Planning a Halloween movie date or a horror-themed party? Take our quiz to check your knowledge and find the perfect Halloween movies for a spooky night!
Mostly A’s: Scary Movies of All Time
The best Halloween movies come in any sort of genre, from light-hearted comedies to blood-chilling films. Let’s take a look at classic terrifying tales. By the way, many of them have been based on or connected with real-life terrifying events!
1. The Exorcist
Released in 1973, the Exorcist is one of the biggest Halloween films to date. Being nearly 50 years old, this film still holds up as one of the best scary stories. If you want to start your scary movie night with a horror classic, we definitely recommend watching this film.
While the story itself is not true, it is based on the actual exorcism of a teenage boy in 1949. But thanks God, a woman seeking the help of 2 Catholic Priests with the exorcism of her daughter is fictional.
2. Carrie
The story of Carrie, a bullied and tormented high school student hits differently looking back on it. If you think about it, Carrie is the rare horror villain who was actually in the right. We think her tormentors got everything they deserved.
3. Annabelle
To a point, everybody is afraid of dolls, and this doll is no exception. If you were to ask anybody what doll is the scariest in the world, Annabelle would very likely be the answer.
Just like The Exorcist, Annabelle’s tale is based on a series of true events and heavily influenced by Rosemary’s Baby. In 1971, a nursing student was given a Raggedy Ann doll. After some strange events, they discovered that the doll was actually possessed by a spirit who claimed to be a little girl named Annabelle. With permission to stay, Annabelle randomly moves around, attacks house guests and leaves occasional notes.
After seeing the movie, you can visit the real Annabelle Doll at the Warren Occult Museum. Just don’t try to take pictures or touch her case without her permission!
4. Halloween
Which one? Any of them as long as it’s directed by John Carpenter. Bonus points if Jamie Lee Curtis returns to chew the scenery and slaughter serial killer Michael Myers as only she can. Seriously! This is the one to add to your must-see list.
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5. Child’s Play
If Annabelle is not the scariest doll in the world, Chucky from Child’s Play will likely be. In real life, a serial killer never completed a voodoo ritual that sent his soul into a “My Buddy” or “Good Guys” doll in this horror flick. But although this great terrifying film is almost entirely fictional, some real-life factors influenced it.
Chucky’s story is heavily connected to the story of Robert the Doll, who isn’t considered to be possessed but is definitely seen as a cursed item that is connected to some strange occurrences. They even say that those who take Robert’s picture without permission or are rude to him experience strings of such intense bad luck that they actually send the doll apology letters to get it to stop.
If you like cursed dolls, occult practices, murder, and spiritual possession you should give this modern horror classic a chance.
6. The Nightmare on Elm Street
To finish off our list of the best horror movies to watch during the spooky season, let’s look at the film franchise known as The Nightmare on Elm Street from New Line Cinema. This is based on a real-life phenomenon where a group of Hmong Refugees seeking refuge from the war in Southeast Asia. They experienced nightmares that caused them to refuse to sleep and even led to them dying of exhaustion.
After all, what’s more terrifying than knowing that you cannot escape a serial killer even by attempting to wake up? This movie remains one of the classic horror films of all time and made the character, Freddy Krueger a top ten slasher film icon.
7. Amazing Stories
Check out this movie based on the classic Stephen King novel of short stories. It’s great if you enjoy your supernatural flicks with a small-town feel.
Mostly B’s: 4 Fun-Filled Creepy Films
These movies to watch this spooky season are nowhere near the line of terrifying. However, they can still bring a chill to your blood and give you a bit of the creeps. These classic Halloween movies are for those who want to be creeped out, but aren’t in the mood for a full dose of terror.
1. Ghost Busters
One of the biggest franchises to this day, Ghost Busters has its own memorable characters, a theme song, and the premise is just too interesting to ignore. Do you have ghost troubles? Call Ghost Busters!
Whether you choose to watch the original film from 1984 or the remade version from 2021, we can almost guarantee that you will want to watch this movie again and again.
2. Gremlins
Although the scariest events of this film take place on Christmas eve, this is indeed not a Christmas movie. The Gremlins is a film in which a boy who receives a very special pet breaks the three most important rules for it:
- Don’t expose it to bright light
- Don’t expose it to water
- Never feed it after midnight
Violating these rules leads to a large hoard of these creatures terrorizing the town on Christmas Eve. While this movie was once considered terrifying, it has sadly not aged well in that aspect. However, this is still an enjoyable creepy film to watch.
