8 Halloween themed horror movies that are scary good

What’s Halloween without horror movies? Without the mystique that elicits fear, evokes nightmares, incites terror of the unknown, or the macabre? Films that’ll make you shudder at the intrusion of an evil force, ghastly ghosts, vampires, werewolves, demons, monsters, and zombies. We put together 8 Halloween themed horror movies guaranteed to put a chill into your All Hallows Eve, or any other time for that matter. Due to the graphic nature of these films, they are not suitable for minors.

Halloween (1978)

Termed “the immortal classic,” and for good reason. John Carpenter’s classic horror film changed the genre, and singlehandedly influenced every horror film that’s been made since. Including, on its return on investment. A terrifying movie about a faceless stalking psychopath who escapes from an asylum and terrorizes babysitters and bystanders in the small Midwestern town of Haddonfield. A film that offers a series of shock and jolts by a killer who is un-killable. The graphic and stylish murders began the beginnings of the slasher trend throughout the 1980’s and beyond.

Creepshow (1982)

A collaboration of George Romero and Stephen King. These two titans of terror have been scaring the bajeebies out of film goers for decades, and Creepshow is arguably their unheralded crown jewel that horror fans know well. They pay homage to the EC Comics of the 50’s, with a blending gothic horror and dark humor in 5 tales of terror. Father’s Day has a corpse wreaking havoc after rising from the grave, Stephen King debuts as a bumpkin in The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verill, where a meteorite crashes, spreading a green fungus over everything, including King. The Crate being the grisliest, shows a creature caged up for a century is freed to feed on humans. Something to Tide You Over brings more walking corpse suspense and fear, especially if you’re afraid of water. They’re Creeping Up on You is a man versus nature, or cockroaches, that is disgustingly creepy…literally.

Night of the Demons (1988)

Its Halloween night, and a group of teenagers decide to party in an abandoned mortuary (Hull House) for some Halloween kicks. But this is no ordinary spook-bash. Hull House has a secret past and something evil in its basement. What they end up doing is unleash demons from Hell that turn the mortuary into a carnival house of horrors. One by one the teenagers are knocked off in stylish ways and become possessed by the evil itself. In other words, all Hell is breaking loose on Halloween night.

House of 1000 Corpses (2003)

The debut film by shock-rocker turned film director, Rob Zombie. Two couples on a road trip adventure in search of unique side-show attractions and urban legends through the backwoods of Texas got more than they bargained for when their travels cause them to stop at an off-the-beaten-path gas station/roadside haunted attraction and meet Captain Spaulding (Sid Haig), the clowned dressed owner who directs the eager researchers to the burial place of Dr. Satan. On their way, a car breakdown causes them to end up prisoners of an inbred family of serial killers in the House of 1000 Corpses, where they are trapped in a bizarre and relentless world of cannibalism, satanic rituals and, of course, Dr Satan himself.

Sinister (2012)

Sinister delves away from traditional horror with an originality of its own. Starring Ethan Hawke, who plays a true crime writer (Ellison Oswalt) who moves to the site of a horrific murder – the owners and two of their three children were hung from a tree in the backyard and their third child disappeared – in hopes of writing his next best-selling book. The creepiness of the film elevates as the new owner while in the process of unpacking, discovers a case of film reels that describe family murders spanning from the 60’s through the 90’s. While tracking down clues to each of the murders, Oswalt begins to experience strange happenings in his new house as his sanity systematically declines. Sinister is an outstanding story, excellent acting, and just flat out creepy and scary.

Trick r Treat (2007)

Called an instant cult classic. Filmed anthology style, Trick r Treat takes place, you guessed it, on All Hallows Eve. The film consists of five interwoven stories that occur on Halloween: An everyday high school principal has a secret life as a serial killer; a college virgin might have just met the guy for her; a group of teenagers pull a mean prank; a woman who loathes the night contends with her holiday-obsessed husband; and a mean old man meets his match with a demonic, supernatural trick-or-treater. Unlike the graphic situations of other films on this list, Trick r Treat will have you screaming, laughing, jumping, chattering, and hooting as the final scenario unfolds. In other words, it’s fun. A film meant to excite and entertain, not torment you. It hits all the marks with gusto and old fashion suspense.

Stephen King’s Silver Bullet

In Stephen King’s thrilling adaptation of his novelette, Cycle Of The Werewolf, a peaceful town is suddenly terrorized by a maniacal killer. The townsfolk think a madman is on the loose. But a wheelchair-bound 13-year-old Marty Coslaw (Corey Haim) knows the truth – a werewolf is on the hunt. With the help of his Uncle Red (Gary Busey), young Marty sets out to stop the half-man/half-beast before he sinks his teeth into another innocent victim. Now, time is ticking…and the full moon is about to rise.

House II: The Second Story (1987)

The House film anthologies are some of the most entertaining in the horror genre. You don’t necessarily have to watch one before watching the others. But it’s a fun exercise, and well worth it. House is a supernatural, surrealistic ghost comedy, where a new owner of a sinister house that’s been in their family for generations and gets involved with reanimated corpses and demons searching for an ancient Aztec skull with magic powers. The film culminates with a Halloween party being thrown at the House, and implores plenty of adventure, violence, and cool special effects.

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Edward Mugarian

Editor of Halloween Living Magazine, and a Detroit, Michigan native. After earning a B.A. in English at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, Ed pursued opportunities in public relations and management that helped mold him personally and professionally, developing his skills in writing and editing, marketing and advertising, public speaking and media relations. As well as broadening his experience in administrative leadership. In addition, he pursued film and special effects makeup programs in both Detroit and Los Angeles and worked on set as a special effects make-up artist. His passion for being a Halloween and horror film “geek” have been a constant throughout his life - cutting his teeth on the extraordinary works of Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, H.P. Lovecraft, and the great Shirley Jackson. His youth was spent hustling through haunted houses, and seeing the latest 70’s & 80’s horror films at the midnight drive-ins and local movie houses. He's also an avid horror film and movie memorabilia collector. One could say, he's autumn over summer. Pumpkins over pineapples. Horror over drama; and wearing black over anything else.