The 54 Best Halloween Movies of All Time
Because it's never too early.
Last Halloween was a little more fright than fun—and by “fright” we mean covering our mouths not only for trick or treating, but also for avoiding a global virus. And though this year it may not be a bad idea to stick with the mouth-covering disguises (your Dr. Fauci-approved masks are like zombies; they may never die), we can at least say fright night will be a lot more fun.
Another fun thing to look forward too: movies. No, not just movies. Movies with friends. Movies in theaters with friends throwing toast at the screen, because we missed a whole year of Rocky Horror Picture Show shenanigans and, damnit, one year is far too long! So let’s celebrate All Hollow’s Eve this year with a showing of the best seasonal films. We’re talking about Halloween in cinema—your cinema, your local cinema, that cold drive through, whatever.
How do you know what to pick? What makes a movie a "Halloween movie" in the first place? Is that even a genre? Is it different from a horror movie? Are all horror movies Halloween movies? Does a Halloween movie have to be a horror movie? Why do we even associate the holiday with things that jump in the night and on the screen? While the latter question is historical and somewhat straightforward (ancient autumn celebrations marked moments when the threshold between living and spirit realms broke down—and so when ghosts jumped out), the question of movie genre can get a bit tricky.
We're calling “Halloween movies” those films set around the October holiday or featuring themes of the celebration across culture, including burial, harvest, and communion with the dead. So even if it's summertime (or Christmastime), there can still be Halloween.
Here are our picks for the best Halloween movies. (And a few horror flicks that are just essential viewing on fright night.)
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
It's also the best Christmas movie that's not named Die Hard, but that's a discussion for another list. For now, and if you haven't already done so for whatever reason: Watch this masterpiece.
Coco (2017)
Coco was inspired by the Mexican holiday "Day of the Dead," which begins November 1. About memory, death, tradition, and family, Coco is just about as Halloween as a movie can possibly be.
Halloween (1978)
The classic 1978 slasher film introduces one of the most iconic figures of cinema and the holiday: Michael Myers. The killer breaks out of a mental hospital and stalks a teenage babysitter and her friends in this iconic horror entry.
The Halloween Tree (1993)
Based on Ray Bradbury's novel, the made-for-TV film follows four children across culture and time as they quest to save the soul of their dying friend. It might be said Bradbury did for Halloween what Charles Dickens did for Christmas. We agree.
The Vvitch (2016)
The Vvitch chronicles all the harvest-time horror of colonial New England. The cinematography looks like a series of oil paintings and the film's supernatural storyline will make you thank the gods for electricity. And science.
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
So it’s technically a miniseries, but Cartoon Network’s animated Dante-esque adventure runs at about 2 hours, which is basically a movie. Set on Halloween night, the series follows two boys inexplicably lost in the woods. It’s one of the most original Halloween stories we’ve seen, and not too too scary for the kids.
A Ghost Story (2017)
While A Ghost Story doesn't take place on Halloween, it's basic concept (a man wearing the lamest Halloween costume of all time) explores all the themes of death and loss and time that make Halloween Halloween. The film follows a man who dies and becomes a ghost and remains in the house he shared with his wife.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
The Exorcist (1973)
The story is based on a series of apparent demonic possessions in 1949. While not explicitly a Halloween story, The Exorcist more than qualifies as the Super Scary Classic Movie That Must Be Watched In October.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
In the same spirit is The Silence of the Lambs, which is just a Halloween must watch. Based on Robert Jordan's popular crime-thriller series, the film stars Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. When the FBI is desperate to catch a serial killer, they call upon another–the infamous Hannibal Lector–to help catch him.
Scream (1996)
Inspired by the Gainesville Ripper, a serial killer who killed five Florida students in August 1990, Scream is essential fright night viewing. And the iconic mask worn by the killer is maybe the most famous American Halloween image there is.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Halloween means doomsday in the classic cult film, which we never get tired of watching. Featuring a star-studded cast (Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Swayze, etc), the film follows a sleepwalking teen who begins to have visions of a rabbit who tells him the world will end soon.
Friday the 13th (1980)
Jason Voorhees might just be the most classic Halloween costume (er, character) of all time. This first film of the series has the most tension, and is probably the best movie in the series. And you need this one to set every successive film in the decades-long series up.But don't expect that iconic villain to show up just yet. You've got to wait for the sequels for that.
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
While you’re in the fright spirit, take a look back at some classics. George A. Romero’s low-budget cult hit shocked movie-goers when it hit theaters in 1968. It also summoned a zombie mania that is still going strong, but probably needs to actually die.
ParaNorman (2012)
This stop motion film’s death obsession cannot be more Halloween, and it’s worth a watch at any age. ParaNorman is about a young boy who can communicate with the dead, and is tasked with ending a centuries-old witches curse.
Scooby Doo on Zombie Island (1998)
There are lots of Scooby Doo movies about ghosts and bad guys wearing masks, but Zombie Island totally takes the cake. Rather than unmasking people in costumes, the film follows the gang as they battle real monsters.
Ring (1998)
While you’ve got your cinema studies hat on, check out the Japanese original Ring—upon which the American classic is based. Scarier than the American version while also being a commentary on Japan’s end of the century technological fears, Ring is worth the watch. Make it the smart Halloween movie you theorize over with all your fiends.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
The Persian vampire western horror epic features just enough costume parties and horror for us to call it a Halloween movie. And just enough social and sexual subtext for us to call it a modern classic.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
For a break from all the seriousness, check out Taika Waititi’s mockumentary about a vampire commune. It’s the occasional terror of a monster movie mixed with the cringing awkwardness of an Office episode. Plus, a What We Do In The Shadows TV series has aired two seasons on FX—and it's already one of the best shows on the air.
Poltergeist (1982)
The 1982 horror classic features just the sort of realm crossing beings the Celtics feared during ancient times. The new threshold is TV.
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