3. Little Shop of Horrors
When if comes to combining the spookiness of Halloween night with Broadway, no show does it better than the Little Shop of Horrors. The owner of a strange shop finds a strange man-eating plant and proceeds to name it Audrey II and, of course, feeds it, its preferred diet of human flesh.
The idea of a plant that only eats the flesh and blood of people is terrifying. But it’s hard to feel truly scared when that film is on what a Halloween musical has to offer.
4. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Three specific names come to mind when thinking about fun-filled Halloween films: Tim Burton, Catherine O’Hara, and Johnny Depp. And you’ll find most of them here!
This Tim Burton movie is a musical classic that, despite having Christmas in the name and being featured in a ton of Christmas memorabilia, is not a Christmas film! Of course, you don’t have to watch Jack Skellington go on a killing spree to enjoy the wonder that is Halloween Town. You can count on the fact that the idea of the king of Halloween trying to take over another Holiday is more than enough to give you a few good laughs and bring in that Halloween spirit.
Mostly C’s: 4 Nostalgia Filled Halloween Movies
When people think of nostalgic holiday films, they may find that the Halloween Spirit is often forgotten unless specifically mentioned. Luckily for us, it doesn’t take any paranormal investigators to think of some of our favorite films to watch between rounds of trick or treating.
1. Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus is probably one of the most popular films that pop culture has to offer. It may not technically be part of the horror genre, but it is a must-see movie. Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Bette Midler are an amazing trio.
2. Peanuts: It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
When you ask someone what movie they always watch for Halloween, don’t be surprised to hear a lot of them say “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.” Although this movie was made back in the 1960s, it still holds up as one of the most fun Halloween films to have ever been created.
3. The Labyrinth
Are you looking for an alternative to the problematic Harry Potter? This is a great substitute! If you like the idea of a hot Goblin King, puzzles, and creepy puppets, you will love watching Jim Henson’s creatures. They sing, dance, and even tell an amazing story in this cult classic that stars the late David Bowie!
Jim Henson’s creature shop was able to make such a chilling film. It’s almost hard to believe that they also made the Muppets.
4. Scooby Doo Zombie Island
Almost every single movie based on the Scooby Doo Franchise is a great film to watch on Halloween. However, the Scooby Doo Zombie Island holds a special place on Halloween.
It is the first Scooby-Doo Film to show the entire gang and the appearance of the first real scary monsters in the franchise. This film is a great way to introduce the whole family to the aspect of scary movies without outright terrifying anyone.
Mostly D’s: 4 More Funny Than Scary Halloween Movies
Of course, almost every movie that is made for Halloween is going to have some scary aspects to it, but this doesn’t mean that all of them have to be scary. Here are some of our favorite funny yet spooky movies and what we love about them.
1. The Haunted Mansion
This Disney Channel original movie starring Eddie Murphy is one that people love so much that they even try to leave the ashes of their loved ones on the ride that is inspired by the movie.
While watching the Haunted Mansion, it isn’t exactly like watching the living dead cause havoc. This classic film led many of us to be interested in seeing a real-life haunted house.
2. Shaun of the Dead
It is a movie about a man-child who has to immediately grow up and protect his loved ones from the upcoming zombie attack.
To some, this sounds like a pretty cut-and-dry film. However, the comedy and symbolism in this movie have led to many wanting to watch it over and over again.
3. Rocky Horror Picture Show
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is truly one of the greatest Halloween Musical Comedies in existence. It contains trans icons, interesting storyline, a great connection to the LGBT community, great music, and so much more!
This comedy features a couple, a young man and a woman, getting lost and ending up at the home of Dr. Frank and Furter, who is played by Tim Curry. It’s no wonder this film still gets a midnight showing at almost every single theater the week of Halloween since its release in 1975!
4. Addams Family Values
When you think of Halloween, it’s hard not to think of the Addams family, who existed as what is essentially the parody of the perfect modern family. This perfectly imperfect group of mismatched creeps all live in a creepy house, where they affectionately show their love for each other in the best way they know how.
Check out the acting of Christopher Lloyd in particular! You would never know that was Doc from Back to The Future.
