Top 50 Best Halloween Movies For A Spooky Holiday

Discover the ultimate list of Halloween movies for a spooky season marathon. From classic horror to family-friendly favorites, explore the top picks for a chilling night of entertainment that will make your Halloween extra special.

Horror films are experiencing a renaissance, and there has never been a better time to start watching and rewatching some of the genre’s best Halloween movies.  Additionally, Halloween is a time to spend with family and friends, and there is no better way to have fun than by watching a horror movie together. Fortunately, there is no shortage of incredible scary movies to satisfy any moviegoer’s appetite, especially during the Halloween season. There are films for the paranoid, conspiracy theorists, apocalyptic over-thinkers, and superstitious ghost hunters among us. So what is the best movie for Halloween? Which Halloween films can transport you to an alternate reality where you can live out your worst nightmares? Let’s find out!

Best Halloween Movies of All Time

Here is a list of some of the best Halloween movies to scare the wits out of you!

1. X

The film “X” directed by Ti West is set in the 1970s. In the film, we watch a group of youthful actors work on a stag movie in the barn behind an elderly couple’s out-of-the-way house in Texas. “X” offers contemplative investigations of the transitory nature of youth, the agony of aging, and unmet ambitions in between sequences of staged sex and terrible violence.

2. Scream

“Scream” is a popular horror movie franchise known for its unique blend of horror and comedy elements. Created by filmmaker Wes Craven, the series has left an indelible mark on the horror genre. The fifth installment returns to the small town of Woodsboro and features the return of iconic characters, blending the classic “Scream” elements with a contemporary twist.

3. Malignant

While James Wan may be remembered for his significant contributions to the horror genre with films like Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring, it was this standalone film that truly showcased Wan’s storytelling talents. This chaotic story follows a young woman who has nightmares about an enigmatic man killing dreadful people, leading you through astounding insights and visually terrifying effects.

4. Ready Or Not

“Ready Or Not” raises the stakes by introducing in-laws whose tradition is to hunt the new bride with various weapons from dusk until dawn. (As if marriage didn’t already make some people uncomfortably nervous!) The bride, Grace, must put up a fight if she wants to enjoy her new life and stay alive.

5. Prey

Ever wondered if Predator needed a backstory? Well, now you have one. In “Prey,” a young woman from the Comanche tribe must battle an alien predator 300 years ago in the Northern Great Plains of North America to defend her family. It’s an epic battle of horrific proportions.

6. The Hunt

“The Hunt” was one of the last films to be in theaters before the epidemic struck in 2020, so if you don’t remember it, it’s probably because a lot of actual horrors quickly took over. This political satire creates a somewhat disorganized but utterly frightening portrait of our times by blending elements of “The Hunger Games” with liberal elitism and far-right extremism. Plus, it’s genuinely horrifying, with plenty of blood and violence.

7. Midsommar

It’s hard to imagine another movie with such a frightening tone and vibrant color scheme as “Midsommar.” This A24 production is set in Sweden during a small town’s Midsommar festival. When a couple, who shouldn’t be together, arrives with their equally troubled friends, things quickly go awry. Just be aware that there’s blood, a bear suit, and a spectacular food spread that would be enticing if no one kept dying.

8. His House

“His House” is a masterfully made and remarkably unique horror movie that subverts typical horror movie clichés to create a unique experience. The film centers on a South Sudanese couple who manage to escape the turmoil in their native country, only to face a new threat—of the supernatural variety—in England.

9. Train To Busan

The Korean action horror movie “Train to Busan” reimagines the zombie apocalypse genre. It follows a father and daughter as they travel across the country by train while a pandemic spreads throughout the nation.

For more films on the zombie genre, read ‘Best Zombie Movies Of All Time‘. 

10. Us

“Us,” directed by Jordan Peele, is a thought-provoking and chilling horror film that explores the duality of human nature. Lupita Nyong’o plays the mother of a family that is attacked by an enigmatic group of strangers who are their exact doppelgängers.

11. Insidious

“Insidious,” directed by James Wan, is a spine-tingling supernatural horror film that delves into the terrifying world of astral projection and malevolent spirits. In the first episode of the series, which stars Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, and Barbara Hershey, a family must accept the fact that their son has slipped into a mysterious comatose state where he becomes possessed by otherworldly spirits.

