By Bethany Berkeley
Warner Bros
Halloween is finally here, and what better way to celebrate than with a marathon of classic and contemporary horror films? From chilling slashers to eerie supernatural tales, We've rounded up some of the best Halloween movies out there that are sure to send shivers down your spine. Whether you're a seasoned horror aficionado or a casual viewer, these films offer a mix of scares, suspense, and dark humor to satisfy every taste.
American Psycho - 2000
American Psycho
Christian Bale's portrayal of the enigmatic and disturbed Patrick Bateman in this adaptation of the cult novel by Bret Easton Ellis, elevated the character to icon status. Bale redefined the image of the psychopathic antihero in film. His performance, delivered with chilling precision, has since been referenced and imitated countless times, solidifying the film's legacy.
Where to watch: Netflix.com
Get Out - 2017
Get Out
Jordan Peele's directorial debut, Get Out, is a chilling social thriller that explores themes of race and class in America. The film follows Chris, a young Black man played by Daniel Kaluuya, as he visits his white girlfriend's family estate for the weekend. What begins as a seemingly normal visit soon takes a sinister turn as Chris uncovers a disturbing secret about the family and their unsettling intentions.
Where to watch: Netflix.com
Halloween - 1978
Halloween
Halloween is a classic slasher horror film directed by John Carpenter. The movie revolves around the masked killer Michael Myers, who escapes from a mental institution and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, to terrorise its residents. The film is renowned for its suspenseful atmosphere, divine musical score, and the chilling portrayal of Michael Myers as a seemingly unstoppable force of evil.
Where to watch: Amazon.co.uk
A Quiet Place - 2018
A Quiet Place, credit: IMDB
Directed by John Krasinski, A Quiet Place follows a family struggling to survive in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by blind creatures with hyper-sensitive hearing. To evade detection, the family must live in complete silence, relying on sign language to communicate. The film is praised for its strong performances, innovative use of sound design. It's one of those movies that you can't help but mimic the characters, making you watch the movie in — you guessed it silence!
Where to watch: Paramountplus.com
The Shining - 1980
The Shining, credit IMDB
Notoriously despised by author Stephen King, Stanley Kubrick’s radical reimagining of the The Shining, which included a drastically altered ending, resulting in a cinematic masterpiece that has stood the test of time. This iconic horror film, which has lost none of its power in over four decades, remains a terrifying exploration of claustrophobic horror, featuring one of Jack Nicholson’s most memorable performances.
Where to watch: Tv.apple.com
IT- 2017
Bill Skarsgård in It, credit: Warner Bros Pictures/AP
Another adaptation of a Stephen King novel, IT is a supernatural horror film set in the fictional town of Derry, Maine. The story follows a group of bullied children known as The Losers' Club, who confront an ancient evil entity that takes the form of a shape-shifting clown named Pennywise. The film is known for its terrifying suspense build ups, intense scares, and particularly Bill Skarsgård's portrayal of Pennywise, which he made his own despite the critics. Skarsgård's ability to effortlessly transition from a quiet, menacing presence to a terrifying, aggressive monster is a key part of the character's appeal which resonated within the film.
Where to watch: Nowtv.com
The Ring - 2003
The Ring, credit: Dreamworks pictures
The Ring, is one of those horror movies that will keep you up at night. Literally! The story centres around journalist Rachel Keller (Naomi Watts) who after the unexpected death of her 16-year-old niece Katie, begins investigating a mysterious videotape rumoured to kill anyone who watches it within seven days. As she delves deeper into the curse, she encounters terrifying supernatural forces and a malevolent entity known as Samara Morgan. Frightened and determined to uncover the truth, she enlists the help of her ex-boyfriend Noah, sharing a copy of the cursed videotape. When her young son, Aidan, is also exposed to the horrifying images, Rachel embarks on a desperate race against time to break the deadly curse before it claims their lives.
Where to watch: Amazon.co.uk
Smile- 2022
Smile, credit IMDB
Dr. Rose Cotter, a weary therapist portrayed by Sosie Bacon, is haunted by a chilling vision: a patient's disturbing smile as they take their own life. This macabre image becomes a harbinger of terror, as Rose begins to see the same unsettling grin on the faces of those around her, she delves into the history of similar, unexplained suicides. The movie explores a paranormal subgenre often mishandled but masterfully executed here. It also employs a unique blend of sound design and visual cues, with prolonged, eerie noises building tension rather than relying on shock tactics. However, the true terror lies in the film's central theme: the haunting, all-consuming smile.
Where to watch: Netflix.com
Bram Stoker's Dracula - 1992
Keanu Reeves and Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker's Dracula, credit: IMDB
Bram Stoker's Dracula is a gothic horror film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, based on Bram Stoker's classic novel. The film stars Gary Oldman in a transformative performance as the iconic Count Dracula, alongside Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, and Keanu Reeves.
Set in 19th-century England and Romania, the film tells the story of Dracula's centuries-old quest for love and immortality. After a tragic loss, he becomes a vampire and seeks to bring his beloved back to life. His path crosses with Mina Murray (Ryder), a woman who bears a striking resemblance to his lost love. As Dracula descends upon London, a group of determined individuals must band together to stop his reign of terror.
The film is renowned for its stunning visuals, elaborate sets, and iconic makeup effects. It delves into the themes of love, loss, and the supernatural, offering a gothic and atmospheric cinematic experience.
Where to watch: Amazon.co.uk
Scream - 1996
Scream
Set in the fictional town of Woodsboro, California, Scream follows high school student Sidney Prescott, whose life takes a terrifying turn when a masked killer known as Ghostface begins targeting her and her friends.
The film cleverly deconstructs horror movie tropes, with characters discussing and analysing the genre's conventions. This self-awareness adds a layer of suspense and irony, as the killer seems to know exactly what the audience expects. As the body count rises, Sidney must use her knowledge of horror films to outsmart the killer and survive.
With its thrilling suspense, and surprising twists, Scream became a massive hit and spawned a successful franchise, even garnering a cult following for itself decades later because let's face it — everyone knows who Ghostface is by the iconic mask.
Where to watch: Netflix.com
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