Best Halloween Movies (September 2025)

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As the days get shorter and a cool breeze sets in, you can feel Halloween approaching. Even though it’s still over a month away, many of us are already decorating! And what better way to get excited than by watching some classic Halloween movies?

What are the best Halloween movies?

Choosing the best Halloween movies is tough – there are just so many great options! You’ll find all kinds of Halloween films, from scary psychological thrillers and classic slasher movies to suspenseful thrillers and even family-friendly picks that still feel spooky. This list includes some of our personal favorites that we watch every October.

The Shining (1980)

The Shining is a fantastic movie to watch at any time, but it’s truly special when shown on a large screen. Many cinemas host screenings during Halloween, and it’s definitely worth going if you can. Seeing iconic scenes, like the tricycle moving down the hotel hallway, on a huge screen is a completely different and more impactful experience.

If you somehow haven’t seen *The Shining* yet, let me tell you about it. It starts with Jack Torrance – Jack Nicholson is absolutely brilliant in this role – taking a winter job as the caretaker of the Overlook Hotel. He brings his wife, Wendy, and their young son, Danny, along with him. As the winter goes on and they get more isolated, the hotel starts to mess with Jack’s head, and he begins to lose it. At the same time, Danny has this psychic ability – they call it ‘the shining’ – and he starts seeing that something really bad is hiding inside the hotel.

Psycho (1960)

Psycho is famous for scaring people out of taking showers, and it’s easy to see why – even now, that scene is unsettling. However, the movie’s real strength isn’t just the shocking moment, but Alfred Hitchcock’s masterful way of creating suspense. It’s a timeless classic perfect for watching any time, but especially enjoyable during Halloween.

The film centers on Marion Crane, who impulsively steals money and flees, eventually stopping at the remote Bates Motel. There, she encounters the quiet and unassuming Norman Bates. What starts as a story about a robbery soon transforms into a terrifying psychological thriller, revealing Norman’s hidden darkness and the unsettling influence of his controlling mother in a now-iconic and shocking scene.

Halloween (1978)

When people think of Halloween movies, this one always comes to mind. It’s scary, surprisingly funny at times, and keeps you on the edge of your seat. John Carpenter’s *Halloween* really defined the modern slasher genre, and many films have tried-and failed-to capture its unique atmosphere and suspense. For me, it’s the perfect Halloween movie, and I watch it every year.

The story unfolds on Halloween night in the peaceful town of Haddonfield, Illinois, beginning with a shocking crime: six-year-old Michael Myers kills his sister. Fifteen years later, Michael escapes from a mental hospital and returns home with a terrifying purpose – to kill again. For 17-year-old Laurie Strode, the night begins like any other, babysitting. But she soon becomes Michael’s target, and what happens next is a classic example of scary filmmaking.

Scream (1996)

Few movie scenes are as terrifying as watching Drew Barrymore, disguised with a blonde wig, desperately try to escape a masked killer. Despite her efforts to secure help and flee, her fate seems sealed. *Scream* immediately grabs your attention and has earned its place as a classic horror film. What makes it special is its perfect blend of fear and dark comedy. The movie is clever, poking fun at common horror clichés while still delivering truly frightening moments. Plus, the use of Nick Cave’s “Red Right Hand” adds to the film’s unsettling and cool atmosphere.

Still haunted by her mother’s murder, high school student Sidney Prescott finds herself in danger when a new series of killings begins. She suspects the same person who killed her mother is now after her. As the killings escalate, Sidney, along with a young sheriff and a determined reporter, desperately try to unmask the killer before they become the next victims.

Suspiria (1977 / 2019)

For a visually stunning Halloween movie, we recommend either the original by Dario Argento or Luca Guadagnino’s 2019 remake – both are fantastic. The original is a true treat for film lovers, boasting incredible set design, lighting, and color. It creates a dreamlike, 1970s atmosphere filled with vibrant blues and, yes, a lot of blood!

This remake captures the look and feel of the 1970s original, but with much more intense violence and disturbing imagery. The film features incredibly haunting choreography by Damien Jalet, shocking body horror, and excellent performances from Tilda Swinton, Mia Goth, and Dakota Johnson. Special praise goes to dancer Elena Fokina and makeup artist Mark Coulier for their outstanding work. While critics generally favor the original, I found both films equally compelling. Therefore, I’ve included them both.

Both films tell the same story: a gifted young dancer named Suzy Bannion gets accepted into a renowned dance school in Berlin. However, when students begin to disappear, Suzy discovers the school is hiding a dark and frightening secret. As she investigates, she becomes caught up in a world of strange rituals and supernatural forces.

How we picked the best Halloween movies

We understand many popular Halloween favorites aren’t included – like Hocus Pocus, Beetlejuice, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and many more! Titles such as Hereditary, It Follows, The Exorcist, Pet Sematary, The Sixth Sense, The Grudge, Alien, Death Becomes Her, The Others, It, Friday the 13th, Get Out, The Amityville Horror (both versions), Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, What We Do In the Shadows, The Witch, Corpse Bride, Practical Magic, The Conjuring, Crimson Peak, Carrie, Nosferatu, Sleepy Hollow, and even newer films like Sinners (which definitely fits the Halloween vibe) could easily be added to the list. There are just so many deserving options!

We’ve picked five fantastic Halloween movies that you’ll want to watch again and again. We chose films that represent the best of horror from different decades – the spooky 60s, the iconic 90s, and even a recent remake that’s genuinely great. These movies are sure to frighten, excite, and captivate you, and remind you why October is such a special time of year.

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2025-09-15 22:11