These spooky films are both new and old (2024)

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Halloween (1978)

In the first original Halloween movie, Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) faces a lose mental patient who murdered his sister is wreaking havoc in his hometown. There are currently 11 Halloween movies in the franchise with Halloween (2018) being the latest featuring Jamie Lee Curtis again.

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Friday the 13th (1980)

The first of the American horror franchise, Friday the 13th is about a brutal killer set out to the counselors in a summer camp.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

After three kids resurrect three witches, they have until dawn to stop the evil beings from becoming immortal. Hocus Pocus stars Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy as the three witch sisters in this classic fantasy-comedy film. The Sanderson sisters’ return to Salem, Massachusetts, will be thoroughly entertaining for everyone in the family. And there’s been talk about a sequel in the works for 2022.

Beetlejuice (1988)

It’s not a Halloween list without a sprinkle of Tim Burton’s movies. In this Broadway-adapted film, a deceased couple finds themselves stuck in their home and attempt to scare their new tenants. Having no luck scaring them away, they summon Beetlejuice, a green-haired demon to help but things get out of hand.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

This animated television special is based on the comic strip Peanuts. The Peanuts crew is celebrating Halloween, but Linus believes he will finally be visited by The Great Pumpkin.

Corpse Bride (2005)

Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp) is a groom arranged to be married to Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson) but clumsily finds himself in the forest on the day of his wedding. In the forest, he finds Emily (Helena Bonham Carter as ) a corpse bride who claims she is Victor’s wife.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas is an animated musical dark fantasy. Jack Skellington is the king of Halloween Town but what happens when he opens a portal to Christmas Town? Watch as he becomes obsessed with celebrating Christmas in this great holiday mashup movie.

The Addams Family (1991)

The Addams Family comedy movies are a staple to Halloween movie lists. Who hasn’t dressed up as a character from this classic Halloween film? In the first 1991 Addams Family movie, it centers on the Addams family’s spooky yet lovable relatives reconnecting with who they believe to be Gomez’s long-lost brother, Fester Addams.

Ghostbusters (1984)

This supernatural comedy film revolves around a team of scientists (Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray) after they lose their cushy positions at a university in New York City, and decide to become “ghostbusters.” When they stumble upon a gateway to another dimension, the Ghostbusters must save New York from complete destruction.

Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Sleepy Hollow is a film adaptation directed by Tim Burton. After a series of mysterious deaths where victims are found beheaded, Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp), sets out to investigate.

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)

When Count Dracula, a 15th-century prince, sees a photo of his barrister’s fiancée, Mina (Winona Ryder), the spitting image of his dead wife, he imprisons Jonathan Harker and sets off for London to track her down.

Edward Scissorhands (1990)

This isn’t your typical love story. Edward (Johnny Depp) is an almost human-man creation with scissors for hands that was left alone for years after his inventor died. One day he is approached by a nice sales lady and falls in love with her daughter (Winona Ryder). Despite his gentle demeanor, he is treated as an outcast.

The Craft (1996)

A group of teenage misfits who normally perform love spells takes a turn when their magic starts accidentally murdering people.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

The first Paranormal Activity film has an authentic and frightening vibe that hasn’t been matched since. The found footage camera style lends an immersion to the horror that was also incredibly cheap to film.

The Crow (1994)

On the anniversary of Eric Draven and his fiancée’s death, Eric rises from the grave and assumes the gothic mantle of the Crow, a supernatural avenger. He tracks down the thugs responsible for the brutal crimes.

Child's Play (1988)

Murderer Charles Lee Ray uses black magic to put his soul inside a doll named Chucky — which Karen Barclay then buys for her young son. When Chucky kills Andy’s baby sitter, the boy realizes the doll is alive and mayhem ensues.

Scream (1996)

A masked murderer stalks a group of high schoolers. It manages to parody the movie clichés while still being mysterious and keeping you on edge.

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

Exactly a year after running over a fisherman and dumping his body in the water, Julie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) receives a frightening letter telling her that their crime was seen. The four get back together to find the killer in the midst.

Trick 'r Treat (2007)

On Halloween night, a series of events following the same group of people encounter a sinister trick-or-treater who doesn’t like it when people don’t follow Halloween tradition.

M3GAN (2022)

Another horror movie focused on dolls, but with A.I. at the center of the story. M3GAN analyzes what would happen if an artificial intelligence haunted us night and day.

The Witch (2016)

One of the most terrifying debuts of recent years,The Witchtells the story of a puritan family living in the Massachusetts colony who are excommunicated because they are simply too fanatical. As they set up on the edge of the wilderness, they begin to suspect that they are coming under attack from demonic forces living in the nearby woods. Starring a young Anya Taylor-Joy as the family’s oldest daughter, and featuring some of the most unsettling imagery of the past decade,The Witchis guaranteed to haunt you long after the credits start rolling.

Clue (1985)

A brilliant board game adaptation that feels like Knives OutbeforeKnives Out,Cluetells the story of a group of houseguests who travel to a secluded mansion because they’re being blackmailed by their host. When he turns up dead, they immediately begin to point fingers at one another to figure out exactly who the killer is. Featuring an all-star cast of great comedians, Clueis light, frothy fun, and has just the right amount of spooky energy to qualify it for any Halloween watchlist.

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