Andrew Robinson
Film lovers everywhere choose October 31st as a day to watch movies. Horror fans in particular love Halloween because it’s thought of as a darker holiday. So, here is a list of the best movies to watch on Halloween for both young and experienced horror fans.
For the Younger Crowd
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
The PG-rated animated film is the perfect foray into horror for young viewers. Featuring Jack Skellington – the pumpkin king of Halloween Town – this film only has a runtime of 76 minutes, meaning that the young ones can watch it after trick-or-treating while munching on their candy.
Coraline (2009)
Another PG-rated film, Coraline follows a young girl who discovers an alternate universe. At first, it seems perfect. But strange secrets soon come to light.
For the Preteens and Younger Teenagers
Insidious Franchise (2010, 2013, 2015, and 2018)
The PG-13 rated franchise has the jump scares and the intricate horror universe that fans of scary movies love. It’s a great non-animated look at horror for young viewers to watch either with their parents or at a party.
Psycho (1960)
One of the most iconic horror movies ever, Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho is the perfect movie to pull out of the vault for your kids looking to get into the early parts of horror. Rated PG in 1960, Psycho is a black-and-white masterpiece.
Alien and Aliens (1979 and 1986)
The first R-rated franchise on this list is still a great movie for the younger teenagers, though it is a tad bit gorier than the other movies in this section. Ellen Ripley is an iconic character, and Alien serves as one of the most well-liked movies about extraterrestrials of all-time.
For the Older Teenagers
Halloween Franchise (1978, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2018)
A product of the slasher film craze of the late ’70s and early ’80s, the Halloween franchise isn’t this reviewer’s favorite, but it is impossible to exclude from this list due to its impact on horror as a whole. Michael Myers is one of the most-cited movie killers in existence, and for good reason. The film series gets more and more ridiculous as it goes on, but the first two in particular are worth your while. Older teenagers will enjoy Halloween.
Get Out (2017)
Jordan Peele’s first venture into horror results in an Oscar-winning masterpiece that takes on racism in America. When an African-American man visits his white girlfriend’s parents, things get… weird. And weirder. It’s not super gory for the most part, but the messages present would be better understood by the older teenagers.
The Exorcist (1973)
Thought to be the scariest film ever made at the time of its release, The Exorcist has gotten a little less scary over time simply because of what can be shown on the big screen now. However, The Exorcist is the poster child of demonic possession being shown in a film, and it lives up to its name, even nearly 50 years later. All horror fans should see the original GOAT, so show this one to your older horror-loving teenagers.
It and It Chapter Two (2017, 2019)
What better way to enjoy the Halloween season than with the movie adaptations of one of the most frightening books ever written? Both chapters of It are much funnier than they are given credit for, making them perfect films for older teenagers to view amongst friends or family. And there certainly are some scares involved. It (2017) is the far superior movie, but both are good choices for Halloween viewing.
For the Hardcore Horror Fans
*Note: This section is only for those of you that are not easily disturbed and are 18+.
Raw (2016)
The 2017 foreign film is truly one of the most disturbing films one will find. Following a once-vegetarian first-year college student who tastes meat for the first time, Raw devolves… quickly. A wonderfully-told coming-of-age story that just so happens to involve sickening cannibalism, the film is one that hardcore horror fans will love and regular horror fans will find disgusting.
Note: Raw very, very likely would not have been able to be filmed as is in the United States due to some purely disturbing and nauseating scenes. No one under 18 should watch this film, and no one who cannot handle some of the craziest things one can see on film should either.
Saw Franchise (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2017)
In a franchise that haters call “torture porn,” Jigsaw was born. Featuring characters that are forced to survive horrifying traps put together by a mysterious person, Saw never shies away from blood nor gore. And no one is safe. The series gets crazier and less believable as it goes on, but it is an entertaining watch for hardcore horror viewers.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
This film is only on the “Don’t Watch Unless You’re 18” list because of it’s severe disturbing nature. There is not much blood, not much violence whatsoever, and zero sex. However, The Blair Witch Project is considered to be one of the most frightening movies ever made solely due to the fear that one can see in its actors’ eyes. When the movie was released, the actors were believed to be dead; the story was believed to be a documentary. It is 81 minutes of straight fear.
I will not recommend The Human Centipede because that movie is just straight filth. I cannot even watch it myself.
Happy Halloween all!
