13 great movies to enjoy around Halloween
There’s only one week left until Halloween, which means you’ve still got plenty of time to enjoy some funny, freaky, and goose bump-inducing movies before the big night. With no shortage of “must-watch” and “can’t miss” lists floating around during this time of year, finding the perfect pick can prove a little difficult. Should you watch an old classic? How about a modern remake? Is that new under-the-radar indie worth the watch?
If you’re against the idea of browsing through and checking out every movie in the Netflix horror section, or you’re just in the mood for a handful of reliable suggestions, I’ve got you covered. After the jump you’ll find a mixed bag of 13 can’t-go-wrong movies to watch around the Halloween season!
#1 – 28 Days Later (click to buy)
Director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting) has made a name for himself by genre hopping and leaving his mark in an impressive way. His 28 Days Laters turned the zombie movie genre on its head, and it’s still one of the freakiest, most stylish films of its ilk. It follows a man (Cillian Murphy) who wakes up disoriented in a London hospital only to find the countryside ravaged by fast-moving zombie-like individuals. Rather than popping in another run-of-the-mill zombie flick this Halloween, track down this one if you haven’t seen it yet. If the movie is already in your collection, what better time than now to give it another watch?
The follow-up, 28 Weeks Later, didn’t have the touch of Boyle behind the camera, but it’s a more-than-worthy sequel that plays with an already-created, zombie-infested London.
#2 – Arachnophobia
Arachnophobia is the movie that created my fear of spiders at a young age, and I’m sure I’m not the only one who was affected that way by this movie. Surprisingly, or not surprisingly, not many big-budget spider-infused movies come down the pipeline, and Arachnophobia still sits at the top of that mountain. The movie sees Jeff Daniels’ family move into a small town community at the same time as an insanely large South American spider, and what ensues is the stuff of nightmares.
With the addition of an eccentric exterminator played by John Goodman, and more than a few goose bump-inducing moments, the movie does with practical effects what most these days can’t do with all the CGI in the world – make you squirm.
#3 – The Cabin In The Woods
After sitting on the shelf for more than a few years, The Cabin in the Woods finally made its way to theaters not that long ago. The movie dissects all those ridiculous horror movie tropes we’ve grown tired of and puts a fun new spin on the whole genre. A lot of people were hoping this one would be the big middle finger to all those subpar wannabe scary movies that get churned out year after year, but The Cabin in the Woods seems to have been widely forgotten by the general public. Devoted fans will profess their love for the film until they’re blue in the face, so you owe it to yourself to give it a watch at least once.
The movie focuses on Chris Hemsworth and his group of stereotypical friends as they decide to vacation at a secluded cabin, but all is not as it seems.
#4 – Ghostbusters
If you haven’t heard of Ghostbusters by now, there’s a good chance you’ve been living under a rock for the last 30 years. The movie is an iconic entry in both the comedy and sci-fi realm, and for good reason. Granted, Ghostbusters and its sequel are full of ’80s silliness, but both are still an entertaining way to enjoy the Halloween season if you’re looking for a chuckle and some good ol’ fashioned Bill Murray in his prime.
Word is, Ghostbusters is getting the remake treatment, with an all-female cast, so keep your eyes open.
#5 – Gremlins
Gremlins, along with Tim Burton’s A Nightmare Before Christmas (not on the list), is a movie I can’t get enough of around both the Halloween and Christmas holidays. It’s director Joe Dante at his finest, and watching little Gizmo and his gremlin brothers cause trouble and wreak havoc on a small town just doesn’t get old. When a not-so-successful inventor happens upon a mysterious Asian shop, he can’t leave without picking up the strange singing creature he finds there. Unfortunately, following the three rules for raising the little guy (never expose it to sunlight, never get it wet, and never feed it after midnight) proves harder than it sounded.
Grelmins 2 saw the creatures invade New York City, also around the holidays, and is almost as great in its own way.
#6 – The Mist
The Mist is an adaptation of a horror novella written by Stephen King, and King himself praised the way director Frank Darabont (The Walking Dead) changed the ending of the story. It’s a dark look at human susceptibility and fear under pressure that’s backdropped by an otherworldly invasion of monsters both big and small. Thomas Jane must protect his young boy as the mist rolls over a small-town grocery store. When alliances are made and people start going a little crazy, Jane and his small group of followers have to find a way to survive.
Most of The Mist is a mix of sci-fi fun and haunting human moments, but it’s the gut punch of an ending that’ll stay with you long after the final credits play.
