It’s the time of year to rewatch your horror favorites, and to catch up on anything you might’ve missed. I’ll take you through my favorite horror movies so you can add some titles to your Halloween watch list. I want to give the caveat that these are strictly horror movie recommendations for Halloween, not necessarily “Halloween” or “spooky” movies. Halloween favorites such as Coraline, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, and that not-so-great movie about three witches aren’t on this list. Because ranking these movies is too difficult, these are in no specific order.

Hereditary

Where to watch: Max, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2018
Director: Ari Aster

I know I said these aren’t in any specific order, but I do want to start with my favorite horror movie of all time. Ari Aster’s Hereditary is one that will be talked about as part of the horror movie pantheon for years to come. With almost no jump scares, the film builds dread and terror around horrifying circumstances and some of the most memorable acting performances you’ll see in a horror movie. Toni Collette’s performance as Annie is one of the all-time Academy Award nomination snubs. Hereditary is horror in its purest form and will stick with you long after the credits roll.

Barbarian

Where to watch: Hulu, Max, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2022
Director: Zach Cregger

Because so much of the genius of Barbarian has to do with how the story unfolds, I’ll keep this one short. It was not only my favorite horror film of 2022, but it was one of my top 10 favorite films of the year. Believe the hype, it’s one of the most wild horror movies you’ll ever see, especially for something that had such a wide theatrical release. It’s horrifying, intriguing, and at times, even hilarious.

The Babadook

Where to watch: Hulu, Shudder, AMC+, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2014
Director: Jennifer Kent

The Babadook is another film that relies on real horror and dread rather than forcing in predictable jump scares. What makes it powerful and memorable are the raw emotions delivered through a moving story of a single mom and her son. It’s tense, haunting, beautiful, and truly sad, but it’s a horror film that can’t be missed.

The House of the Devil

Where to watch: Peacock, Prime Video, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2009
Director: Ti West

While it was released in 2009, The House of the Devil is set in the 80’s and is filmed and created using techniques from classic 70’s and 80’s horror films. The set up is simple, a college student is house sitting and also “mother sitting,” but as she explores the house, something seems a little off. Full of tension, gore, and startling scares, what more would you want from a horror movie?

It Follows

Where to watch: Paramount+, Showtime, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2015
Director: David Robert Mitchell

One of the first films released during this golden age of horror films, It Follows is nearly a decade old and is still talked about as a shining example of great horror. The film’s unforgettable score coupled with compelling cinematography is part of what gives It Follows such great staying power. It also smartly utilizes its locations to increase the terror, and gives us a plot that delivers non-stop suspense.

The Witch

Where to watch: Max, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2015
Director: Robert Eggers

The Witch introduced us to two of today’s most exciting people in the film industry, Anya Taylor-Joy and director Robber Eggers. Taking place in 17th century New England, the setting and hyper-authentic dialogue aren’t for everybody, but the craftsmanship and attention to detail Eggers provides is impressive. It’s a slow burn, but The Witch’s story of black magic and the fears of witchcraft is horrifying to watch unfold.

Suspiria

Where to watch: Prime Video, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2018
Director: Luca Guadagnino

The 2018 remake of the 1977 classic Suspiria is blood soaked and nothing like the original, and that is what makes me love this film so much. Much maligned during it’s initial release, this remake has started to find its crowd of supporters. Full of mystery and an absolutely captivating setting, the world of 2018’s Suspiria is both enticing and frightening. I must also mention that it has one of the most haunting horror scores you’ll ever hear, composed by Radiohead’s Thom Yorke.

Us

Where to watch: Peacock, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2019
Director: Jordan Peele

Out of Jordan Peele’s three films, Us has the most visceral frights. While Get Out’s racial commentary proves to be his most compelling and highlights the most frightening injustices our world deals with today, Us gives the viewer more carnage and more physical scares. With that being said, Us also strongly delivers on the metaphorical front. Lead by an awards-worthy performance from Lupita Nyong’o, Us will keep you scared and keep you thinking.

REC

Where to watch: Prime Video, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2007
Director: Jaume Balagueró and Paco Plaza

To put it simply, REC is my favorite “found footage” horror film. The “found footage” subgenre has been done to death for years, but something about the haunted house style terror REC delivers makes it stand above similar films. It’s full of jump-scares, tension, and is the perfect film to watch while holding a blanket up to your eyes. Hailing from Spain, REC inspired a terrible American remake, Quarantine, that was released just a year later.

Halloween

Where to watch: Shudder, AMC+, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 1978
Director: John Carpenter

Not much needs to be said about one of horror’s most important films. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. If you watch it every year, keep doing that. When compared to other classics of that time period such as Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street, it’s not even close. After several rewatches of all three films, Halloween proves to be the only one that still fully holds up today. It’s still scary and still beautifully made.

Midsommar

Where to watch: Showtime, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2019
Director: Ari Aster

Ari Aster makes his second appearance on this list, but with something much different than Hereditary. One of the few similarities is an awards-worthy performance from the lead of the film, this time the amazing Florence Pugh. Midsommar takes place in the sun-soaked countryside of Sweden, where the horror doesn’t linger in the dark, but in the unknown of the traditions of a foreign commune. With some of the most unsettling imagery you might ever see in a horror film, Midsommar isn’t for the faint of heart. 

Host

Where to watch: Shudder, AMC+, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2020
Director: Rob Savage

Because of its initial exclusive release on Shudder (although now available to see on AMC+ and VOD), Host is a criminally underseen thrill ride. Six friends join in on an online séance, and all hell breaks loose. Created during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Host was made with a slim $100,000 budget, filmed entirely remotely through webcams, and utilized some old school film techniques. Host is a tight 65 minutes and is a must see if you’re looking for something fun and short.

