It’s officially time to get into your best ghoulish dance, carve pumpkins and hurt your teeth with Halloween candy. But above all, this time of year is the time to dive into horror (sometimes with a touch of humor) with Halloween movies! 🎃
The problem? There are so many to choose from, it’s sometimes hard to know where to start and which film to pick… But don’t worry. Our online store is here to accompany you in your quest for thrills and guide you through this multitude of horror movies for October. Our entire team has come together to present you with a veritable top 50 must-see films before October 31! 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
Let’s start our list of the best movies for Halloween right now.
👻
Movie #50: The Addams Family (1991)
Bringing a dark gothic energy to a film that’s also suitable for children is a feat for which Barry Sonnenfeld undoubtedly deserves his Oscar. The first film about a spooky family that thrives in modern America with characters as strange as they are bizarre. Perfect for a successful Halloween.
Movie no. 49: Army of Darkness (1992)
The third installment of Sam Raimi’s Evil Dead trilogy takes all the horror of the previous two films and turns completely to the absurdity of The Three Stooges. Endless and inspiring, Bruce Campbell’s adventure battling hordes of the undead is so unserious that it’s hard to believe a major studio released it theatrically. 🧟
Film no. 48: Beetlejuice (1988)
When Keaton (the main character) transforms into a kind of obnoxious yet very charming exorcist… Old Beetleboy offers his services to the recently deceased Maitlands, who discover that their home is now occupied by the Deetzes. And gothic icon Lydia quickly becomes an ally of the Maitlands, working to free her family from the apparently haunted house. Beetlejuice is Tim Burton’s incredible debut film. A must-see if you’re a goth!
Movie #47: Dracula (1992)
There are few horror films as rich and deeply romantic as Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This film paved the way for prestigious big-budget horror films. From the incredible make-up effects to the visual effects that Coppola wanted to achieve using ancient techniques, to Eiko Ishioka’s costumes that are still in vogue today. Not to mention the beautifully composed soundtrack. This film oscillates between bloodshed and dismemberment… 🩸
Gary Oldman as the vampire and Anthony Hopkins as Van Helsing are both excellent. Watch in total darkness!
Movie #46: Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
Kristy Swanson’s performance as a teenage girl who finds herself slaying vampires is simply brilliant! Nothing to do with the series we all know (even if the concept is repeated), as this film is very well realized. Both bloody and funny, it’s one of the must-see films for a proper Halloween. 🧛♀️
Movie #45: The Blair Witch Project (1999)
It’s hard to believe that a film starring three unknowns at the time would become one of the biggest hits of 1999. With a budget of €60,000 and sales of almost €140.5 million, it was a phenomenon. The Blair Witch Project knows how to get deep inside your mind and attack you.
It’s the story of three students who travel to a town in Maryland to document (and eventually live out) the local legend of the Blair Witch. The idea quickly turns into a gruesome tale of survival. No special effects, no flashy gimmicks, just shaky camera footage of three adults slowly losing their minds as a century-old witch hunts them in the darkness…
Movie #44: Casper (1995)
Mixing horror, drama and comedy, Casper is the perfect film to entertain kids with Halloween thrills and immerse millennial parents in a dark tale. 👻
The film’s father-daughter duo find themselves entangled with the spoiled heiress of a dilapidated mansion inhabited by Casper and the ghost’s three ghastly uncles. Casper and his uncles have been trapped in the mansion since their untimely deaths, and it’s up to Dr. Harvey to exorcise them from the place. While Harvey does this, Kat and Casper become close friends (and more, if they’re so inclined). Casper is a wonderful trip down memory lane.
Movie #43: Conjuring (2013)
Sometimes, to move forward, you have to go back. Based on a true story, Conjuring is here to tell you in a subtly classy and muscular way that life can end very quickly. Haunted house thrills, a little blood, and you’re all set. This is one of those horror movies you’ll want to see again and again. 🔪
Movie #42: Coraline (2009)
In our opinion, Coraline is the scariest animated children’s film ever. These googly-eyed characters from the Other World can scare even the most sensitive adults. This film offers revolutionary animation. Coraline is magnificent and stylishly realized. It draws on Neil Gaiman’s dark fantasy short story to create an immersive and disconcerting parallel world. 😵
This is the story of a young girl who discovers a doorway to another world, where she finds an idealized version of her life… But sinister and strange connotations arrive, and when Coraline realizes she could be stuck in this world forever, she must fight to get out.