#7 – Slither
Believe it or not, Slither is the first feature film from Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, and it showcases his twisted sense of humor while also being a pretty excellent alien invasion movie. When a space rock lands in the woods near a small town, the zombie-creating, monster-mutating madness that follows is out of control. Whether it’s human balloons exploding, some of the creepiest little girls you’ve ever seen, Nathan Fillion working his magic, or the sweetly strange love story at the center of everything, Slither makes for a fantastic Halloween creature feature.
Seriously, look at that creepy little girl up above! Now watch the movie and listen to her talk!
#8 – Splice
This crazy genetic engineering gem quickly faded away after its release, but it’s a movie that plays with the moralities of creating life in a lab and the consequences inherent to that kind of decision. Splice is dark and unapologetic as both a cautionary tale and an exceptional sci-fi film, and watching Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley play with their quickly-evolving creation is a wild ride. When the project derails and things start hitting the fan, both geneticists struggle with their own internal objections and curiosities.
Without spoiling anything, Splice has a strong-yet-confused sexual side that dips into a bit of violence toward the end. If that sort of stuff acts as a trigger in any way, consider yourself warned.
#9 – The Thing
As impressive as The Thing is in terms of classic ’80s atmospheric sci-fi and practical effects, I can’t help but chuckle every time I see Kurt Russell wearing his enormous, flappy hat. I haven’t been able to find any information explaining that magnificent thing, but I digress. The Thing is one of the best who-is-what horror films for a lot of movie fans, and watching the crew of an Antarctic scientific research station slowly turn on each other for fear that the person next to them may be an alien for the first time is pretty intense. That said, re-watching the proceedings every few months definitely doesn’t get old.
There was a video game and also a 2011 prequel/sequel that expanded on the universe, so if you dig The Thing and want more be sure to track them down.
#10 – Trick ‘r Treat
Trick ‘r Treat may go down in history as one of the best Halloween anthology films ever made, and the interlocking vignettes that make up the movie are a lot of fun. Werewolves, creepy little pumpkin head kids, nice guy neighbor murderers – they’re all terrifyingly entertaining. This is the kind of movie that leads in with a creepy little framing story only to back up, turn around, zoom in, and follow a background character down their own twisted path. In the end, everything comes full circle, giving us a cornucopia of fictional explanations for some of our most cherished Halloween traditions.
#11 – Tucker & Dale vs. Evil
Much like The Cabin in the Woods, Tucker & Dale vs. Evil takes the overdone horror movie stereotype of backwoods cabin-dwelling individuals and flips it on its head. What if all those college kid-killing slashers and campground-stalking masked murderers were really just nice guys trying to enjoy their new property? That’s the question the movie asks as it sees Alan Tudyk (Firefly) and Tyler Labine (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) terrorized by a group of teens who think the duo are out to get them.
The film is full of odd laughs, awkward moments, and its fair share of bloody missteps, which makes Tucker & Dale vs. Evil a movie you can’t go wrong watching around this time of year.
#12 – Shaun of the Dead
Director Edgar Wright is a lot like Danny Boyle when it comes to leaving his impressive style and signature on a number of different genres. Like Boyle’s 28 Days Later, Wright’s Shaun of the Dead was a welcome breath of fresh air desperately CPR’ed into an undead landscape in need of new life. The movie is hilarious but also heartfelt and even incredibly gruesome in spots, and the mix of humor and gore makes for one extremely enjoyable ride. Watching Shaun, his buddy Ed, and their small group of friends trying to make it to the pub so they can wait for everything to blow over never gets old.
Shaun of the Dead is actually part of a loosely-connected Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy from the Edgar Wright/Simon Pegg/Nick Frost trio, and the other two entries (Hot Fuzz and The World’s End) are also a lot of fun. Shaun of the Dead = red = horror. Hot Fuzz = blue = buddy cop movie. The World’s End = green = alien sci-fi.
#13 – Zombieland
Rounding out the list is another zombie-inspired action comedy that surprised audiences and solidified its place atop the undead mountain. Snarky, quick-witted, and comically creative at times, Zombieland sets up its rules and pulls you along as Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin get on each others nerves, help one another survive, share a laugh or two, and inevitably make their way to an abandoned amusement park to ride a few rides and enjoy the end of humanity.
Harrelson is putting on a great show here, but it’s the surprise celebrity cameo mid-way through the film that pushed Zombieland over the top. Best cameo ever.