12. The Witch

“The Witch,” set in 17th-century New England and directed by Robert Eggers of “The Lighthouse” fame, is produced by the beloved production company A24. It depicts a Puritan family who quickly pins their son’s abduction on their daughter. While suspecting she is a witch, they grapple with their familial bonds and potentially more potent dark energies.

13. Deliverance

Sometimes the most frightful movies can evoke fear without delving into the fantastical or the magnificent. This 1972 movie, starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, and Ronny Cox, is classified as “an adventure drama,” but the line “Squeal like a pig!” begs to disagree. The movie follows four friends who decide to take a trip down a remote Georgia river.

14. Hereditary

Following the passing of her estranged mother, Annie (Toni Collette) begins to notice some unusual activities around her home. After yet another devastating event, Annie starts to lose control. Is her family being manipulated by some mysterious entity, or is it all in her head?

15. A Quiet Place

A family, led by John Krasinski and Emily Blunt, stealthily makes their way through a post-apocalyptic world while being pursued by monsters with enhanced hearing that track their prey at every step. Despite their survivalist skills, the family may fail due to the rifts in their own relationships. We assure you will be on the edge of your seat the entire time while watching this film. 

16. The Babadook

An Australian gothic thriller by Jennifer Kent features a young widow who must care for her disturbed six-year-old boy. Things take a turn for the worse for the struggling mother when the tall, top-hat-wearing spook known as the Babadook, who serves as the title character in her child’s picture book, starts to emerge from the book’s pages and wreak havoc on the mother and youngster.

17. The Descent

In North Carolina, six brave women venture into an uncharted cave in hopes of having a good time exploring the darkness. However, their mountain getaway turns scary when they learn that there are other people in the cave, as well as flesh-eating humanoid monsters that pursue women.

18. It Follows

Annie initially believes she has found someone trustworthy in her new boyfriend. When she and her lover have sex, he confesses that he is being followed by an evil that will now hunt her down until she can pass “it” onto the next person she sleeps with. This melancholic, retro-inspired horror movie is a contemporary classic that features a terrifying, unfathomable monster that our heroine must outsmart.

19. Get Out

“Get Out,” directed by Jordan Peele, is a groundbreaking horror-thriller that tackles themes of racism and social commentary in a gripping and suspenseful narrative. In this Oscar-winning modern classic, a young black photographer (Daniel Kaluuya) goes with his fiancée (Allison Williams) to her oddly overzealous Obama-supporting parents’ house and learns that they are not to be trusted. 

20. Eyes Without A Face

“Eyes Without a Face” is a haunting and atmospheric French horror classic directed by Georges Franju. In the film, a famous and deranged surgeon kidnaps beautiful women and attempts to transplant their faces onto his daughter, who, yes, is devoid of a face.

21. The Last House On The Left

“The Last House on the Left,” is a horror film directed by Wes Craven. This movie is notorious for its raw and brutal portrayal of violence, offering a chilling exploration of revenge and the dark side of humanity. The film is a gritty, artistic thriller about two adolescent girls who confront cruel escaped prisoners and how the tables get violently turned.  

22. Rosemary’s Baby

In the most horrific allegory for motherhood gone horribly wrong, Rosemary, played by Mia Farrow, grows more and more terrified of both her excruciating pregnancy and the mysterious neighbors in a building with a Satanic past. For her role as Rosemary’s zany and obnoxious neighbor, who isn’t quite as lovely as she looks, the legendary Ruth Gordon earned an Oscar.

23. The House Of The Devil

A strange couple named the Ulmans offers Samantha, a penniless college student trying to pay her rent, a job babysitting. When Samantha finds out that the person in her care is actually Mr. Ulman’s ill mother rather than a child, things become increasingly strange. When Samantha discovers that the Ulmans have some extremely cunning plans for her, her gig turns into a night of hell because she foolishly disregards her intuition.

24. The Exorcist

Regan MacNeil, a kind 12-year-old girl taken over by demonic power, is one of the most horrifying movie villains. Even 40 years after its first release, “The Exorcist” is still regarded as the scariest film ever made. William Friedkin’s Oscar-nominated film, which included outstanding performances, complex thematic content, and groundbreaking scares, was essentially the first prestige horror film.

Looking for horror movies to watch with your kids? Read “Best PG-13 Horror Movies‘ that will scare you for sure. 

