There is a bite in the air, folks in sweaters walking down the street, and the familiar scent of Pumpkin wafts out of each Starbucks you pass. These are just a few of the tell-tale signs that you are in the midst of spooky season. Every year during the fateful month of October as we creep up on Halloween, the public embraces the spookier things. It’s the best time of year to carve a pumpkin, curl up on the sofa with a cider, and put on a spooky movie.
I know you might be thinking that you aren’t the “spooky movie type,” but to you I say don’t fret. I never fancied myself the scary movie type either. In fact, I used to be afraid to watch commercials for scary movies when they came on TV. Even just those thirty second clips would give me nightmares. But as we age, our tastes change. You might start to like a food you detested all throughout your childhood or find yourself attracted to people you never considered to be “your type” at all. In just that way I learned that I enjoy thrillers and movies that keep you on the edge of your seat.
It started with a viewing of Get Out with my roommates in college. The sensation was addicting and since then, I seek my fix each year during October. Since 2017, I have made the effort to watch a few scary movies each year during the fall – some new and some repeat viewings. As someone wading into these waters, I want to help any other newcomers who might want to dip their toe in or just dive directly into the deep end. There is a little something spooky for everyone during October and I want to help you find yours.
I’ll start with the spooky-ish movies before diving into some of my favorite spookier and spookiest flicks that I’ve enjoyed over the years.
Spooky-ish
If you prefer comedies to dramas, quote movies probably a little too much, and have any sort of reverence to the retro glam of the 1980’s….
You Should Watch: Ghostbusters (1984)
Bill Murray? Ghosts? Need I say more?
This one has been in my Halloween repertoire for decades thanks to my dad’s devotion to all things Bill Murray. When I first saw it I had to pretend that I wasn’t scared – even though it scared the pants off of me. Ghosts, voices, Sigourney Weaver being dragged into her kitchen by a monster? It was a no from me. But after forced repeat viewings – shout out to dad – the movie really started to grow on me.
Now it is one of my favorites and not just for spooky season, but of all time. As an adult I have come to find it even funnier than I possibly could have imagined as a kid. Jokes that went over my head now land perfectly and scenes I cringed at now put a smile on my face.
You will have a fantastic time watching Ghostbusters, no matter if it is the first or fortieth time.
If you enjoy a good family sitcom, have a dry sense of humor, and are a hopeless romantic…
You Should Watch: Addams Family Values (1993)
It honestly doesn’t matter which of the fantastic movie adaptations of the classic TV show you choose to watch, both are absolutely joyous films. I have a preference for the second simply because of the Joan Cusack of it all and the summer camp storyline.
In these films, Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia play the twisted, horny heads of the Addams household and bring us into their hilariously dark world. Each moment is crammed with campy, spooky deliciousness that will leave you wanting to return to spend more time with this family every halloween.
If you are a sucker for animated films, are looking for a flick to watch with the entire family, and hum all the time…
You Should Watch: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
As spooky as it is joyful, this Tim Burton masterpiece in stop-motion is a must see for all ages.
The word iconic is thrown around a lot, but it’s hard not to recognize how iconic this movie is. Jack Skellington is an all-time halloween character who is adorable, terrifying, sweet, and spooky all wrapped into one. The music is as ridiculous as it is catchy. Not to mention the creation of the film itself, all the time and effort that went into the making of this movie makes it all the better.
I will say, I do like to consider this an in-betweener movie to enjoy during the time between the two holidays revered in the film. But truthfully, you can’t go wrong whenever you choose to watch this one.
If you were uninspired by Robert Pattinson’s performance as a vampire, enjoy mockumentary-style content, and have to ask yourself “is he hot or does he just have an accent?”….
You Should Watch: What We Do In the Shadows (2014)
This is movie that put Taika Waititi on the map and paved the way for the FX series of the same name. The concept itself, even boiled down to a simple sentence, is already funny, “a mockumentary about four vampires sharing a flat together in New Zealand.” Then add in the eclectic performances, body horror, and self-serious tone – BOOM you’ve got an instant comedy classic.
I find myself liking this movie more and more each time I watch it. With it’s 1 hour and 26 minute run-time, the film is easy to turn on and enjoy at a moment’s notice.
