Halloween wouldn’t be Halloween without the movies to go along with it, just as Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the music or Valentine’s Day without the chocolates.
Without a doubt, the jack-o-lanterns, costumes, and candy apples are delightful. But how do you truly set the tone? Nothing beats a movie night filled with all the best chainsaw-wielding, spell-binding, hair-raising films to get you in the mood for the spooky season. To a large extent, you don’t have to be a horror fan to enjoy a good Halloween movie–in fact, some aren’t even scary! They’re just brimming with October goodness, which we only have 31 days to enjoy.
So get the extra candy out, turn off all the lights, lock all the doors, and settle in for the best of the best Halloween movies. We’ve compiled a list below that we think you won’t want to miss.
Best Halloween Movies this October
The following are some Halloween movies you should try out this October.
It’s the Great Pumpkin (1966)
This is a timeless classic that the entire family will enjoy. Snoopy and the crew have been pulling families of all ages into the Halloween mood for more than 50 years. The animation may even bring up memories of trick-or-treating from your childhood.
The Addams Family (1991) & Addams Family Values (1993)
There’s a lot to love about the Addams Family movies–not just the first, but also the second!–there’s a lot to love about them. Great humour, hilarity, and a gothic aesthetic? In addition, Angelica Huston as Morticia is a sight to behold. These are ideal watching for anyone who enjoys the Halloween spirit but doesn’t want to be scared.
The Omen (1976)
“Everything is for you, Damien!” You aren’t a true horror fan if you haven’t seen this 1970s classic. This diabolical film, starring Gregory Peck and Lee Remick, is said to be one of the most cursed films of all time.
Scream (1996)
This clever yet terrifying slasher film/black comedy stars a wide range of big names, from Courtney Cox to Drew Barrymore, and is still a fan favourite.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
With Hocus Pocus, you can’t go wrong. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy feature as three Salem, Massachusetts, witches who were resurrected just in time for Halloween in this family-friendly comedy.
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Wes Craven gave the world one of the most infamous cinematic monsters, Freddy Krueger, almost a decade before Scream. But it’s not only a slasher film with a nasty lead; it’s also supported with an intriguing premise and storyline that will keep you up at night. Did I mention that this was Johnny Depp’s first film role?
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby, directed by Roman Polanski, is a classic horror film that should be seen this Halloween season. Mia Farrow plays a young woman whose husband secretly makes a bargain with the devil.
The Haunted Mansion
Disney doesn’t do a lot of scary stuff, but it’s done well when they do. Due to a case of mistaken identification, Eddie Murphy adds his hilarious genius to this terrifying story of a family who finds themselves stuck in a haunted mansion. While we’d still call this a family film, it’s worth noting that it may be a little scary for some young viewers.
Friday the 13th
When Jason Voorhees returns on Friday the 13th, what starts out as a lighthearted film about adolescents working at a summer camp suddenly turns sour. Since the 1980 debut of this film starring Kevin Bacon, hockey masks have never been the same.
The Shining (1980)
Turn up The Shining if you’re searching for a nice scare as well as cinematic prowess. The Stanley Kubrick-directed movie, which follows an innkeeper who goes insane, has become a horror cinema classic.
Halloween (1978)
Few movies are more fitting for Halloween than, well, Halloween. Jamie Lee Curtis starred in the slasher film, which follows a mentally ill prisoner and murderer who breaks free from a mental institution and returns to his hometown to stalk innocent bystanders.
Halloweentown (1998)
Halloweentown is a movie for the whole family. It’s about a teenage witch named Marnie who is divided between her normal life and her grandmother’s home in a magical world where Halloween is constantly celebrated.
Child’s Play (1988)
Is it possible that a serial killer has possessed a doll? Yes, why not? This film debuted the famed Chucky figure, who will undoubtedly change the way you view children’s toys.
Labyrinth
Jim Henson, George Lucas, and David Bowie worked together on this flick. We’re not sure how such a star-studded collaboration came to be, but we’re delighted it did. Bowie, the Goblin King, had given one girl 13 hours to save her brother from being converted into a goblin. This one has a PG rating, so it’s appropriate for a family movie night.
