Horror movies are a Halloween staple that too often gets overlooked. When one pictures Halloween, they tend to think about trick-or-treating, candy, and decorations, yet horror movies offer a healthy dose of spookiness from the comfort of your couch. What’s better than that!? The answer is nothing; however, there are TOO many choices. It’s overwhelming! With this in mind, I compiled a basic list of horror movies for both long-time fans and newcomers alike to act as a starting spot for finding your perfect horror movie for this Halloween season. I will discuss classics, cult films, and some hidden gems that I particularly enjoy.

First, there are three horror classics that are easy go-to’s for any movie night. The first is very Halloween-ey given that it’s… Halloween. The Halloween franchise began in 1978, starring Jamie Lee Curtis and popularizing the character of Michael Myers. These movies popularized the slasher genre, and the entire series takes place on or around Halloween. The franchise has broken off into three different timelines and over 10 films, but the best two, in my personal opinion, are the original and Halloween H20 (1998). 

Next on the list of classics is Scream. Starting in 1996, the Scream franchise became popular for its jumpscares and suspenseful kills. The series popularized the character of “Ghost Face,” now an iconic Halloween costume. Both the original and Scream 2 (1997) are excellent picks from the series, but so is Scream 5 (2022) if you’re looking for something more recent. Of the classics on this list, I think Scream is the most approachable to new horror fans.

Finally on the list of classics is A Nightmare on Elm Street. A nine-film series, A Nightmare on Elm Street, follows Freddy Krueger, a terrifying character who can kill you in your dreams. The first film, released in 1984, is a genre-defining movie that is unsettling and deeply chilling, making it prolific in the horror genre. Of the other films in the franchise, I also recommend A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), but no others beat the first film, in my opinion.

Next, there are three horror franchises with cult followings that are perfect for those wanting something a little more offbeat. The Evil Dead franchise began in 1981 and now spans five films. This series is famous for its unique kills, art style, and, well… everything! It’s truly its own beast, and nothing is like it. I think it’s more funny than scary, but that’s just one opinion! There is nothing like getting friends together to watch Evil Dead II (1987).

Next, the Midsommar and Hereditary films are contemporary horror masterpieces tied together by their director Ari Aster. They both have their distinctive styles, and the visuals in both of these films are sure to chill you to the bone. These are not for the faint of heart but are perfect picks for a Halloween horror night if you’re intrigued.

Last on the list of cult classics is The Human Centipede series, which defined the body-horror sub-genre. There isn’t much to say about this one. It’s gross. Don’t watch it unless you hate yourself. It’s horrifying but you can’t really look away…

Finally, I want to give my top three hidden-gem horror picks. These movies aren’t super known, but they are DEFINITELY worth a watch if you are up for it. First on the list is one of my favorite movies of all time, The Night of the Hunter. Made in 1955, this movie is classified as a thriller, yet it has some of the most bone-chilling imagery I’ve ever seen. While not overtly scary, this movie has a tone like no other and is completely free on Youtube! Once you see it, you’ll never forget it.

Next, the film, Mandy (2018), starring Nicholas Cage, is startlingly great! Nic Cage has his fair share of misses, but this movie is not one of them. It oozes style and is just a fun, action-packed, and mildly scary movie. You will have fun watching this film.

The last recommendation on my list is the French film Raw. Made in 2017, this movie is another one that will make you grossly uncomfortable, but you can’t stop watching. The movie has sensitive themes around food and sickness, but if you’re comfortable sitting through it, it’s definitely worth a watch.

While this is not the penultimate list of horror movies, I hope it at least serves as a springboard for ideas of what to watch this Halloween season. There are so many movies to choose from between classics, cult favorites, and lesser-known gems. A few honorable mentions that were not covered were Paranormal Activity, The Conjuring, The Purge, It, Jaws, Saw, Alien, Friday the 13th, The Exorcist, and Night of the Living Dead, if you need even more to check out. Stay safe, enjoy yourself, and enjoy a good scary movie.