This is my extremely biased opinion of scary movies I like to watch on Halloween. This is not a list of scariest movies or even best horror movies – just the fun ones I’ve liked popping on after a night of partying or trick-or-treating. Check out the best slashers, psychological, classic, comedic, and the best scary movies for kids.
25 Scary Movies to Watch on Halloween
Top 5 Slashers
5. House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Rob Zombie’s directorial debut is a twisted ride that is filled with sadistic clowns, gore, and some pretty good tunes.
4. Freddy Vs. Jason (2003)
Clearly the year I really got into this type of horror. Halloween and slashers can both be for good dumb fun and this movie epitomizes that for me. I wanted to include Freddy on this list and I like this one better than 'The New Nightmare' while the others are a little too good to be “dumb fun.”
3. Scream (1996)
The cast is phenomenal, the tone has a perfect balance of seriousness and poking fun. This movie also traumatized me when I was about 8 years old.
2. Halloween Resurrection (2002)
Wanting to include a Halloween film but not double up on Rob Zombie, this is the most stupid of the stupid Michael Myers films. A reality show with Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks in Michael Myers’ childhood home? Yes, please.
1. Jason X (2001)
This is a very biased list and dumb slasher movies from the late ‘90s – early 2000s are my personal favorite when it comes to this category. What’s better than a Jason movie? A Jason movie in space!
Top 5 Psychological Horror Films
5. The Sixth Sense (1999)
I felt obligated to include a Shyamalan film on this list because he is one of my favorite (and least favorite) horror filmmakers. I don’t know if I would watch this on Halloween… but I see dead people.
4. The Cell (2000)
Jennifer Lopez’s acting and the plot itself are… flimsy. But Vince Vaugh and Vincent D’Onofrio give great performances while the visuals are both haunting and stunning.
3. Us (2019)
Jordan Peele’s first two films are wonderful chilling tales. While Get Out is probably the better film, Us has better vibes for Halloween (in my opinion, obviously.)
2. Black Swan (2010)
Pi, Requiem for a Dream, and Black Swan (all by Aronofsky) are three movies that make my heart pound. The middle one of those three provided one of the scariest movie experiences of all time. This Natalie Portman flick is a better fit for the holiday though – and very creepy.
1. The Babadook (2014)
A movie this scary is always fitting for all hallows eve. One of the more recent movies to give me actual nightmares. This movie by Jennifer Kent is a masterstroke in the psychological horror genre.
Top 5 Scary Movie Classics
5. Terrifier (2016)
This one is an instant classic in my book and a perfect gore-filled rollercoaster filled with intense moments. The Terrifier is the best new character to enter the horror film landscape in a long time.
4. Frankenstein (1931)
For a movie that is almost 100 years old, it is still watchable and powerful. If you want a Halloween classic, this is one of the best. Also, the novel’s pretty good, too.
3. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
I would be remiss if I did not include this masterpiece on the list somewhere and it fits nowhere else. My wife plays this film every Halloween (almost) and I typically partake in the time warp myself.
2. Psycho (1960)
While Hitchcock’s Birds would also be an appropriate pick for this list, I didn’t want to double up on directors or series (as mentioned before). Norman Bates remains one of the best characters to be created for a horror movie.
1. Dracula (1931)
“Listen to them, the children of the night. What music they make!” Similar to Frankenstein, this is one of the “go-to” for the classic genre. Bela Lugosi’s portrayal of Dracula was transformational for the vampire archetype.
Top 5 Horror Comedy Movies
5. Idle Hands (1999)
Similar to the slasher films above, this genre will likely age me… Regardless, this fun movie about a stoner who ends up with a hand that is controlled by the devil has moments of comedic gold good for a party on October 31.
4. Club Dread (2004)
Nowhere near the comedic genius of Broken Lizard’s first film Super Troopers, this movie about a killer on a hedonistic island is a goofy easy-going movie that doesn’t ask much of its audience – for better or worse.
3. Young Frankenstein (1974)
I mean if you’re making a list of horror comedies and don’t include this Mel Brooks classic, then you either haven’t seen it or you shouldn’t be making such a list. Gene Wilder puts on a fabulous show as Victor Frankenstein.
2. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
A “romantic zombie comedy film” that provides nonstop laughs. Put this movie on, grab a pint, and wait for Halloween to blow over. While not great for Halloween per se, it’s too funny to ignore.
1. Scary Movie (2000)
The Wayans Brothers made a comedy classic here, comparable to Airplane! Anna Farris gives a parody of horror girl tropes for the ages.
Top Five Family Friendly Scary Movies for Halloween
5. The Addams Family Values (1993)
Sure, the first one might arguably be better for the holiday than this one, but Wednesday Addams’ takedown of Camp Chippewa is one of my favorite moments in the series. That and all the assassination attempts on Uncle Fester.
4. Hocus Pocus (1993)
This category might be aging me, too. Oh well. This movie was a favorite in my childhood around spooky season. Salem the cat will always have a special place in my heart.
3. Goosebumps (2015)
Hey, Jack Black and that kid from 13 Reasons Why do pretty good job of bringing classic Goosebumps characters to life.
2. Frankenweenie (2012)
Some might wonder why, of all the Burton films I could’ve picked, I went with this one. It’s because I really like it. With Winona Ryder, along with Catherine O’Hara, it’s like Beetlejuice meets Nightmare Before Christmas (because, you know, it’s animated and Zero = Frankenweenie).
1. Coraline (2009)
It’s dark, it’s funny, it has a powerful message, and the characters are full of detail and mystique. This movie gives a great spooky vibe for Halloween.
25 Best Horror Films to Watch on Halloween, written by BW Derge
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