The Most Watched Halloween Movies By Country
There are some Halloween movies that are timeless classics viewed the world over—and some that aren't legally allowed to be shown in some countries due to their excessive violence, gore, or extremely mature subject matter. But, what about where you live? What's your country's favorite Halloween flick? Let's examine 50 country's most-watched Halloween movies and find out!
Fun fact: It (2017) is the most-watched Halloween movie around the world—topping the list in 56 countries. For that reason, it'll be appearing once in this list.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan's most-watched Halloween-centric horror flick is Insidious (2010), wherein two parents must take drastic measures after their comatose son is possessed by a demon, who then haunts their new home.
Stage 6 Films, Insidious (2010)
Australia
The Australians' most popular Halloween/horror movie is one with a little more action and plot depth than you'd expect from a time of slashers and goblins and ghouls. It's Batman from 1989. Crikey!
Argentina
Many Argentines (or Argentinians, if you prefer) are apparently fans of Stephen King—they've watched It (2017) so many times, it may even rival Evita (1996) for popularity! Pennywise or Eva Perón, that is the question.
Armenia
The Armenians, unlike their nearby neighbors who've gone animated, seem to prefer the classic slasher of Halloween (1973) for their horror movie binge nights. Following the main antagonist across many feature films, Halloween's tale of serial killer Michael Myers' is an instant spooky season classic the world over.
Compass International Pictures, Halloween (1978)
Albania
Albanians seem to love Corpse Bride (2005), an animated flick led by Johnny Depp as Victor Van Dort and Helena Bonham Carter as The Corpse Bride, Emily Watson. A tale of trials, tribulations, and undying love, Corpse Bride was also nominated by the American Film Institute as one of the best animated films.
Warner Bros., Corpse Bride (2005)
Azerbaijan
Azerbaijanis have a love of Ghostbusters (1984)—we can only presume it's the original series and not the remakes of late. The country of just over 10 million people loves the tale of a gang of ghost-vanquishing vigilantes in New York City.
Brazil
Brazilians (apparently) are huge fans of slasher thrillers and fell in love with Damien Leone's slasher-thriller featuring Art The Clown, Terrifier 2 (2022). The terrifying tale of Art's return, this time features Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) as the person destined to defeat Art, but can she do it in time to save her and her younger brother?
Dark Age Cinema, Terrifier 2 (2022)
Bolivia
Surprisingly, Bolivians have spent their Halloweens watching The Exorcist (1973), a film all about demonic possession. The Exorcist stars Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil and Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil, who asks a priest to perform an exorcism on her daughter, whom she believes is possessed by the devil.
Warner Bros.,The Exorcist (1973)
Canada
The iconic family-friendly movie Hocus Pocus (1993) is the favorite movie of Canadians at Halloween. After begrudgingly moving to Salem, Massachusetts, Max and his sister are exploring an abandoned house when they unleash a coven of evil witches. Perhaps it was the family-friendly nature of Hocus Pocus, or the oversized, immortal black cat named Thackery Binx that caught Canada's enduring affection.
Walt Disney, Hocus Pocus (1993)
Denmark
This American stop-motion movie made waves all over the world. Coraline (2009) tells the tale of Coraline, a young girl who discovers a door to a hidden universe. But, before she can enjoy this alternate universe, she risks being trapped by Other Mother and must battle to make it back to her real family and the real world.
Focus Features, Coraline (2009)
Finland
Another hit for Terrifier 2 (2022) on our list. This time, it's the Finns who loved Damien Leone's sequel to the impressive, if brutal, Terrifier (2016) movie. I wonder if Terrifier 3 (2024) fared as well there as in some countries where it was outright banned, or had audience members barfing or fainting mid-show.
Dark Age Cinema, Terrifier 2 (2022)
Greenland
Another shout for Batman (1989) comes from Greenland, home to just 56,000 people (according to The World Bank). Perhaps they loved "The Caped Crusader" because their skies are clear enough to see the Bat Signal when it's sent up from Gotham.
