These Are The Best Halloween-Themed Movies And TV Shows Of All Time

 

There’s nothing quite like watching a marathon of movies during the holidays, and Halloween always holds a special place in the hearts of those who live for a good scare. While every year there will invariably be at least one or two new Halloween-themed movies released, certain Halloween-themed movies ought to be on any Halloween-related watch list.

Some of these iconic movies are classics from as far back as the ’60s, but others are up and coming hits that saw immediate, widespread appeal and high reviews as soon as they debuted in theaters. After reading through this list of awesome Halloween-themed flicks, you’ll likely have the itch to tear open a bag of popcorn, and get your pumpkin on…

Jennifer’s Body (2009)

A demon possesses a high school girl, who suddenly has developed a literal appetite for different boys in her school. There is one nerdier girl in school who is able to see that the boys that Jennifer gets with end up dying.

While initially this movie didn’t receive a great reception with critics or at the box office, in recent years, it’s gained more of a following for its sultry lead and dark sense of humor. Megan Fox plays the titular role of the girl every boy in school would fall for.

Halloween (1978)

What’s Halloween without the original Halloween film that set the bar for so many others? The 1978 slasher film follows the life of terrifying serial killer Michael Myers, who was locked up for killing his sister on Halloween. Fifteen years go by, and not only does he escape, but he also returns to his hometown to wreak havoc….

It stars actress Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut alongside Nick Castle as the psychotic man on a killing spree. The movie was so good that it demanded a sequel.

Beetlejuice (1988)

The 1988 fantasy comedy horror film Beetlejuice tells the story of a recently deceased couple who become ghosts in their former home. When a young family moves into their old home, they hire a poltergeist named Beetlejuice to try to scare them away. However, Beetlejuice has plans of his own….

The film starred Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Catherine O’Hara, Jeffrey Jones, and Winona Ryder, who brought the film to life. It won an Academy Award and three Saturn Awards.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project changed the game for “recovered footage” type films. It set the tone for future films such as Paranormal Activity.  The movie is focused on three filmmaking students who went missing while making a documentary about the Blair Witch from Burkittsville, Maryland. They’re told about the men in the haunted woods who, after exploring, are never heard from again….

Despite leaving many who watch it a bit motion sick, it’s a must-watch for anyone in the Halloween spirit. Just be prepared to stay up all night because you can’t sleep. 

Us (2019)

Us is director Jordan Peele’s follow-up to his first turn at horror, Get Out. What happens when you return to your childhood beachfront home with your family? Hopefully, you don’t meet four masked strangers who turn out to be doppelgängers. Well, that is what happened to Adelaide and her family when they went to her family’s lake house in Santa Cruz….

They soon find out that they’re not the only ones going through this oddity. The movie’s twists and turns at every corner will have you begging for a rewatch. 

The Shining (1980)

No Halloween marathon is complete without this Stephen King movie adaptation. Despite not being set during the frightful festivities, the Torrance family’s stay at the vacant hotel is packed with enough supernatural activity to get you into the Halloween spirit. The suspense sends chills down the spine, no matter how many times you’ve seen it….

Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall’s performances are still praised to this day, and it is one of the reasons why this movie can be found on every must-watch Halloween movie list.

Idle Hands (1999)

Based on the Bible quote “idle hands are the devil’s workshop,” Idle Hands tells the story of stoner teen Anton Tobias, whose right hand is cut off and becomes possessed by a demonic force. His parents end up dead on Halloween, and all the signs are pointing to him. With the help of his friends, who also wind up dead, Anton goes on a mission to end his hand’s reign of terror….

The film stars Seth Green, Jessica Alba, and Vivica A. Fox as the group of teens. It also performed fairly well at the box office and has become a cult classic. 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Every Halloween, thousands of fans line up to catch the midnight screening of the cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. As its trailer describes, the movie is wonderfully weird, fabulously freaky, and is quite the quotable film at this point. 

It’s not your typical Halloween film, but definitely qualifies to fit the genre. The musical horror film is based on a musical production with the same name but takes a slightly darker turn. It raked in just over $140 million at the box office.

Friday The 13th (1980)

Friday the 13th is another one of those slasher films that has to be watched at least once during the Halloween festivities. Long before Jason Vorhees took up the machete and the hockey mask, it was his mother, Mrs. Voorhees, who began going after counselors at the “cursed” Camp Crystal Lake….

The Friday the 13th franchise now includes twelve films as well as a television series. The last film was released in 2009, and since then, fans have been asking for a follow-up film.

