By Cadyn Hollingsworth ‘25
With the number of days until Halloween ticking down to zero, now is the perfect time to carve a couple jack-o-lanterns and start up the Halloween movie binges to get in the spirit of the holiday. Whether you’re looking for a familiar classic to watch with your family, a modern horror hit to enjoy with friends, or anywhere in between, this list has got you covered.
15.) An American Werewolf in London (1981)- scare scale 6/10
This John Landis werewolf classic is revered by many as one of the best monster movies of all time. As the title suggests, the film is in fact about an American in the United Kingdom- specifically after he and his best friend are attacked by ‘wolves’ in the Yorkshire moors. At the time of its release, it confused and delighted audiences by being both genuinely scary and genuinely funny, leading to it pioneering the horror comedy genre and landing the Saturn Award for best horror film of 1981. But disclaimer: this movie is not for the squeamish nor faint of heart as its body horror cosmetics and special effects (in one scene in particular- if you know you know) allowed it to win the academy award for best makeup.
14.) The Fear Street trilogy (2021)- scare scale 5/10
These Netflix original supernatural slasher films, all released onto the streaming service within a few weeks of each other, won over critics and fans alike in the summer of 2021. Taking place in the midwest town of Shadyside a few centuries after (and briefly before) an alleged witch was hanged, the supposed curse she left behind to haunt the town returns to terrorize the teens of the 20th century. The trilogy covers three different time periods: 1994 in all three movies, 1976 in the second installment and 1666 in the last, all the while paying homage to the different subgenres of horror that shined in these decades. While they may not be specifically associated with Halloween, the three films tell a fun and well-rounded story that covers all the bases of horror and is perfect for watching with friends.
13.) Frankenweenie (2012)- scare scale 2/10
Tim Burton’s Frankenweenie may be one of his less popular stop motion animation halloween movies, but not for lack of character. In this remake of a 1984 short film (which in turn is a play on Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein), a young Victor Frankenstein attempts to bring his dead dog back to life… and things don’t quite go as planned. The movie stands slightly apart from Burton’s others due to several really out there characters and bizarre moments in the screenplay, but the surreal nature of the film adds a certain extra Burton-y charm to that film which has maintained a 87% on Rotten Tomatoes since its release in 2012.
12.) The Shining (1980) and Doctor Sleep (2019)- scare scale 9/10
This excellent double feature of two timeless films (only ranked this low because of their lack of connection to Halloween day) compliment each other exceptionally in style, storytelling and tone. The Shining, which holds up extremely well for a film that was released 42 years ago, remains one of the most acclaimed and celebrated horror films of all time, as a culmination of riveting Stephen King source material along with direction from one of the all time greats, Stanley Kubrick. Thanks to Stephen King’s famous hatred for the movie, he released a sequel in 2013 by the name of Doctor Sleep, which was then adapted for the screen and released in 2019 under the direction of modern horror legend Mike Flanagan. So if you’re looking for a movie or two to make your blood run cold this Halloween, then look no further!
11.) Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)- scare scale 4/10
Yet another movie that’s based off of a book, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is a perfect introduction to scary movies for someone who scares easily. Starting off on Halloween night with a retro Stranger Things-esque feel, the film follows a group of teens as they discover a haunted book and the horrible consequences of reading it. Based loosely upon Alvin Schwartz’s children’s anthology horror book of the same name, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark makes a fun Halloween movie night for a family or group with a scaredy-cat among them.
10.) It (2017) – scare scale 6/10
Adapted from another Stephen King novel, It features the beloved yet terrifying killer clown Pennywise as he horrifies a group of 80s small town teens. While reminiscent of 80s classics, it stays aware of modern horror standards and meets them consistently, though is tamed by its nostalgic and heart-warming moments. Despite its flaws, It is a very well rounded movie thanks to its emotional and fun teen aspects, and is a great choice this Halloween for anyone looking to kick it up a notch with scares while not getting too overwhelmed.
9.) Beetlejuice (1988) – scare scale 2.5/10
In terms of horror, Beetlejuice is just about as loose and happy as it gets, making it perfect for the Halloween season. Michael Keaton stars as a wildly delightful demon conjured by a ghost couple to a house that teen Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) has recently moved into. As creepy shenanigans ensue from the titular character going off the rails,, a good time is guaranteed. Despite a few adult themes, Beetlejuice remains a family Halloween classic that is still enjoyable 25 years later.
8.) A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – scare scale 6/10
After The Last House on the Left and The Hills Have Eyes, Wes Craven returned with his first horror comedy: A Nightmare on Elm Street, delivering solid scares along with the charismatic killer Freddy Kruger. Maybe slightly dated now, this film and franchise remain iconic and fun– although be warned, with the amount of blood thrown about the screen, this movie is not for the faint of heart. Regardless, A Nightmare on Elm Street and many of its subsequent sequels remain enjoyable options for anybody looking for a scare during the Halloween season.