Movie #41: The Craft (1996)
The arrival of a new girl at a Catholic prep school leads a young girl down strange and wonderful roads. 90s icons Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell and Rachel True make up the quartet of high schoolers at the center of this teen movie with a twist. And they live on as one of the most powerful groups of whores in cinema history. 🎥
The Craft mixes a traditional high school story with its various teen dramas. A handsome boy who turns out to be a snake, the pretty blonde who’s really a bully, strangers who seek to reclaim their powers in the supernatural. In short, watch it now!
Movie #40: The Crow (1994)
The Crow is technically the very first film you should watch on Halloween. It actually takes place on the eve of the holiday, October 30 (the night of the Devil). We strongly advise you to watch it that evening so you can start the party on a high note 😉
Based on James O’Barr’s violent yet poetic comic strip, the gothic action film follows a musician who is murdered along with his fiancée. He is brought back to life a year later by a mystical raven to avenge their deaths and “right the wrongs”.
Movie #39: Creepshow (1982)
Directed by the great George Romero from an original screenplay by Stephen King himself, 1982’s anthology horror Creepshow is a true masterpiece. It’s full of bizarre spirits willing to be very silly to get their way. The result is a film that feels like being around a campfire telling scary stories.
Movie #38: Dracula (1931)
Redefining romance with its release on February 14, 1931, Universal’s Dracula is a classic must-see. Dracula is one of the grandfathers of horror films. Lugosi’s performance as the immortal Transylvanian bloodsucker may seem quaint today, but he’s an inspiration to generations of Dracs who follow in his footsteps. 🧛♂️
The calm, cool, collected, and dare we say sexy Dracula you see in the 1931 film is one of the biggest and best reasons to discover this Halloween classic as soon as possible. No, you might not get a real scare by 1931 horror standards, but we guarantee you some chills!
Movie #37: The Faculty (1998)
“We don’t need education!” This film follows a band of outcast high school students who discover that their teachers are controlled by parasites and are trying to infect the entire student body. College made Josh Hartnett a star, leading to his role as Elijah Wood in Sin City. Director Robert Rodriguez has always been a talent magnet, and the faculty room is packed with stars ranging from Jon Stewart and Salma Hayek to Robert Patrick, Piper Laurie and Bebe Neuwirth.
Movie #36: Fright Night (1985)
Fright Night is the kind of gem you watch late without your parents’ permission, even as an adult in 2020. Teen horror fan Charley Brewster discovers that his new neighbor, Jerry Dandridge, is a vampire and enlists the help of Peter Vincent, host of an old horror show, to stop him. 🦹♂️
The macabre of Fright Night is achieved through the endless pleasure of the scariest make-up and special effects in history. Green goo, giant bats, mouth make-up with fangs… It’s all a love letter to horror, written with the point of a blood-covered stake.
Movie #35: The Frighteners (1996)
The Frighteners was co-written and directed by one of the directors of The Lord of the Rings, who concocted a completely crazy and original new version of the ghost movie. In The Frighteners, Michael J. Fox plays a low-level ghost hunter who’s in cahoots with the ghosts he’s supposed to get rid of. 🆘
The Frighteners is magnificent, not only in terms of storytelling, but also thanks to Jackson and his willingness to experiment with cutting-edge special effects.
Movie #34: Ginger Snaps (2000)
Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle star as inseparable teenage sisters Bridgette and Ginger, a duo who share a fascination with death. But when Ginger is attacked by a terrifying creature on the very day of her first period, she suddenly begins to change, challenging the once indissoluble bond between the sisters in a bloody, bestial tale of self-discovery at puberty. 🧐
This is one of the best werewolf movies ever made, and Ginger’s transformation into a wolf is truly a shining moment before she heads to the neighborhood Halloween party furry and hairy.
