Hello my dear friends and readers! As we begin the autumn season which is famously known for one of the spookiest times of year; Halloween (which happens to be one of my favourites— what with being a horror fanatic and all), I thought it somewhat necessary to share a few top picks for spooks and chills throughout the season. Now, if you like to be spooked and scared stiff, this may be a post for you, and what better time to get the adrenaline pumping and hearts racing? Tis’ the season for spooks and thrills, my people! And so, without further ado, and in no particular order, here is a list of the 31 movies you should definitely add to your watch list for the Halloween season:
1. Fear Street Trilogy (2021) – Shadyside is a notorious town known for its brutal murders, as the town is terrorized by an ancient evil, plaguing its borders for centuries. A group of teenagers accidently encounters this evil force and is sent on a time travel quest which leads them to the root and cause of the curse that has kept this town in turmoil for over 300 years… but do they have what it takes to break their hometown free from its shackles, and do you have the guts to find out? You’ll go back in time to unravel the mystery of Shadyside in this thrilling triology by R.L. Stine, in Fear Street – 1994, 1978 and 1666… and you won’t regret it.
2. Hocus Pocus (1993) – Ancient witches in a modern day world, anyone? This one takes you to Salem where the child-hungry Sanderson Sisters, executed centuries before are accidentally awaken by of course, meddlesome teenagers, and after being laid to rest since the 17th century are now ravenous for revenge— literally, these diabolical sisters feed on children to keep their youth. But, it's not that bad, this one is actually filled with laughs and enjoyment, guaranteed to entertain everyone. But, better keep those doors and windows locked, and the children close. Haha!
3. Halloweentown (1998) – This one is a film series that follows the Piper children, with main character Marnie, who at the age of thirteen discovers that they’re descendants of witches, when grandma comes to town. They follow their grandmother back to Halloweentown where magical beings live together as one and are awestruck, but trouble isn’t far, when they find that their town is now being attacked by dark forces. If you’re into fantasy and magic, with some comedy in the mix, this is definitely one for the family to enjoy.
4. Friday the 13th (1980) – Another film franchise that follows a slasher, who had been teased and bullied as a youngster; Jason, has no regard for anyone, at all. The concept of only punishing those who are “bad” is non-existent for Jason, and all he does is kill— literally anything that moves. Talk about “back with a vengeance”. If you like slasher movies, you’ll definitely like the Friday the 13th franchise.
5. Scream (1996) – This one is another slasher movie fave, which is also another franchise. After the quiet town of Woodsboro has been recovering from years of brutal murders, a new murderer comes to town assuming the role of the Ghostface killer and targeting teenagers. As the body count keeps rising and the list of suspects winds down, it’s hard to know who to trust, but if you like mystery and drama, this is a pick for you.
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – If we’re on the topic of slasher movies, there’s no way to leave this one out. Another film series under the horror/slasher genre, A Nightmare on Elm Street takes you to the dream realm where Freddie Krueger, a paedophile and serial killer spirit targets a group of teenagers— who also just happen to be the children of his killers from years ago— in their nightmares, and killing them in their sleep. This one is definitely a great watch, but whatever you do, don’t fall asleep. ;)
7. Jeepers Creepers (2001) – Awaking every 23 years for its ritualistic feeding, a flesh-eating creature sets eyes on new preys of a brother and sister duo, who’ve made a chilling discovery of an old abandoned church, they should’ve left alone, while on their way home from spring break. This one is another movie series but my all-time fave, is certainly this first one which follows an indestructible force that relentlessly chases its preys and feeds not only on their flesh, but their fear. And once you’re “chosen” by Jeepers Creepers, there’s almost nowhere to run, but be not afraid, for the more fearful you are, the sweeter you will taste to this monstrosity. :D
8. The Shining (1980) – There’s nothing worse than being a creative suffering from writers block, but just how far would you go for a new muse? The Shining follows a writer, Jack, and his family who moves to an isolated hotel as caretaker, with hopes of finding a cure for his block, but this hotel has a turbulent past which still haunts its halls. When the sinister forces locked inside this hotel begins latching on to Jack, and he loses his sanity, he and his family are now in for more than just a cure, but a rude awakening. You don’t want to miss out on what happens at the Overlook Hotel.
