Spooky season is in full force and Halloween is fast approaching. It can be easy to forget about your favourite horror movie classics or hard to find your new scary obsession.
To help with this dilemma, here is a list of our 20 favourite horror movies to guide you through Halloween!
WARNING: *Spoilers ahead*
20. Coraline
To start you off gently, Coraline is a great balance of kid-friendly spookiness and dark turns. Button eyes? Other mothers? Secret parallel universes only a door away? This movie will make you feel grateful for the simplicity of your everyday life…be careful what you wish for!
Stand-out quote:
“Wyborn…why-were-you-born?”
Memorable scene: Coraline meets her other mother.
19. Monster House
Another cartoon but a perfectly creepy movie to add to your watch list. A 13-year-old kid (DJ) and his two friends are convinced that the scary house across the street is actually alive. However, with no adult believing them, the trio must take it upon themselves to defeat the house before it can cause any more harm on Halloween night. The only way to stop the house is to go into the house.
Stand-out quote:
“We’ll be back tomorrow night. Oh. If anything happens, call the police and hide in your closet.”
Memorable scene: She died, but she didn’t leave.
18. Halloween (1978)
The title of the film is a pretty big giveaway for why it’s the perfect Halloween film to add to your list. The original Halloween film is a timeless classic that remains as tense as the first time you watched it. 15 years after killing his sister on Halloween night, Michael Myers escapes from a mental institution and makes his way to his hometown to strike again.
Stand-out quote:
“It’s Halloween; everyone’s entitled to one good scare.”
Memorable scene: Any scene featuring a young Jamie Lee Curtis.
17. Hocus Pocus
While this season is perfect for blood and guts or jump scares, sometimes you need to relieve the tension with a little sprinkle of Disney magic. New boy in town Max moves to Salem and unintentionally awakens a coven of sisters who were executed 300 years ago for practicing witchcraft. It is then up to Max, his crush, and his sister to stop the witches from becoming immortal. This movie is hard to fault, especially when the hard-to-hate sisters are played by powerhouses Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Stand-out quote:
“I put a spell on you, and now you’re mine.”
Memorable scene: ‘I put a spell on you’ performed by Bette Midler.
16. Ringu/The Ring (1998)
You may have heard of the Naomi Watts remake of the infamous ‘The Ring’ but the original film is unbeatable. 20 years after its release, Cineworld re-released the original Japanese classic, remastered in 4K to introduce a new audience of horror fanatics to the mysterious story of a video clip that kills. After watching Ringu, it’s easy to see how the Japanese horror film industry sets the precedent and standard for every horror movie that has come out of Hollywood.
Stand-out quote:
“It’s not of this world. It’s Sadako’s fury. And she’s put a curse on us.”
Memorable scene: The last ten minutes of the film which will stay with you long after you’ve turned your TV screens off.
15. The Nightmare Before Christmas
The Nightmare Before Christmas is another Disney classic that is preferable for a more wholesome Halloween night. This Halloween/Christmas crossover is the perfect way to get yourself excited for the upcoming Christmas season. Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Halloween Town stumbles upon Christmas town and attempts to get his residents (bats, ghouls, and goblins) to create Christmas rather than Halloween. This 1993 Tim Burton creation is not only remembered for its story but for its memorable soundtrack too.
Stand-out quote:
“That’s right. I AM THE PUMPKIN KING!”
Memorable scene: ‘This is Halloween’ performed by Jack Skellington.
14. The Conjuring 2
Sequels in any film franchise are often criticised and expected to be disappointing. However, The Conjuring 2 surpasses its prior film for a variety of reasons. The film is based around the infamously chilling ‘Enfield Poltergeist’, who haunted two young sisters. Usually, paranormal films based on true stories are set in the US, creating a detached feeling for British audiences. However, this film hits home as a British family is tormented by an evil spirit and is forced to turn to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren to investigate the unusual activity taking place in the house.
Stand-out quote:
“The voice on this tape is coming from an eleven-year-old girl.”
Memorable scene: The real audio tapes from the Enfield haunting, used in the credits of the film.
13. Paranormal Activity
There was a time in the horror movie market where every film was captured and styled as though it was on a handheld home video camera. This style of filming invited audiences into fictional people’s homes and made it feel like the film was more of a documentary rather than two hours of escapism. Paranormal Activity is instrumental in capturing this home movie atmosphere with perfect jump scares and taking you along in the hell that is ensuing on screen. It is simple, creative, and no-nonsense storytelling. However, there is a lingering feeling that once you’ve watched one, you’ve watched them all.
Stand-out quote:
“You cannot run from this- it will follow you.”
Memorable scene: Micah and Katie leave out the white powder in the house to try to track the demon’s footsteps.
12. Corpse Bride
After repeatedly getting his vows wrong in his wedding ceremony rehearsal, a nervous introverted Victor is sent away to practice his vows before his big day to an equally shy Victoria. Innocently, Victor recites his vows in the depths of a forest and places a ring on a peculiarly curled branch which happens to be Elizabeth, his dead new wife. After being dragged away to the afterlife, Victor must work out a way to get back to his life in the land of the living while trying not to break the heart of his Corpse Bride. A funny, wholesome Tim Burton classic and (arguably) better than The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Stand-out quote:
“I’ve spent so long in the darkness, I’d almost forgotten how beautiful the moonlight is.”
Memorable scene: Remains of the Day song.