Beetlejuice (1988)
This Tim Burton horror/comedy follows a ghost couple who haunts their former house and Beetlejuice, a nefarious poltergeist. Keep an eye out for the laughter and the infamous striped suit.
Get Out (2017)
This relatively new film rapidly established itself as a horror classic. The Jordan Peele-directed flick follows a Black photojournalist who returns home for the first time with his white lover. The dynamics become eerier and eerier as the film unfolds, shrouded in casual bigotry.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Edward Scissorhands is another Tim Burton masterpiece that follows the improbable love tale of a man with scissor blades for hands (Johnny Depp) and a suburban adolescent (Winona Ryder).
Casper (1995)
This flick portrays a young Christina Ricci as a teen girl who forms a friendship with a twelve-year-old lonely—yet friendly—ghost.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Stream the Halloween comedic classic Ghostbusters for another family-friendly choice. However, you should be aware that the jingle may stick in your mind for days.
Carrie (1976)
You haven’t seen Carrie if you don’t think prom is scary. The Stephen King novel adaptation has become a cult classic and is still regarded as one of the creepiest teen films of all time.
The Exorcist (1973)
If you haven’t seen The Exorcist, you can’t call yourself a horror movie fan. This horror classic portrays a young girl who is possessed by a demon, and her mother tries to save her through exorcisms.
Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Because of its regular, participatory showings around Halloween, this cult-favourite musical is the longest-running theatrical release in history. So sit back and watch it alone or, better yet, grab some friends and repeat the Time Warp.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
This horror film influenced a slew of subsequent films, including Paranormal Activity. The story follows three hikers who set out to discover the legend of Blair Witch and then vanish; the film is entirely made up of “found video” allegedly collected from the hikers.
The Craft (1996)
What could possibly go wrong when four high school students discover witchcraft? The campy thriller investigates the supernatural’s escalating impact on a Los Angeles high school.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
The first film in the wildly successful Paranormal Activity franchise follows a couple who are plagued in their own house using “found footage.” If you enjoy the film, you’re in luck: there are six more in the series.
Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (1993)
This Mary Kate and Ashley classic will transport you back in time. In the film, the girls attempt to harness their twin strength to liberate their aunt from an evil spell.
Practical Magic (1998)
Practical Magic is the way to go if you’re looking for a Halloween rom-com. Two sisters (Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman) use their magical abilities to overcome a family curse that keeps them from falling in love.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
From October until December, you can watch this animated film, which is both a Halloween and a Christmas flick. Who can resist following Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, on his unintentional voyage into Christmas Town?
The Witches of Eastwick (1987)
Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer play three witches who have their wishes granted when a handsome, single guy (Jack Nicholson) walks into their lives.
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Death Becomes Her is a dark comedy starring two women (Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn) who swallow a potion that promises perpetual youth. However, as is often the case, the elixir has unforeseen repercussions.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
This historical, gothic thriller depicts the narrative of a police constable, played by Johnny Depp, tasked to investigate the Headless Horseman murders in Little Hamlet’s Sleepy Hollow, another Tim Burton Halloween-appropriate film.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
This gothic horror film directed by Francis Ford Coppola gives an artistic spin to an old classic. Dracula is viciously pursued by a woman who looks like his late wife in this rendition, which takes place in late 19th-century London.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
This bizarre horror film follows a young FBI agent as he attempts to apprehend a serial killer who is very deranged. This film is not for the faint of heart, so be warned.
Psycho (1960)
No one did thrillers quite like Hitchcock. Psycho, his 1960 picture, is a masterclass in terror that has influenced generations of filmmakers.
Us (2019)
If you enjoyed Get Out, you might enjoy Us, another Jordan Peele slasher film. The horror thriller follows a young woman (Lupita Nyong’o) and her family as they face a group of deadly doppelgängers in the 1980s.
What Is the Number 1 Halloween Movie?
For the longest time, Scream has been the no 1 Halloween movie, hardly because it comes first on most platforms but because of the script itself.
Does Netflix Have Any Halloween Movies?
Yes, there are tons of Halloween movies on Netflix, such as Fear Street Night Books, Till Death, and so on.
Conclusion
It wouldn’t be right to celebrate Halloween without seeing a scary movie to go along with it; however, make sure your blood pressure is under control since the list of some of the scariest movies available online is what I have shared with you.
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