Movies

Best Halloween Movies To Watch Year Round

Published

4 years ago

October 16, 2020

Joel

For those who celebrate Halloween year-round, there is still something special about that last chilly night in October. It’s the time of year when all things spooky are celebrated.

Many horror fans find themselves feeling nostalgic for the horror movies they enjoyed as children during this time of year. Others, meanwhile, want to push themselves further with new depths of terror.

Especially this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic changing the way we interact with each other and celebrate both indoor and outdoor activities.

However, no matter what your horror style is, you should find an old favorite or a new adventure on this list. Here are our top picks for the scariest, creepiest Halloween movies to watch year-round.

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Poltergeist

Nothing quite captures the campy horror romp like Stephen Spielberg’s 1982 classic, Poltergeist. It sets itself apart by striking that perfect balance between comedy and horror. This film drips with nostalgia of horror days gone by, making it a perfect Halloween movie night selection.

The story focuses on a suburban family who soon discovers that their new home has been invaded by a malicious spirit. Then, when their little daughter vanishes, everything goes to hell.

The movie isn’t just popular for its campy scares. It also has one of the most iconic lines in horror: “They’re here!”

The Exorcist

For those looking for more of a scare, The Exorcist is a horror genre rite of passage. Go for the director’s cut if you’re truly dedicated to getting the best experience.

This film’s deft use of practical effects, and its fairly faithful adherence to the William Peter Blatty novel by the same name, are just some of the reasons The Exorcist has withstood the test of time as a genre icon.

Loosely based on real events, the movie is about a young girl who starts talking in tongues and levitating. A local priest believes she could be possessed by the devil, and he tries to perform an exorcism.

The Witch

When a Puritan family in 17th century New England is banished, they set up a farm at the edge of a massive, imposing forest. When their newborn son vanishes and their crops fail, all the family members start to turn on one another. Could it be rotten luck, or have they stumbled upon something sinister?

The Witch (stylized as The VVitch) is an excellent compromise for anyone with mixed opinions on horror. While it is absolutely blood-chilling, the on-screen visual scares are minimal and jump scares are almost nonexistent. The film gets away with this thanks to its absolutely suffocating tension, masterful storytelling, and brilliant characters.

While there is some on-screen gore, there is nothing pulpy about this film. Robert Eggers’ modern classic can be enjoyed by seasoned horror fans and uninitiated Halloween revelers alike.

Paranormal Activity

When a young couple moves into a new house, they get increasingly disturbed by an unseen presence that makes itself felt at night, when they are asleep.

In an homage to the campy Halloween feel—and Blair Witch Project scares—of all found footage films, the first Paranormal Activity film is one that should not be overlooked.

While the franchise has inarguably had its problems over the years, its first installment did something truly unique, crafting something truly horrific out of thin air and pulling the audience right into the horror. It also made a bucketload of money and became an instant horror icon, inspiring countless other found-footage films.

Halloween

You probably saw this coming, but John Carpenter’s 1978 slasher is an absolute must-see when the spooky season rolls around. By avoiding many of the more problematic tropes of slasher fare, it earns its place as an icon of the holiday.

Jamie Lee Curtis shines in her role as a competent and likable protagonist, while Michael Myers is a boogeyman who just can’t seem to die. Halloween inspired countless other slasher movies, but few have managed to be as claustrophobic, tense or effective as John Carpenter’s classic.

We also recommend watching a few of the sequels. And 2018’s Halloween is arguably the best, since it avoids the over-the-top elements of the other sequels and goes back to the original’s simple scares and plot.

Trick ‘r Treat

This is an anthology horror film that takes place on Halloween night. It tells stories of werewolves, zombies, serial killers and other things that go bump in the night.

The common element is a mysterious kid with a burlap sack on his head and orange footie pajamas, who shows up whenever someone disrespects Halloween tradition.

The film has become a cult hit, and it’s now a must-watch for horror fans every Halloween—or, to be honest, every time they feel like it. It perfectly blends humor, gore, jump-scares, and campfire stories to create something outstanding.

Night of the Demons

When it comes to 80s horror films, few are as underrated as Night of the Demons. It takes place on Halloween night, has a party with drunken teenagers—taking place in a mortuary—it has a séance, there are bucketloads of gore, and a demon in the crematorium is set loose. This is the quintessential campy 80s horror movie.

The film has a respectable body count, and the performances are delightfully over-the-top. For those who like their horror with a touch of philosophy, Night of the Demons even has that. You could call it an allegory for teen promiscuity since people who get laid end up being possessed—kind of like the recent It Follows. Its sequels might not be as iconic, but Night of the Demons is a must-watch Halloween movie.

There’s nothing quite like turning off the lights for a horror movie on Halloween night. Go for something new and horrifying or a spooky old favorite. However, you normally feel about scary movies, you won’t go wrong with one of these classics this Halloween.