Halloween is a celebration of all things spooky and scary, while also being a time to sit back and enjoy all that autumn brings, from apple cider to changing leaves and crisp, cool nights.
One of the most fun ways to celebrate Halloween is by watching movies. There’s a reason why several TV channels start pumping out horror movies and Halloween-themed films throughout the entire month of October. Audiences just can’t get enough of films that offer frights and scares, or even family-friendly flicks that pay homage to spooky season.
With the weather getting cooler and the nights getting darker, Halloweentime is a natural fit for a cozy movie night.
From hardcore horror hits to Halloween-themed family films, check out these 15 movies to watch this Halloween season.
Halloween (1978)
One of the most iconic Halloween films is, obviously, Halloween. In the movie, a masked man with an insatiable thirst for murder stalks babysitters on Halloween night.
He enjoys tormenting his victims before finally killing them, often following them for days before going in for the final kill. This creates some serious suspense and has given the world one of the most iconic slasher villains ever: Michael Myers.
The movie is perfect for Halloween since it’s set during the holiday, and it offers up some of the best scares in horror history. Halloween also launched the career of Jamie Lee Curtis, who has reprised her role as Laurie Strode six more times through the years.
Watch Halloween on AMC+ and Shudder
Halloweentown (1998)
Premiering in 1998 as a Disney Channel Original Movie, Halloweentown centers on teenager Marnie (Kimberly J. Brown), who is bored with her mundane suburban life. She also idolizes her fun and whimsical grandma (Debbie Reynolds), who is actually a witch from an alternate world where all the creatures of Halloween live side-by-side.
Halloweentown is the perfect spooky film for families, anyone looking for a good dose of childhood nostalgia or anyone who just wants some spooky fun without the gore and terror of horror movies.
Plus, Reynolds is an absolute icon in this film, which earned her a whole new generation of fans.
Watch Halloweentown on Disney+
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Shockingly, Hocus Pocus was only a moderate success at the box office and didn’t turn into the phenomenon it is today until it began airing on TV annually during October. Now, the film is a downright classic, centering on three haggard witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) who go on a hilarious misadventure while trying to remain young forever.
The movie expertly balances spooky vibes with lots of comedy, making it a great Halloween movie for viewers of all ages. Midler also confirmed she had seen a script for a potential third movie, so the Sanderson sisters may be enchanting audiences once again.
Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney+
Paranormal Activity (2009)
One of the best parts about Halloween is getting scared, and one of the most fun ways to do that is with a good horror movie. Paranormal Activity follows a young couple as they document ghostly activity in their new home. But soon, the phenomena get more intense, and they learn it isn’t a ghost that’s in their home; it’s a demon.
Filmed in the found footage style, the movie is perfect for those nights when the lights are off, the room is quiet and viewers can hear every creak, footstep and knock in the film. Paranormal Activity ended up receiving six sequels, making it a great franchise for horror fans to sink their teeth into.
Watch Paranormal Activity on Paramount+
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
One of the most notable cult films of all time, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is inspired by Frankenstein, but loaded with a huge dose of queer culture, campiness and great music. In the film, a mad scientist named Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry) is creating a studly man named Rocky.
By coincidence, two wayward travelers (Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick) arrive during Rocky’s unveiling party, and madness ensues.
Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Hulu
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
It’s rare to get PG-13 horror movies, and it’s even rarer to get good PG-13 horror movies. But Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, adapted from the iconic book series by Alvin Schwartz, did just that. Set on Halloween night, the film follows a group of teenagers who are haunted via a mysterious book written over 100 years ago by a young girl who was accused of witchcraft.
Throughout the movie, the stories start to become real, and the group must figure out why and how to stop it. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark has some great scares and loads of creepy vibes.
Watch Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark on Peacock
Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
For some serious laughs, Ernest Scared Stupid is a sure bet. Part of the Ernest P. Worrell film series from Jim Varney, the movie sees the town of Briarville get taken over by trolls on Halloween night. Of course, the only person who can save the town is the bumbling Ernest and his arsenal of alternate personalities, like Auntie Edna, Bunny Jeanette and even Genghis Khan.
Plus, none other than Eartha Kitt has an absolutely film-stealing supporting role as local trash-hoarder, Old Lady Hackmore. It’s a slapstick, madcap Halloween movie that needs to be seen to be believed.