9. The Cabin in the Woods (2011) – When you need a break from everything, a retreat in the woods sounds like a place to do so, doesn’t it? It’s beautiful being in the middle of nature, but not when it just happens to be controlled by psychotic technicians involved in the act of ritualistic human sacrifice, who manipulates the surroundings by unleashing murderous monsters all for the pleasure of supernatural deities. The series of events that follows a group of unsuspecting college friends in The Cabin in the Woods, is certainly one for the books.
10. Insidious (2010) – Talk about a family haunted by terrifyingly dark forces that has latched themselves on. Insidious, a series of four films, takes on a journey of a family that is followed by dark spirits lurking around, eager to take full possession of not just their home, but their lives and souls. Looking for a truly haunting and chilling tale, this Halloween season? Put Insidious on your list.
11. The Conjuring (2013) – Want something that’s a horrifying true tale? Then you’d want to delve into the journey of world renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, this Halloween season as they are called upon by the Perron Family who, after moving into their new farmhouse, discovers that something sinister also lives there. But, as this is based on real-life events, it is not one for the faint of hearts.
12. Ghost Ship (2002) – This one is a personal fave and I could not leave it off this list. Ghost ship tells a story of a long-lost passenger ship floating around lifeless on the Bering Sea. A salvage crew is approached by a mysterious stranger who claims to have sightings on the ship and agrees to take the crew to the sighting for a cut of the reward. But once they’ve found it and begin towing it towards harbour a host of paranormal activities start to unfold. They find themselves getting stuck aboard, dragged into the ship’s horrific past and a lot more than they bargained for.
13. 13 Ghosts (2001) – Hungry for violence and gore this Halloween season? Cast your eyes on 13 Ghosts, which follows a widower, Arthur, and his children who’ve just inherited a beautiful glass house, willed to him by his wealthy uncle who was also known as a collector of “unique things”. But the house also has other occupants, and despite it being an elegant mansion, they aren’t thrilled to be there.
14. Sinister (2012) – This one is a story of another creative, desperate to find inspiration for his crime novel. His dedication to his work, sees him moving his family into a home where the previous occupants underwent a series of gruesome executions, and when he stumbles upon a collection of eerie videotapes, things start getting a little out of control. Sinister is a two part movie, but the first is an absolute fave; a chilling storyline with depth and a killer soundtrack.
15. Dawn of the Dead (1978) – What is Halloween without a tale of the zombie apocalypse? And though, there are many that arose afterwards, this 1978 original really spooked me as a child (yes, as a child, I was that kid who grew up on horror flicks) and by no means would I have left it off this list because, nothing beats a classic.
16. The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) – This one was chilling and spooky! A father-son team of coroners receives the body of a mysterious, unidentified murder victim and begin to unravel a night of terror as they attempt to conduct the autopsy of the beautiful, well-preserved Jane Doe. With no signs of trauma, and as they get deeper into their work, the mortician and his son discover mysterious injuries that unfolds a horrifyingly deep secret. This autopsy is one you’ll definitely want a front row seat, for.
17. Casper (1995) – In this 1995 adaptation of the cartoon series Casper the Friendly Ghost, a paranormal expert/therapist is hired to rid a mansion of the spirits haunting its walls. He takes his daughter along with him on the quest, who then befriends the friendly ghost, Casper, and begins to learn the secrets of the family haunting and the mansion itself. This one is not all spooks, but a bit more light-hearted and fun for the family; if you’re into that kind of thing.
18. Darkness Falls (2003) – Here’s a sinister spin on the story of the tooth fairy. The town of Darkness Falls is plagued by a vengeful spirit, Matilda, who was mistakenly murdered centuries ago for “killing children”, and she is back to take revenge on all the residents of the small town. Talk about a woman scorned!
19. The Grudge (2004) – This is a film series that is set in Tokyo, in a house where a dark and powerful spirit dwells. This storyline covers a house with an evil entity that latches on to anyone who steps foot in or goes near it, by locking them in a rage that spirals out of control before claiming their own lives, and spreading the curse. For this one, no one is safe, no one remains.
20. Wrong Turn (2003) – Another film series, this one contains six titles, but as per usual, my favourite has to be the first one. This is another slasher film that sees one of the main characters, Chris, being involved in a vehicle collision with a group of friends who all find themselves lost in the woods. They venture deep into forest and soon find that they are being hunted by a violent group of inbred “hillbillies”, who also happen to be cannibals. Again, the Halloween season is nothing without gore and fright, and for that, you surely need Wrong Turn on your list of must watch.