Film #33: Goosebumps (2015)
The film Goosebumps is far better than anyone expected before its release. It’s a truly great Halloween masterpiece for the whole family. In the film, Stine is the keeper of his goosebumps-inducing stories, which can come to life if opened the right way. That’s exactly what happens, and it’s up to Stine’s teenage neighbor and his friends to help round up the monsters from Stine’s books and put them back where they belong before they destroy the town. 🌃
It’s a classic “monsters run amok” tale, but director Rob Letterman brings a refreshing sense of adventure and a touch of darkness to give this story a truly cinematic dimension.
Movie #32: The Guest (2014)
Director Adam Wingard’s impressive thriller is a must-see now if you haven’t already! Dan Stevens practically walks off the screen as a perfect soldier visiting the family of a fallen comrade. However, trouble seems to follow him wherever he goes. 😶
Movie currently on Netflix!
Movie #31: Halloween (1978)
The film Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, is an enduring horror classic. The simple but unique story features a babysitter terrorized by a serial killer, Michael Myers. The film created a frightening and captivating atmosphere, with iconic scenes that remain etched in viewers’ memories. Halloween is undoubtedly one of the best choices for a Halloween movie night that will get your adrenaline pumping and make you want to double-check that the front door is locked before you go to bed…
Movie #30: Halloween III (1982)
Halloween III: Season of the Witch, though criticized on its release, is a film well worth discovering. It departs from previous films in the Halloween franchise and offers a unique story centered on Halloween horror. The film features iconic images and memorable murders, with a spooky atmosphere that transports viewers into the spirit of the Halloween season.
Movie #29: Halloween (2018)
The 2018 film Halloween breathes new life into the franchise with a sequel that ignores the 1980s/90s films. The story centers on Laurie Strode, a survivor who has spent decades preparing for a new confrontation with Michael Myers, the serial killer. The film offers some intense and frightening moments, with a memorable performance by Jamie Lee Curtis. Halloween (2018) is the start of a promising new trilogy that will delight fans of the franchise.
Movie #28: Halloweentown (1998)
Halloweentown is a Disney Channel original film that has become a classic for an entire generation. The story follows a 13-year-old girl and her two younger siblings who discover that their mother and grandmother are witches. They find themselves plunged into Halloweentown, a magical place where fantastic creatures live side by side. The film offers a festive and fantastic atmosphere, with moments of magic and adventure. Halloweentown is a must-see for a family Halloween movie night.
Movie #27: Hellraiser (1987)
Hellraiser is a powerful and unique horror film. Directed by Clive Barker, the film explores themes of pain, perversion and beauty through the story of Frank, a man in search of extreme sensations. The film’s visual aesthetics and dark atmosphere make it an intense cinematic experience. Hellraiser is a must-see for horror fans in search of thrills and reflection.
Movie #26: Hell House LLC (2015)
Hell House LLC is a horror film about a group of friends who turn an abandoned hotel into a haunted house to attract thrill-seekers. The story takes place on opening night, when horrific events unfold. The film skilfully uses tension and suspense to create a frightening and unsettling atmosphere. Hell House LLC is a perfect choice for a chilling Halloween movie night.
Movie #25: Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Hotel Transylvania is an entertaining animated film that offers a comic take on the world of monsters. The story takes place in a hotel where supernatural creatures gather to celebrate Halloween. The film mixes humor and touching moments, with a love story between a vampire and a human. Hotel Transylvania is an ideal option for a family Halloween movie night, with colorful characters and a festive atmosphere.
Film #24: The Houses October Built (2014)
The Houses October Built is a film that explores the obsession with haunted houses during the Halloween season. The story follows a group of friends who embark on a road trip in search of the ultimate haunted house. However, they find themselves caught up in a nightmarish situation where terror becomes real. The film skilfully uses suspense and anguish to create a chilling atmosphere. The Houses October Built is an ideal choice for thrill-seekers looking for an intense Halloween experience.
