We’re already looked at some lesser-known horror movies, but now it’s time to explore some scary (and scarily funny) horror favorites.
From murderous sheep to vampires named Jerry, here are 25 horror movies perfect for spooky season viewing.
“The Bad Seed“ (1956)
I see your “Omen” and “Children of the Corn”, but “The Bad Seed” is the prototype for creepy kids in the movies.
Patty McCormack earned an Oscar Nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Rhoda, the little girl that you definitely do not want to piss off.
“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” (1919)
“The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” introduced German expressionism into cinema and influenced countless other films for years to come, including a few on this list.
If you already haven’t checked out this blueprint for arthouse horror and cinematography, do yourself a favor and see where it all began.
“Black Sheep” (2006)
No, not that one.
This one is a New Zealand horror-comedy about genetically modified killer were-sheep.
Yep.
The special effects were done by Peter Jackson’s company and are alternately hilarious, terrifying and impressive.
“Black Sheep” deserves way more love and views than it gets.
“Zombi 2” (1979)
A zombie punches a shark.
I could say more, but I really shouldn’t have to.
“Cemetery Man” (Dellamorte Dellamore) (1994)
This horror-comedy out of Italy is beautifully shot, which tracks since director Michael Sovai was a long-time assistant to the legendary Dario Argento (Suspiria).
Come for the stunning visuals and cynicism, stay for the surreal plot twists and existential ending.
“The Thing” (1982)
Sci-fi horror at its finest. Paranoia, suspicion, incredible practical effects and a stellar ensemble cast are just a few of the reasons “The Thing” is one of my favorite movies of all time.
It’s also the source of one of my favorite movies lines – “nobody trusts anybody now, and we’re all very tired”.
I feel ya, MacReady.
“Ginger Snaps” (2000)
Puberty is hell for everyone, but there’s a special kind of baggage handed to women around this time, including the feeling that the whole world, in one way or another, wants to devour you.
In 2000, we finally got the satisfying Themla & Louise werewolf vengeance movie we deserve.
“Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers” (1988)
Pamela Springsteen (yep, of the New Jersey “Bruuuuuuuce” Springsteens) is a scene-stealer in this darkly-comedic follow-up to the slasher classic “Sleepaway Camp”.
The original makes a lot of “best of” horror lists because of the twist ending, but don’t sleep on this one. Plus, you don’t need to see the original to enjoy the over-the-top kills and one-liners.
“Black Sunday” (1960)
With “Black Sunday”, director Mario Brava moved past the Universal Studios monsters and ushered in the era of Italian gothic horror.
The film is visually stunning, and ethereal beauty Barbara Steele has got more witchery than Stevie Nicks.
“Carrie” (1976)
I’m going to just quote from a series that I’ve watched hundreds of times and am dearly grateful can still be found on YouTube.
Carrie let the bitches have it!”
– Allana Ubach, Bravo’s “100 Scariest Movie Moments of All Time”
“Audition” (1999)
I don’t want to give too much away on this one, except to say that it is the best PSA against ghosting ever.
“The Black Cat” (1934)
Horror heavyweights Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff square-off in a very loose adaption of the Edgar Allan Poe story.
This film has got a lot going on, but the showstopper is a gruesome flaying scene made even more terrifying with the decision to film it in silhouette.
“Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn“(1987)
This ‘requel’ to 1981’s “The Evil Dead” goes for broke with so much gore and carnage and that you find yourself laughing over the sheer ridiculousness of it all. “Evil Dead 2” is terrifying and bloody and bonkers and Bruce Campbell sells every second of it.
It’s basically perfect.
“Idle Hands” (1999)
The slacker horror-comedy that borrows more than a little bit from Evil Dead 2.
The dream of the ’90s is alive in this film, so you can look forward to cameos by the likes of The Offspring, Blink-182’s Tom DeLong and Ricky Martin, to name a few.
Check out the soundtrack on Spotify and party like it’s literally 1999.
“The Haunting” (1963)
The 1963 film adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel “The Haunting of Hill House” gets it right.