Gibraltar
While the Germans, like the French and much of Europe, love Coraline, the British enclave of Gibraltar can't keep its spooky season eyes off The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). This Disney flick features the adventures of Jack Skellington, who gets a new lease on life after leaving Halloweentown for Christmastown. Maybe it's a metaphor for Gibraltarian independence.
Touchstone, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
India
Another vote for The Exorcist (1973) comes from India, where its 2023 sequel, The Exorcist: Believer grossed $1.4 million.
Warner Bros.,The Exorcist (1973)
Puerto Rico
The Caribbean island's most-loved Halloween flick is The Nightmare Before Christmas. Jack Skellington's new lease on life after leaving Halloweentown for Christmastown is, again, probably a metaphor for full Puerto Rican independence from the United States.
Touchstone, The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Netherlands
The Dutch have gone with an older classic family-friendly movie for their most-viewed Halloween movie. The Addams Family (1991) tells the story of the eponymous family reconnecting with a long-lost relative, Gomez Addams. The iconic film relied heavily on those who loved the TV series to flock to the movie—which the Dutch did in their millions.
Paramount, The Addams Family (1991)
Nepal
The remote mountainous nation of Nepal gets into the Halloween spirit by watching The Conjuring (2013).
Warner Bros., The Conjuring (2013)
Mozambique
Halloween (1978) might be another surprise on our list for the most-watched Halloween movie by Mozambicans. The fact that the movie is this beloved universally speaks to its quality as a Halloween slasher that appeals to everyone—it's a true cult classic.
Compass International Pictures, Halloween (1978)
Switzerland
Donnie Darko (2001) is a national favorite of the Swiss, right behind their chocolates and cheese. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal in one of his earlier roles as a teenage boy who's sleep-walking meeting with a creepy bunny rabbit named Frank have him questioning everything.
Adam Fields Productions, Donnie Darko (2001)
Trinidad & Tobago
Horror fans in Trinidad and Tobago apparently love the vampire-centric flick, Hotel Transylvania (2012). The animated family-comedy tells the story of Count Dracula's eponymous resort where monsters can go and be themselves, without being bothered by humans. But everything goes awry when Jonathan, an ordinary human, shows up.
Columbia, Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Tanzania
The 2017 horror-comedy The Babysitter features Samara Weaving and Judah Lewis, telling the story of Cole, a 12-year old boy who discovers that his babysitter belongs to a satanic cult. The boy must put aside his crush on his babysitter and escape the grasp of her murderous cult before he becomes their next sacrifice to Satan.
Netflix, The Babysitter (2017)
United States
Despite the truly vast numbers of horror movies produced in the United States annually, Coraline won out the prize for the most-watched movie by Americans.
Focus Features, Coraline (2009)
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's most-watched Halloween flick isn't Halloween (1973). Nor is it Coralie (2009), nor any of those other Halloween flicks you might expect. No, it's Casper (1995). The animated Disney flick about Casper the Friendly Ghost is an Uzbek favorite.
Zimbabwe
The Conjuring (2013) is the favorite movie of Zimbabweans. The movie tells the story of two parapsychologists in the 1970s who are called by a wealthy man to explore paranormal activity around his home, which he's recently moved into. At first, the activity is benign, but then the creatures make themselves known in more sinister ways.
New Line Cinema, The Conjuring (2013)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Ban
In 1974, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was released to much fanfare among horror fans, who'd been yearning for a good slasher. There are few things more cutting edge than a chainsaw blade—except perhaps for the iron fist or government censorship. Due to the graphic, violent nature of the movie, it was banned outright in 14 countries, including Sweden, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It was also banned in Germany, Norway, Iceland, and Singapore.
All of these bans were temporary, but one of the most legendary horror flicks of all time almost wasn't watched by hundreds of millions of people! Fortunately, bans were lifted following public pushback and everyone got to enjoy one of Hollywood's greatest horror movies that launched an iconic franchise.
