These Movies Make For The Ultimate Halloween Watch Party
Halloween is just days away. As we prepare for the spookiest night of the year, I can't think of a better way to enjoy Halloween (post-trick-or-treating, if you partake) than to snuggle up with a warm cup of tea and a good Halloween movie. Whether you're looking to be terrified on Halloween night, want to enjoy a classic that you've seen a million times, or are just looking to wile away the witching hours, here's some movies for the ultimate Halloween watch party.
Scream
Of course, Scream (1996) was always going to be on this list. One of the most iconic horror movies of the 90s, this slasher/thriller was the breakthrough movie role for Neve Campbell and saw a young Drew Barrymore take to the big screen. Scream tells the story of a high schooler (Campbell) and her gaggle of friends that become the target of a serial killer on the anniversary of her mother's death.
Scream has led to seven other films—including four direct sequels—and is widely considered a cult classic.
Dimension Films, Scream (1996)
The Strangers
While some critics view The Strangers (2008) as a rip-off of Panic Room (2002), it has its own merits as a Halloween movie. Starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman as couple Kristen and James, who choose an isolated cabin in the woods for a weekend getaway (never a good idea), only to find out they're in for the fight of their lives when masked assailants attack the home.
Rogue Pictures, The Strangers (2008)
A Nightmare On Elm Street
Dreams become reality in A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984), as a masked murderer preys on a group of teenagers in their dreams—which in turn, kills them in reality. Escaping the wrath of Freddy Krueger is no easy task in A Nightmare On Elm Street, one of Halloween's greatest-ever movies.
New Line Cinema, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Child's Play
Easily one of Halloween's most horrifying concepts: killer dolls. Dolls are creepy at the best of times, but Chucky? Terrifying. Child's Play (1988) tells the terrifying story of Chucky, a killer doll who's out for revenge. Embodying the tortured soul of murderer Charles Lee Ray, Chucky's evil intentions are exacted on a family after he's purchased by a mother for her young son. While not starring any big names in the late 80s, Child's Play has become a cult classic and led to multiple sequels.
The First Omen
The First Omen (2024) is one of the most recent releases on our list, but features a more modern plot, where an American nun (played by Nell Free Tiger), is sent to work at a Catholic orphanage, but soon uncovers a dark secret that could threaten the existence of The Church and mankind. Intended as a prequel to The Omen (1976), its the sixth film in The Omen franchise.
New Line Cinema, It: Chapter One (2017)
It: Chapter One
Another rather obvious movie for anyone who enjoys a good fright is It (2017), the first of a two-part adaptation of the iconic Stephen King novel. Pennywise The Clown is the star of the show in It, terrorizing a group of seven children (called the "Losers Club") throughout one of the best Stephen King adaptations ever and one of the most-watched Halloween movies ever.
New Line Cinema, It: Chapter One (2017)
It: Chapter Two
The sequel to the first adaptation of Stephen King's It (1986), It: Chapter Two (2019) sees the group of seven teens reunite as adults, 27 years after the events of It (2017), when Pennywise The Clown returns to Derry, Maine and people begin disappearing. Can the "Losers Club" vanquish Pennywise once and for all?
New Line Cinema, It Chapter Two (2019)
The Shining
Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece is always on a list of the best movies to watch around Spooky Season. The Shining tells the story of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), his wife Wendy, and son Danny, who book a room at the Overlook Hotel in Colorado hoping to allow Jack to cure his writer's block. Unfortunately, the hotel holds some sinister secrets which turn into a descent into madness for Torrance.
Warner Bros., The Shining (1980)
The Lost Boys
Featuring a very young Kiefer Sutherland, The Lost Boys (1987) is a teen vampire classic that's more about vampires and teenage drama than it is spooky, but it might be a good watch for your teenagers who're vampire-inclined.
Warner Bros., The Lost Boys (1987)
Hocus Pocus
While not necessarily a "horror" movie in the traditional sense, Hocus Pocus (1993) is the perfect movie to watch with your family, particularly with younger children, with its family-friendly focus on a group of witches and their spells. You can also watch Hocus Pocus 2 (2022) and then watch out for Hocus Pocus 3, as it's scheduled to be released later this year.
Walt Disney, Hocus Pocus (1993)
Brainscan
Brainscan (1994) was definitely a weird movie in the early 1990s, but its melding of virtual reality with slasher themes was an interesting mix. Starring Edward Furlong and Frank Langella, Brainscan sees teenager Michael Bower become engrossed in a video game that begins to dictate real-life actions in a seriously creepy fashion. If you aren't already a little freaked out about AI, you might be after watching Brainscan.
Coral Productions, Brainscan (1994)
Doctor Sleep
Another excellent Stephen King adaptation, Doctor Sleep (2019) is a follow up to The Shining, which now sees a young Dan Torrance, struggling with alcoholism and depression from his traumatic childhood experiences, join forces with a teenager, Abra (along with his "shine" gift), to battle the members of a cult called True Knot.
