Introduction
With it being Halloween tomorrow, I thought I’d take a look at 10 films, perfect to watch this Halloween. This list will consist of some new releases from 2023, as well as some original classic horror films and some low-budget, independent horror films that I’ve come across on Netflix by chance. No matter what there will be a film on this list for everyone.
10. Five Nights at Freddy’s (2023)
Recently released just in time for Halloween this year, Five Nights at Freddy’s is the film adaptation of the popular video game franchise from 2014.
The film follows Mike (Josh Hutcherson) who is a newly hired security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza. When he can’t find a babysitter, he brings his daughter to work with him on the nightshift, and that’s when spooky paranormal stuff begins to happen.
Every film fanatic is raving about this film, so why wouldn’t you want to spend your Halloween in the cinema watching this new horror film?
9. Scream 6 (2023)
Following the Woodsboro murders of 2022, the Ghostface killer follows Sam and Tara to New York. This film was released in March this year but is now available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime and is also available to stream on Paramount+ alongside the rest of the Scream Franchise.
Scream 6 not only brought the Scream Franchise into today’s world, but it also took the killer to a highly populated urban setting, doing something that had never been done before by seeing Ghostface attack his victims in alleyways, convenience stores and on the Subway, while also following the typical three-act structure of a normal Scream film.
8. Scary Movie (2000)
If you’re not really a fan of horror films, Scary Movie will probably be for you.
The film ‘Scary Movie’ stars Anna Ferris as Cindy Campbell (a parody of Sidney Prescott from Scream, who was played by Neve Campbell), being hunted by a Ghostface killer. This film is absolutely hilarious and parodies horror films such as ‘Scream’ and ‘I Know What you Did Last Summer’, filled with all kinds of other film references too.
7. Saw X (2023)
Another film that has been released just a few weeks ago, in time for this Halloween, Saw X takes place between the first and second Saw film.
When John Kramer (Tobin Bell) goes to a special clinic for cancer treatment, he soon realised he was conned out of thousands of dollars, so with the help of his apprentice, Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith), he tracks down the members of this con organization and makes them all participate in his sicking games.
I feel that this film has saved the Saw franchise, I was on the edge on my seat during the entire film, and it made a refreshing change after the last few instalments of the Saw Franchise to see John Kramer in every scene of the movie.
6. The Funhouse Massacre (2015)
The Funhouse Massacre is a low-budget, independent Halloween slasher film, which is available to watch on Netflix. I watched this film a few years and remember being shocked at how good this film was for a film that had such a low budget.
Sickening kills with lots of gore, and perfectly times jump scares, the film follows a group of escaped convicts from a mental institution who come across a Funhouse on Halloween, after locking everyone in and dressing up in terrifying circus-based costumes, their fun begins. With this plot, along with a cameo from Robert Englund, what else could you want from a film to watch the Halloween?
5. Hocus Pocus (1993)
This is another one for those who don’t like horror films. Hocus Pocus is a childhood, nostalgic Halloween film, filled full of Hollywood stars like Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker, full of comedy and fun for the whole family to enjoy.
When teenager, Max lights a sacred candle, the Sanderson Sisters come back to life on Halloween night, but must kill and inhale the souls of children if they want to stay alive. It’s up to Max, his friend Allison, and his sister to stop the witches before it’s too late.
4. It (2017)
This remake of the original miniseries sees Bill Skarsgard take on the role of evil clown Pennywise. This film focuses on a group of teenagers, targeted by the evil clown Pennywise who emerges from his hibernation every 27 years to feed on some children before returning back to his sleeping state. It’s up to the group of teenagers to defeat Pennywise before it’s too late.
‘It’ isn’t too scary and is age rated as a 15, so teenagers and adults can both enjoy this film this Halloween.
3. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
What a classic!
Nightmare of Elm Street is one of Wes Craven’s best films, starring Robert Englund in the leading role, the film follows Freddie Kruger, a villain with knives for fingers who kills people in their dreams, leading to their deaths in real life.
Not only does Freddie have a terrifying appearance, but he also has a creepy theme song.
It feels illegal to go past Halloween without watching this film.
2. Halloween (1978)
What better film could there be to watch on Halloween other than a film called ‘Halloween’?
In this classic slasher film, Babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) is targeted by murderer and escaped mental patient, Michael Myers.
This film full of tense scenes and gruesome murders acts as one of the best early slasher films made in Hollywood and is the first film of the Halloween film franchise which went to go on to have twelve instalments.
1. Scream (1996)
Of course, Scream had to be on top of our list. Full of twists and turns and the perfect mix between horror, slasher and comedy, Scream is the perfect film to watch this Halloween.
The film focuses on Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who is targeted by the Ghostface killer, but who’s behind the mask? It’s down to Sidney and her friends to stop Ghostface before he hurts someone else.
Whether it’s your first time or one hundredth time watching this film, you will always pick up on something new, whether it’s the Nightmare of Elm Street refences or the soundtrack- this film is one of the best horror films I’ve ever seen.
Let us know your favourite go to Halloween films in the comments below.