Film #23: Invisible Man (2020)
Invisible Man is a powerful film that offers a new perspective on the classic theme of the invisible man. The film focuses on the main character, a victim of violence and harassment at the hands of his invisible ex-boyfriend. The story explores the psychological consequences of invisible violence and highlights the protagonist’s resilience. Invisible Man features outstanding performances, particularly from Elisabeth Moss, and creates a constant tension that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
Movie #22: The Mist (2007)
The Mist, directed by Frank Darabont, is a horror film based on a short story by Stephen King. The story takes place in a small town shrouded in a mysterious mist, which hides terrifying creatures. A group of survivors find themselves trapped in a supermarket, faced with terror and difficult choices. The Mist offers an oppressive atmosphere, frightening scenes and a memorable ending that leaves no one indifferent. If possible, watch the black-and-white version for a retro, immersive cinematic experience.
Movie #21: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The Nightmare Before Christmas is an animated masterpiece directed by Henry Selick and produced by Tim Burton. The story features Jack Skellington, the king of Halloween Town, who finds himself obsessed with Christmas and tries to conquer it. The film skilfully blends Halloween and Christmas themes, with colorful characters, catchy songs and a unique visual aesthetic. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a must-see for a Halloween movie night, offering a magical atmosphere and a message about the importance of finding one’s place in the world.
Movie #20: Les Griffes de la Nuit (1984)
Les Griffes de la Nuit, directed by Wes Craven, is a horror classic that introduces the famous Freddy Krueger character. The film follows a group of teenagers haunted in their dreams by Freddy, a killer with a burned face and sharp claws. Les Griffes de la Nuit features iconic horror scenes and a memorable performance by Robert Englund as Freddy. This ’80s film is a must-see for fans of slashers and thrills.
Movie #19: A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 (1987)
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 is a horror film that is part of the famous Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. In this film, a group of teenagers face Freddy Krueger, the sharp-clawed killer who haunts their dreams. A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 offers scary moments, cult scenes and a dose of dark humor. This film is a fan favorite and a great option for a nightmare-filled Halloween movie night.
The story takes place in a psychiatric hospital where Nancy, now an adult, is committed for dream therapy. A new team of teenagers face Freddy in their dreams, with the help of their therapist. The murders are savage, imaginative and sometimes deeply gory…
Movie #18: Paranormal Activity (2007)
A story about a haunted house becomes more demonic when we look at found footage of Micah and Katie, a young couple living in a California suburb. Micah is thrilled at the idea of living with a ghost and buys a very sophisticated camera with all the bells and whistles that could possibly exist for proof. Katie is cautious and tentatively goes along with Micah’s plan until it’s revealed that the ghost organizes his visits late at night when the couple is asleep. But more importantly: the ghost might have a closer connection to Katie than we first think… 👻
Paranormal Activity is a scary movie and a classic for anyone who’s a horror fan. It’s hard to deny that the special effects that bring Katie’s demon to life are still effective despite the great advances in this field in recent years.
Film #17: ParaNorman (2012)
If you’re looking for a softer, simpler and downright heartwarming film, ParaNorman is your animated oasis. This film is all about acceptance, self-love and is a little bit dark. It’s the ultimate children’s horror film. Norman, a young stranger from Massachusetts can talk to ghosts, including that of his dead grandmother. 👵
While much of his family either doesn’t understand or actively denigrates his strange gift, his eccentric great-uncle insists that his gift is the key to saving the town from a horribly supernatural fate. What happens next is unpredictable, incredibly funny and utterly touching. It teaches so many lessons about the horrors of life while also providing some chilling backdrops.
Movie #16: Planet Terror (2007)
Planet Terror is a film that appeals to a wide audience. It offers us a series of devilishly funny horror-comedy gags. Rooted in a refreshingly liberating tale of powerful women breaking free from the clutches of melodramatically oppressive patriarchal figures in the midst of a big zombie outbreak. 🧟♂️
This is undoubtedly one of the most impressive of these films, precisely because it’s designed to be trashy and sleazy. There’s a sequence involving Bruce Willis that’s absolutely canon. If you like that kind of atmosphere, get in your spaceship to Planet Terror as soon as you can.
