Writing from the Chicagoland area in Illinois, Robert is an avid movie watcher and will take just about any excuse to find time to go to his local movie theaters. Robert graduated from Bradley University with degrees in Journalism and Game Design with a minor in Film Studies. Robert tries his best to keep up with all the latest movie releases, from those released in theaters to those released on streaming. While he doesn't always keep up with the latest TV shows, he makes it a goal to watch nearly every major new release possible. He has been honing his craft and following any and all movie news all his life, leading up to now, where he has a vast knowledge of film and film history. He also logs every movie that he watches on his Letterboxd page, and has hosted a weekly online movie night with his closest friends for over 6 years.
Each holiday happens to have its own selection of standout movies that help amplify the feelings and vibes of the holiday to audiences, with easily one of the biggest and most popular holidays for there to be films for being Halloween. Whether it be films that take place on the night itself or films that simply exude the spooky energy of the autumn season, Halloween-centric movies have been a staple of filmmaking for generations now.
From the countless terrifying horror movies that capitalize on the spooky season to non-horror movies filled with Halloween elements and attributes, there are a wide array of great films out there that can get anyone in the Halloween mood. The very best Halloween movies have utilized a haunting energy to their filmmaking and storytelling that has connected with audiences well beyond the Halloween season, able to be enjoyed year-round but are especially great during the month of October.
10
'Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark' (2019)
Image via Lionsgate Films
The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark books have been considered absolute classics of children's horror stories for decades now, so it was only a matter of time before these beloved horror stories were transformed into an approachable, PG-13 horror film. However, even with the film being a great entrypoint into horror, it doesn't hold back in terms of some deeply disturbing concepts and genuine scares for a PG-13 horror film. Much like the stories that it adapts, the film does a great job of getting audiences in the spooky mood for the Halloween season.
The film's story does a great job of combining together some of the best stories from the original book into a singular, cohesive narrative, seeing a group of teenagers finding a book of horror stories that end up coming true and slowly killing various teens in their town on Halloween night. Especially for younger audiences looking to get into horror or those who grew up with these stories, this film does a great job of capturing the magic of these timeless Halloween classic stories.
9
'The Blair Witch Project' (1999)
Image via Artisan Entertainment
The found footage genre has consistently stood as one of the scariest subgenres of horror, with its ability to directly put audiences in the perspective of characters and experience horrors firsthand being second to none. However, the undeniable peak of found footage horror for many years has been The Blair Witch Project, a low-budget horror icon that took the world by storm with its focus on realism and being positioned as real-life recovered footage of missing documentarians.
Taking place in the month of October and primarily being in the dark, mysterious forests, The Blair Witch Project succeeds greatly in creating this eerie, unsettling energy surrounding the unknown and lingering dread of its characters and story. Even after it has inspired so many other found footage films, it still stands as one of the best found footage films ever made thanks to the dedication of both filmmaking and performances to make this feel as real as possible.
8
'Terrifier 2' (2022)
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The original Terrifier film certainly left a mark on horror fans for its over-the-top gore and the sadistic nature of its central killer, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), yet the series didn't truly become a horror classic until Terrifier 2, which is still considered the height of the trilogy. Everything about the Terrifier series gets a major upgrade in this sequel while also further amplifying the Halloween aesthetic of it all and providing some major improvements to its writing.
The story itself is relatively simple, with Art the Clown returning for another massacre of carnage and bloodshed on Halloween night. However, the real strength and improvement in the writing comes from the new series protagonists, Sienna and Jonathan Shaw, who act as these perfect foils to the pure evil of Art, with Lauren LaVera's Sienna becoming what could be the defining final girl of the 2020s. It might be the most blood-soaked way to celebrate Halloween, but it's a must-watch for those who like a heaping dose of gore in their horror films.
7
'House of 1000 Corpses' (2003)
Image via Lionsgate Films
The first film in Rob Zombie's Firefly trilogy of horror films, House of 1000 Corpses is one of the first films that comes to mind when thinking of cult classic horror films from the 2000s. The film finds inspiration from classic 70s slashers, implmenting its own tone and style of dark comedy in telling a shocking, unrestrained Halloween story of blood and carnage. The film follows a group of teenagers who are kidnapped and tortured by the psychopathic firefly family during Halloween.
It acts as this glorious modernization of the classic archetypes solidified in all-time classic slashers, simultaneously overflowing with personality and the distinct directorial vision of Zombie. Many of the film's strengths have allowed fans to be endeared to its filmmaking in the decades since its release, most notably a legendary central performance by Sid Haig as the sadistic Captain Spaulding. While each film in the Firefly trilogy is celebrated, House of 1000 Corpses is easily the highlight, especially for the Halloween season.
