It's my favorite time of the year which means some annual yearly watches of classic Halloween and horror films.
Here is my list of top 20 favorite films to watch over the course of October.....
15. 28 days later (2002)
Let's talk zombie films. The rebirth of this genre is all thanks to 28 Day's Later, inspiring many more films and series to follow like Walking Dead to Shaun of the Dead. Nothing beats this wild pandemic film about human nature and survival. The church scene alone still manages to get me every single time. Matched with Danny Boyle's signature visceral style, it's no wonder why it's at the top of the zombie genre for me. Also... Cillian Murphy. Fun fact, the opening scene was shot at 4 am to ensure the streets of London would be empty. They used CCTV footage, to capture Murphy walking around. Never knew this early 2000's classic was something we'd be living today in 2020.
14. It follows (2014)
Talk about a film that stays with you days after watching. It follows is a film that has truly terrified me days after viewing. The film itself doesn't rely on the typical horror tropes however the psychological effect it had afterward truly had me shaken days after the film. It follows is an excellent film, indie film, that is a true hidden gem to those who have seen it.
13. Rosemary's Baby (1968)
There is so much to unpack with Roman Polanski Rosemary's Baby. The film is elegant and eerie, a prime example of a successful slow burn horror thriller, with excellent payoff. Not to give any spoilers away for those who haven't seen this 52 52 year old film, but the true horror is only present in the last ten minutes of the film. Besides the fact that the film is already unsettling, the history surrounding the film is what makes it so intriguing. Multiple crew mysteriously passed during and after the film's conception including Polanski's partner at the time Sharon Tate. The film is said to be cursed, which makes viewing even more intriguing.
12.Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Without a doubt the most disturbing film I have ever seen. I'm sick to my stomach watching this film and have to admit, not a yearly rewatch since I've only seen it twice in my lifetime. It's a film that's hard to look away from but you don't want to watch. Since 1970's this film still holds it's reputation as the most unsettling film of all time.
11. The Babadook (2014)
My god. This film terrifies me. It's an excellent film about grief, with a multitude of hidden metaphors. This film manages to make my blood run cold with its imagery, and one I still hold my hands in front of the screen to peak through. I force myself to watch this film because it's so well written and the lessons learned from the film are truly valuable. This is why I adore the horror genre, they stylize basic human fears and dramatizes them to the extreme where they can be easily digested and analyzed. The lessons and messages learned in horror films can be applied to our daily values, just as this film dramatizes grief/depression into a monster.
10. Suspira (1977)
Suspiria is a film that was made for me. Italian director, ballerinas, witches, and secret covens...could I ask for anything more. For a horror film, the coloring is extremely saturated with color, a signature of the Italian Galio Horror genre. This Dario Argento film is so well constructed and designed with style from the cinematography, production design, and plot. Details are something I always look for in my favorite films which is why Suspiria has remained a favorite horror classic.
9. What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Truly the most comedic 'horror' film of all time. If you love mockumentaries like The Office or Parks and Rec, Taika Waititi's film following the day to day life of vampires, is laugh out loud hilarious. This film is an annual required viewing and still manages to make me laugh years later. It's over the top performances, and comedic bits are perfect for those who love Halloween, dry humor, and ridiculousness. This paired with it's new television series is a great watch for the season if you prefer something not scary.
8. The Ring (2002)
If I ever had a horror twin it would be my girl Samara from the Ring. Besides the fact that the film has been spoofed a thousand times, the Ring is a great mysterious thriller. I give the Ring a bit more credit than most because it’s a great detective story. The cinematography and coloring lean heavily into the style of the film, in an almost experimental fashion.
7. The VVitch (2015)
A hidden gem. I adore this film. The VVitch is atmospherically haunting, with outstanding performance. Hollywood has built this troupe of witches and this film does traditional witches justice. This film uses 1600's lore, speech and dialogue from actual historical documents from that time. The film is not just about witches and witchcraft but the acting of evil and sin. It's an excellent example of traditional Gothic horror, made in 20th century, with my favorite Ana Taylor Joy performance.
6. Carrie (1976)
Nothing screams Halloween than this red-tinted Prom party. There is so much charm to Carrie which Carrie is a horror film that pays off with revenge, in a twisted, satisfying conclusion. It’s a film that has imagery that lingers with you, building slowly over the course of each scene leading to that climactic raging ending. What makes Carrie so chilling, is the exploration of the aftermath of chaos, the quiet moments. It's a Stephen King classic, that's perfect for the spooky season.
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5. Hereditary (2018)
Although this film is top of my best films of all time, it doesn't exude a lot of classic Halloween energy. However, a truly horrifying dark family drama I'd recommend to anyone who has not seen it yet. This oscar snubbed performance from Toni Collete could not be missed, echoed magnificently by the supporting cast. Hereditary stays with you after viewing, and I find it quite difficult to talk about due to its jaw-dropping nature and even to this day. Two years later, it still has an effect on me. What makes it a great horror film is not the usual tropes of the jump scares and monsters and but the heaviness of grief and loss which is truly horrifying in our day-to-day world.
4. The Shinning (1980)
Undoubtedly my favorite Kubrick film, The Shining is a cultural phenomenon that doesn’t need any introduction. The endless amount of mystery and detail in this film makes it so enjoyable to rewatch over the years. What makes the shining so terrifying to watch in 2020, is the psychological effect of madness and cabin fever. Another great film to accompany the Shining is the documentary Room 237 which explores all the little hidden details within the film and talks about that infamous room.
3. The Exorcist (1973)
Not only is the exorcist an annual classic but is also so highly regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time with 10 Academy Award nominations. I’ve seen this film multiple times and am still never prepared for those that flashing of pale face and red eyes. The use of practical effects still to this day is outstanding. There's a lot of history towards the film as well, with it's multiple theatrical cuts, and re-release with enhanced and added scenes. There's a reason why it's regarded as one of the best horror films of all time.
2. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
When I think of Halloween Horror Icons, my personal favorite villains has always been Freddy. I talk about blending genres a lot on my blog and Nightmare on Elm Street is no different. It’s the perfect mix of comedy, horror and mystery which makes it such a great film overall. I'm always attracted to films with the theme of exploration of dreams, (cough cough inception) and what better than a horror film, that ties the theme of dreams, night terrors, and nightmares. This film screams major Halloween energy, and who could forget the classic nursery rhyme that accompanies the film .
1. Poltergeist (1982)
Yes, this 80's PG-13 icon is my ultimate favorite Halloween Film. Growing up AMC was a station that was constantly running on my tv 24/7, and what would be on repeat every October....1982's Poltergeist. This iconic 80s classic was produced by Spielberg, directed by Tobe Hooper and still to this day it gives me chills. I love everything from the score, production design, and now outdated 80s flare. This film gave me fear of toys coming to life, the unnerving feeling of thunderstorms. Not to mention the film and series are rumored to be haunted with the unfortunate events that occurred during filming and afterward. It's a heartwarming classic horror film for every age, which makes it number one on my Halloween list.
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