Summary
Not everyone is into the glitter and sparkle of Christmas or the sentimentality of Valentine’s Day. Statistics show that many people love Halloween and live for the holy terror and dread of creeping monsters.
These are the best movies every Halloween film lover should watch, from comedy horrors and thrillers to jump scares and movies that could spill the popcorn. 2023 has been a great year for horror, but past years featured a lot of movies that went on to become perfect horror classics.
We Have A Ghost (2023)
Stream At NetflixThe cast ofWe Have a Ghostis one of its biggest selling points, starring big guns like David Harbour, playing the ghost whohaunts Frank Presley’s (Anthony Mackie) family, and Jennifer Coolidge. Written and directed by Christopher Landon and based on the short storyErnestby Geoff Manaugh, it’s the perfect blend of the two sides of a coin - horror and comedy - and a good fit for family movie time – although unsuitable for younger kids below 13 years of age.
In the movie, the Presley family moves to Chicago hoping to lead a normal life, but after discovering a ghost, Ernest, in their house, their home becomes a social media sensation. But Ernest has a dark history – enough to put a target on the Presley family’s back. This horror comedy film is available for streaming on Netflix.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (2023)
Stream At Paramount PlusThe supernatural horror filmPet Sematary: Bloodlineswas directed by Lindsey Anderson Beer, who co-wrote the movie with Jeff Buhler, and sees Beer in her directorial debut in a movie that was critically blasted, but still worth a watch.
This terrifying prequel follows the story of a young Jud Crandall and his band of childhood friends, who are forced to confront an ancient evil that has plagued their hometown of Ludlow. As any pop culture geek must have guessed, the film isbased on the book by renowned novelist Stephen Kingand serves as a prequel to the 2019 moviePet Sematary. It is available for streaming on Paramount Plus.
Scream VI (2023)
Stream At Paramount PlusMany fans were glad to see a new installment to the belovedScreamfranchise in 2023, and it was one that didn’t disappoint. But how could it when it stars Courteney Cox, Jenna Ortega, and Melissa Barrera? It won the MTV Movie and TV Award for Best Movie, and most felt it was well-deserved.
Scream VIfollows the four survivors of the Ghostface killings, who leave Woodsboro to start afresh in New York City. Still, the ghosts of the past are never far behind, as a new Ghostface trails them to the Big Apple. Unlike most slashers,Scream VIoffers brilliant storytelling and thrilling suspense that outshines the previous and sets the bar high for future installments.
Cobweb (2023)
Buy At Prime VideoThe horror thrillerCobwebhas mixed reviews, with some calling it a masterpiece capable of pleasing the likes ofrenowned author Neil Gaimanand even more impressive for being made on a low budget, and others saying it offers no real substance aside from the occasional jump scares. Still,Cobwebis as good a film as any for horror lovers, and it will keep at least some viewers on the edge of their seats.
The film, directed by Samuel Bodin in his directorial debut, follows an eight-year-old boy, Peter (Woody Norman), who is plagued by mysterious noises from his bedroom wall. His parents try to convince him it’s all in his head, but curiosity and increasing fear get the better of him as he investigates the concealed mystery. It is available for streaming on Prime Video, Apple TV, or Vudu.
A Nightmare On Elm Street (1984)
Stream At MaxWritten and directed by Wes Craven,A Nightmare on Elm Streetwill likely be a classic forever. What makes it more interesting is that the film wasinspired by a real-life story. It follows the spooky tale of Freddy Krueger, a child murderer burned alive by the parents of the children he killed, and he later returns to haunt the dreams of teenagers.
In the end, one teenager realizes she can only defeat Krueger by staying awake, and who dares fall asleep with Freddy Krueger on the prowl?A Nightmare On Elm Streetre-imagined the horror genre and is a perfect Halloween watch. While its extreme gore may be a turnoff for some, it’s what many like about it, and some of it is even quite comedic when watched today.
Saw X (2023)
Stream At Prime VideoTheSawfranchise is one of the longest-running horror franchises ever made and fans can’t seem to get enough. Directed by Kevin Greutert, whom critics agree gave the franchise new life,Saw Xstars Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Synnøve Macody Lund, and Steven Brand, among others.
It follows the story of a sick man desperate for a cure for his cancer. He travels to Mexico for an experimental medical procedure but learns the operation is only a sham to prey on vulnerable people like him. Vengeful, a new plan is born to give the con artists a taste of a different, brutal medicine, showing them the errors of their ways in the face of death.Saw Xfollows the events ofSaw Iand serves as a prequel toSaw II.
Sister Death (2023)
Stream At NetflixSister Deathis a supernatural horror Spanish film, directed by Paco Plaza and written by Jorge Guerricaechevarría, about a young novice with supernatural powers in post-civil war Spain who arrives at a girl’s school - a former convent with a dark history - to become a teacher. It serves as a prequel to the 2017 horror movie,Veronica.
The film is available for streaming on Netflix.Sister Deathmay be the latest entry in the nun horror genre, and it is pretty good despite its middling rating. Like its sequel, it offers enough slow-burn suspense to satiate horror fans, even though critics agree thatVeronicawas a much better film.
Haunted Mansion (2023)
Stream At Disney PlusWho says Disney can’t dabble in the horror genre now and then? It doesn’t always have to be princesses and magical creatures.Haunted Mansionbrings the scare to Disneyland and boasts a star-studded cast comprising Lakeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Dan Levy, Owen Wilson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jared Leto, and more.
As the second film inspired by the classic theme park attraction, with critics wondering if this would be better than the first film,Haunted Mansion’s plot is about a woman who hires a team of spiritual experts to exorcise her new mansion after learning its dark secrets. This is also a perfect pick for a family-friendly film (PG-13), as Disney avoids gore and leans heavily on comedy here, but there are still enough spooky scenes to send anyone jumping into the nearest arms.
Zombie Town (2023)
Stream At HuluZombie Townis a comedy horror film starring Madi Monroe, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase. It’s directed by Peter Lepeniotis, based on the 2012 novel byGoosebumpsauthor R.L. Stine, and offers a good dose of comedy while still being creepy and spooky.
It follows the story of two teens on a Halloween night after they uncover a centuries-old secret. However, when the entire town turns into a town full of hungry zombies, the duo must track down an infamous filmmaker to break the curse and save the world. This horror comedy film is available for streaming on Hulu.
Run Rabbit Run (2023)
Stream At NetflixRun Rabbit Runfollows the story of Sarah, a fertility doctor with particular beliefs surrounding the cycle of life and death after observing a strange behavior from her young daughter, who claims to have memories of another life.
While some critics argue thatRun Rabbit Runwasted its potential and is too detached from reality, it was a suspenseful ride for many viewers, with some exquisitely executed elements and excellent dialogue. The horror film was directed by Daina Reid and written by Hannah Keny and stars Sarah Snook, Lily LaTorre, and Damon Herriman. It is available for streaming on Netflix.
