Best Halloween movies: 20 iconic films to watch

When spooky season hits, everyone falls into two categories: the ones who go all-in with decorations, and the ones who’d rather cozy up with popcorn and a good scary movie. If you’re in the second group, this list is for you.

Here’s a lineup of 20 Halloween classics that deliver everything from masked killers and jump scares to ghosts, witches, and creepy laughs. Whether you’re into psychological horror or nostalgic fun, these films are your ticket to a night of chills, thrills, and maybe sleeping with the lights on.

1. Halloween (1978)

This is where it all began. Directed by John Carpenter, Halloween introduced the world to Michael Myers — the silent, masked killer who doesn’t run, doesn’t talk, and definitely doesn’t stop. Set in the suburbs with a hauntingly simple soundtrack, this film redefined the slasher genre and made Jamie Lee Curtis a scream queen legend.

Watching it today still gives that eerie, slow-burn dread that no jump scare can match. It’s not just about the kills — it’s about atmosphere. A must-watch every October, especially if you like your horror old-school and unsettling.

2. Scream (1996)

Meta, bloody, and surprisingly clever. Scream didn’t just revive the slasher genre — it made it self-aware. With teens who know the “rules” of horror movies and a killer who plays mind games over the phone, this film is part whodunit, part satire, and part genuine terror.

Even if you’ve seen it before, it holds up. That opening scene? Still one of the best ever made. If you like your scares with a side of humor and irony, Scream is essential viewing.

3. Beetlejuice (1988)

Not your typical horror flick, but perfect for Halloween. Beetlejuice is weird, wonderful, and packed with gothic flair. Tim Burton brings the afterlife to life with a mischievous bio-exorcist (Michael Keaton in one of his wildest roles), a haunted house, and a family that’s anything but boring.

It’s the kind of movie you watch with a grin. Creepy without being terrifying, strange without losing its heart. Plus, that dinner scene? Iconic. This one’s perfect if you want spooky vibes without the nightmares.

4. Halloween Kills (2021)

This sequel picks up right where the 2018 reboot left off, and it’s brutal. Halloween Kills amps up the violence, expands the town’s role in Michael’s legacy, and digs deeper into the trauma he leaves behind. It’s darker, louder, and more chaotic — not everyone loved that, but it does add layers to the mythology.

If you’re following the modern timeline, this one’s unskippable. Personally? I appreciated how it explored the collective fear of a town haunted by the same monster for decades. It’s not just about one final girl anymore — it’s about everyone.

5. The Exorcist (1973)

Let’s be real: The Exorcist is in a league of its own. Whether you’re religious or not, this movie taps into a deep, primal fear. Possession. Helplessness. Evil that doesn’t play by any rules. The slow pacing builds dread until you’re just begging for it to be over — but in a good way.

It’s not just the horror — it’s the realism. The performances, the tension, the sound design… everything works. I still remember the first time I watched it. I didn’t sleep well for days. And honestly? I wouldn’t change that.

6. Halloween II (1981)

A direct continuation of the original, this sequel picks up on the same night and moves the horror to a hospital — which somehow makes it even creepier. Michael is still on the loose, and Laurie is far from safe. The pacing is tighter, the kills more intense, and the mood? Relentless.

It’s a solid follow-up that keeps the same 70s flavor while raising the stakes. Not quite as groundbreaking as the first, but if you’re doing a Halloween marathon, this one is absolutely essential.

7. Friday the 13th (1980)

Camp Crystal Lake became the blueprint for every “don’t-go-in-there” horror scenario. Friday the 13th kicks off with summer camp counselors, a creepy legend, and a killer picking people off one by one. It’s bloody, tense, and pure 80s slasher gold.

Even if Jason isn’t the main villain in this first film (no spoilers), it set the stage for one of horror’s most iconic franchises. It’s messy, it’s brutal, and it made a hockey mask scary forever. Watch it for the history — and the creative kills.

8. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Freddy Krueger isn’t just scary — he’s inventive. A Nightmare on Elm Street changed the game by making dreams dangerous. Once you fall asleep, you’re in Freddy’s world, and he’s not playing nice. Burned face, razor gloves, twisted humor — he became a horror legend for a reason.

This movie still holds up, even if the effects feel retro. The concept taps into something terrifyingly simple: we all have to sleep eventually. And when I first saw it? I definitely stayed up way too late thinking twice about closing my eyes.

9. The Conjuring (2013)

If you’re into haunted houses, cursed objects, and spine-chilling suspense — The Conjuring is a modern classic. Based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film mixes classic horror vibes with top-notch storytelling. It doesn’t rely on gore, but it still makes your skin crawl.

The atmosphere is oppressive, the jumps are earned, and the scares feel personal. This one got under my skin in a way few modern horror films do. It’s like old-school horror with new-school polish — terrifying and addictive.

10. The Shining (1980)

Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King’s novel, The Shining is more than horror — it’s psychological breakdown wrapped in isolation and dread. Jack Nicholson’s descent into madness at the Overlook Hotel is legendary, with scenes that still chill decades later.