Warner Bros., Doctor Sleep (2019)
Final Destination
If you're into the gory side of All Hallows Eve, without much thought or creativity (except in death), then Final Destination (2000), might be the perfect Halloween movie for you. More of a mindless popcorn movie than anything else, Final Destination has become a cult classic and generated several sequels.
New Line Cinema, Final Destination (2000)
Terrifier
Written and directed by Damien Leone, Terrifier (2016) is a Halloween horror with all the hallmarks: a scary clown (named Art The Clown), murder, mystery, and plenty of screaming. Centering on partygoing Tara and her sister, Victoria, who become the targets of the terrifying Art The Clown on Halloween. Its sequels have been met with mixed reviews from critics, but there have been reports of audiences fainting and vomiting in theaters.
Dark Age Cinema, Terrifier (2016)
Hellraiser
Clive Barker's Hellraiser (1987) showcases all the weirdness that can occur in a horror movie. Frank (Sean Chapman) accidentally unleashes a portal to Hell when tinkering with a strange box he purchased overseas. Beings called Cenobites kill Frank, but when his brother and his wife move into his old home, Frank's tortured soul is reawakened.
Film Futures, Hellraiser (1987)
All Hallows' Eve
All Hallow's Eve (2013) was Damien Leone's directorial debut, telling the genesis of Art The Clown. Featuring three of Leone's short films and told as an anthology, All Hallows' Eve was well-received by critics and should be your first watch before Terrifier, or Leone's other feature films.
Ruthless Pictures, All Hallows' Eve (2013)
Dawn Of The Dead
A classic zombie apocalypse movie, Dawn Of The Dead (2004) tells a story of survival in a post-apocalyptic world. Trapped inside a shopping mall, seven survivors must battle the undead in this remake of a 1978 classic of the same name. If you're a fan of zombie movies, Dawn Of The Dead may be your thing.
New Amsterdam Entertainment, Dawn of the Dead (2004)
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving (2023) is a relatively new horror thriller starring none other than Doctor McDreamy himself (Patrick Dempsey), telling the tale of a seemingly random maniacal murderer who begins a spate of killings in Plymouth, Massachusetts, one year after a tragic riot on Black Friday. Kick off the American Thanksgiving season in style with this horror flick.
Cabin In The Woods
If you like Chris Hemsworth in just about anything, then Cabin In The Woods (2011) may give you a different take on the star. As five friends escape to a—wait for it—cabin in the woods for a getaway, little do they know they're not alone. Full of twists and turns, Cabin In The Woods is a great option for a mind-bending thriller with a healthy dose of horror.
Lionsgate, The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Ready Or Not
Ready Or Not (2019) may have you questioning getting married. Light-hearted in places and downright creepy in others, it sees a young bride hunted by her (new) spouse's family, as they believe she's possessed by the Devil. If you have an unfavorable opinion of your in-laws, wait till you see Ready Or Not.
Get Out
While not an out-and-out Halloween flick, Get Out (2017) follows Chris, a young Black man who's reached the "Meet the Parents" stage of dating with his girlfriend, Rose. However, at their first meeting over a weekend, things go horribly awry and a dark secret is revealed. Get Out wins points for being a mind-bending horror that saves the best till last.
In The Mouth Of Madness
Directed by John Carpenter, In The Mouth of Madness (1994) tells of the disappearance of a book editor and an insurance investigator who grows increasingly suspicious of the claim made by his editor. Paying a visit to the town that the editor was last seen in, all is not what it seems in more ways than one.
TriStar, In the Mouth of Madness (1994)
Scary Movie
One of the least good-taste films ever to exist, Scary Movie (2000) may be the ultimate parody, but it's still a great watch if you don't plan to engage your brain too much on Halloween. After a group of teenagers steal a car and accidentally kill a man and dump the body, they're hunted a year later by a black-clad, white-masked grim reaper. Becoming a cult classic, Scary Movie generated five sequels.
Dimension Films, Scary Movie (2000)
The Silence Of The Lambs
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) stars Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal Lecter and Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling. The latter is an FBI agent with a murder case to solve, hunting Ted Levine, a man who skins his female victims. We're introduced to the iconic Hannibal Lecter (Hopkins), who is a psychiatrist and a cannibal. All is not what it seems for the young and determined FBI agent, who must rely on one murderer to catch another.
Orion Pictures, The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
The Evil Dead
The Evil Dead (1981) is a classic that has generated several sequels and feature films, but the original stars five college students on vacation on an isolated island when they discover an audio tape containing an ancient Sumerian text. Unfortunately, when they play it, it releases a legion of evil spirits. As four of the five become possessed, the fifth member of the team is forced to fight to survive.
Renaissance Pictures, The Evil Dead (1981)
Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween (2022) stars Christopher Lloyd and Rachael Cook and is a teen supernatural thriller. As three middle schoolers are searching for a Halloween costume, they accidentally find themselves locked in a Spirit Halloween store overnight, as the costumes come alive. It's a great movie to enjoy with the kids.
