If you plan on staying in this Halloween — or if you just plan on having a Halloween movie day — we’ve got you covered! We’ve put together the ultimate Halloween movie list, from classic to feel-good to scary, you’re sure to find something you’ll enjoy here!
The Classics
These movies may not necessarily be scary anymore, the special effects are just not what we’re used to, but don’t sleep on these. They’re classics for a reason!
The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist is a classic paranormal story about the possession of a young girl. Her mother tries to save her and seeks the help of two priests to perform an exorcism. It’s one of the first scary movies involving exorcisms.
Halloween (1978)
Of course you have to watch Halloween on Halloween! This is the origin of Michael Myers, a classic scary movie villain. Myers escapes a mental hospital, after murdering his sister 15 years ago, and is on the run to kill some more.
The Shining (1980)
Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick did a great job of creating this creepy classic! This story entails a family staying in an isolated hotel where an evil spirit possesses and haunts them.
Friday the 13th (1980)
A summer camp, where a child previously drowned, is attempting to reopen. However, someone is stalking and murdering the camp counselors. This is the film where the classic villain Jason is first introduced. We see Jason in the sequels to this film and in the Freddy vs. Jason film.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
A group of high schoolers are being haunted and murdered in their sleep. The survivors are trying to figure out how and why this happening, while trying to avoid the murderer in their dreams. This film introduces the well-known villain, Freddy Krueger. Krueger through the film series and later in Freddy vs. Jason.
It (1990)
Another classic from author Stephen King, It is a shape-shifting demon that preys on the children of a small town. The demon most often shape-shifts into a clown, but feeds on children’s fears and kills them. A group of outcast pre-teens battle the clown, and must face it again when it resurfaces 30 years later.
Scream (1996)
A year after her mother’s death, Sydney Prescott and her friends begin to be tormented by a crazed serial killer who dresses in a black cloak and white mask. This iconic serial killer is referenced in other movies, such as Scary Movie. The Scream film series continues on for 3 more movies, each as thrilling as the first.
The Sixth Sense (1999)
A child psychologist assists a young boy who who sees and communicates with spirits that don’t know they’re dead. This creepy classic will be sure to have you freaked out!
Available on Netflix
Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Siblings Trish and Darry encounter a flesh-eating monster while driving home in the countryside. They set out to seek help, however, the creature is on their track.
The “Feel-Goods”
These are a mixture of some old and some new, but they’re definitely not scary! Some are funny, some are wholesome, some are kind of weird, but all are very entertaining.
Beetlejuice (1988)
A recently deceased couple finds their home occupied by an obnoxious family and wants them out. When they fail to get rid of the family, the couple turns to Beetlejuice for help — a not-so-nice ghost who’s up to no good. Being one of Tim Burton’s earlier works, this film is unique in style, humor and story.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Another classic from Tim Burton, Edward Scissorhands is an almost complete person whose owner died before finishing him. Edward is left with scissors for hands and lives alone in a castle on a hill until a woman finds him and brings him down to live in the community with her.
The Addams Family (1991)
An eccentric, wealthy family deals with a crooked accountant who’s after their money. This movie is quirky, funny, and family-friendly!
Available on Netflix
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, grows bored with Halloween and decides to take on an entirely new holiday — Christmas. This Halloween-Christmas movie mashup combines the best holiday together for one of Tim Burton’s best animated films.
Available on Netflix
Hocus Pocus (1993)
This Disney Channel classic is about three witches who have been resurrected on Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts. It’s up to two teenagers, a young girl, and an immortal cat to take these witches before they take over the town.
The Craft (1996)
A new student at a Catholic prep high school befriends a trio of outcast teenage girls whose hobbies include witchcraft. Together they conjure up spells and curses against people who anger them. This is a fun film, especially if you’ve ever wished you could do magic as a kid!
Halloweentown (1998)
This is the ULTIMATE Disney Channel Halloween film. A girl who recently finds out that she is a witch with powers, sneaks off to Halloweentown without her mother’s permission to save the town from a dark force. There are four movies total in this film series.