It’s slow, yes — but the tension never lets go. That carpet pattern? The twins? “Here’s Johnny”? All iconic. Watching it feels like being trapped in a snow globe full of bad vibes. It’s beautiful, brutal, and deeply unsettling — the kind of horror that lingers long after the credits roll.

11. It (2017)

Pennywise the Dancing Clown is back, and somehow even creepier than before. It reimagines Stephen King’s classic with a mix of jump scares, heartfelt moments, and a cast of kids you actually care about. It balances nostalgia and terror in a way that hits home.

That first scene with the paper boat? Still haunts me. What makes this movie work isn’t just the clown — it’s the emotional core. These kids are fighting more than a monster; they’re fighting trauma. Which, let’s be honest, makes it even scarier.

12. Halloween (2018)

Forget the messy sequels — this one goes straight back to basics. Acting as a direct sequel to the 1978 original, Halloween (2018) brings Jamie Lee Curtis back as a hardened, no-nonsense Laurie Strode who’s been preparing for decades.

It’s a great mix of nostalgia and fresh horror. Michael is more brutal than ever, and the movie digs into the lasting effects of trauma. I loved how it gave Laurie real depth and turned her into a survivor with agency. If you’re new to the series or just want a solid modern slasher, this one delivers.

13. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Not every Halloween movie has to be terrifying. Hocus Pocus is fun, whimsical, and pure 90s magic. The Sanderson sisters — played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy — are chaotic, charming, and just a little spooky, in the best way.

It’s got talking cats, spellbooks, and one of the catchiest Halloween songs ever. This one’s pure nostalgia and still works no matter your age. Watching it feels like carving pumpkins as a kid — messy, funny, and full of good vibes.

14. Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)

Nearly 30 years after the original, the Sanderson sisters return — and surprisingly, they haven’t lost their spark. Hocus Pocus 2 leans into the nostalgia while introducing new characters and a fresher take on Salem’s favorite witches. Is it better than the first? No. But it’s not trying to be.

What it does bring is fun, heart, and enough Halloween charm to justify a rewatch every October. I went in skeptical, but came out smiling — it’s not perfect, but if you loved the original, it’s like visiting old friends who are still a little unhinged.

15. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

A film that sparks the eternal question: is this a Halloween movie or a Christmas movie? Spoiler: it’s both. The Nightmare Before Christmas is a gothic musical masterpiece from Tim Burton and Henry Selick, with unforgettable songs, stop-motion magic, and one of the most beloved spooky protagonists ever — Jack Skellington.

It’s whimsical, weird, and somehow still touching. I rewatch it every year and always catch something new. It’s the perfect bridge between creepy and cozy — ideal if you want Halloween vibes without the jump scares.

16. Coraline (2009)

On the surface, Coraline is a kids’ movie… until you realize it’s one of the most unsettling animations ever made. A young girl finds a hidden door in her new home and discovers a parallel world — seemingly perfect at first — but the Other Mother’s button eyes say otherwise.

Visually stunning and deeply eerie, it’s a film that crawls under your skin with atmosphere instead of gore. I remember thinking, “this can’t be that creepy”… and I was wrong. If you like your horror slow-burning and stylish, this one sticks with you.

17. Paranormal Activity (2007)

This film redefined modern horror — with a micro budget and no-name cast, Paranormal Activity proved that sometimes less is way, way more. Shot like found footage, it follows a couple documenting strange occurrences in their home… and it escalates fast.

It’s not about what you see, but what you hear, what moves just out of frame, and that sinking dread in your stomach. I watched this with friends and no one made a sound the last 20 minutes. That’s how you know a horror film is working.

18. Trick ’r Treat (2007)

This one’s for Halloween purists. Trick ’r Treat is a criminally underrated anthology that captures the spirit of the holiday like few others. Multiple creepy stories intertwine, each packed with atmosphere, twists, and that little trick-or-treat magic.

What I love about this one is how it celebrates Halloween — the costumes, the traditions, the mischief. It’s stylish, weirdly beautiful, and has Sam, the tiny masked figure who’s become a modern horror icon. Put this on your list if you haven’t already. It’s a hidden gem.

19. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

You’ve probably heard the legends. The Blair Witch Project was one of the first movies to go viral — before “going viral” was even a thing. Shot to feel like real lost footage, it follows three filmmakers who venture into the woods… and never return.

This movie is 90% tension and 10% full-blown panic. No soundtrack, no effects, just raw fear and chaos. Watching it feels like falling into a slow-burning nightmare. It’s divisive, sure — but for me, it was one of the first films that made me fear the idea of something, not just the thing itself.

20. The Ring (2002)

Seven days. That’s all you’ve got after watching the cursed videotape in The Ring. Naomi Watts stars in this chilling remake of the Japanese classic, and while it’s a little more polished than the original, it still packs a disturbing punch.

The atmosphere is cold, slow, and quietly terrifying. That static noise? The girl in the well? Still haunts me. It’s not just what happens — it’s how it feels. I remember watching this late at night and genuinely checking my phone when it rang. It’s that powerful.