Rent Ernest Scared Stupid on Amazon Prime
The Exorcist (1973)
Despite being more than 50 years old, The Exorcist is still considered by many to be the scariest movie ever made — and that’s exactly why it’s perfect to watch this Halloween.
In the film, a young girl (Linda Blair) becomes possessed by a demon and gradually descends into madness. With some seriously terrifying practical effects and excellent performances from the entire cast, the movie feels eerily real. Blair also went on to reprise her role in 2023 with The Exorcist: Believer.
Watch The Exorcist on HBO Max
Muppets Haunted Mansion (2021)
Based on the iconic Disney ride, Muppets Haunted Mansion sees Gonzo and Pepe arrive at a mysterious home. They’re greeted by the Ghost Host (Will Arnett) and tasked with spending the night in the haunted mansion.
Many of the iconic characters from the ride make appearances in the movie, and of course, they’re all played by the Muppets. Fozzie Bear becomes the Hatbox Ghost, Rowlf the Dog is the organist and Miss Piggy steals the show as Madame Leota.
For a humorous and fun take on Halloween haunts, this is the perfect movie for all ages.
Watch Muppets Haunted Mansion on Disney+
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Long before Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers became Halloween staples, there were classic stories like Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
In 1999, Tim Burton adapted the story into a dark fairytale filled with deceit, mystery and, of course, the infamous Headless Horseman. The movie starred Christina Ricci and Johnny Depp, and is loaded with creepy visuals and a gorgeously spooky ambiance, leading it to win Best Art Direction at the Oscars that year.
For a beautifully scary movie this Halloween, Sleepy Hollow is a sure bet.
Watch Sleepy Hollow on Paramount+
Totally Killer (2023)
In this slasher comedy, teenager Jamie (Kiernan Shipka) grows up as the daughter of a Final Girl (Julie Bowen), who is now an overbearing mother still traumatized by her experiences as a teen. After years of worrying that her attempted killer would return, Jamie’s mom is eventually murdered on Halloween night by the same serial killer from decades ago.
To solve the problem, Jamie goes back in time to the ’80s to fight the killer and save her mom. Totally Killer is a smart and fun horror movie that’s loaded with homages to horror classics. Thanks to its meta wit and fun premise, it’s a great movie for Halloween.
Watch Totally Killer on Amazon Prime
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
One of the most iconic Halloween specials ever is It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Like many of the Peanuts specials, it’s a cozy, slice-of-life story about the cute gang on Halloween, from parties to trick-or-treating, and of course, Linus waiting in the pumpkin patch for the Great Pumpkin to arrive and bring presents.
Loaded with nostalgia and perfect for anyone who prefers a comfy, relaxing watch on Halloween, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is a perennial favorite that never goes out of style.
Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on Apple TV
The Conjuring (2013)
According to Variety, The Conjuring franchise has grossed over $2.3 billion since its inception, and it all started with the first film in 2013. Inspired by true events that were investigated by paranormal enthusiasts Ed and Lorraine Warren, the movie centers around a family in a rural farmhouse who begin experiencing paranormal activity.
Thanks to lots of great scares, the movie was a huge success. It was also aided by excellent performances from Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson and Lili Taylor. Though only a little over a decade old, The Conjuring is already considered by many horror fans to be one of the best paranormal films ever made.
Watch The Conjuring on HBO Max
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
In the classic stop-motion film The Nightmare Before Christmas, the worlds of Halloween and Christmas collide, leading to some seriously wacky and exciting mischief.
Based on characters created by Burton, the movie is loaded with gothic vibes, making it a truly stunning (and creepy) film. It also has a great voice cast, including Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, and Danny Elfman, who also worked as the film’s composer.
Watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on Disney+
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
With disturbing visuals, wild kills and a seriously creepy synth soundtrack, A Nightmare on Elm Street changed the slasher genre forever when it was released in 1984. Instead of the slow, masked killers people were used to, Freddy Krueger was a quick-witted, foul-mouthed, charismatic villain who could kill people in their dreams, oftentimes dragging them down into his nightmarish boiler room before finishing them off.
The pure ingenuity and terror of Nightmare make it perfect to watch on Halloween for anyone who wants a great scare.
Watch A Nightmare on Elm Street on HBO Max
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