For North America, October marks the beginning of Fall, when the air gets cooler and the leaves begin to change. Winter is rapidly approaching and the calendar begins to tick away towards All Hallows Eve, a night of tricks, treats, and terror. It's become somewhat of a tradition for most to fill their October nights with Horror films, especially on Halloween night.
Some directors and film creators even realized this and centered their spooky tales around the 31st of the month. There have been a handful of great Horror movies crafted through the years that take place on Halloween. Here's a look at some of the absolute best.
10 Halloween
One of the greatest slasher franchises ever made and the origins of Michael Myers, the first Halloween is a great place to start for fans looking for something spooky to watch during the October Holiday. It's "aged" by some Horror standards but it's managed to withstand the test of time thanks to its great practical effects, acting, setting, and camera work.
Consider this one of the quintessential Horror movies that take place on Halloween.
9 Creepshow
Those that haven't familiarized themselves with the Creepshow franchise are definitely missing out. Fans could easily boot up the modern remake on Shudder and get a glimpse at what the Horror anthology has to offer but it's a much better idea to start at the "beginning." This comic-series-turned-film-franchise is perfect for a Halloween movie binge as it features multiple stories during its runtime.
There are an array of spooky tales to keep viewers on the edge of their seat and Creepshow often hops genres with action-packed frights, dramatic storylines, and even comedic elements.
8 Idle Hands
The best part about Horror films is that they're not afraid to explore some of the strangest, coolest, and sometimes silliest concepts possible. A good Horror creator can make even the most seemingly inconspicuous objects downright terrifying. Conversely, a good Horror Comedy team can make something creepy into a hilarious Black Comedy romp.
Idle Hands is the latter, using the concept of a severed hand with sentience and bringing together an all-star cast to create a cult-classic movie that's a must-watch for Horror fans. There are some familiar stars in this one, particularly Jessica Alba and Seth Green.
7 Trick 'r Treat
Another anthology (similar to Creepshow), this is the absolute film of films to watch on Halloween night, thanks to its theme. Four short stories are shown, all tied in by the common theme of "breaking Halloween traditions." The stories themselves are visceral, well-acted, and provide a lot of frights.
Although the film was fairly well-received when it was first released, it didn't garner a cult following until recent years. It was so beloved by Halloween fans that even Universal Studios got in on the action, hosting a specialized Trick 'r Treat zone at its Orlando-based theme park during its annual Halloween Horror Nights.
6 The Blair Witch Project
The 90s were filled with all types of Horror films, including some experimental tropes and an abundance of what many consider to be "B-Rate" movies. The term was coined to represent low-budget commercial films, similar to the B-Side found in some albums. For the most part, B-Movies were less-than-stellar, but there have been a handful over the years that truly captivated audiences.
Take, for example, The Blair Witch Project. This low-budget "walk through the woods" turned into a cultural phenomenon helped put a spotlight on the Found Footage genre of Horror.
5 Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark
Back in 1981, author Alvin Schwartz and Illustrator Stephen Gammell terrified kids with the release of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, an anthology of short stories that were much more alarming to most little ones than the "spooky kids books" we see today. Just the illustrations alone were enough to incite dread and fear in kids and adults alike.
With such great source material, spanning three separate books, it seemed like Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark was destined for the big screen at some point. Fans of the beloved series got their wish in 2019 when the film was released to a fairly positive response. Featuring some of the most iconic monsters from the original book series, it's a nostalgic fright fest.
4 Poltergeist
Easily one of the most unsettling films to come from the 80s Horror boom, Poltergeist is a terrifying introspective into what it would look like if vengeful spirits suddenly descended upon a family's home. In a similar vein to works like The Conjuring, Poltergeist showcases that ghosts are very capable of doing harm, both physically and psychologically, should they please.
Turn off the lights for this one, there are some truly unsettling scenes sprinkled throughout Poltergeist.
3 The Exorcist
Perhaps the most "classic" and easily recognizable film on this list, The Exorcist is a terrifying film that should be experienced at least once a year. Halloween is the perfect time to crack open this gem (which takes place on the haunted holiday itself). Featuring stellar acting and some truly tense moments, The Exorcist set that stage for some of the scariest "possession" films to stem in recent years.
The entire affair evokes an incredibly claustrophobic feeling, particularly the moments in which the priest and the possessive demon confront each other in the tight confines of the bedroom.
2 Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko has amassed quite the cult following since its inception in 2001. It's smart, enthralling, and features stellar acting from a young Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays the part of a troubled teen. After suffering an accident, he finds himself plagued by strange visions of a rather creepy man in a demented-looking bunny suit. From there, it spirals, taking Donnie through a series of harrowing experiences in which he's pressured by this odd entity to question his own morals.
It's a deep dive into the teenage mind, complete with some supernatural moments, hallucinogenic scenes, and one rather frightening antagonist.
1 Pet Sematary
It would be a travesty to not include at least a couple of Stephen King films on a list filled with Horror movies. Thankfully, there is more than one that takes place on Halloween. Pet Sematary is easily one of King's best books, and the film adaptations are every bit as unsettling.
The tale follows a family that discovers a magical (albeit creepy) cemetery that has the power to bring pets (and loved ones) back from the grave should they be buried there. It's a very, "be careful what you wish for" type of story, laced with elements of "if it's too good to be true, it likely is." There is so much to appreciate about this film, from its acting and locations to its practical effects and pacing.