Movie #15: Ready or Not (2019)
This film will soon be a cult favorite, even though it’s only been out for a year or so. Samara Weaving delivers a first-rate horror performance that deserves to be celebrated for years to come. Ready or Not is a magnificently grotesque thriller full of unforgettable things. It belongs to one of those films that grabs you from the very first moment. 🕯
Movie #14: Return of the Living Dead (1985)
In that platonic ideal of a horror comedy, Return of the Living Dead will give you a funny yet terrifying time this Halloween. It’s a zombie movie with a glam rock style (so it’s a bit weird). It’s full of devilishly disgusting special effects, gags and a group of kids who’ll make you feel like they’re getting into too much trouble for you to go trick-or-treating with them. 🤨
It’s an explosion of images, a bubble of chaotic, fun energy. It’s one of those fun cult classics to watch on Halloween night!
Movie #13: Saw (2004)
Saw is truly a masterpiece of another kind. It’s more than just a movie, it’s a brilliant puzzle of scenes. It rivals The Sixth Sense in terms of twisted endings. This first film in the saga is the classic not to be missed. 🔨
The first scene begins with two guys waking up chained in a large bathroom where one must kill the other, or their own family will die. What Saw has done is create a new horror icon, which is a lot easier said than done…. In our opinion, Saw simply deserves a place in the pantheon because it has done what horror hasn’t done in nearly a decade: surprise people.
Movie #12: Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Few films bridge the gap between fun and scary like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark can. Based on the children’s book of the same name, the Guillermo del Toro-produced film is set in 1968 in a small Pennsylvania town on Halloween night. 🎃
Three teenage friends are at the center of the story. There are some genuinely scary moments, but nothing as bloody as many of the films we’ve already discussed in this ranking. The film also doesn’t shy away from disturbing subjects, not particularly suitable for young children.
Movie #11: Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
The beloved Scooby and his band of meddlesome friends had a real run of good episodes following the release of Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island. The film finds Scooby and his gang on a remote Louisiana plantation, where their investigation leads them to a cult about cats that raise the dead. 🐱
Supernatural elements make Zombie Island Scooby an ideal Halloween film. To be seen between adults and children for a great family time.
Movie #10: Scream (1996)
Wes Craven’s film is definitely worth revisiting every October holiday season. Ghostface (the villain of the story) displays a certain playfulness and enjoys taunting his potential victims with trivia. ❓
Scream redefined the horror genre for an entire generation thanks to an engaging mythology, interesting characters and a fantastic cast including Jamie Kennedy as a surrogate for the know-it-all audience.
Movie #9: Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Shaun of the Dead is the triumph of an incredible cast (Simon Pegg, Kate Ashfield, Lucy Davis, Nick Frost, Dylan Moran, Bill Nighy, Penelope Wilton and many more) as well as one of the canniest, smartest scripts ever written. ✍️
This film can be classified as a “horror-comedy”, which brings out the best qualities of both genres. Simply put: you’ll laugh as much as you’ll be scared. And sometimes that’s the ideal combination for a successful evening!
Movie #8: Silent Hill (2006)
Very few films have elicited the sense of oppressive menace and fear like Silent Hill. And you’ll understand when you watch it: nightmares don’t have to make sense to be scary… Watching Silent Hill is like walking through a haunted house in your nightmares, all while being in hell. 😈
Sprinkled with disturbing images, Silent Hill creates an atmospheric dread that settles like a thick fog in your living room, then engulfs you completely by the end of the evening.
Movie #7: Sixth Sense (1999)
The Sixth Sense is a powerful, haunting horror film. Released in 1999, this feature marks Bruce Willis’ debut in the horror genre. The Sixth Sense (English version) is a knife-twisting work with its impeccable script and bizarre dialogue. 🤔
The story begins with a child psychologist (Willis) immersed in his new patient’s alleged delusions before quickly turning into a deeply unsettling ghost story. The young girl plays her part so perfectly that it’s hard to believe she’s a child. What’s more, it’s always great to see Willis pushing his boundaries, and The Sixth Sense is no exception.
