38 Best Halloween Movies For The Spooky Season

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Witches, ghosts and monsters, oh my! With fall right around the corner, it’s time to start queuing up your all-time favorite Halloween movies to get into the spooky Oktoberfest spirit.

For a spooktacular Halloween season of scares, I recommend watching these fun movies. From family friendly flicks like Hocus Pocus and Halloweentown to chilling films like Hereditary and Paranormal Activity, there’s something for everyone.

For more scary movies, check out this curated horror list!

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Never mess around with cauldrons in abandoned shacks on October 31st. If you do, you might get a surprise visit from the Sanderson sisters. 

Watch it on Disney+ / Amazon Prime

Halloween (1978)

If you ever spot someone wearing a Michael Myers mask on Halloween, assume they’re trick ‘r treating. Now if they happen to be following you around town with a wickedly sharp butcher knife in hand, assume your life is at stake and book a one-way ticket out of the country. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton is the master at creating chilling claymations which is why it should come as no surprise that The Nightmare Before Christmas would make it on this list of best Halloween movies. The citizens of Halloween Town are truly the stuff of nightmares. 

Watch it on Disney+ / Amazon Prime

Halloweentown (1998)

Why limit your Halloween spirit to only one night every 365 days when you can indulge 24/7 in Halloweentown. Just don’t fall for a guy named Kal. You may end up having to clean up his mess while nursing a broken heart. 

Watch it on Disney+ / Amazon Prime

Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

To survive Halloween, all you have to do is be a good samaritan and refrain from landing yourself on Sam’s list by partaking in a particularly evil act. Otherwise you’ll be getting a special visit come October. 

Watch it on HBO Max / Hulu / Amazon Prime

The Addams Family (1991) & Addams Family Values (1993)

If there was a superlative for ‘creepiest family’, the Addams Family would win by a landslide. 

Watch it on Amazon Prime / Paramount+

Scream (1996)

If an intruder wearing a ghostface mask happens to be chasing you around the house, don’t run upstairs. You may as well sign your death warrant at that point. That is unless you’re Sidney Prescott.  

Watch it on HBO Max / Amazon Prime

The Craft (1996)

Nothing says Halloween like a good ol’ fashioned seance followed by a game of light as a feather, stiff as board.

Watch it on HBO Max / Amazon Prime

The Haunted Mansion (2003)

If you have recently become the proud owner of an abandoned mansion, be wary. It may not be as empty as you think. 

Watch it on Disney+ / Amazon Prime

Beetlejuice (1988)

Haunting unsuspecting trespassers may seem easy enough. Being a “typical” ghost isn’t as easy as it seems. Ask the Maitlands. 

Watch it on Hulu

Monster House (2006)

If the house moves, walk on. Don’t stop for candy. Otherwise you may become the house’s next treat.

Watch it on Netflix 

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Never mess with a headless horseman. It’s a bad move. You may end up losing your head. 

Watch it on Starz

Coraline (2009)

If you ever find yourself crawling through a hidden tunnel in your home that takes you into an alternate reality where everyone you know has buttons for eyes, RUN. Don’t even think about exploring.

Rent on Amazon Prime

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

After watching Freddy Kreuger turn Johnny Depp’s bed into a vacuum, you’ll be pinching yourself to stay awake. And if Krueger ever visits you in your dreams, wake up.

Watch it on Amazon Prime

Friday the 13th (1980)

As one of the quintessential slasher horror movies, Friday the 13th is a must-watch during the Halloween season. However, if you have plans to work as a summer camp counselor in a woodsy area, I would recommend taking pointers from the counselors as what not to do when chased by a masked machete-wielding maniac.

Watch it on Hulu / Starz / Amazon Prime

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

If you ever find yourself stuck filming a documentary, don’t go on a long trek into the middle of nowhere to find the witch that inspired the infamous urban legend that has plagued your hometown. It’s not worth it. 

Watch it on Hulu / Amazon Prime 

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Remember, ouija boards are never the answer to paranormal activity. 