25. Donnie Darko

Jake Gyllenhaall’s potential was teased in the film “Donnie Darko.” The film follows Donnie as a stereotypical teenage social outcast whose troubles mysteriously accumulate interdimensional stakes. It’s the ideal mixture for a terrifying movie featuring a troubled teen, a memorable monster, and a Halloween-themed storyline.

26. Night Of The Living Dead

“Night of the Living Dead,” directed by George A. Romero, is a seminal classic in the zombie genre.  Released in 1968, it not only defined the modern zombie but also served as a social commentary on issues such as race and consumerism, making it a landmark in horror cinema. 

27. Halloween

“Halloween,” directed by John Carpenter, is a legendary horror film that introduced the iconic killer, Michael Myers. This suspenseful and atmospheric masterpiece has been hailed for its contribution to the slasher genre and continues to terrify audiences with its relentless and silent antagonist. This film inspired a slew of subpar sequels but couldn’t match the eerie intensity of the original.

Looking for horror movies around the holiday season? Read ‘Best Christmas Horror Movies‘ that are a must-watch. 

28. The Shining

Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of the best-selling novel by Stephen King, arguably the scariest movie of all time, creates horror through its exquisite filmmaking. The most iconic performance in recent horror cinema comes from Jack Nicholson, who portrays a murdering paterfamilias in the film.

29. A Nightmare On Elm Street

Wes Craven’s seminal horror film recognizes that you’re never more vulnerable than when you’re asleep. This naturally sets up countless scares for one of the most successful horror franchises in movie history. It tells the tale of a child molester who rises from the dead to prey upon his killers’ children in their dreams.

30. Alien

Ridley Scott’s stunning 1979 outer-space saga about a crew of astronauts struggling against a malicious extraterrestrial is still the franchise’s most intensely terrifying scene. However, its sequel does include larger man-vs.-beast action.

If you enjoy watching films on space and the extraterrestrial then read, ‘Best Space Movies Of All Time.“

31. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Ignore the remakes, prequels, and sequels, and stick with Tobe Hooper’s original 1974 film.  “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is a chilling and iconic horror film that follows a group of friends who encounter a family of sadistic cannibals in rural Texas, delivering spine-tingling terror that has endured for decades. 

32. Psycho

“Psycho” (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is a cinematic masterpiece that skillfully weaves suspense and psychological horror as it delves into the disturbed mind of Norman Bates, forever changing the way audiences perceive showers and motel stays. This iconic film continues to captivate viewers with its timeless storytelling and unforgettable shower scene.

33. The Thing

John Carpenter’s “The Thing” (1982) is a sci-fi horror classic that traps a group of researchers in an isolated Antarctic base with a shape-shifting extraterrestrial entity. But, the only thing scarier than going up against a terrible cosmic monster is going up against one that can transform into human form. Watch the movie on Amazon Prime to see how they manage to survive. 

34. Audition

Takeshi Miike, a Japanese director has rarely produced a film with greater intense suspense than this 1999 drama about a man who learns that dating may be a dangerous affair. The film lures viewers into a disturbing world of obsession and torture, leaving them haunted by its quiet intensity and shocking revelations long after the credits roll.

For more movies about obsession, read ‘Best Movies About Obsession’ ranked in order. 

35. Let The Right One In

In this outstanding Swedish vampire romance from Tomas Alfredson, set in the 1980s, a young outcast lad encounters and falls in love with a youthful eternal bloodsucker. The film culminates in a memorable pool sequence.

36. The Host

Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host” (2006) is a gripping South Korean monster film that blends family drama, social commentary, and thrilling creature action. It follows the tale of a South Korean family under siege from an extraordinary foe—namely, a big sea monster produced from chemical waste.

37. Henry: Portrait Of A Serial Killer

Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer” (1986) is a chilling and unflinching exploration of a remorseless killer’s life. Michael Rooker is a serial killer and the film delivers an unvarnished look into the abyss of a psychopath’s mind. With its gritty realism and unnerving performances, it remains a disturbing yet influential entry in the true-crime genre.

38. Carrie

Stephen King’s story was adapted by Brian De Palma into a deeply unsettling picture of the isolation and rage of adolescence. Sissy Spacek’s unforgettable performance as Carrie White and the film’s iconic prom night climax have left an indelible mark on the horror genre.

