As we slowly keep moving towards this year’s Halloween, internet searches about Halloween movies keep rising. However, here you must know that not all scary movies are worthy of Halloween. On the other hand, all Halloween films are scary. Well, you must be confused. To put it in simple terms, any scary movie cannot be perfect for Halloween.
You can name any horror movie like Don’t Look Now. But its scares may be too cerebral for the festive season when pumpkin-adorned porches and giant skeletons dominate the scene. For a more visceral, fun fright, here are some great movies to queue up before Halloween.
Best Halloween Movies: Overall List
If you are wondering how many Halloween movies are there, then this is the place for you to be. Here are some of the top movies to enjoy this Halloween:
1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Presenting Tobe Hooper’s criminally underrated classic. You must know that it is a top-tier satire of American class conflict and teenage escapades in the wilderness, standing as one of the darkest masterpieces of the ’70s. Despite its ominous title, Texas Chainsaw Massacre isn’t overly gory. Nevertheless, it holds the title of the most terrifying film ever created.
2. Poltergeist (1982)
This modern suburban hit gave ghost stories a high-tech twist, stealthily critiquing American materialism with the ominous message that your TV set could consume you. Surprisingly, it was “ghost-directed” by the family-friendly producer Steven Spielberg.
The film featured extravagant production values, showcasing early blue-screen techniques and impressive lighting, yet it’s the possessed toy clown that continues to haunt viewers’ memories.
3. Hereditary (2018)
When you realize that a contemporary horror masterpiece features a child’s sudden decapitation as just the fourth most shocking event, you’re likely in the hands of director Ari Aster.
The New York horror prodigy made a strong entrance into the genre with this profoundly disturbing debut, portraying a family disintegrating under the burden of concealed truths. Prepare to be haunted by it long after, even if it’s not particularly beneficial for your mental well-being.
4. Suspiria (1977)
Dario Argento’s dark fairy tale might not seem extraordinary at first glance: an introverted American dancer joins a mysterious European ballet academy and uncovers peculiar occurrences.
However, this uncomplicated setup offers the giallo master ample creative space to craft a visually striking film, featuring vivid, surreal colours, intense death sequences, and a chilling score by the Italian prog rock group Goblin that’s sure to send shivers down your spine.
5. Alien (1979)
The film’s visual elements linger in people’s memories: suspended dust particles, Jerry Goldsmith’s chilling orchestral score, and an atmosphere saturated with foreboding.
However, beneath the surface, Ridley Scott’s chest-bursting horror classic holds a deeper significance. It’s a sexually groundbreaking science fiction narrative that transforms men into pregnant hosts while casting Sigourney Weaver as the genre’s most iconic heroine.
6. The Shining (1980)
If you don’t include Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel in your October viewing, you’re missing out on the true spirit of spooky season.
Jack Nicholson delivers an exuberantly over-the-top performance as Jack Torrance, a writer who accepts the responsibility of caretaking a sinister, remote hotel during the winter, accompanied by his family. He succumbs to one of the most severe cases of cabin fever ever depicted.
While you may be familiar with all the iconic moments – the blood-filled elevator, the ghostly twins, and the infamous “Heeeeeeere’s Johnny!” – the film continues to reveal hidden depths, even after numerous viewings.
Halloween Movies on Netflix
If you are willing to spend some time on Netflix this Halloween, then here are some movies to watch:
- This Place Is Evil
- All of Us Are Dead
- The Fall of the House of Usher
- The Haunting of Hill House
- Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments
Disney Halloween Movies
Here are some Halloween movies to watch on Disney
- Werewolf By Night
- The New Mutants
- Z-O-M-B-I-E-S
- Disenchanted
- Escape To Witch Mountain
Final Words
Therefore, now you have a number of Halloween movies in order to watch during the Halloween.
Also read: What’s New Movies and TV Series on Disney+ in October 2023