To 15 Horror Movies to Binge Watch Before Halloween

15 Horror Movies to Binge Watch Before Halloween

In no particular order, here are some of the best horror movies to binge watch to get you in the spirit for Halloween. 

1. It (2017)

While this new movie definitely has that supernatural scary element, there are also elements of realistic horror intertwined, like abuse, bullying, and growing up. While it features lots of jump scares, it also has a great plot line, involving mystery solving. Plus, the kids in it are hilarious and you’ll find yourself laughing at the witty dialogue almost as often as you’ll have your hands covering your face. 

Overall scary rating: 9.1/10

1. Halloween (1978)

This is simply a classic that everyone has to see at least once. The holiday just isn’t the same without the movie that started the “stalking and terrorizing the babysitter” cliché. Although the special effects are dated, there’s just something about seeing a teenage girl frantically running across a dimly lit street while her stalker calmly walks behind her. The suspenseful background music is key to this movie. Plus, it captures what Halloween day and night feels like in any small town in America, minus mass murder. Anyways, this movie will stick with you after you see it.

Overall scary rating: 7.4/10

1. Friday the 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th is another classic horror movie that everyone must see at least once. What could go wrong with a bunch of teenage camp counselors hanging out at a summer camp in the woods before the campers arrive? The audience doesn’t actually see the killer until the end, so there’s an added element of mystery, but there’s a twist at the end. Like Halloween, the effects are dated, so it’s more entertaining than truly terrifying.

Overall scary rating: 6.3/10

1. The Shining (1980)

Now this is an unsettling film. There is a constant element of suspense from start to finish, so the audience never really knows what’s going to happen next. It’s one of those movies that’ll leave you wondering What the heck did I just watch? But you’ll want to watch it again. During the last 45 minutes, you’ll most likely be shouting at your television screen. It partners pop ups, supernatural horror, and psychological horror perfectly. 

Overall scary rating: 8.8/10

1. The Conjuring (2013) and The Conjuring 2 (2016)

When that phrase “based on true events” pops up on the screen at the beginning of these two movies, it sends a chill down your spine. While each movie battles different plots, each are equally supernaturally scary. They’re terrifying from start to finish, leaving your muscles tense and your hands over your eyes throughout their entireties. 

Overall scary rating: 9.4/10

1. Insidious (2010)

There aren’t any movies like this one. The plot is so unique and terrifying that the viewer becomes immediately engaged. The music is the main compliment of the visual horror; the frantic violin makes you jump just as much as the scene does. While being constantly bombarded with jump scares from start to finish, you never know what’s going to happen next in this movie, and it’ll leave you shaking even after it’s over.

Overall scary rating: 9.8/10

1. Scream (1996)

This is a movie you can watch by yourself. It’s a horror movie about horror movies. It uses popular clichés and plot lines from the classics, and uses direct references to movies like Halloween, Friday the 13th, Carrie, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and The Silence of the Lambs. The writing is clever, it’s action packed, the plot is fun to follow, and there’s a twist at the end. 

Overall scary rating: 6.5/10

1. Get Out (2017)

Speaking of twists at the end, this movie has one of the best twists of all. It’s terrifying in a non-pop up, classic horror way. It’s a psychological thriller, and bravely deals with race in today’s society. It’s the highest rated horror movie on Rotten Tomatoes, and should definitely be towards the top of the list of must-see movies, whether you’re a horror fanatic or not. 

Overall scary rating: 8.9/10

1. Blair Witch Project (1999)

While it could be considered dated now by today’s standards, this was the first film to use the “found footage” angle, where the characters are the ones filming. It’s a rollercoaster of suspense, drama, and psychological torture, and it genuinely feels like it could be real footage from teenagers that somebody uncovered. 

Overall scary rating: 7.2/10

1. Sinister (2012)

If you don’t like gore and torture, maybe this one shouldn’t be on your list. While it has a very interesting plot line, it’s slightly disturbing and gruesome. It has its fair share of pop ups and supernatural horror, and you’ll find yourself not wanting to look out your bedroom window after watching.

Overall scary rating: 9/10

1. A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

While the original is also terrifying, I chose to include the newer version based on the more realistic special effects. This is a classic story, and is a must watch for anyone who wants to call themselves a true horror fan. It partners mystery, gore, suspense, and pop ups into a disturbing and terrifying plot line: teens getting brutally murdered in their dreams. 

Overall scary rating: 8.8/10

1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

This movie is the definition of a psychological thriller. While you won’t be covering your eyes due to pop ups throughout its entirety, the story is 100% something that could happen in real life. You’ll find yourself equally terrified of and rooting for Hannibal Lector, and you’ll never quite feel the same when you listen to Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” This film is extremely quotable, has many twists, and will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

Overall scary rating: 7.7/10

1. Paranormal Activity (2007)

This is another great example of a “found footage” film. Everything is caught on various cameras that a family distributes around their house. While edging away from the classic bloody, gory horror genre, this movie favors the element of surprise and suspense. It truly builds too; the pan falling from the kitchen counter on night 5 is very different from the paranormal events on night 20. 

Overall scary rating: 8.1/10

1. The Exorcist (1973)

This is another classic horror movie that everyone needs to see at least once. While the special effects are definitely weak compared to today’s standards, that doesn’t mean they still won’t chill you. It was one of the most terrifying movies of its time, and left people scarred after seeing it. It’s spiritual, disturbing, and suspenseful. 

Overall scary rating: 6.9/10

1. Pet Sematary (1989)

Adapted from a Stephen King novel, this is equal parts scary and sad. While it has a definite supernatural element, the underlying story is about the concept of death, regret, and grief. It deals with the consequences of greed, and includes many chilling scenes that’ll stick with you after you watch it. When you lay down at night before going to sleep, try not to picture Zelda. 

Overall scary rating: 8.3/10

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