6
'Ginger Snaps' (2000)
Image via Motion International
A cult classic evolution of classic werewolf stories to tell an insightful look into the difficulties of female puberty and the bonds of sisterhood, Ginger Snaps has only grown more appreciated in the time since its initial release. The coming-of-age allegory has been an icon of Halloween cinema for years now, thanks largely to its exceptional practical effects and masterful themes that are leagues ahead of other 2000s horror films. The film is still celebrated as one of the best werewolf movies and an icon of feminist horror.
The film follows outcast sisters Ginger and Brigitte, who end up having to deal with the ramifications and terror of werewolf transformation when Ginger is savagely attacked by a werewolf on the night of her first period. It soon becomes up to Brigitte to save her sister once she begins transforming into a carnivorous creature. It does everything one would want out of a werewolf movie and even more, with its autumnal vibes further adding to the timelessness and rewatchability of this Halloween cult classic.
5
'Beetlejuice' (1988)
Image via Warner Bros. Pictures
While it may not be as outright scary as some other Halloween classics, Beetlejuice ramps up the gothic spooky aesthetic to 11 to make for one of the funniest fantasy comedies that the 80s has to offer. Tim Burton's sophomore feature is exceptional in bringing out the wild, spooky nature of the Halloween season, with a wide array of wild ghouls and ghosts as the film sports overwhelming personality and charm in every aspect of its filmmaking.
From the exceptional practical effects to a legendary performance from Michael Keaton as the titular demon, Beetlejuice consistently delivers a haunting good time that has kept Halloween fans delighted for decades. It may just be the most entertaining paranormal movie to ever exist, taking the concepts of a haunted house and sadistic demons and having so much unrestrained fun and joy with its execution. Burton's legacy and stature as one of the masters of gothic filmmaking has this film to thank for a lot of his stature as a filmmaker.
4
'Hocus Pocus' (1993)
Image via Buena Vista Pictures
While this Disney fantasy comedy was originally a box-office bomb with a mixed reception from critics, Hocus Pocus is now considered one of the most definitive Halloween movie experiences. Frequent annual airings during the Halloween season on television channels allowed the film to be rediscovered and reexamined by many, transforming it into a cult classic and tradition for many during the Halloween season. It uses campy absurdism and over-the-top fantasy that fit the Halloween season perfectly, making it a great way to get in the mood for the holiday.
The film follows a trio of witch sisters who are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night after 300 years of slumber. As they embark on a chaotic reign of mischief across the town of Salem, it becomes up to a group of kids to stop the witches. The fun factor plays a major part in the film's continued appreciation, most notably the wild trio of performances from Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters.
3
'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (1993)
Image via Buena Vista Pictures Distribution
When it comes to animated movies that get people in the Halloween spirit, it's impossible to deny the style and overwhelming passion of The Nightmare Before Christmas, even if many people consider it a Christmas film. With mesmerizing stop-motion visuals and a wide array of great Halloween aesthetics, the film has been a classic of both holiday seasons ever since its release, and being considered one of the greatest stop-motion animated movies ever made.
It's this glorious combination of the two most popular cinematic holidays that finds the best attributes of both of them, having the charm and endless joy of Christmas stories while having the gothic style and overwhelming personality of the Halloween season. Whether you rewatch it for Halloween, Christmas, or both, The Nightmare Before Christmas is an incredibly charming work of art that continues to be as amazing in the modern age as it was when it first released.
2
'Trick 'r Treat' (2007)
Image via Legendary
Anthology horror films have become all the rage in the 21st century, between long-running franchises like V/H/S and prominent one-off films like The House. However, easily the best when it comes to the Halloween season specifically is Michael Dougherty's cult classic masterpiece, Trick 'r Treat. As it follows an array of stories each taking place on Halloween, the film perfectly captures the unusual energy and terror that the Halloween season can provide.
The film has become one of the clearest examples of a horror cult classic out there, not even having a traditional theatrical release until last year, as its prominence largely came from word-of-mouth after it was released direct-to-DVD. The clear strengths and overwhelming originality of this Halloween love letter helped transform it into a true classic, with it becoming a constant rewatch for many looking to get scared and delighted during the Halloween season.
1
'Halloween' (1978)
Image via Compass International Pictures
It feels a little obvious, but it's impossible to deny the stature of John Carpenter's slasher masterpiece Halloween as the best film to get into the mood of the holiday that it's titled after. The film absolutely earns its title in every aspect of its filmmaking, from the somber autumn energy when the sun is still up to the striking, unsettling darkness of murder and despair once Michael Myers' killing spree begins. It's easily the most haunting Halloween movie experience that cinema has to offer, defining the very prospect of Halloween cinema since its release.
It has been a source of inspiration for so many slashers since its release, still standing as one of the most influential and important horror movies to have ever been released. The film's fundamental horror and scares still land exceptionally well almost 50 years after its initial release. Even after a multitude of sequels and reboots that this film has received, nothing comes close to the horror mastery of this undeniable Halloween classic.
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