You’re Next

Where to watch: Max, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2013
Director: Adam Wingard

Upon release, You’re Next caught many people off guard. With an unassuming home invasion premise, most were surprised at how exhilarating, scary, and hilarious You’re Next ended up being. It’s full of twists and turns, and smartly uses dark humor to soften some of the gory blows.

V/H/S/94

Where to watch: Shudder, AMC+, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2021
Director: Simon Barrett, Steven Kostanski, Chloe Okuno, Ryan Prows, Jennifer Reeder, and Timo Tjahjanto

Anthologies are some of the most fun you can have while watching horror films, and the V/H/S series has a lot to offer. With there being a handful of films in the V/H/S series, the quality of the different films, and the segments within those films, is very inconsistent. Even though they all have their high points and low points, I find 2021’s V/H/S/94 to be the best of the bunch. Simon Barret’s The Empty Wake and Timo Tjahjanto’s The Subject are my two favorite stories from V/H/S/94. I do want to give a fair warning that all the movies in this series are fairly gruesome and not for everybody.

The Conjuring

Where to watch: Max, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2013
Director: James Wan

A modern horror classic and the start of one of the most successful horror franchise’s of all time, The Conjuring was not only a box office success, but it’s a great film too. A cursed house, an exorcism, a demonic presence, and things that go bump in the night are all things we’re used to seeing in standard horror films, but because of the great cast and the outstanding direction of James Wan, those elements are elevated in The Conjuring.

X

Where to watch: Showtime, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2022
Director: Ti West

Part one of Ti West’s X trilogy was one of 2022’s best horror films, and a lot of that is thanks to Mia Goth’s incredible dual role performance as Maxine and Pearl. Filled out by great performances from Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, and Scott Mescudi (also known as Kid Cudi), it’s a cat and mouse horror film that has our cast of characters running and fighting for their lives.

Pearl

Where to watch: Showtime, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2022
Director: Ti West

Pearl, part two of the Ti West’s X trilogy, is a prequel to X. Released the same year as X, it tells the story of Pearl’s life and her dream of leaving her family’s farm to become a star. With another incredible performance from Mia Goth, just the next example of the Academy Awards ignoring the horror genre, Pearl cemented Ti West’s trilogy as one of horror’s best ever (even though part three, MaXXXine, has not been released yet).

Talk to Me

Where to watch: In theaters, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2023
Director: Danny and Michael Philippou

In a recent review, I talked about Talk to Me in detail, labeling it as 2023’s best horror film so far. As I stated in the review, Talk to Me is so memorable and successful because of the impressive horror visuals, the convincing performances from the cast, and the emotional weight and stakes the movie is interested in tackling. It’s as fun, or more fun, when compared to other teen-based horror films.

Paranormal Activity

Where to watch: Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2007
Director: Oren Peli

If you haven’t seen the first Paranormal Activity after all of these years, then you’re clearly avoiding it intentionally. For all of the duds that are out there in the “found footage” category of horror films, Paranormal Activity remains an iconic example because of its clever use of in-home security cameras. It’s a lot of fun, incredibly stressful, and still holds up after several rewatches. It has spawned several sequels, but Paranormal Activity 3 might be the only one worth your time.

Scream

Where to watch: Max, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 1996
Director: Wes Craven

The original Scream is one of the most rewatchable horror films of all time. Wes Craven turns the horror genre on its head by cleverly making fun of horror tropes by incorporating them into the film itself. The jokes are all for the love of the genre, as the film needs these horror elements to make it all work. It’s a riveting slasher that has been mimicked countless times after its release. Even after knowing how everything plays out, there are new elements to discover with each new viewing of Scream. The performances are nuanced, and Scream is as hilarious as it is scary. It’s one that deserves to be seen every Halloween. An honorable mention to Scream (2022) and Scream VI, as those more recent Scream releases were a lot of fun and the best since the original.

The Black Phone

Where to watch: Prime Video, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2021
Director: Scott Derrickson

The Black Phone might be the least “scary” of the horror films on this list, but it doesn’t make it any less of a success. Revolving around the kidnapping of children, the plot can be unsettling at times, but its manner of handling this premise is done with such care. It’s an “edge-of-your-seat” type thriller where the stakes can’t possibly be higher. What sets The Black Phone apart from other similar films is the memorable and masterfully played villain. Ethan Hawke as “The Grabber” is an amazing thing to behold.

Creep

Where to watch: Netflix, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2014
Director: Patrick Brice

This low budget, “found footage” film is an interesting and unique one. The filming techniques are familiar, but an off-putting and engaging performance from Mark Duplass makes this an exciting addition to the subgenre. The dynamic between the two leads will make you uncomfortable and keep you guessing the entire runtime.

Trick ‘r Treat

Where to watch: Max, Video On Demand (VOD)
Release year: 2007
Director: Michael Dougherty

Trick ‘r Treat is not only my favorite horror anthology of all time, but it might be the most “Halloween” themed horror movie ever made. Taking place on Halloween night, this clever anthology seamlessly weaves together four different stories that all take place in the same town on the same night. Each segment is high-quality horror (which is rare for anthology films), making Trick r’ Treat a great time from start to finish.

Honorable Mentions:

These are some “horror-thriller” recommendations where the scares are a little more scaled back.

• No One Will Save You (2023) (Hulu)
• Train to Busan (2016) (Prime Video, Showtime, VOD)
• A Quiet Place (2018) (Paramount+, VOD)
• A Quiet Place Part II (2020) (Paramount+, VOD)
• The Invitation (2015) (AMC+, Peacock, VOD)
• The Invisible Man (2020) (Peacock, VOD)
• Green Room (2015) (Max, VOD)
• 28 Days Later (2002) (Prime Video, VOD)

Written by: Stefano Todaro