11. The Shining
Notably one of Jack Nicholson’s most memorable roles, The Shining is based on Stephen King’s novel, which follows Jack Torrance and his family as he takes a job as the winter caretaker at the Overlook Hotel. While staying at the hotel, he attempts to end his writer’s block but as time passes, not everything is as it seems. Following The Shining, the highly anticipated sequel ‘Doctor Sleep’, came out last year starring Euan McGregor.
Stand-out quote:
“Here’s Johnny!”
Memorable scene: Jack chasing Danny through the maze
10. Get Out
Jordan Peele’s directorial debut follows an inter-racial couple, Rose and Chris. The couple visits Rose’s parents’ house for the first time in their relationship. Early on in the film, Chris’s concern is whether her family knows he is African American, but he is reassured by Rose early on in the film that her family won’t mind. As the weekend commences, Chris is unsettled by the family’s overwhelmingly positive and accommodating nature, with the reason being much worse than he could’ve ever predicted.
Stand-out quote:
“I would have voted Obama a third time if I could.”
Memorable scene: Get out of here scene.
9. Scream
With a fifth movie currently in production, revisiting the 1996 Scream film is the perfect way to get yourself ready for the upcoming release! A year after her mother’s death, Sidney Prescott and her friends are tormented by an anonymous killer in a black cloak and the recognisable ‘Scream mask’. The crazed killer uses horror movies as part of his deadly game.
Stand-out quote:
“Do you like scary movies?”
Memorable scene: Ghostface reveal.
8. A Nightmare on Elm Street
This film takes the notion of nightmares coming true literally. The only way to stay alive is to stay awake. A disfigured and scarred Freddy Krueger torments the teenagers living on the street where he used to reside, by killing them in their dreams. While old, this film still creates the complete chilling experience you’re seeking on Halloween night.
Stand-out quote:
“Why are you screaming? I haven’t even caught you yet.”
Memorable scene: If you’re reluctant to watch, I would recommend the film purely for a young Johnny Depp.
7. Ready or Not
Ready or Not falls onto the comedic spectrum of horror movies but still manages to marry both scares and laughs harmoniously. The 2019 release was pleasantly surprising as a young new bride has her wedding night, which takes an unexpected turn as she plays a game with her new husband and eccentric in-laws.
Stand-out quote:
“So, at midnight you have to play a game. It’s just something we do when someone new joins the family.”
Memorable scene: Any moment where Grace is fighting in her wedding dress, truly a badass.
6. Ghostbusters
You know the song; you’ve probably dressed as them for a fancy-dress party, but this timeless classic will forever be a must-watch. Three professors from Columbia University establish a ghost removal service and it is down to them to save New York City from ghosts, spirits, and poltergeists which threaten the city. If you’re looking for a newer alternative, watch the 2016 female-led remake starring the likes of Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Kristen Wiig.
Stand-out quote:
“Let’s show this prehistoric b*tch how we do things downtown.”
Memorable scene: ‘Ghostbusters’ performed by Ray Parker Jr.
5. Child’s Play
Think Toy Story without the Disney magic and you have Child’s Play. Andy receives the doll he wanted for his birthday but to his dismay, his Chucky Doll has plans and a mind of its own, which do not involve playtime. If you’re looking for good costume inspiration, Chucky’s outfit is a good place to start!
Stand-out quote:
“Hi, I’m Chucky. Wanna play?”
Memorable scene: Chucky escapes fireplace scene.
4. A Quiet Place
John Krasinski’s directorial debut drops you straight into the action of a tense, absence-of-dialogue-driven film. In order to stay alive, a young family must live in silence to avoid being hunted by creatures that hunt ruthlessly by sound. The movie is best watched in pitch black silence and proves not only Krasinski’s acting talents but his rising flair for directing too. A Quiet Place 2 has been delayed due to Covid-19 but definitely is one to watch for the future.
Stand-out quote:
“Who are we if we can’t protect them?”
Memorable scene: Evelyn giving birth to a baby while trying to stay silent!
3. The Babadook
Before he was transformed into a gay icon, The Babadook was originally known for tormenting the household of a single mother struggling with the loss of her husband. The solitary mother reads her outcast son a mysterious children’s book named ‘The Babadook’ which comes to life in more ways than they could have imagined.
Stand-out quote:
“If it’s in a word, or it’s in a look, you can’t get rid of The Babadook.”
Memorable scene: Amelia asks her son, “why can’t you just be normal?” which later becomes my favourite screaming gif from 2014.
2. Saw
Want to play a game? Every wrong move, every sin, every mistake comes back to haunt the people carefully selected in the mysterious Jigsaw’s sadistic games. The aim of the game? Kill or be killed. Saw will always be remembered for not only its blood and gore but one of the most ingenious twists of horror cinematic history.
Stand-out quote:
“Live or die. Choose your fate.”
Memorable scene: Lawrence sawing his foot off.
1. The Exorcist
The Exorcist needs no introduction and its reputation speaks louder volumes about the film. It’s only right to end this list with a controversial horror film that has left audiences stunned since its release. William Friedkin’s 1974 blood-curdling scare fest was removed from UK shelves in 1988 and remained prohibited for 11 years. In 1999, the BBFC eventually lifted the ban and settled. They stated that: “While still a powerful and compelling work, [The Exorcist] no longer had the same impact as it did 25 years ago”.
Stand-out quote:
“What an excellent day for an exorcism.”
Memorable scene: The spider walk.