Hideout Pictures, Spirit Halloween (2022)
The Crow
If you like dark movies with plenty of sinister themes, then The Crow (2024) is your kind of movie. Telling the tale of a man who must sacrifice himself to save the soul of the love of his life after she's murdered, The Crow sees him seeking vengeance on those who killed her, traversing the worlds of the living and dead in his quest.
Saw
The original Saw (2004) might be one of the greatest horror movies of all time. Photographer Adam Stanheight and oncologist Lawrence Gordon awaken, chained to radiators at either end of a filthy bathroom, where they must complete a sadistic puzzle to survive, created by a serial killer named Jigsaw. Saw has generated several sequels and launched a franchise following the success of this Halloween classic.
Sleepy Hollow
This Tim Burton flick sees Johnny Depp star in a rare horror appearance alongside Christina Ricci. Sleepy Hollow (1999) is largely based on Washington Irving's short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1820) and tells the tale of a police constable (Depp) sent from New York to investigate a series of murders, reportedly perpetrated by the mythical Headless Horseman.
Paramount, Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Trick R' Treat
This horror anthology brilliantly interweaves classic Halloween tales, Trick R' Treat (2007) introduces Sam, a cloth bag-wearing, demonic trick-or-treater paying visits to those who break with Halloween traditions throughout the five stories that make up the plot lines of the movie. It's another poorly-performing movie at the box office that became a Halloween cult classic.
Warner Bros., Trick 'r Treat (2007)
Beetlejuice
Revolving around the misadventures of a pair of ghosts intent on scaring away the new inhabitants of their former home, Beetlejuice (1988) has garnered a cult following and is always a favorite this time of year. Starring Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis, Beetlejuice's sequel, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice was released this year to huge fanfare from fans of the series, who had to wait nearly 40 years for the sequel.
The Geffen Company, Beetlejuice (1988)
Monster House
This Halloween flick is perfect for teenagers! Monster House (2006) is an animated film that tells the story of a neighborhood being terrorized by a haunted house over Halloween. A classic as far as animated Halloween movies go, there's been talk of a Monster House sequel by Gil Kenan.
Columbia, Monster House (2006)
Ghostbusters
Of course, Ghostbusters (1984) had to make our list, too. No matter your age, Ghostbusters is a classic Halloween movie about a group of parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. WIth a strong comedic bent, Ghostbusters is widely considered one of the most iconic supernatural movies ever and has generated a number of sequel films, books, games, and TV shows.
Halloweentown
Do you have children with goals of witchcraft and wizardry (not of the Harry Potter variety)? Then, Halloweentown (1998) might be the perfect Halloween movie for you. It features 13-year-old Marnie, who learns she is a witch on Halloween, only to be transported to the magical Halloweentown, where she must battle the forces of evil.
Ventura Valley Films, Halloweentown (1998)
Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko (1988) is a creepy thriller featuring Jake Gyllenhaal as the titular character, a troubled teenager who's coincidental (or was it?) sleepwalking saves his life after a jet engine crashes into his bedroom. While sleepwalking, he sees Frank—a rabbit who tells him the world will end in 28 days. Is Frank's prediction correct, or is Donnie living in a weird, paranormal universe? The creepy rabbit makes Donnie Darko a must-watch.
Pandora Cinema, Donnie Darko (2001)
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
One of the cult classics of Halloween, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) tells the story of Janet (Susan Sarandon) and Brad (Barry Bostwick), newlywed lovers on their way to a honeymoon when a flat tire causes them to seek help in the creepy mansion of Dr Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). An elaborate cast is revealed throughout the movie, which is now regularly shown in large theaters, with incredible audience participation at the heart of Rocky Horror.
Twentieth Century, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Leprechaun
Jennifer Aniston, remember her? Well, her first big movie was Leprechaun (1993), as a supporting actress to Warwick Davis, who played the title role. This horror-comedy tells the story of Davis' vengeful Leprechaun character who believes Aniston's character (Tori Redding) has stolen his pot of gold. Aniston once said this was a role she hated the most.
Trimark Pictures, Leprechaun (1993)
Halloween
Halloween (1978) had to make our list. Starring Jamie-Lee Curtis in her film debut, Donald Pleasance, and Nick Castle as the iconic Michael Myers, Halloween tells the tale of Michael Myers' descent into madness as a child (and adult) serial killer. Generating multiple sequels and remakes, each of them features Myers as the main antagonist and each group of protagonists must battle to survive and stop Myers' murderous rampages.
Compass International Pictures, Halloween (1978)
The Exorcist
This 1973 classic starring Linda Blair and Ellen Burstyn is actually loosely based on a true story. It follows a woman who's convinced her daughter has been possessed by the Devil and seeks help from a local priest to exorcize the demons. One of the most profitable and most watched horror movies of all time, The Exorcist is the perfect Halloween thriller, especially if you live in an old house that may be possessed by ghosts.
The Exorcist's make-up artists did such a good job on the movie, that the disturbing transformation of Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) had audiences leaving the theater early and home video releases of The Exorcist were partially banned in the UK.