21. Silent Hill (2006) – A nightmare that becomes reality for a whole town? That’s wild. Silent Hill follows a mother who takes her adopted child, after several nightmares and sleepwalks, to find a healer. They drive through a portal that takes them to a mysterious town trapped in a nightmare brought on by their own actions and misjudgements years before, where the survivors fight and struggle to stay alive. The soundtracks in this film, also compliments the incredibly spooky nightmares well.
22. The Ring (2022) – This is one of those “don’t watch the video” movies. It’s centred on a mysteriously haunting videotape that claims the lives of the viewers, a week later, and boasts a chilling secret and backstory. Most of the “scary parts” are towards the end of the movie, but it keeps you at the edge of the seat, throughout— not to mention that iconic long-haired girl. :D
23. Truth or Dare (2018) – Imagine a simple game turning sinister, that’s Truth or Dare. In this horror flick, a group of friends on break begin a game in a mysterious building which punishes those who are untruthful or refuse to carry out the dare, and the supernatural force behind the game follows them home and it must be continued. It’s suspenseful, and has what I believe to be somewhat of a riveting storyline.
24. 13 Sins (2014) – What would you do for a shot at a “fortune”? 13 Sins follows a luckless salesman, who receives a cryptic message that promises a series of rewards leading to grand prize, for performing 13 tasks. Except, the more tasks he completes, the more sinister the next one gets. Does he ever get to the grand prize though? You should find out this Halloween season.
25. The Addams Family (1991) – One of my all-time favourites, this one! A wealthy eccentric family becomes the target of an evil doctor when she learns an opportunity may exist to present an imposter as their missing relative. The odd family is chilling and exciting, with also some comedic relief. And a better Halloween parents than Morticia and Gomez with their enchanting love, you’ll never find.
26. Rose Red (2002) – One of my favourites from Stephen King! This beautifully crafted story tells the tale of a college professor who enlists the help of a team of powerful psychics to a mansion once haunted by various supernatural forces, said to be responsible for a series of mysterious deaths and disappearances. But as the house has been “silent” for some time; the college professor has a hidden agenda to use these psychics, to “wake it up”. This one has to be on your watch list, this season, without a doubt!
27. 1922 (2017) – What will people do for money? Steal? Commit murder? This movie, told in a series of flashbacks, follows a farmer who, unwilling to leave his small town and farmhouse to the big city for a better life as proposed by his wife, decides to murder her instead and enlists the help of his teenage son to do so. But things take a dark and murky turn for them both and everyone involved soon after. Take the travel back in time to 1922, in this film based on the Stephen King novel of the same title, and you will not regret it. A brilliant story, from a brilliant mind.
28. All Hallows’ Eve (2013) – All clowns are terrifying if you ask me, and the diabolical clown of All Hallows’ Eve, is no different. This movie is an anthology of short terrors and brutal murders by an unscrupulous clown, all recorded on a tape which an unsuspecting babysitter finds in one of the kids’ bags. She watches the unsettling films, but soon comes to realise this clown may not only be on tape. Definitely one for spooks.
29. The Exorcist (1973) – After a 12 year old plays with an Ouija board, she becomes possessed with several demonic entities that threatens to take her over, for good. Her mother gets the help of two priests who try to perform an exorcism, and the events following are unsettling and rather disturbing. Try this classic on for size. Happy Halloween!
30. The Nun (2018) – Kinda creepy enough to be mentioned? The Nun is just that, with a storyline that follows a priest and a novice who are sent by the Vatican to investigate the suicide of a young nun. But they soon realise that the order is harbouring an unholy secret, and is being haunted by a malevolent spiritual force.
31. Halloween (1978) – Of course the season wouldn’t be complete without the film series and namesake “Halloween”. This series of films follows the story of Michael Myers, who at six years old, murdered his sister on a Halloween night and is locked away in a mental institution. After 15 years and on his way to a court date, Michael escapes and heads back to his hometown, eager to continue his killing spree from years before.
And that concludes my list of terror. I know there may be some [or a lot] here that you may have seen already but hey, it’s Halloween! It’s for the re-runs of the classics; those oldies but goodies! So, go ahead and make that popcorn, warm that butter, grab that cold beer and warm blanket, put your feet up and enjoy the season. That’s if, of course, you’re not too scared… Hahaha!
But for real— until next time my dear friends and readers, be good, do good, live good, and as always, big up yuhself!
:D
👍 Really great movies to watch.