror fan.
Scream (1996)
Dimension Films
Scream is a self-aware and meta take on the slasher genre that revitalized the subgenre in the '90s. This film follows a group of teenagers who are stalked by a ghost-faced killer in their small town. With its clever dialogue, memorable characters, and a killer (pun intended) soundtrack, Scream is a must-watch for any fan of horror cinema.
Horror Comedy: Laughs and Chills
Sometimes, you need a break from all the scares. That's where horror comedy comes in, offering up a healthy dose of laughs alongside the chills.
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Universal Pictures
Shaun of the Dead is a hilarious and heartfelt zombie comedy that follows a down-on-his-luck guy named Shaun as he tries to win back his ex-girlfriend and save his relationship with his mother. Oh, and there's also a zombie apocalypse happening. This film is a must-watch for any fan of horror comedy, with its clever dialogue, memorable characters, and a killer soundtrack.
The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Lionsgate
The Cabin in the Woods is a meta-horror comedy that deconstructs and subverts the tropes of the horror genre. This film follows a group of friends who go on a cabin retreat in the woods, only to find themselves trapped in a deadly game orchestrated by an unseen force. With its clever writing, memorable characters, and a twist ending that'll leave you in stitches, The Cabin in the Woods is a must-watch this Halloween season.
The Babadook (2014)
IFC Films
The Babadook is a chilling and atmospheric horror film that blends elements of folklore, fairy tales, and psychological horror. This Australian film follows a single mother and her son as they are tormented by a monster from a children's book. With its stunning performances, unique premise, and a monster that'll haunt your dreams, The Babadook is a must-watch for any horror fan.
Horror Anthologies: Something for Everyone
If you can't decide on just one movie to watch this Halloween season, why not check out a horror anthology that offers up a variety of scares?
Trick 'r Treat (2007)
Warner Bros.
Trick 'r Treat is a horror anthology that pays homage to classic Halloween traditions and folklore. This film is made up of four interconnected stories that follow a group of characters as they celebrate Halloween night. With its clever writing, memorable characters, and a killer soundtrack, Trick 'r Treat is a must-watch for any fan of Halloween and horror cinema.
Creepshow (1982)
Lafayette Films
Creepshow is a horror anthology that pays tribute to the EC Comics of the 1950s. This film is made up of five stories that range from the supernatural to the downright bizarre. With its memorable performances, stunning practical effects, and a memorable introduction by the one and only Stephen King, Creepshow is a must-watch for any horror fan.
V/H/S (2012)
Magnet Releasing
V/H/S is a found-footage horror anthology that follows a group of misfits as they break into a house to steal a rare tape. Once inside, they discover a collection of tapes that contain some of the most disturbing and unsettling footage you've ever seen. With its unique premise, clever writing, and a variety of scares, V/H/S is a must-watch for any horror fan.
Honorable Mentions
With so many amazing horror films to choose from, it's impossible to include them all in one list. Here are a few honorable mentions that deserve a spot on your Halloween movie marathon:
The Shining (1980) - Stanley Kubrick's classic horror film about a family that moves into a remote hotel with a dark past. Alien (1979) - Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror film about a crew of space explorers who encounter a deadly alien creature. Let The Right One In (2008) - A Swedish vampire film about a bullied boy who befriends a vampire child. The Descent (2005) - A British horror film about a group of friends who become trapped and hunted in an unmapped cave system. * The Others (2001) - A supernatural thriller about a woman who lives in a dark old mansion with her photosensitive children and their new servants.
Conclusion
There you have it, guys! Our ultimate list of movies to watch this Halloween season. Whether you're a fan of classic horror, modern masterpieces, or something in between, there's something on this list for everyone. So grab your popcorn, turn off the lights, and get ready to be scared silly this Halloween season. Happy viewing!