Ghostbusters (1984)

Who do you call when New York City is overrun with supernatural creatures who have no desire to go back to where they came from? A trio of eccentric parapsychologists named the Ghostbusters. After being fired from the prestigious university where they worked, Peter Venkman, Egon Spengler, and Ray Stantz convert a disused firehouse into a high-tech ghostbusting headquarters….

The 1984 fantasy comedy film was meant to feature a lead character traveling through time and space, which at the time was financially impractical. After rewriting the story, Aykroyd ended up with the beloved classic film we know today, that is having a sequel of sorts come out in 2021. 

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street was one of the first films that capitalized on nightmares, and it did it a little too well. The movie tells the story of four teens living in Elm Street who are invaded in their dreams (and subsequently reality) by a maniac out for revenge. 

Created by Wes Craven, we learn in subsequent films the reason villain Freddy Krueger is after the kids of this town. He has a bone to pick with the adults of Springwood, Ohio: the same city he torments.

Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

Trick ‘r Treat never got the Hollywood theatrical release that it deserved, but that didn’t stop it from gaining a strong cult following and a scare zone at past Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios. It tells of four stories with the common element being Sam, a mysterious trick-or-treater who appears every time someone breaks a Halloween tradition….

The mysterious child is seen wearing a tattered orange onesie with a burlap sack over his head. Since its release, it’s been added to several “top horror film” lists.

Scream (1996)

The Scream franchise is now on its fifth film, but it’s the first installment of the slasher film series that is considered to be a Halloween classic. It follows high school student Sidney Prescott, who becomes the target of the Ghostface killer, a mysterious killer dressed up in a Halloween costume….

A little-known fact is that the film was inspired by the real-life case of the Gainesville Ripper. It became the highest-earning slasher film until the sequel to Halloween was released in 2018.

The Addams Family (1991)

Most certainly know who you’re talking about if you sing “They’re creepy and they’re kooky, mysterious and spooky… The Addams Family is the first family of Halloween and has been entertaining people for generations, making every day feel like it’s Halloween. So why not join in for this later iteration of the movie based on the TV series, with Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, and Thing while they do what they do best: creep people out?

The franchise started back in 1938, and luckily, there are several remakes, television series, and even cartoons chronicling this crazy family’s life.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas follows the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington, as he gets bored with Halloween as the years pass by. Not too far away, he accidentally finds Christmas Town and becomes so obsessed that he kidnaps Santa. This animated classic is played from Halloween through to Christmas….

Although the movie was released in 1993, Burton had written the film in 1982. Because of its dark nature, Disney decided to release it through Touchstone Pictures rather than their own entity.

Get Out (2017)

When Rose decides it’s time for her boyfriend Chris to meet the parents, they travel upstate for a weekend getaway only to discover nothing is quite right. Something is very weird about Rose’s parents, as well as their friends.

Get Out is a unique 2017 modern twist on horror, solidifying director Jordan Peele as an innovative creator in the horror genre. We’d recommend not only watching the original, but also the alternate ending. 

Halloween (2018)

Forty years after the release of the first film Halloween, and forty years since the first attack, we finally get to see a showdown between Michael Myers and Laurie Strode. Just days before Halloween, Michael escapes his imprisonment when his bus transfer crashes, and there’s only one place and one person on his mind….

The film is filled with nods to its predecessors, making it just as good, if not better than the first Halloween film. You can decide for yourself.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

In Hocus Pocus, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy star as three 17th-century Salem witches who are accidentally resurrected after 300 years on Halloween. Three friends and a magical cat steal their book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal. The Disney film is packed with cheesy one-liners, laugh out loud moments, and of course, witchcraft….

And there’s even more great news. For those who are fans of the film, Disney had announced a sequel that will be available exclusively on Disney+.

Paranormal Activity (2009)

Paranormal Activity is another movie that is not Halloween-themed, but it’s a great watch as the holiday approaches. The movie follows a couple, Micah and Katie, and the demon who has been haunting Katie ever since she was a little girl. Micah decides to record the unusual activities, which only get worse as the night progresses, and they quickly learn that the spirit wants more than just to haunt them….

The entire budget for the film was $15,000, but it gained $194.5 million at the box office. The profit makes it one of the highest budget-to-profit ratios in film history, and it has spawned several sequels. 

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

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown is an animated television special that has been broadcasted annually both on CBS and ABC since the early 2000s. So, if you’re a Peanuts fan and you love Halloween, then this 25-minute special will be the perfect addition to your Halloween movie watch list….

