Looking for the perfect Halloween movie marathon? We’ve rounded up the top 10 Halloween movies to add to your yearly bucket list. Whether your here for jump scares or just cozy fall vibes, these movies will put you in the perfect mood for a “killer” Halloween movie night.
‘The Thing From Another World’
Starting off we have a classic ‘50s sci-fi horror for you alien loving nerds. “.The Thing From Another World” directed by Christian Nyby, is a classic about scientists and American Air Force officials coming together and fending off a savage alien organism that came into their possession from a crashed UFO. As exciting as it was to make this discovery, nobody was ready for what was to come to their way once this vicious alien thawed from its icy capsule. This movie is perfect for classic film lovers that enjoy similar films such as ‘The Bride of Frankenstein and Dracula,” but don’t let this oldie fool you, it’ll have you at the edge of your couch from the suspense and terror.
‘The Birds’
A war against humanity breaks out in this ‘60s horror movie ‘The Birds”. Directed by Alfred Hitchcock, this romance turned into horror starts off with a romantic blossoming between San Francisco socialite Melanie Daniels and lawyer Mitch Brenner. Their connection is quickly tested by the fight for their lives against millions of murderous birds. The whole town is affected by this attack and creates a truly chilling depiction of what are seen as cute little birdies turned into vicious monsters. Not only is this a great add to your Halloween movie list, but also a great way to leave you in a chill for the spooky season to come with one of Hitchcock’s most iconic cliffhangers and mysterious endings.
‘Halloween’
On a cold Halloween night in 1978, Michael Myers steals a car and escapes Smith’s Grove mental institution. He returns to his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he looks for his next victims. This ‘70s horror slasher movie directed by John Carpenter, “Halloween” is the ultimate way to curl up in your couch and enjoy one of the most iconic slasher movies of all time. Laurie Strode’s never ending battle with Michael makes this movie and its twelve sequels some of the most extended cat-and-mouse chase in the horror history. If you’re a fan of small town killers and creepy tension that’ll keep your heart racing, this movie is perfect for just that.
‘The Shining’
Imagine going away with the family to look after a great hotel and expecting to relax and cure your writers block, but instead you’re met with creepy twins and blood dripping walls, this is exactly the reality of Jack Torrance in Stanley Kubrick’s 80s psychological horror film, “The Shining.” A hotel with dark secret, a child with psychic suspicions and a writer gone rogue, this movie will send shivers down your spine and twist your mind in the best (and creepiest) way possible. This movie is without doubt a must watch for this spooky season for any psychological horror fans and anyone that enjoys a good old “Here’s Johnny.”
‘Ghostbusters’
Moving on to a not so scary pick but surely an ‘80s classic directed by Ivan Reitman, “Ghostbusters” has to be one of the funniest and thrilling Halloween movies for kids and adults to watch. When a group of three parapsychologists and one financier create a ghost removal service, all four come face to face with New York’s most obnoxious ghosts, including the unforgettable (and adorable) Stay Puft Marshmallow Man and the “ugly little spud” Slimer. The Ghostbusters are on a mission to save New York from complete destruction and continue to provide their services for years to come. This movie is great for a good Halloween laugh and an insight on what it really take to “bust ghosts.”
‘Beetlejuice’
An ‘80s Halloween movie list wouldn’t be complete without three legendary words, “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice.” These words are the spark of the menacing trickster Beetlejuice, summoned to “exterminate” the living from the home of recently deceased Barbara and Adam Maitland. This humble countryside couple find themselves too soft for the pretentious New York family that have taken over their home. With the help from a disreputable ghost and the ghost seeing daughter (Lydia) of said family, they undertake the challenge of getting their home back and scaring the living out. “Beetlejuice,” directed by Tim Burton, is one of the most notorious Halloween movies with iconic jokes and visually exciting scenes to enjoy by yourself or with the family.
‘Edward Scissorhands’
Tim Burton’s must see ‘90s classic, “Edward Scissorhands” is the perfect Halloween watch for any Tim Burton fan or anyone that enjoys a good “misunderstood monster” story. When a scientist creates the gentle scissor hand monster, Edward, there is no way of him knowing that he would become the towns most lovable and feared creation. After the death of said scientist, Edward is left alone in a mansion for years but is unexpectedly saved from loneliness by loving suburban saleswoman Peg. As Edward adjust to his new reality, he not only fights for the heart of Pegs teenage daughter Kim, but also the trust and friendship of those in the town. With its suburban charm and dark edge, this movie is a heartfelt watch that’ll make you rethink if monsters maybe do have a heart after all.
‘Scream’
Best known by his strange phone calls, white face mask and long black robe, this ‘90s movie, directed by Wes Craven, is a modern horror classic. When a crazed knife maniac goes on a killing spree and targets high school students (especially Sidney Prescott), not only do they have to answer scary movie trivia questions like “What’s your favorite scary movie?” with their lives on the line, but they must also hunt down the killer before the whole town turns into a bloodbath. This cult classic slasher is perfect for an ironically good laugh and suspenseful watch for this Halloween season.
‘The Addams Family’
Apart from “Scream” and “Edward Scissorhands,” ‘90s Halloween movies wouldn’t be complete without “The Addams Family.” From embracing non-nuclear families in the 1964 original TV show, to the contemporary Netflix show “Wednesday,” this movie is the perfect middle ground of its multi-decade franchise. A lot like modern day families we see now, ‘The Addams Family” is the perfect depiction of alternative families but with a spooky twist. The Addams are tricked by a man and his over controlling mother, by being convinced that Gomez’s long lost brother, Fester, has returned from the Bermuda Triangle. From their unconventional and Gothic ways of being, to the steamy romance between Gomez and Morticia, this movie will never fail to entertain and put you in the perfect mood for Halloween.
‘Corpse Bride’
And finally for our ‘2000s pick we have “Corpse Bride,” directed and written by the well-known and loved Tim Burton. This famous Halloween love story is a staple for ‘90s and ‘00s kids. With its dark and hauntingly beautiful stop motion work, this movies embraces the peak of 2000s stop-motion and tragic love stories. Victor and Victoria’s wedding plans come to an unexpected halt when Victor finds himself winning the heart of Emily, a dead bride. After being dragged to the land of the dead by Emily, Victor needs to find a way back to his dear Victoria before she is married off to the villainous Barkis Bittern. “Corpse Bride” is perfect for fans of Tim Burton and stop-motion that want to enjoy a comedic and romantically dark movie.
Now , all that is left is to grab a bowl of popcorn, a cozy blanket, and you’re off to a great night of Halloween classics and the ultimate movie marathon.
