It’s that chilling time of the year when the ghouls, zombies, and pumpkin lattes come out to play. If haven’t guessed already, I love Halloween and everything spooky-related. So it won’t surprise you that I also have an appreciation for horror movies. Personally, I’m a big fan of old-school slashers with a splash of surrealism, drama, character deep-dives, and ghosts.
While I love the classics like Halloween, Scream, and Friday the 13th, I wanted to shed some light on some other gems in the horror genre. If you’re ready to get scared this Halloween, here are 9 horror movies to add to your watch list!
1. The Exorcist (1973)
Based on the novel by William Friedkin, this supernatural film follows a young girl possessed by an unforeseen evil and the battle to overcome demonic possession through exorcism. The Exorcist has been featured on so many people’s “top horror movies list,” and for a good reason. Despite its popularity, the story goes beyond typical possession troupes and touches on powerful themes like religion, faith, and trauma without shying away from the grotesque nature of uncontrollable circumstances.
This movie has a special place in my heart since I rented it from Hollywood Videos and secretly watched it with my dad as a young child. Note: Not recommended for young viewers.
If you want a thought-provoking story and don’t mind some disturbing imagery or profanity, check it out!
2. Hereditary (2018)
This psychological A24 film is about a family with a history of tragedy, which follows them wherever they go. After a death in the family, things begin to unravel, consuming their reality. Although there are plenty of movies that showcase families in horrific situations, I’ve never seen a film depict trauma in a horror movie quite like this before. It’s heavy, dark, and relentless and may leave you feeling exhausted by the end of the run-time.
I love how Hereditary takes familiar themes and turns them on their head. It’s an unnerving horror movie that is sure to get under your skin. Plus, Toni Collette shines in her role as the mother. I highly recommend it!
3. Audition (1999)
We’re making our way into foreign film territory with a Japanese horror movie by Takahashi Miike. For those who don’t know, Miike is a well-known and controversial director who has continuously pushed the boundaries of horror cinema. In Audition, a widower and his friend set up a fake audition to meet women. After finding a potential love interest, the widower soon discovers his new flame may not be who she claims to be.
The elements of misogyny aren’t the only thing that will make you squirm. This fever dream will take you on a rollercoaster of romance and torture, making you think twice about starting relationships.
I revisited Audition recently after watching it several years ago, and all I can say is that it still had me squealing and covering my eyes. If you’re searching for a movie that will disturb you, this is it. However, I don’t recommend it for the faint of heart.
4. The Conjuring (2013)
Directed by the notorious James Wan, creator of the Saw and Insidious franchises, The Conjuring is a loving callback to the classic haunted house with bumps in the night story. After a family moves into a house, they begin experiencing paranormal activity and desperately seek help from professional demonologists.
Unlike the last entry, this is a lighter watch with great suspense and fun jump scares. It may not be the scariest movie on this list, but it was enjoyable enough to inspire the Conjuring Universe.
The first time I watched The Conjuring was in theaters, and it was one of the best movie experiences of my life. Everyone gasped and screamed at the same time. What more can you ask for?
If you’re looking for an entertaining popcorn Blockbuster, this is the one for you.
5. I Saw the Devil (2010)
While not exactly classified as a horror film, I Saw the Devil is a twisted Korean psychological thriller that takes revenge to the next level. After a man discovers his fiance has been brutally murdered, he goes on a rampage to take down the serial killer behind her disturbing demise. Thriller or not, do not be fooled!
This cat-and-mouse tale is full of horror elements, torture, and grief. However, I can’t praise it enough. It will take you by storm, drawing out your darker side and questioning whether or not you should be rooting for the “good guy.”
Warning: This film also deals with aspects of sexual assault. So if that’s a trigger, you may want to skip this one.
All in all, I love this movie and am ready to give it a rewatch.
6. Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele made quite the debut in the horror genre with Get Out, a film following a man who goes to meet his girlfriend’s parents for the first time but soon discovers sinister intentions await him. What makes this film so impactful is the undertones of subtle and extreme racism, cultivating an uncomfortable and eerie watch.
It also contains well-executed humor, great performances, and a commentary on today’s society. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a chance to see Get Out in theaters, but I definitely recommend it to viewers looking for a ride with twists and turns.
7. The Thing (1982)
John Carpenter’s The Thing is nothing short of a masterpiece. Although it was negatively received by critics when it first came out, it has since gained a cult following. This science fiction horror movie revolves around a team of scientists in Antarctica who uncover evidence of extraterrestrial life.
Drenched in paranoia and suspense, Carpenter takes the fear of the unknown and pushes audiences to the edge. The special effects are monstrous and may ingrain nightmarish images in your brain forever.
This season, don’t just give love to Carpenter’s Halloween. Give this creature feature a watch too!
8. A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)
Brought to you by Kim Jee-woon, director of I Saw the Devil, this psychological Korean horror movie accompanies a young girl as she reunites with her sister after returning home from the hospital and learns haunting truths from the past. Apparitions and strange glimpses into the main character’s psyche will keep you guessing until the very end.
I love the use of color and saturation that fills each scene, coupled with the sense of disorientation. If you’re looking for a different approach to horror, A Tale of Two Sisters may be the perfect treat for you.
9. Evil Dead (2013)
What was once a fun and campy gore fest from the 80s has since been reimagined into a darker and more sinister film. A group of five decide to spend the weekend at a cabin when supernatural entities are called from beyond the grave and terrorize them. A film filled to the brim with gore, violence, and possession, the viewer is in for a wild ride.
I saw Evil Dead in theaters and upon the first watch, I was speechless. In fact, I wasn’t sure if I ever wanted to watch it again because the experience was so visceral. But alas, I revisited it a few years later and enjoyed the second viewing. If you want a gruesome horror to watch with your friends this Halloween, give Evil Dead a try!
Honorable Mentions
No horror movie list is complete without some honorable mentions, so here are a few more gems.
- Box: A short film from Takahashi Miike. This movie is part of the Three Extremes Anthology and is filled with disturbing imagery and haunting visuals that will stick with you for a long time.
- Suspiria: Original and remake. The original is a brilliant Italian horror by Dario Argento and the remake is more experiential-oriented. Both horror movies bring something intriguing and eerie to the genre.
- Black Christmas (1974): The one that started it all. Before John Carpenter’s Halloween, there was Black Christmas. This is a creepy slasher that will get under your skin.
I hope you enjoyed this Halloween-inspired list. Feel free to add some of these spooky options to your scary movie marathon and let me know what horror movies are on your watchlist this season!
Good luck with your journey,
Harumi