7.) Corpse Bride (2005) – scare scale 1.5/10
As another musical and the first of many stop-motion animation films on this list, Corpse Bride is a gothic exploration of love from beyond the grave, coming in with a short but sweet runtime of 74 minutes. In all of its Victorian and flowy animation glory, this film will only scare those with a fear of skeletons or bugs with many big-infested skeletal appearing people being depicted. Nevertheless, Corpse Bride is a beautiful and uplifting story of sacrifice and love, all with the gothic and haunting imagery perfect for a Halloween movie night.
6.) Twilight Zone – scare scale 2.5/10
The Twilight Zone aired from 1959-1964, and is still remembered as one of the most interesting, evocative and creepy anthology series of all time. Though many episodes aren’t the slightest bit scary, rather thematically captivating or charming and lovable, many episodes have inspired countless sub-genres of sci-fi horror and are chilling to this day. Among these are “Eye of the Beholder,” ”It’s a Good Life,” ”The Monsters are Due on Maple Street,” ”Nightmare at 20,000 Feet,“ ”To Serve Man.” and ”Living Doll,” the last of which pioneered the creepy doll genre that flourishes today. Although not the scariest choice by any stretch, The Twilight Zone is perfect for anyone looking for a 20 minute, creepy surprise that may have something to say about societal flow or human nature.
5.) Coraline (2009) – scare scale 3/10
As one of the most famous stop motion animation movies of all time, Coraline uses its wonderfully unusual style to be both charming and creepy. It follows a young girl with a dull life who discovers an alternate world through the mysterious passage in her home, searching for the excitement that her neglecting parents cannot provide. Prepare for bizarre happenings all throughout; not a single thing will go the expected route, but stick with it and it will win you over as it has the many fans that make up this movie’s cult following. Though there’s very little intense action scenes, lots of imagery is very creepy and may not be for young children. Nevertheless, Coraline makes a great family movie or Halloween sleepover watch as it balances its cute and haunting aspects to make a captivating and memorable film.
4.) Scream Franchise (1996-2023) – scare scale 7/10
Scream revitalized the horror genre at its 1996 release by breathing meta life into it and making it more fun that it had been in a while, creating one of the most popular and revered slasher franchises in the meantime. While remaining truly scary and building tension wonderfully, this second round of Wes Craven’s classics pulls off the difficult task of balancing scares with genuinely funny jokes to ease the intensity when it becomes too much. On top of this unique structure, all Scream films try their hand at shocking, hard hitting twists– the original succeeding incredibly while several sequels fall a little flat. Though I’d advise against the second and third installments as they’re only cheesy and no longer unique, movies 4-6 all join the original in ending up very compelling and fun to watch with friends for a good scare.
3.) The Addams Family (1964-1965) – scare scale 0/10
Although it’s completely unscary, nothing will get you more in the Halloween spirit than spending your evening with this iconic gothic family living in the archetypical 60s suburbs. Unlike nearly every other 60s sitcom, The Addams Family has aged wonderfully and is an absolute joy to watch to this day, holding onto its perfect 100% on Rotten Tomatoes for decades. However, if it’s a little too cheesy for you, or black and white isn’t your thing, both 1991’s The Addams Family and 1993’s The Addams Family Values are enjoyable family films with updated humor to entertain the creepy and the kooky.
2.) The Nightmare before Christmas (1993) – scare scale 1/10
The question is often asked: is this Tim Burton classic a Halloween or Christmas movie? The answer is that it’s the perfect film to have on the night of Halloween itself or the following few days. This stop motion picture will get you geared up for Christmas while perfectly waving goodbye to Halloween with memorable characters like Jack Skellington, spooky imagery and catchy songs. As it’s only slightly scary to very young children, this film is another great watch for a family movie night. It’s even great to have on in the background just for its charming animation style and Halloween vibes!
1.) The Halloween franchise (1978-2022) – scare scale 6/10
Though perhaps not the scariest movies on the list, the Halloween franchise has proven with every entry to be on the forefront of the slasher genre and the Halloween spirit. With 13 movies in the franchise, there’s something for everyone whether it’s the original duology for originalists or the latest trilogy for modern horror fans. However, there’s also plenty to steer clear of like the Rob Zombie reboots (earning 28% and 23% on Rotten Tomatoes respectively) or the third entry: The Season of the Witch that has nothing to do with the beloved hero Laurie or killer Michael Myers, though a fan favorite of many in its complete absurdness. So, proceed with caution but still enjoy one of the most iconic and adored horror franchises of all time to tie up your Halloween vibes in a spooky bow this October!