Movie #6: Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow remains a must-see Halloween film every year without even a second thought. Burton is the perfect director to tackle the story of a shy man who must face his fears as he comes face to face with the headless horseman terrorizing the peaceful Hudson Valley hamlet of Sleepy Hollow.
Ichabod (played by Johnny Depp) is a policeman charged with investigating a series of murders in the town. Science collides with the supernatural as Ichabod investigates the murders and the witchcraft that makes them possible.
Film #5: The Witch (2015)
Director Robert Eggers’ debut feature, The Witch, is what we might call a “new classic”. Released in 2015, The Witch has quickly become a gem in the world of cinema, gaining prestige and notoriety thanks to the somewhat conceptual way it chooses to tell its particularly spooky story. 👺 The Witch is highly charismatic thanks to her outfit and make-up, which are meticulously detailed. Eggers’ film is also responsible for introducing Anya Taylor-Joy to the world.
The Witch follows a family living in New England in the 1600s, whose lives are quickly torn apart by the forces of evil lurking in the woods beside their property. Already tested by a harsh winter and living as outcasts for their religious fervor, the family begins to turn on each other as their fortunes dwindle. The eldest daughter, Thomasin, is singled out by her parents as the cause of the problem. But the young girl is not about to let that happen…
Movie #4: 13 Ghosts (2001)
In 2001, a bold, daring and chaotic horror film arrived in cinemas. In particular, it offered the (now cult) visual shock of seeing a man cut in half by sliding doors. But what is this film? Of course, it’s 13 Ghosts!
This cult favorite mixes fantasy and bloody horror in a wild and frenzied story. It follows the Kriticos family after they inherit an incredibly luxurious mansion from shady, thrill-seeking, occult-loving Uncle Cyrus. The Kriticos, along with a few allies, soon realize that Cyrus has gifted his family a time bomb with ghosts trapped in various rooms, emerging to terrorize them at any moment. 👻
Do you like houses linked to ancient curses? Then 13 Ghosts is the Halloween movie for you. Do you like weird machines that control a sprawling estate and slowly turn a loving family into a bunch of scared, submissive wimps? Then 13 Ghosts is the Halloween movie for you.
Film #3: Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Every frame of Trick ‘r Treat is in some way a definition of the Halloween spirit. They’re masterclasses in every shot. Drawing on an obvious and genuine obsession with Halloween traditions, tropes and cultural beliefs, Michael Dougherty has created a brilliant horror anthology. 🤐
Trick ‘r Treat explores our obsessions with parties, costumes and candy, rooting each of these elements in a spooky tale. And to top it all off, Dougherty has given us one of the few horror icons of the 21st century with Sam (as in Samhain), the embodied spirit of all Halloweens, who just might come for you if you let these traditions fall apart.
Movie #2: US (2019)
Jordan Peele could have rested on his laurels after directing Get Out, the blockbuster and Oscar-winner that made him the new face of socially relevant genre storytelling. But instead, he’s made a sequel even bigger, more complicated and even better than his incredible first installment. 🤤
We’re dealing with a family who are confronted, in their beach house, with their “Tethered”, a group of disfigured doppelgangers living in hiding. What was billed as a fairly straightforward (if slightly supernatural) home invasion thriller turns out to be a horror epic. A little more opaque than Get Out, Us leaves more to the imagination.
Movie #1: Vampires in All Intimacy (2014)
If you’re not at all familiar with the “What We Do in the Shadows” world, then welcome. In this film, we follow a group of blood-sucking immortals as they live in a sinister mansion. The gags are delivered dry and all the more hilarious for being terrifying… 🙃 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
The filming is slyly clever, casually capturing bits and pieces of the mythology we know about vampires and ghosts. And beyond its effectiveness as a comedy, there are also some damn good and surprising scares in this work! Vampires en toute intimité is a pleasure to watch, a perfect Halloween moment when it’s time to put your hand in the candy basket!
