Halloween is right around the corner which means it is officially scary movie season. My favorite Halloween activity is sitting down on a couch with some friends and watching a bunch of horror movies.
I wanted to share some of my favorite horror movies that I’ve seen over the years. If you’re a horror movie fan I’d highly recommend any of these movies for a movie marathon.
Ranked in order from least to most scary (in my opinion):
House (1977)
This Scooby-Doo-esque Japanese horror film from 1977 is the most fun you can have watching a scary movie. A cult-classic, this movie is famous for how off-the-walls it is. The plot is quite simple, a girl and a group of her friends go to visit her ailing aunt’s home out in the country for a vacation and come face-to-face with a bloodthirsty piano, skeletons, evil spirits, and more.
The first time I watched this movie, I had an absolute blast. Each time I’ve watched it since, I’ve had just as much fun but also come to appreciate the film in new ways. “House” plays on gender roles and implements themes of post-war trauma and the role of family through the use of humor and horror.
I would definitely recommend this movie to finish a horror movie marathon as a chaser to movies that would otherwise keep you from getting a good night’s rest.
The Thing (1982)
“The Thing” is a classic. I was shocked to hear that this movie initially flopped in the box office when it came out in 1982. Kurt Russell’s performance, the practical effects by Rob Bottin, and the unravelling mystery written by Bill Lancaster are all top-notch, still this day.
This movie centers itself around a group of twelve scientists in Antarctica, trapped in the dead of the Antarctic winter collecting data. They uncover a mystery that if not contained, would destroy humanity.
This is my favorite movie by John Carpenter, and would definitely throw it on for a horror-movie marathon with friends.
Nope (2022)
Jordan Peele’s newest movie is my favorite by him. I won’t say anything about the plot because this movie is best experienced going in knowing nothing about it. I truly believe that in 20 years, “Nope” will be marked down as a classic.
This movie brilliantly uses horror elements to provide commentary on spectacle and trauma. Peele has finally mastered balancing comedy and horror, which grounds and creates investment in the story for the viewer.
There are two scenes in this movie that are most likely the scariest scenes I have witnessed on-screen. If you didn’t catch this movie while it was in theaters this year, I would definitely recommend watching it this Halloween season.
The Shining (1980)
“The Shining” is the most well-justified classic I have ever seen. There are too many classic scenes in this movie to count. The blood from the elevator, “Here’s Johnny!”, red rum, and more. No matter how many times I watch this movie, it’s bone-chilling.
A masterful dive into madness and commentary on abuse, if you haven’t seen this movie, this Halloween is the time. The three leads in this movie are each excellent in their roles, their performances sell the horror of this movie more than anything else.
Hereditary (2018)
Ari Aster’s “Hereditary” is gut-wrenchingly terrifying. I was lucky enough to see this film in theatres in 2018 and I have not stopped thinking about it since. A family tragedy that breaches into the supernatural, this movie feels like classic horror but turns every fear-inducing element up to 11.
This movie creates a pit in your stomach and does not let it dissipate until well-after the credits roll. This was the first real horror movie I viewed in a theater, and it’s still the scariest. While I’ve been meaning to rewatch it for a while, it’s hard to get the courage to go back to it.
If you want to make your horror movie marathon truly one to remember, put this movie on your list.
Conclusion
Now is the perfect time to sit down and watch some horror movies. As someone who doesn’t usually seek out horror, Halloween is a great time to give myself an excuse to watch it. If you want to watch some movies but don’t know what, this list is a great start. Happy Halloween and happy viewing.