A psychological thriller wrapped in a ghost story, “The Haunting” is a beautiful and unsettling piece of work. Odd camera angles, light manipulation and distortion create an atmosphere of unease that never lets up.
“Texas Chainsaw Massacre” (1974)
This movie always feels unsettlingly real to me. Like director Tobe Hooper found a slasher cannibal family in the middle of nowhere and just turned the camera on them. It makes sense when you consider that some of the story elements were inspired by real-life cannibal Ed Gein.
“Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is mostly shot in broad daylight and that somehow makes everything worse. Your unease turns into shock as Leatherface first appears, does a murder-y bop with a hammer, and slams the metal door with finality. The whole thing takes just 17 seconds, leaving you to sit in stunned silence.
No ghosts, no monsters and no special effects. Just the brutality of man.
“An American Werewolf in London” (1981)
Makeup artist Rick Baker’s transition effects + director/writer John Landis’ sly sense of humor = horror-comedy gold.
“Frankenstein“ (1931)
A visually stunning, if not entirely faithful, adaptation of Mary Shelley’s story that ushered in the golden age of horror. Boris Karloff’s performance is terrifying yet sympathetic, making you feel that there is a soul within the Monster instead of its creator.
Also, the look of “Frankenstein” is a thing of shadowy, odd-angled beauty. The German expressionist aesthetic is strong in this one, as director James Whale reportedly screened “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari” several times before shooting.
“Night Of The Living Dead“ (1968)
George A. Romero perfectly captured the apocalyptic feeling of late 1968 with his groundbreaking zombie masterpiece. No gothic castles here, just tension and distrust and survival.
“Night of the Living Dead” ushered in a new kind of horror movie, one where the heroes don’t always win.
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
This was the first horror movie I remember watching all the way through, and it may still be my favorite.
I always looked up to Nancy’s DIY, I’m-not-waiting-to-be-saved-I’ll do-it-my-damned-self, library-book-survival-guide way of problem-solving. The montage of Nancy setting up to Mousetrap Freddy feels like a precursor to Sarah Connor buffing up to kick some T-1000 ass.
Nancy’s refusal to be a victim makes her the o.g. final girl for me.
“Nosferatu” (1922)
The fangs that launched a thousand vampire movies.
Director F.W. Murnau’s 1922 masterpiece uses shadow and silhouette to maximum, and artful, effect. Every frame looks like it could be displayed in a gallery.
Watch “Nosferatu” then watch “Shadow of the Vampire”, which explores the possibility that the actor who plays Nosferatu is so convincing as a vampire for a reason.
“The ‘Burbs” (1989)
Confession – this is in my top five movies of all-time, so you’re about to get a bunch of my favorite lines because there are so many!
- “Satan is good…Satan is our pal…”
- “Walter, I have your dog”.
- “It came with the frame…”.
- “One day, Skip made just made one too many lemon phosphates”.
- “I hate cul-de-sacs. There’s only one way out, and the people are kind of weird”.
I will conclude by modifying a line from Cory Feldman’s Ricky – “God, I love this movie”.
“Cabin In The Woods“ (2011)
Take the self-aware snark of Scream and ratchet it all the way up to “Deadpool” meets “Big Brother” and you have one of the most fun and gory takes on horror-comedy in years.
“Motel Hell” (1980)
I’m still not sure if this was supposed to be a horror movie or an elaborate piece of performance art.
Gory, ridiculous, creepy and kind of funny, “Motel Hell” is a wild ride. I maintain that it has the best* pig head-wearing, chainsaw-wielding, serial-killing farmer fencing a shotgun-wielding sheriff ever put to film.
*only.
“Trick ‘r Treat” (2007)
One night – Devil’s Night. Four stories about Halloween traditions that are either observed or ignored at one’s peril.
“Trick ‘r Treat” is an absolutely perfect viewing choice for October 31.
What are your favorite movies to watch during the spooky season?
What are your horror faves to watch in October, or especially on Halloween night?
Let me know in the comments below!