By Logan Fairchild
Get ready for your candy corn, witches hat, and pumpkin spice because fall is here! And that can only mean one thing: horror movie season. Check out the top ten Halloween horror movies to help get your spook on.
1. “Ginger Snaps” (2000) – This film is a classic Canadian horror about two morbid sisters and what happens when a werewolf bites one. The werewolf transformation serves as a brutal metaphor for puberty. But the relationship between the two sisters carries the film and will have you rooting for them. The best part? It takes place on and around Halloween! There are plenty of spooky fall vibes and even a dope Halloween party.
2. “Haunters: The Art of the Scare” (2017) – A documentary about haunted houses and the people who work to put them together. The film dives into the “extreme haunts” that have popped up throughout the country, including the infamous McKamey Manor. While most people might not consider a documentary a rewatchable film, this one is the exception; it’s a must-watch every Halloween!
3. “Ghostwatch” (1992) – A TV movie that scarred an entire generation of young British children. Ghostwatch is a “found footage” film designed as a live TV program (a Halloween special) in which a reporter visits a real-life haunting in a small family home. Interwoven with actual phone calls from real people talking about their ghost encounters, an interview with a “paranormal psychologist,” and a cast of actual news reporters playing themselves; this was the modern-day “War of the Worlds,” convincing kids at the time that it was authentic. Make sure to keep an eye out for Pipes (the ghost; “Pipes” is the nickname the kids in the house gave him due to how it always sounds like pipes banging), as he is seen 13 different times, hidden somewhere in the background. Note; this film is a little hard to find. The easiest way to watch it is on Archive.org.
4. “Satan’s Little Helper” (2004) – 9-year-old Douglas Whooly has a healthy obsession with Satan in the way other children might admire Santa. So much so that he sets out to become Satan’s helper one Halloween night. The pair go off on a murderous spree that causes chaos and anarchy in the small town. It’s not as gruesome as it sounds. It’s mostly a dark comedy. A genuinely original plot and tons of Halloween scenery make it a perfect watch during the holiday season.
5. “The Houses October Built” (2014) – Five friends gather together in a rented RV to travel around the US in the week leading up to Halloween; hitting up “extreme haunts” in hopes of discovering the exclusive Blue Skeleton, the most extreme, invite-only haunt in the country. Unfortunately, you don’t find the Blue Skeleton; they find you.
6. “Trick ‘r Treat” (2008) – Easily the most famous horror anthology that takes place on Halloween. I’m sure you’ve all seen pictures of Sam, the creepy kid with a sack over his head that interweaves the stories together. He’s become an icon as much as Michael Meyers, and rightfully so.
7. “Pumpkinhead” (1988) – The only film on this list that, ironically, doesn’t take place at Halloween. However, our central monster, Pumpkinhead, has enough spooky fall vibes (despite not having an actual pumpkin as a head). When Ed Harley’s young son is accidentally killed in a motorcycle accident by a group of teens, Ed vows revenge on the teens when he goes to a witch to summon the demon Pumpkinhead to kill them. But revenge isn’t always easy.
8. “Tales of Halloween” (2015) – Another horror anthology; telling a handful of different tales, all taking place on Halloween night.
9. “Night of the Demons” (1988) – A classic horror comedy about a group of teenagers partying in an abandoned funeral home on Halloween night. And, of course, they awaken some demons! This film offers some beautiful cinematography and a captivating demon dance sequence.
10. “Hell House LLC” (2015) – Upon a second viewing, this film isn’t as great as I remembered. However, it does offer a few spooky scares, and it does take place on Halloween. Another found footage ghost film, and this one is about a group of friends putting on a haunted house in an old, abandoned hotel that is actually haunted. Truly the best part of the film is the events that take place on the night of Halloween, in which all chaos reigns in the small business.
