From bone-chilling ghost movies to ungodly demons plaguing Earth, horror movies hold a special place in the hearts of adrenaline junkies looking for an extra thrill. Whether it’s jumpscares that accelerate your heartbeat or the anticipation of them coming, these movies are not for the faint of heart.
If you enjoy a well-made, gnarly, and terrifying movie, then you should definitely watch these movies this Halloween.
1. The Orphanage (2007)
Produced by Guillermo Del Toro, the movie centers around Laura and her family, who return to her childhood only for her son to make an invisible friend before disappearing. This ghost story has a perfect atmosphere, based in a massive orphanage for disabled children, giving the film a feeling of unease. The sack-headed Thomas makes the entire thing even more horrifying.
2. IT (2017)
Based on the Stephen King novel, IT is not made for those with a phobia of clowns. This spectacular movie takes something that is supposed to be funny and lighthearted and turns it into one of the scariest characters that would give any child nightmares for life. With some phenomenal CGI and top-notch makeup, this is a movie that will give you chills.
3. Host (2020)
Directed by Rob Savage, Host is definitely a film that you shouldn’t show to a younger audience. Unlike other horror movies, this one is far too relatable, making it seem even more realistic, which makes you shiver. Shot during the Pandemic via webcams and set on a computer screen, the movie is about a group of friends who perform an online seance inviting a demonic presence into their homes.
4. The Exorcist (1973)
The Exorcist will forever remain the most harrowing movie of all time. From the possession of a 12-year-old girl to the manipulation of the effects to the perfectly crafted supporting characters and storyline that make the film utterly disturbing, this is perhaps the worst movie to watch at night. What makes this scarier are the whispers of ghosts and demonic chants in the background, making you feel uneasy.
5. Hereditary (2018)
Throughout the movie, you’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop, which can be palpable and relentless, making Hereditary a masterpiece. Behind the facade of a perfect family lies hidden secrets that you’ll have to watch the film to truly understand. But for now, it’s safe to say that this movie will keep you terrified for days after.
6. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
A Nightmare on Elm Street is a classic slasher-style horror movie loved by many in the film scene, and rightly so. The movie is about Freddy Kruger, a disfigured clawed killer who haunts a group of teenagers in their dreams and takes them down one by one. Something about how even dreams are unsafe makes this movie scarier than you’d think.
7. Sinister (2012)
Directed by Scott Derrickson, Sinister is about a true-crime writer who makes his wife and kids move into a house where a family has been murdered. What they don’t know is that this new place already has an evil presence inside its four walls. The film is downright disturbing on so many levels and is able to stand out by throwing out the same recycled genre tropes.
8. The Shining (1980)
You’ve probably heard of The Shining, but if you haven’t seen it yet, prepare to have your mind blown. Another Stephen King adaptation done right, this film follows a man and his family as he takes on the role of a caretaker at a resort hotel. It turns out that The Overlook Hotel doesn’t want them around. With Jack Nicholson’s fantastic acting and the element of the unexpected, this is a movie better suited for adult eyes.
9. Cabin in the Woods (2011)
If you’re tired of horror movies centered around jump scares without a solid plot, Cabin in the Woods is the perfect movie for you. The story is about five friends who travel to a remote cabin and end up experiencing demonic activities that will make you shudder.
10. The Ring (2002)
The Ring features the story of a journalist investigating a series of deaths. His hunt leads him to a videotape. Whoever watches it eventually ends up dying after a week or two. The remake of Japanese director Hideo Nakata, the movie is well-executed, unique, and makes for an adrenaline-filled movie night.
11. Carrie (1976)
Some of the best horror movies have been adaptations of Stephen King’s novels, which is why this list is full of them. Despite being made all the way back in 1976, this horror mystery follows a teenager named Carrie White who has to deal with relentless bullying and a controlling mother. However, her telekinetic powers lead to pretty nasty scenes, making Carrie a top-tier movie.
12. Veronica (2017)
Directed by Paco Plaza, Veronica is a classic Ouija board horror movie. It centers around a teenage girl and her friends who want to summon the spirit of the girl’s father on a solar eclipse. But like all Ouija board movies, things take a rather dark turn when demons begin to enter the picture. What makes this terrifying is that it is loosely based on a true story, making it even more realistic.
13. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Grusosome and terrifying are the best words to describe The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The movie follows Sally, her brother, and her friends, who are on their way to visit her grandfather’s grave and take a detour to the family home. What they didn’t know was that they were going to be attacked in cold blood by the chainsaw-wielding killer wearing a human flesh mask. This is an extremely gory film and was even banned by several countries.
14. The Blair Witch Project (1999)
When film students decide to make a documentary on the local Blair Witch legend, they head to Maryland and end up getting lost in the creepy woods. While you might think this can’t compete with gory serial killers and demons, however, that is not the case. The movie’s dark and eerie atmosphere is simple yet keeps you hooked and uncomfortable throughout. Don’t let your kids see it because they might never leave their room again.
15. Goodnight Mommy (2014)
If the title doesn’t give you the creeps, then something must be wrong with you. Goodnight Mommy is a psychological horror movie that follows twin brothers Elias and Lukas, who begin to suspect their mother when she comes home from work with bandages on her face. The film is bizarre, horrifying, unsettling, morbid, and any adjective you can think of.
16. [Rec] (2007)
Directed by Paco Plaza and Jaume Balagueró, [Rec] follows the found-footage format and executes it perfectly. This format makes the movie appear intimate and realistic, making you want to hide your face in your pillow. The phenomenal acting, the well-written script, and the remarkable character progression make this movie worth watching.
17. The Thing (1982)
Don’t let the name fool you because The Thing is an iconic movie about a group of American research scientists who discover a dog only to discover that it is a shapeshifter that will level them all. When the film was initially released, it was a major flop; however, with changing times, the Thing is considered a masterpiece as it captures the paranoid tension, leaving you on the edge of your seat of complete horror.
18. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Rosemary’s Baby is about a woman who believes herself impregnated by the Devil. She and her husband move into The Bramford, and soon, strange things start to happen. This slow-burn film is still one of the best horror movies, with a script that feels way ahead of its time. With layers upon layers, you’ll be glued to the screen throughout.
19. Halloween (1978)
The birth of slasher horror movies can be attributed to John Carpenter’s breakthrough indie film Halloween. This timeless piece of media has stood the test of time with its stunning camera angles, well-executed atmosphere of sheer terror, and phenomenal acting by the cast, especially the masked villain Michael Myers. Halloween paved the way and is still just as terrifying to this date.
20. Talk to Me (2022)
Very few recent horror movies have been able to hit the mark, yet Talk to Me is one of them. The storyline is simple: a group of friends conjures spirits using an embalmed hand until one of them takes it too far. However, it is terrifying, causing you to lose a ton of sleep. The horrific imagery and the intense tension make you hold your breath until the very end.
21. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring is an American supernatural horror film centered around Ed and Lorraine Warren, the paranormal investigator duo known by every horror fanatic. When they take on a new case, things begin to go wrong. The movie characters make realistic decisions, making the film even more realistic. In addition, the movie relies on actual palpable moments of horror instead of using jump scares and hiding behind them.
22. Final Destination (2000)
While this might be a controversial opinion, The Final Destination series has to be one of the best, with the protagonists running away from death itself. Throughout the movie, you live through the characters, waiting for things to go wrong, making for a spectacular film. The slow build-up and that sense of urgency are much better than any cheap recycled horror movie tropes. You better stop hating on this movie.