If you love r-rated comedies, enjoy action-based video games, and had a crush on Emma Stone at any point in your life…
You Should Watch: Zombieland (2009)
Finally, a Zombie movie for someone who doesn’t want to sit through the gore and lore of a traditional zombie flick. Is there gore? Absolutely. It is an unavoidable part of this genre, but each bashed-in zombie skull is paired with a joke or absurd music cue that changes the formula. Not to mention this movie has one of the funniest, most unexpected cameos I’ve seen in a long time.
Spookier
If you have seen every single Marvel movie, have a lot of feelings about the Twilight novels, and enjoy well-choreographed action sequences….
You Should Watch: Blade (1997)
I watched Blade for the first time last year and it is an absolute banger. It has all the blood and gore you could ask for in a horror movie paired with the lore and character building that superhero movies bring to the table. Plus Wesley Snipes is…something to behold. Regardless of whether or not you are attracted to men, you will surely find yourself drawn to him in this role as the daywalker, Blade.
If you ever had a Tiger Beat poster on your wall, think that everyone should go to therapy, and like period pieces…
You Should Watch: Shutter Island (2010)
If you want to go with a thriller vs a horror, go no further than Shutter Island. I shouldn’t really have to pitch this movie, it pretty much speaks for itself. Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo headline the cast in this Martin Scorsese directed film. Need I say more? Good actors and good directors typically produce a good movie, this film easily meets and exceeds the criteria for good.
Despite it having all the trappings of a movie that I am drawn to, I strayed away from this movie for a very long time due to the way it was marketed prior to release. The decisions made by the marketing team for the trailer and campaigns for this movie made it seem like it would be a scary movie. While it has it’s disturbing moments, this is more of an “on the edge of your seat” psychological thriller than anything else. I would like to blame the person who made this trailer for keeping me away from this movie for as long as I was.
If you are (justifiably) cynical about the world we live in, enjoy having no idea what’s going on, and have dabbled in cardio after the sun goes down…
You Should Watch: Get Out (2017)
Social commentary, but make it a horror movie? This movie is a work of damn art.
Who knew Jordan Peele had this in him?! We are now used to his prowess of horror filmmaking that is injected with intention and commentary, but in 2017 this discovery was a shock to all. For a member of the comedy duo Key and Peele to be an Oscar winning screenwriter for a horror movie? Talk about a pivot. Besides Peele’s emergence, this film brought Daniel Kaluuya into the spotlight and quite literally changed the way horror is made. Since it’s release, many have used the template of Get Out to create horror films with something to say. Few have hit quite as hard as this one though.
If you don’t answer the phone when a number you don’t know calls, love 1990’s and 2000’s melodramatic television, and are incredibly ironic (even if by accident)…
You Should Watch: Scream (1995)
Don’t overthink it. The classics are classics for a reason! In this movie’s case you have a self-aware horror movie that is melodramatic and bodes the acting chops of a modern-day Hallmark movie. And I mean that in the most complementary way possible. Movies like Cabin in the Woods, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and Ready or Not would not be without the guiding light of Scream. If you like any of those, you will have a rollicking time taking in this one!
If you have ever questioned your purpose, like found-footage documentaries, and can handle a good jump scare….
You Should Watch: Signs (2003)
In the same way I avoided Shutter Island due to the film’s marketing campaign, so too did I avoid Signs. At the ripe age of 8, I was scared shitless by the commercials for this movie. That fear stuck with me long into adulthood and prevented me from watching a movie that is frankly wonderful. I enjoyed each second of this viewing experience. You get a chance to see what M. Night Shyamalan is capable of and why he is a household name in this movie. It’s a layered film that asks a lot of questions and doesn’t leave you unsatisfied when it doesn’t answer them during it’s run time. You have to think and sit with some emotions after the credits roll.
My full review of this – after my first viewing – is here on LetterBoxd. I really cannot say enough good things about it. Don’t be afraid, let yourself experience this one.
Spookiest
If you love true crime, try to watch all the Oscars movies every year, and don’t get queasy easily…
You Should Watch: Silence of the Lambs (1993)
There was no way this movie could live up to the hype. To be one of the only horror films ever nominated and victorious at the Oscars in nearly all of the major categories – Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay – is an astounding accomplishment. Add that to the fact that the lore of this franchise is oft referenced in the cultural zeitgeist – I think I heard the phrase “it puts the lotion in the basket” about a thousand times before I saw this movie – and has a slew of other films, television shows, and books that take place in the same universe…there is a LOT of hype around this movie.
