The ultimate countdown of awesome horror movies — all based on/around Halloween night!
October 1: The Jester (2023)
Art the Clown had a sort of Slenderman effect, prompting a rash of new clown-masked villains with no dialog. The Jester actually turned out good though, with the titular character ruining peopleβs lives with vicious, deadly tricks. I loved the kills and the story, and was pleasantly surprised by the watch!
October 2: Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Some see Halloween III as a joke. Others view it as a nice reprieve from Michael Myers mayhem. I am of the latter and appreciate the little hints of our favorite slasher but with a twisted new tale. Though this change from the norm didnβt last through the rest of the series, it holds a special place in fansβ hearts. Plus, who doesnβt like the infamous Silver Shamrock masks?!
October 3: All Hallows’ Eve 2 (2015)
Eight stories in this Halloween-centered anthology. While we donβt see Art the Clown as we did in the first iteration of this anthology, it still has plenty of spooky stories to go around. A comfort watch when I just want to feel Octoberβs embrace.
October 4: Hell Fest (2018)
A slasher haunting the halls of a theme park haunt? Yes! A group of friends goes to a scary event for Halloween, only to be caught in the crosshairs of a maniac hunting victims there. I loved the atmosphere and it taking place in a theme park, but itβs β in a way β a dime a dozen. This was fun, but there are other haunt-based slashers I enjoy more.
October 5: The Monster Squad (1987)
Wolfmanβs got nards! This is The Goonies but with Universal Monsters. After Dracula summons his monster friends (Wolf Man, Creature, Frankie, and the Mummy) back to the real world, a group of kids fight to put them back where they belong. Filled with 80s childhood action and plenty of funny quips.
October 6: Haunt Season (2024)
Haunt Season is one of my favorite Halloween movies (and I’ve watched it 3-4 times this year already). A group of scare-actors become friends and also try not to get murdered during their hauntβs run. The cast seems so nice and super into Halloween, just like me. Plus, long shots of fall time outside. Perfect.
October 7: Curse of Crom: The Legend of Halloween (2022)
Despite the knowledge that Halloween stems from Irish folklore and Samhain, there arenβt too many movies exploring that side of the holiday. Rob Yorkβs Curse of Crom takes it on with a movie jam packed with monster mayhem, Irish storytelling, and characters that I absolutely adore. A yearly watch for me, Crom is funny but still has that spooky atmosphere that only Halloween can give.
October 8: Halloween Party (2019)
For the Millennials out there comes Halloween Party, a mysterious internet chain-meme that kills you if you donβt let it know what your worst fear is. Two college students try to solve the case when a couple of their friends die on campus, and it turns out to be more disturbing than they imagined. Likeable characters and some really funny dialogue. A few of the scares were particularly good too β definitely worth the watch!
October 9: Cobweb (2023)
A boy goes about his days being bullied at school and just not enjoying life with his strict parents when he hears whispers and knocking coming from inside his bedroom walls. The being inside proves to be more foe than friend. I liked this movie and was especially empathetic towards our main character. But what really struck me was the extreme gloominess of October. Perfect witchy, wispy vibes for Halloween night⦠plus, a field of pumpkins always helps.
October 10: The Jester 2 (2025)
Because the first iteration Jester went so well, we got a sequel! This time, our new slick-dressed slasher follows around a girl he hopes to trick into taking over the reigns in his yearly Halloween massacre. The Jester 2 has even more crazy kills and an even better story β and of course, feels all the more Halloweeny. My favorite of the two in this series.
October 11: Terrifier (2016)
Though Art the Clownβs history reaches back before Terrifier, this is really where he began to shine. Itβs not everyoneβs favorite for its utter brutality and messy βstoryline,β but you have to admit the gore is outstanding.
October 12: WNUF Halloween Special (2013)
Everyoneβs favorite analog horror film since the 2010sβ¦ or shall I say, 1987? This fake news broadcast contains news shorts, commercials, and a killer story about a haunted house. Investigate with reporter Frank Stewart and enjoy the laughs and pleasantries of our childhoods.
October 13: Tales of Halloween (2015)
A classic for sure, featuring 10 stories all happening on Halloween night. Equal parts funny, ghastly, and gory, this anthology has been an October staple of mine for the past 10 years. Perfect for parties or watching alone.
October 14: Hell Night (1981)
A frat party gone wrong. College kids do their annual tradition of spending the night in a haunted mansion; this year is different though, and the scares are deadly. Linda Blair stars in this slasher that honestly doesnβt bring anything new to the coed-killer tropes the 80s were filled with. If you like Linda Blair, great! Otherwise, you can take this or leave it.
October 15: Ghostwatch (1992)
A mockumentary broadcast that apparently fooled thousands into thinking it was real. A camera crew investigates a British familyβs house for spectral activity. I can see how this might be terrifying, but watching 30+ years later, I also know there are better, more lively mockumentaries out there. I liked the inclusion of the broadcast studio, but again, itβs been done better by other films.
October 16: Out There Halloween Mega tape (2022)
A follow-up to the WNUF Halloween Special, this analog, found footage, retro-style recording takes place in the 90s and gives us shows akin to Ricki Lake and various alien-based paranormal specials. Just as fun as the first, we get awesome 90s commercials and some wonky situations. Brilliant!
October 17: Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
Hey! This actually kinda takes place on my birthday β cool! Ernest and his middle school friends unknowingly release an ancient troll monster while building a treehouse in the woods. Using milk and unconditional love (of all things) the group works to defeat the trolls before they take over the town. This is clearly a Halloweentown-level movie meant for younger kids (compared to movies like Spirit Halloween or Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark). Pretty goofy, but fun.
October 18: Spirit Halloween: The Movie (2022)
A movie about everyoneβs favorite Halloween store? Sign me up! In the same vein as Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, this is a sort of midway between true kids horror and what I would watch as an adult. Still has scares, just toned down for a younger crowd. I do wish it was a little more tied to the store itself, rather than (mainly) just taking place in one.