Watch it on Hulu / Starz / Amazon Prime

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

Imagine having scissors for hands. Think about how hard it would be to wash your hair. But on the flip side, you’d never have to go to the salon for a trim again. 

Watch it on Hulu / Starz / Amazon Prime

The Exorcist (1973)

If you ever find yourself playing Blockbuster and you come across The Exorcist, act it out. All you have to do is twist yourself into a bridge and “projectile vomit” your way into winning the round.

Watch it on Hulu / Amazon Prime

The Shining (1980)

Need a quick escape? Look no further than the elaborate maze right outside your hotel. You’ll ditch your dad in no time.

Watch it on HBO Max / Amazon Prime

The Omen (1976)

When the Antichrist comes out to play, you better hightail it out of town. But if you want to be extra cautious, think about taking the next spacecraft to the moon. That devilish child has no sway in space.

Watch it on Amazon Prime

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

According to my mom, Rosemary’s Baby is one of the scariest movies ever made. What do you think?

Watch it on Hulu / Amazon Prime 

Get Out (2017)

Don’t let that teacup fool you. It may seem like a harmless piece of porcelain, but it’s got a nasty little tendency to send its victims to the Sunken Place.  

Watch it on Hulu / Amazon Prime

Ghostbusters (1984)

When there’s something strange in your neighborhood… Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! I’m sorry. Your mind might start playing these lyrics on repeat now.

Rent it on Amazon Prime

Carrie (1976)

Why did they have to go and spill the pigs blood all over Carrie? Why???

Watch it on Hulu / Amazon Prime / Showtime

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

If your local theater is having a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, head on over. The interactive cult classic will have everyone tossing rice, throwing toast and having a grand ‘ol time.

Rent on Amazon Prime

Practical Magic (1998)

Get ready for a crash course in practical magic. But remember, necromancy is harder than it looks.

Watch it on HBO Max / Amazon Prime

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Hello, Clarice. Fancy a game of cat and mouse?

Watch it on Amazon Prime

Psycho (1960)

Bloody trysts in the shower, a smattering of stuffed animal bodies covering the walls and a son playing pretend. Welcome to the Bates Motel. You can check in any time you’d like. But you can never leave. Just like the Hotel California.

Rent on Amazon Prime

Poltergeist (1982)

If you ever walk in on someone entranced by a screen of static, be wary. If they say “they’re here,” run the other way.

Watch it on HBO Max / Amazon Prime

Clue (1985)

Someone committed a crime. Do you have a clue who it is?

Watch it on Amazon Prime

The Monster Squad (1987)

Imagine if the Monster Squad and the gang from Strangers Things joined forces. The demogorgon wouldn’t stand a chance.

Watch it on Amazon Prime

Casper (1995)

Next up on our list of best Halloween movies is Casper. After all, nothing says Halloween quite like Casper, the friendly ghost.

Rent on Amazon Prime

Twitches (2005)

Admit it, you tried using your mind to open drawers after watching Alex and Cam fling those suckers across the room. Telekinesis is the way to go.  

Watch it on Disney+ / Amazon Prime

Hereditary (2018)

Skip the party. That’s all I have to say. On second thought, you should also pray that your grandma isn’t involved in any sketchy covens. 

Watch it on Hulu / Amazon Prime / Showtime

The Witch (2015)

Playing peek-a-boo in the 17th century was a no-go if you wanted to keep your infants from vanishing into the night. Witches were no joke. 

Watch it on Hulu / Amazon Prime / Showtime 

The Descent (2005)

Don’t go spelunking through uncharted cave systems. You may unearth a ravenous apex predator that has no qualms with the taste of human flesh. In other words, you’ll be a light snack to hold them over till the next group comes along… 

Watch it on Vudu / Amazon Prime

The Ring (2002)

Last on our list of the best Halloween movies is The Ring. Talk about making people paranoid to answer calls. Thank god for caller ID.

Watch it on Netflix / Amazon Prime