Turn off the lights, get the popcorn ready, and face one question: which film will we put on? October is the ideal time to rediscover horror classics. Some films make you jump at every shadow, while others build their tension with silence, a closed door, or a gaze that lingers just a little too long.
For this selection of Halloween horror films, we have chosen ten classics, divided across five genres. For each film, you will get a spoiler-free viewing tip, so you can choose what suits your group. Then we take a trip to Halloween Town with The Nightmare Before Christmas and to the dark anime world of Death Note.
For some films, you will find a matching item from our shop. The movie night remains the starting point; a collectible is a fun way to keep your favorite character with you for a little longer afterward.
Classic suspense: Halloween or Psycho. Monsters: Alien or The Thing. Famous horror icons: Chucky and Ghostface. Prefer gothic fantasy to intense horror? Choose NBX.
Slashers: Halloween and A Nightmare on Elm Street
1. Halloween (1978)
Michael Myers, a silent mask and an ordinary suburban neighborhood: this classic needs nothing more to make you feel uneasy. John Carpenter builds the tension with ominous imagery and a soundtrack that stays with you immediately. Our pick for anyone looking for a true Halloween atmosphere, with creeping unease and an unforgettable horror character.
2. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Freddy Krueger turns sleeping into a dangerous idea. Wes Craven blends the slasher with bizarre dream imagery, so you are never entirely sure what is real. Ideal if you want something more imaginative to watch after Halloween. The practical effects and Freddy’s sharp silhouette give this film a character of its own.
Our movie night: first, the tension of a silent pursuer, followed by a nightmare that becomes much harder to escape.
Trailer from Halloween Network, also embedded on the official HalloweenMovies website.
Psychological horror: Psycho and The Shining
3. Psycho (1960)
A remote motel and a host who's difficult to read: Alfred Hitchcock shows how much tension you can build with looks, silence, and editing. The black-and-white cinematography adds to the atmosphere. Preferably watch it without looking up the story beforehand; the surprises work best when you discover them yourself.
4. The Shining (1980)
A hotel off-season sounds peaceful, until the corridors start to feel increasingly unfamiliar. Stanley Kubrick opts for a slow, hypnotic buildup, with Jack Nicholson in an intense leading role. Recommended for viewers who enjoy claustrophobic settings, enigmatic imagery, and an atmosphere that lingers after the credits roll.
Our movie night: two places where you'd happily book a night, until you take a closer look.
Official 4K trailer from Warner Bros. Entertainment.
Science fiction horror: Alien and The Thing
5. Alien (1979)
Ridley Scott turns a spaceship into a claustrophobic maze. The crew faces a threat that reveals itself only little by little, while the industrial surroundings offer few safe places to hide. Perfect for fans of science fiction who want to try horror. The film works primarily through anticipation: you know something is coming, but not when.
6. The Thing (1982)
At an isolated research station in Antarctica, distrust takes on a very concrete reason. John Carpenter combines paranoia with grotesque practical monster effects. This is our pick for creature horror fans: more explicit and visceral than Alien, but at least as compelling in asking who you can still trust.
Our movie night: start with the creeping menace of Alien and save The Thing's explicit monster effects for the second half.
Supernatural horror: The Exorcist and Poltergeist
7. The Exorcist (1973)
William Friedkin brings supernatural horror into a familiar, domestic setting. That very clash between everyday life and something inexplicable makes the film so unsettling. The serious tone and intense scenes call for an audience that enjoys intense horror. A strong choice if you prefer slowly building unease over a lighthearted scary movie.
8. Poltergeist (1982)
A family, a house, and a television form the starting point for a ghost story full of spectacular moments. Poltergeist combines family dynamics with a growing supernatural threat. The film has a more adventurous pace than The Exorcist, but it can still be seriously scary. Choose it for an evening when you want a classic haunted-house atmosphere.
Our movie night: The Exorcist for intense possession horror; Poltergeist for a more adventurous haunted-house story.
Official 4K trailer from Warner Bros. Entertainment. Contains intense horror imagery.
Cult favorites: Child's Play and Scream
9. Child's Play (1988)
A toy doll with a friendly smile becomes one of the most recognizable villains in horror. The first Child's Play initially builds doubt, then lets Chucky increasingly reveal his true nature. A great choice for fans of horror icons and the practical charm of 1980s films.
10. Scream (1996)
Ghostface brings the slasher into a world where the characters themselves know horror movies. Wes Craven plays with familiar rules and expectations without taking away the suspense. A great choice for a group that enjoys watching together, pointing out suspects, and discussing the film afterward. Even better if you've already seen Halloween and the other slashers.
Bonus: The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Halloween without Jack Skellington? We can't imagine it without him. Henry Selick's stop-motion film, based on a story by Tim Burton, brings Halloween Town to life with eccentric characters, music by Danny Elfman, and a distinctive gothic atmosphere. Jack discovers Christmas Town and tries to put his own spin on Christmas, with delightfully chaotic consequences.
Our milder viewing tip: NBX is all about fantasy, music, and spooky charm. Ideal if you feel like a different atmosphere after the ten horror films. With younger viewers, do keep the dark imagery and tense moments in mind.
Watch the official 4K trailer from Disney Studio Japan below. The video plays within this article; the promotional text is in Japanese.
Also for anime fans: Death Note
Looking for suspense without a classic slasher? Death Note is a dark supernatural thriller in which a student finds a notebook with deadly power. What follows is a cat-and-mouse game full of strategy, moral choices, and ever-increasing risks.
The confrontation between Light and detective L makes this anime especially interesting if you enjoy psychological suspense. Ryuk provides the supernatural edge. Expect a tense battle of wits rather than a series of jump scares: that is exactly why Death Note is a great fit for a Halloween night with anime fans.
Our viewing tip is about the anime series, as an extra alongside the ten films. Feel free to make it a separate night: one film takes an evening, while a series requires more time.
How to make it your Halloween movie night
Choose the atmosphere first and the film second. For classic suspense, go with Halloween and Psycho; for isolation and monsters, Alien and The Thing. Chucky and Ghostface are a fun choice if your company enjoys seeing familiar horror icons. With NBX, you choose music and gothic fantasy, while Death Note mainly appeals to fans of clever thrillers.
Adjust the intensity to suit everyone watching and check the age rating. Put your phones away, prepare some snacks, and give the film room to build up its suspense. Which classic is part of your October every year?
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