20 Halloween movies to spook you this season

From classic slashers to art-house horrors, our friends at the NZ Herald have shared 20 Halloween movies for those wanting scary film fare this October.

With Halloween nigh upon us, now is the perfect time to curl up with a fright-flick or two (or three, or four) and get your kicks from another protagonist in distress who enters the haunted basement (when she very clearly should have ran out of the front door).

If you’re struggling to choose a freaky film, or you’re unsure about your tolerance for terror, never fear: we’ve done the hard yards for you. We’ve narrowed down 20 films for the spooky season - spine tingles, sweaty palms and heebie-jeebies guaranteed.

Whether you’re a gore connoisseur or have a faint heart for horror, there’s something here for you, from slasher classics to supernatural shockers and everything in between.

Happy viewing!

Classic horrors (1960s-2000s)

A Nightmare on Elm Street (R16)

How could we not include the 1984 film that inspired a generation of Halloween costumes? The supernatural slasher is an enduring classic to kick off your weekend of horrors. Time-travel to the 80s as you watch Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) uncover her parents’ dark truth as she and her friends become the targets of a serial killer Freddy Krueger’s bloodthirsty spirit (Robert Englund).

Available to rent on Neon, Apple TV or YouTube

The Blair Witch Project (R13)

A “found footage” classic, The Blair Witch Project revolutionised the horror genre and movie marketing in 1999 with its faux documentary style, which later influenced the likes of Paranormal Activity. The plot follows three student filmmakers who disappear while capturing a documentary about a local myth known as the Blair Witch. Their equipment and footage are discovered a year later, which is presented as the movie the viewer sees. While many 20th-century films can seem dated in this day and age, this one truly stands the test of time. A sequel, Blair Witch, was released in 2016.

Available on Netflix or Prime Video or to rent on Neon or Apple TV

Rosemary’s Baby (M)

A golden oldie still revered by fans and critics alike, this 1968 horror stars Mia Farrow as a pregnant newlywed who soon suspects her neighbours are members of a Satanic cult. Regarded as one of the greatest horrors of all time, this film tackles heavy themes such as paranoia, the occult, Catholicism, gaslighting and coercion. It’s perfect for a first-time watch - or rewatch - this Halloween.

Available to rent on Neon, Apple TV or YouTube

Paranormal Activity (R16)

The classic was released in 2007, but spawned a successful seven-film franchise centered on spine-tingling supernatural horror. The series is characterised by a faux-documentary style and the use of “found footage”, such as through recording devices or surveillance cameras - making the viewing experience all the more visceral. If you think you’re going to sleep afterwards, you’re not - so you may as well top up your popcorn and watch the entire franchise.

Available to rent on Apple TV or YouTube

Scream (R16)

Scream first hit screens in 1996, catapulting Neve Campbell and Courteney Cox to literal scream-queen status. It has since spawned a number of successful sequels, such as 2023’s Scream VI, where some of the original actors reprised their roles. The franchise reinvigorated the slasher genre with deadly wit, and is a great way to celebrate Halloween. Some of the many, many famous faces to star in the franchise include David Arquette, Drew Barrymore, Patrick Dempsey, Liev Schreiber, Emma Roberts, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Jenna Ortega.

Available on Netflix or to rent on Apple TV or YouTube

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (R18)

First released in 1974, the indie film quickly garnered cult-classic status. Widely regarded as one of the most influential horror movies, this legendary slasher is great to watch or rewatch this Halloween. For more modern audiences, there’s also a contemporary take: 2022′s Texas Chainsaw Massacre follows a group of influencers who encounter Leatherface, the cannibalistic killer who wears a mask of human skin, in a Texas ghost town. The films contain graphic violence, so take this as your warning.

Available on Shudder or to rent on Apple TV or YouTube

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (M)

This Francis Ford Coppola gothic horror may be a blast from the past, but it’s star-studded cast remain some of Hollywood’s most famous faces: think Winona Ryder, Gary Oldman, Anthony Hopkins, Richard E. Grant, and the universally adored Keanu Reeves. Based on the 1897 novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, the film is set in the 19th century England and Romania, following the eponymous vampire (Oldman) as he falls in love with the fiancée (Ryder) of his solicitor (Reeves). When Dracula begins terrorising her friends, an expert in vampirism is summoned to end to his reign of terror.

Available to rent on Neon, Apple TV or YouTube

New classics (2010s)

Get Out (R16)

The 2017 psychological horror by director Jordan Peele earned rave reviews - and not just because it was scary. Centered on a young Black man (Daniel Kaluuya) who uncovers shocking secrets when he visits the family estate of his white girlfriend (Allison Williams), the film was applauded for addressing racism and social issues through the horror medium. Its distinctive visual style, dark humour, and unique take on the genre also received acclaim. A must-watch for any film enthusiast.

Available on Netflix or Neon

The Conjuring (R16)

The inaugural film in The Conjuring Universe, the 2013 supernatural horror made waves with its blend of old-school scares and modern cinematic flare. Viscerally creepy and still shockingly scream-inducing, The Conjuring is based on the real-life exploits of demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga), who help a family experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their farmhouse. It’s the work of director James Wan, a horror specialist - think M3GAN and the Saw and Insidious franchises. After the first instalment, there’s The Conjuring 2 and The Conjuring 3: The Devil Made Me Do It - or, if you dare, the entire chronological Universe.