39. Don’t Look Now

In Nicolas Roeg’s truly unsettling thriller, a couple (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) mourning the loss of their daughter begins to believe that she is attempting to contact them from the hereafter. You’ll never perceive young females wearing red coats in the same way again.

40. The Ring

The film briefly made everyone frightened of their TV in the early 2000s. In Naomi Watts’ role, a journalist tries to figure out why people keep dying after seeing a particular video recording. Directed by Gore Verbinski, it is a hair-raising American adaptation of the Japanese horror classic. Watch the film on Amazon Prime. 

41. The Blair Witch Project

When “The Blair Witch Project” was first released in 1999, people weren’t sure if it was fiction or nonfiction. It tells the tale of three students who visit a tiny hamlet to investigate a murder and end up being terrorized in the woods. It is marketed as “found video footage.”

42. Drag Me To Hell

Sam Raimi’s 2009 horror movie is the epitome of grotesque humor and horrible horror. In the film, Alison Lohman plays a bank loan officer who denies a senior citizen’s request for a mortgage payment extension. The woman responds with witchcraft, cursing her new foe and threatening an early demise.

43. Orphan

Esther, a nine-year-old Russian girl adopted by a loving American couple (Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard), starts acting out in hazardous ways, including harassing her new brother and students at school, killing a nun, and attempting to seduce her new adopted father. It doesn’t take long for someone to suspect that perhaps this child is not who she seems to be.

44. Suspiria

How does Luca Guadagnino, the director of “Call Me By Your Name,” follow up one of the decade’s most enduring love stories? By producing one of its top horror movies. Dakota Johnson plays the lead in his adaptation of Dario Argento’s 1977 classic as an American dancer who auditions at a renowned dance school in Berlin (Spoiler alert: The dance teachers there are much more than just dancing teachers!).

45. Slither

“Slither” (2006) directed by James Gunn is a gleefully grotesque blend of horror and humor. It features an alien parasite’s invasion of a small town and the ensuing chaos that unfolds, making it a cult classic among horror-comedy enthusiasts with its over-the-top gore and wit.

46. The Witch

A Puritan family relocates to a farm outside of their Plymouth colony in this Robert Eggers’ feature directorial debut. But, they run into all kinds of bizarre otherworldly happenings in the farm’s surrounding woodland. 

47. It

If you’re not familiar with the narrative, “It” is based on a Stephen King novel and centers on a gang of kids who engage in combat with Pennywise, an enigmatic, otherworldly clown. Of course, Tim Curry’s “It” miniseries from 1990 will always be a classic. But Pennywise begged for big-budget CGI effects that are fit for the twenty-first century. The enormous clown in the movie theater scene? Swinging tentacles from Pennywise’s mouth? Good luck with your sleep!

48. Nosferatu

Despite being almost 100 years old, this horror genre classic’s tale of Count Orlok hosting Thomas Hutter is still entertaining. Vintage horror films like this can often come off as a touch campy, but “Nosferatu’s” eerie visage, eerie photography, and pertinent message against xenophobia still hold up today.

49. Raw

Making a cannibal movie must be challenging. The documentary “Raw” follows a vegetarian as she begins her first semester of veterinary school and, whoa, develops a taste for meat. Though it seems straightforward, “Raw’s” suspense (how far is she willing to go?) and art-film feel make it worthwhile to watch.

50. Don’t Breathe

Fede Alvarez’s breathless horror-thriller features Stephen Lang in top form for 90 breathless minutes. The film centers on three robbers who attempt to steal $300,000 in cash from a home in an abandoned Detroit area owned by Norman Nordtrom, a blind Gulf War veteran (Lang).

51. Poltergeist

“Poltergeist” (1982), directed by Tobe Hooper and produced by Steven Spielberg, is a haunting masterpiece that explores the malevolent forces plaguing a suburban family through supernatural phenomena. Although the effects were spectacular, including some early blue-screen work and gorgeous lighting, the iconic shock was provided by a possessed toy clown.

In case you are looking for some more ideas to make your Halloween extra special, here are some suggestions: 

• Best Halloween Party Games For Adults
• Best Halloween Party Games For Kids – Hush Don’t Get Scared!
• Best Funny Halloween Jokes To Make Holiday Fa-boo-lous
• Best Zombie Movies Of All Time