I won’t wax too poetic on it, but suffice to say this movie lives up to and exceeds the hype. I was gobsmacked by it. I thought I knew what I was getting into and even though I had a very good outline of the plot, I was still shocked and awed all the way through. There is something to be said about what can be created when you put the talent of actors, directors, and writers all capable of greatness behind a horror film. The proof is right here in this movie.
It lands itself in this category due to it’s upsetting, dark subject matter, but is ultimately a thrilling crime procedural with compelling characters and a biting script. Don’t miss this one, believe the hype!
If you don’t trust the US government, believe that The Matrix is real, and have lived in a shitty apartment at any point in your life…
You Should Watch: Jacob’s Ladder
Unlike Silence of the Lambs, I knew basically nothing about this movie going into it. Just that it was Tim Robbins and it was supposed to be a thrill ride. Each moment of this movie will bend your mind into a different direction that you will spend a long time trying to untangle. It is as underrated as it is unhinged.
Be prepared to be confused, disturbed, and absolutely locked-in for the entire run-time of this movie. It will make you cringe just as quickly as it will make you cry. How many movies can you say that about?
If you enjoy foreign film, tuned in every week for HBO’s The Last of Us, and root for the underdog…
You Should Watch: Train to Busan
The zombie movie that made me fall in love with zombies.
This movie is a fun intersection for me. When I first saw it, I was taking in a lot of Korean movies. After rewatching Parasite, I started with Bong Joon Ho and moved into other well-respected films this country has produced in recent years. One of my close friends’ boyfriend – whose opinion on film I very much respect – had mentioned this film as one of his favorites so I kind of had to watch it. And well…it is terrifying, upsetting, gory, intense, and truly devastating. I felt such a wide variety of emotions and clenched my muscles in fear so much during this movie that I was exhausted afterwards. The toll this movie takes on your physically and emotionally is profound, but worth it.
Since this viewing, I have fallen in love with zombie movies. The genre isn’t perfect, but it’s fun and has the potential to deliver some seriously amazing content. This one might still be my favorite for a long time to come.
If you are a huge Star Wars nerd, love the thrill of a jump scare, and have the patience for greatness…
You Should Watch: Alien
There is something to be said about classic films that stand the test of time. Sci-fi adds an interesting wrinkle that prevents a lot of older films from achieving this. Often times special effects or CGI age a film past the point of enjoyment. A story can age well while the visuals suffer and drag it down. Alien, in the same way Jaws did before it, managed to age perfectly due to it’s simplicity. The effects were sparse and practical. The movie is so effective without doing too much.
Most people have heard of this movie due to it’s absolutely bonkers climactic scene involving John Hurt being sprawled out on the table. Taking it out of the film it’s a historic, disturbing moment oft discussed as one of the scariest moments in film. Injecting it into the pace and story of the film you can understand why in a way you would never be able to when it is siloed. It flows in and out of eerie calmness before hitting one of the most intense crescendos in any film. They just don’t make movies like this anymore and they surely don’t make stars like Sigourney Weaver anymore.
Don’t settle for watching that famous scene on it’s own, watch the whole movie and you’ll realize it is not even the best – or scariest – part. Plus, if you like it you have six more films to watch in the franchise including this year’s Alien: Romulus.
If you enjoy watching the work of the greats, are a little superstitious, and are a city dweller who doesn’t understand how people live out in the middle of nowhere…
You Should Watch: The Shining
This is it. Every year on Halloween I like to get cozy on my sofa, light a fall-scented candle, and watch The Shining. No matter how many times I see this movie, it still makes me jump and look around to make sure no one is lurking in my apartment. I still sleep with one eye open the night after I watch it, but nothing will compare to that magical first time.
My dad, a notorious Steven King obsessive, had been wanting to show me the movie for a while and I finally gave in one summer in college. I reluctantly agreed to watch the movie, but under the condition that we watch it in broad daylight – no nighttime viewings for me. My father kindly obliged and my mother, not the horror movie type at all, made herself scarce.
From the moment the score’s first chord slammed through the speakers in our living room I was on edge. I gasped, leapt off the sofa, shouted, cringed, and smiled all throughout. There was one particular sequence that may have been the most scared I have ever been watching a movie, it was a feeling I won’t ever forget. By the end, my mom had meandered into the kitchen and eventually found her way into the living room to watch the final frame and I felt like I had just run a marathon. Though the viewing experience will never be quite like that again, it is still riveting to go through each year.
Don’t deprive yourself of the singular experience of enjoying The Shining for the first time. If I could do again, I would, but I can’t so you should!
Just One Girl's Opinion 
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