Best Halloween Movies

Here are my picks for best movies to get you in the Halloween spirit. Let me know what you think. Argue. Suggest. Taunt.

10. The Devil’s Backbone

I love Guillermo del Toro with an unrivaled passion. This is probably my second favorite movie of his, after Pan’s Labyrinth. If you haven’t seen this unconventional ghost story, it’s about time. It does have subtitles, so not the best movie for background noise at a party.

9. High Tension

As the title suggests, this film highlights the art of tension-building. I’ve never bitten so many nails.

8. Shaun of the Dead

This is the pinnacle of horror-comedy. Perfect watch for a Halloween party.

7. The Witches

Yes, I know this movie is a million years old and there’s a cartoon mouse on the cover. But Angelica Houston as the Grand High Witch very nearly scared the crap out of me as a child. Plus, I adore Roald Dhal, and this film, while campy and a bit silly, still does justice to his creepy writing.

6. Jennifer’s Body

I’ve made it a mission to make sure the world knows the truth about Jennifer’s Body. While this film is often overlooked because the ads made it look like a teenage sex romp (which thank goodness it’s not), this is one of my favorite movies. It’s funny, clever, and fresh. Every individual who I’ve strapped to a chair and forced to watch it, ends up loving it.

5. Silence of the Lambs

This film has some of the most-quoted lines of dialogue for a reason.

4, The Cabin in the Woods

This is one of the best horror movies to grace us in a long time. It celebrates, comments on, and complicates all things horror. The creature design alone is enough to make me swoon, but the dialogue is witty +10.

3. Halloween

I’m not sure why, but this movie has always struck me as more convincing and true-to-real-life than other slasher movies, and therefore, scary.

2. The Shining

I try to watch this every Halloween season. Few things are scarier than Drunk Jack Nicholson.

1. Psycho

This was the movie to revolutionize all movies. Not only was it the first film with a toilet (giving it an R rating), but it was the first film where movie patrons actually showed up on time. Prior to Psycho, people showed up to movies whenever they felt like it, often 30 minutes or an hour late. But Alfred Hitchcock insisted no one would be admitted after the film started. When you watch the film, it’s clear why. It still holds its own as a masterpiece.

Hororable Mentions

Best Musical: Nightmare Before Christmas

Best Witch: The Craft

Best Vampire: Interview with the Vampire

Best Slasher: Scream

Best Cult: The Fly

Best Nostalia Trip: Something Wicked This Way Comes