Practical Magic (1998)
Two witch sisters are raised in a town facing prejudice against their magical family. Along with this, they must also deal with a curse keeping them from finding everlasting love. Love, witches, and magic, this movie is exciting and heartwarming.
Available on Netflix
Corpse Bride (2005)
Tim Burton is at it again with his unique animated films. In this one, Victor, a soon to be husband, practices his vows in a eerie forest. As soon as he gets his vows right, he finds himself married to a corpse bride. The soundtrack to this film is incredible, and a definite must-see.
Available on Netflix
Monster House (2006)
Have you ever seen a really creepy old house? Imagine if that house came to life and started eating things! Three teens discover this to be the case for house across the street. This funny, adventurous movie is enjoyable at any age.
Coraline (2009)
Coraline moves to a new home with her parents. She discovers a hidden door that leads her to a parallel world where everyone has buttons for eyes and her parents give her attention and love. When the other world’s mother wants Coraline to stay forever, she is left with a big decision to make.
Available on Netflix
Frankenweenie (2012)
One last Tim Burton film to end our feel-good list. Victor’s dog passes away, and he attempts to bring him back to life in a Frankenstein-inspired way. When his “monster” dog scares his neighbors, it’s up to Victor to convince them that he is still a harmless dog.
The Scary
These movies are a mixture of suspense, horror and thriller. They are definitely the ones you’ll want to see if you’re looking for a scary night!
The Ring (2002)
Journalist Rachel Keller begins investigating a videotape which mysteriously causes everyone who watches it to die. After seeing it herself, she must race against time in order figure out it’s origins and save her own life. This movie is a bit older, but if you’ve never seen it before you’re in for a spooky treat!
Insidious (2010)
After their son falls into a coma following a mysterious incident in the attic, a family seeks help to retrieve their son who is trapped by evil spirits in The Further. This film is filled with suspense and paranormal horror.
Sinister (2012)
True-crime writer moves into a house where a crime took place earlier in order to work on his newest novel. As he’s investigating the murder, he finds a box of home movies that show a chain of murderers from a possible serial killer from years ago. This film is one of the creepiest films on this list (in my opinion) so viewer beware!
After watching this movie, check out the sequel, Sinister 2, for even more creepiness.
The Conjuring (2013)
When a family experiences strange happenings at their farmhouse, they seek the help of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. This film is sure to have you at the edge of your seat.
It Follows (2014)
After a sexual encounter, 19 year-old Jay is followed by an unknown supernatural force. This film is one of my favorites off Netflix and I highly recommend it.
Available on Netflix
The Babadook (2014)
A widowed mother must manage her son’s fear of monster in their house, who originally appeared in a children’s book found within the house. Now, this film isn’t the scariest in this list, but it’ll leave with an unnerving feeling once you’ve finished.
Available on Netflix
Creep (2014)
A videographer answers an ad on Craigslist to find that the poster is a dying man who wishes to record his last messages. As the messages grow darker, he learns that the man is not who thought he was.
Available on Netflix
Hush (2016)
A deaf writer who lives alone in the woods must fight for her life when a killer appears outside her house. The suspense in this movie is like no other. This is another great movie on Netflix movie you should check out.
Available on Netflix
Blair Witch (2016)
After James discovers a video of who he assumes to be his missing sister, him and his friends go into the forest inhabited by the Blair Witch and face a mysterious strings of events. This film contains many jump scares and thrilling moments.
Lights Out (2016)
Rebecca must face an entity attached to her mother when her little brother stops sleeping because of the supernatural lurking in the shadows. This film takes your fear of the dark and amplifies it by about 100. Be prepared to sleep with some lights on.
It (2017)
Released in early September, you might have already seen this film. This remake of a classic movie is absolutely incredible, and I highly recommend watching it (again). I know it’s not yet available on DVD or streaming websites, but try to catch it at the Metropolitan Fiesta 5 Theatre before this Halloween season is over!
All pictures and movie information courtesy of imdb.com