🎬 Halloween Movies (& a Series) Worth Turning the Lights Off For

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We've arrived at that time of year again. So put on your coziest pajamas, switch off the lamps, and light the candles - it's scary movie time.

A teenage girl barfing out the devil and crab crawling down the stairs is the perfect antidote for the sickly-sweet pumpkin spice everything-everywhere-all-at-once high you've been on this past month.

It's time to stop romping through the leaves and come back down to earth where it naturally smells like dirt, worms, decomposing leaves and, if you're lucky, the odd time, laundry and McDonald's.

The official transition from the joyous, hand-holding, cider-scented month of October to the serial killer musk of November is known as Halloween.

And these are the movies (and tv series!) to transition with.

💀 New for 2025

28 Years Later

This is the long-awaited follow-up to 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later - which means it's full of chaos, running, and that distinct British hopelessness that somehow makes everything scarier.

It's smarter than a zombie movie and grim enough to make you consider stockpiling tinned beans. Perfect for Halloween night when you've run out of candy.

Monster: The Ed Gein Story

🔪 Netflix Series

81% liked this series

You know the drill - true crime, tortured soul, small town, unspeakable acts.
This one's part of Ryan Murphy's Monster anthology. Ryan Murphy: The Patron Saint of Excess.

Only he would look at the story of the original sex-crazed, necrophiliac, cross-dressing serial killer and think, you know what this needs? Flair.

Still, it's worth watching just to see the story of the man who inspired Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

It's a lot.

Barbarian

79% liked this movie

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Humour, gore, and a healthy amount of "Don't go in there!" moments.
Justin Long's in it, which tells you everything you need to know about the level of absurdity you're signing up for.

Knock at the Cabin

60% liked this movie

Based on a Bram Stoker Award-winning book, this M. Night Shyamalan psychological horror isn't perfect, but it is unnerving. Good for when you want to feel unsettled without the commitment of gore.

We Have a Ghost

65% liked this movie

For people who say they like scary movies but don't actually like scary movies.
It's silly, light, and won't require therapy after.

Bird Box

82% liked this movie

If you skipped it in 2018, make up for it this year.
It's tense, smart, and genuinely stressful in the best way. My heart rate monitor confirmed it.

The Menu

78% liked this movie

It's not a horror movie, exactly - more of a satire served medium rare.
Dark, funny, and perfectly seasoned.

🎃 The Classics (Return Every Year Like Bad Candy Corn)

The Exorcist - Still the scariest movie ever made. Period.
Watch the trailer
Rosemary's Baby - Scary baby, scary director, moral conflict included.
Watch the trailer
Carrie - Pig's blood, telekinesis, revenge. You'll feel better about your own life afterward.
Watch the trailer
Scream - Campy, self-aware, and still fun.
Watch the trailer
Ghostbusters - Without Canadians, it wouldn't exist. You're welcome.
Watch the trailer
Practical Magic - Proof that witchcraft pairs well with tequila and Sandra Bullock.
Watch the trailer
Us - Doppelgängers and identity crises. Excellent family viewing.
Watch the trailer
The Witch - Brooding, historical, and deeply weird.
Watch the trailer
Don't Breathe - Reverse home invasion horror.
Watch the trailer
Donnie Darko - Existential dread with a bunny suit.
Watch the trailer
Get Out - I didn't like it at first, which makes me wrong. It's brilliant.
Watch the trailer
Host - Zoom call from hell. Literally.
Watch the trailer
Contagion - Had a BIG comeback in 2020
Watch the trailer