Available on Netflix or Neon (arriving October 30)

It (R16)

Stephen King’s 1986 novel may be responsible for many a clown phobia, but “It” would also become a beloved Halloween staple. Whether you prefer the book, the 1990 psychological miniseries (with Tim Curry in the titular role), or the 2017 film adaptation, the plot will no doubt have you peeking through your fingers. The 21st-century adaptation follows seven helpless and bullied children who are forced to face their worst nightmares when Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), a shape-shifting clown, reappears. Yikes.

Available to rent on Apple TV or YouTube

The Nun (R16)

A spiritual spin-off to The Conjuring 2 and the fifth instalment in The Conjuring Universe, this 2018 gothic supernatural horror follows a Roman Catholic priest and a novice nun as they uncover an unholy secret in 1950s Romania. Fans of the first flick should follow with the 2023 sequel, The Nun II: emotional-support companion not essential but highly recommended.

Available on Netflix or Neon (arriving October 30)

Hereditary (R16)

Toni Collette showcases her horror chops in this 2018 psychological spine-tingler. Centred around a grieving family tormented by sinister occurrences after the death of their secretive grandmother, the film features decapitation, séances, possession, covens and occultism - plenty of gore and grit for a fright-night watch. It’s the feature directorial debut of Ari Aster, who has made a name for himself in horror with Midsommar (2019) and Beau Is Afraid (2023). All three were released by A24, an indie powerhouse that has had a significant influence on contemporary horror. Harrowing and hair-raising, Hereditary will linger in the mind long after the closing credits.

Available to rent on Apple TV or YouTube

The Babadook (M)

Despite a lukewarm commercial performance upon its 2014 release, this Australian fright-flick has risen to cult-classic status in recent years, in part fuelled by its online meme-ification. Based on director Jennifer Kent’s short film Monster, The Babadook features a widowed single mother (Essie Davis) navigating the grief of losing her husband and the erratic behaviour of her young son (Noah Wiseman). After reading her son a pop-up book, the titular monster - Mister Babadook - invades their home. A superbly unsettling watch.

Available on Shudder or to rent on Apple TV

Contemporary terror (2020s)

The Substance (R16)

A new addition to the list, this 2024 satirical body-horror should be on (almost) everyone’s screen this Halloween. The film follows a fading celebrity (Demi Moore) who uses a black-market drug to spawn a much younger version of herself - with unexpected side effects. A quick caveat: viewers with weak stomachs should proceed with caution, as this flick doesn’t shy away from viscerally grisly, gut-churning close-ups of blood, mutilation, and all-around gore. Come for Demi Moore, stay for Margaret Qualley - both are sublime.

In cinemas at time of publishing

Longlegs (R16)

Another 2024 release, the critically acclaimed thriller Longlegs features an FBI agent (Maika Monroe) tasked with tracking down an occultist serial killer responsible for a nightmarish murder spree throughout Oregon - without having been physically present. Nicolas Cage stars, so you already know this film is going to be gonzo; he’s made a career out of go-big-or-go-home characters that are the opposite of subtle.

Available to rent on Neon, Apple TV or YouTube

Barbarian (R16)

A must-see for any modern horror fan, this 2022 thriller follows a woman (Georgina Campbell) who’s AirBnB harbours a dark secret. Set in a desolate Detroit neighbourhood, the film is as much about urban decay as it is about human-on-human violence. Released to positive reviews, the flick has been praised for its clever yet chilling storyline, dark humour, and unpredictable scares - probably not for the faint-hearted.

Available on Netflix or to rent on Apple TV or YouTube

Faint-hearted horror

What We Do in the Shadows (R13)

If you want to take a break from hardcore horror, this 2014 Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement mockumentary will leave you in stitches. It follows four hilarious vampires (Waititi, Clement, Jonathan Brugh and Ben Fransham) who are struggling with the mundane aspects of modern life - think paying rent, keeping up with chores, and flatmate conflicts. The film also spawned the popular series of the same name, also created by Clement; if you like the film, there are six seasons of this to binge on Disney+. Plus, it’s New Zealand-made!

Available to rent on Apple TV

Beetlejuice (PG)

Tim Burton’s 1988 film has become a Halloween classic and rightly so: it boasts demons, ghosts and the afterlife - all rendered in suitably kooky, campy, Burton-esque fashion. The cast counts some of Hollywood’s biggest names, with Winona Ryder, Catherine O’Hara, Geena Davis and Alex Baldwin alongside Michael Keaton in the titular role. Many of them returned for the sequel this year, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which though treading familiar territory is still a fun watch for spooky season.

Available on Neon (arriving November 7) or to rent on Apple TV or YouTube; Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in cinemas at time of publishing

Casper (PG)

An oldie but a goodie: if your children are riding a wild sugar high and giving every excuse in the book to avoid bedtime, this “Casper the Friendly Ghost” comedy from 1995 is a top watch. The headline cast includes Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman and Cathy Moriarty, with cameos from the likes of Dan Aykroyd, Clint Eastwood and Mel Gibson. Casper was voiced by Malachi Pearson and (plot spoiler) played in human form by Devon Sawa. Can you tell it’s the 90s? Once the kids are suitably tuckered out, it’s time to pop on something a little scarier - see above for recommendations.

Available to rent on Apple TV

Hocus Pocus (PG)

The 1993 film is not only a spooky season staple, but the most-watched Halloween film of all time. For the uninitiated, the fantasy-comedy follows a villainous trio of sibling witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) who are inadvertently resurrected by a teenage boy (Omri Katz) in Salem, Massachusetts on Halloween night. Thirty years later, the film also has a sequel - so grab your lantern full of lollies and sit back as the Sanderson sisters wreak havoc.

Available on Disney+ or to rent on Apple TV or YouTube.

This article was first published by Lana Andelane for the NZ Herald and is republished here with permission.