I've watched a lot of movies and, sure, I like horror, though usually only in October as a lead-up to Halloween. My wife is really not a fan, which contributes to the typically seasonal interest. The biggest example of this was 2013 after buying our first house and before a dog or kid. I recorded a ton on the DVR and binged like crazy, slashers especially. Most of it was junk but I still enjoyed doing it. Nowadays while I think most horror isn't worth rewatch or regular viewing, there are certainly exceptions. As with movies in general, I'm rarely up to date on recent stuff, but am always on the lookout and eventually try to fill in gaps of both newer and older well-regarded films.
A friend of mine, with his own periodic interest in horror, suggested writing this post. Initially I was listing nearly everything horror-ish that I consider worth a watch. Nearing completion, I came up with a better idea and pared it back. So, here are 31 suggestions for viewing this scary season. I cheated a little and made two double features. Let's just ignore that we're already a week+ into October too, though who would actually watch all this in a month? I attempted to include a wide variety, hopefully successfully, and they're grouped accordingly. There's no overall intended order. In Bold are favorites that stand above the rest and are worth revisiting. Most everything else I've only seen once.
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Stranded and hunted
It's amusing that so much good horror has this as a connecting thread. I really should've watched some of these during peak lockdown when feeling most isolated. Alien and The Thing would've been incredible.
1. Evil Dead II - 1987
More remake than sequel, Sam Raimi vastly improves the story of Ash (Bruce Campbell) at a haunted cabin. High-paced dark comedy. A wild ride that's complete and utter insanity.
2. Cabin in the Woods - 2011
Heavy on horror tropes, youth (w/ Chris Hemsworth) visit a cabin. The rest will surprise you.
3. The Thing - 1982
Up in Antarctica, a group (w/ Kurt Russell) must root out a malicious shape-shifting alien. Made by John Carpenter, a huge cult classic despite parts being extremely dated.
4. Alien - 1979
In deep space, the crew (w/ Sigourney Weaver) of a huge commercial ship meet the Alien.
Made by Ridley Scott, a terrifying slow burn and beginning of a major franchise.
5. Aliens - 1986
In a great handoff, Scott gives way to James Cameron. While the original was a sci-fi haunted house, the sequel instead is all action. Ripley (Weaver) grows from survivor to hero.
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Classic Horror
Timeless monsters and stories. Everything here should be seen at least once.
6. Bride of Frankenstein - 1935
Best of the old Universal Monster movies. Dr. Frankenstein builds a mate for his creation.
7. Young Frankenstein - 1974
Made by Mel Brooks, a hilarious parody on the old monster movies. Gene Wilder stars.
8. Psycho - 1960
In a Hitchcock masterpiece, a woman investigates her sisters murder near the Bates Motel.
9. The Exorcist - 1973
Two priests attempt an exorcism on a possessed child. Incredibly shocking then and now.
10. The Omen - 1976
Mysterious deaths surround a couple's (w/ Gregory Peck) young son. Is he the Antichrist?
11. Carrie - 1976
A Stephen King story, a teenage girl with psychic powers gets tormented to breaking point.
12. Poltergeist - 1982
Ghosts invade a family's suburban home and abduct their little girl. They do everything possible to get her back. This movie is so much better than it appears.
13. Bram Stoker's Dracula - 1992
Dracula (Gary Oldman) comes to London and entrances a young woman. Her friends fight his influence. The best adaptation, by Francis Ford Coppola. Dark, creepy and violent.
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Slashers
A genre that got started in the 70's and took off with the success of Halloween. The vast majority (see Friday the 13th) are total garbage, but were cheap to make and bankable at the box office. A few do stand out.
14. Halloween - 1978
15 years after murdering his sister, silent Michael Myers returns home. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) must watch out. Creepy but not cheap, terrific theme. John Carpenter again.
15. Halloween - 2018
New sequel that ignores everything but the original. Laurie's been preparing for 40 years.
16. Nightmare on Elm Street - 1984
As classmates die violently in their sleep, teenagers (Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp) prepare to end it. Very well done, by Wes Craven. One, two, Freddy's coming for you.
17. Wes Craven's New Nightmare - 1994
Freddy appears in the real world and comes after 'real-life' Heather Langenkamp. Very meta.
18. Scream - 1996
The masked Ghostface stalks teenagers. Heavily plays on slasher tropes. Wes Craven again.
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Recent Horror
A hodgepodge of notable and unique horror from the last decade.
19. The Conjuring / The Conjuring 2 - 2013/2016
The Warrens, a 'demonologist' couple, consult on paranormal activity and possessions. Original based on the Amityville Horror story. Spawned a universe (Annabelle, the Nun).
20. The Babadook - 2014
A widow tries to protect her son from a persistent spirit. All about grief/loss. Australian film.
21. It Follows - 2014
After having sex, a teen is constantly physically pursued by death. A freaky, memorable gem.
22. The Witch - 2015
In 1600s New England, a devout family leaves a safe and walled community for the wilderness, where evil lurks. Oppressively unsettling and intense. I won't watch it again.
23. Bird Box - 2018
A woman escorts two children to a haven amidst horrible beings that cause death on sight. Forget the challenge and watch this.
24. A Quiet Place - 2018
In a dystopian future where noise = death, a family (John Krasinski, Emily Blunt) perseveres.
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Grab Bag Action and Thriller
Basically everything else. Each features monsters in one form or another.
Hybrid man/vampire Blade (Wesley Snipes, Marvel) wages a secret war to protect humanity.
26. Shaun of the Dead - 2004
Probably the best zombie film out there, and it's a parody. Simon Pegg is so great.
27. Constantine - 2005
Occultist John Constantine (Keanu Reeves) discovers a sinister plot involving spiritual forces.
28. The Ghost and the Darkness - 1996
An ahistorical telling of the Tsavo Man-Eaters, who killed African railway workers in 1898.
29. Silence of the Lambs - 1991
An FBI agent (Jodie Foster) interviews cannibal Hannibal Lector during a separate manhunt.
30. Basic Instinct - 1992
Unpredictable detective meets femme fatale (Sharon Stone) during a murder query. Graphic.
31. Gone Girl - 2014
Evidence says a man killed his missing wife (Rosamund Pike). But did he? A wild, horrific ride.
Well, that's 31. Writing one line blurbs about movies turned out to be a real and fun challenge. Hopefully you can find a few, as I didn't spend any time searching the streaming platforms. Happy hunting.
I'll probably have to rewatch a few of these myself. I have Alien on Blu-ray but haven't actually thrown it in since purchasing. I should probably also buy The Thing. Halloween is usually the only one I for sure try to watch each year. As for new stuff, I still need to see Get Out and It. And there's always more.
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Update 10/9:
Removed Pitch Black, a movie I really like, and added The Ghost and the Darkness, a better fit for this list (and a last second removal I've been regretting).
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