It catches back up with the gang as they prepare for Halloween. Lucy is off to find the best pumpkin, while Linus writes his yearly letter to the Great Pumpkin.

Night of The Demon (1988)

In Night of The Demon, on Halloween night, a group of high school kids decides to not only throw a Halloween party in an old abandoned funeral parlor, but they also attempt a séance as the main party game. In doing so, they accidentally release a demon who begins to possess them one by one….

The movie grossed a disappointing $3.1 million at the box office but somehow became a cult classic. It spawned two sequels and a 2009 remake with the same name.

The Crow (1994)

This film was a controversial choice, but in an effort to make sure you’ve got enough to watch for all of October, The Crow’s just going to have to stick. The comic book-inspired film begins on the eve of Halloween when a young and soon to be married couple is brutally murdered as a part of the Devil’s Night ritual….

A year later, the almost-groom is resurrected by a mystical crow, and he exacts his revenge and avenges his fiancé. The film became famous for being the set where actor Brandon Lee was accidentally shot.

Casper (1995)

Casper is another one of those cult classics that should be added to everyone’s watchlist. Kat and her dad, a paranormal expert, move into a house to rid it of the ghosts haunting it, preventing its demolition. What ends up happening is Kat forming a beautiful friendship with one of the ghosts (and an epic dance scene)….

Although there were several mixed reviews, the movie was successful enough to result in a sequel and prequel. Some of the characters also landed their own cartoon series.

The Craft (1996)

The Craft follows troubled teenager Sarah Bailey, who joins a trio of outcasts who just so happen to practice witchcraft. They use different spells not only to get what they want but also to get back at the people who angered them. It isn’t long before they realize that their spells have negative consequences….

The girls soon turn on Sarah, tormenting her until she fights back. It’s basically the Halloween version of Mean Girls, minus the “it’s so fetch” catchphrase.

Halloween H2O (1998)

The name of this installment of the Halloween franchise makes it sound like an underwater version of the popular horror film, but we can guarantee that it is not. H2O is set 20 years after Laurie Strode and her friends first met serial killer Michael Myers. The two face off once more, but this time Laurie, has more to fight for: her son….

Jamie Lee Curtis reprised her role as Laurie Strode. She is also joined by heavy-hitters Michelle Williams, Josh Hartnett, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Ginger Snaps (2000)

The Canadian horror film Ginger Snaps focuses on the lives of teen sisters Brigitte and Ginger Fitzgerald, who have a strange fascination with death. One night, while out, Ginger is bitten by a creature later determined to be a werewolf. She snaps, letting out her inner animal, which makes their Halloween one for the history books….

The movie was such a success that it was followed by two films, Ginger Snaps 2 and Ginger Snaps Back. Over the last few years, there have been rumors of a possible remake, but there hasn’t been one yet.

The Saw Series (2004 – 2021)

James Wan and Leigh Whannell’s Saw film series is one of the most successful horror film franchises to ever be created. It’s perfect for anyone who has an entire day to watch people live through both physical and psychological torture as they are faced with a series of tests or games that will either lead to their deaths or survival….

There are eight films following John Kramer from how it all began to after his death. If you’re a fan, the 9th installment, “The Organ Donor,” will be released in 2020.

The Little Vampire (2000)

Based on the Angela Sommer-Bodenburg novel with the same name, The Little Vampire follows Jonathan Lipnicki as nine-year-year-old Tony Thompson, a young boy who, after moving to a new town, discovers a brand new friend and goes on a mission to save the young vampire and his family from vampire hunters….

It’s the perfect film to watch with a little one without scaring them off. It’s also great for those who enjoy vampire flicks.

Donnie Darko (2001)

In Richard Kelly’s Donnie Darko, a young Jake Gyllenhaal takes on the role of the title character – a troubled high school student who not only has to deal with love and school, but also visions that the world is going to end in 28 days. By the end of this trippy Halloween staple, you’ll be left with more questions than when you began….

Despite being scarcely advertised because of its plane crash advertisement a few weeks after 9/11, it still made a profit at the box office, and people have learned to appreciate it as it’s aged. 

The Harry Potter Series (2001- 2011)

The Harry Potter series isn’t the first film that you think of when it comes to Halloween, but what’s Halloween if it doesn’t include witches, wizards, trolls, ghosts, giant spiders, basilisks, and soul-sucking dementors? Did we mention that there’s also an evil wizard dead set on taking out a child?

The great news is that there are 8 films in the franchise. And if you enjoy the series, you can follow up with the spin-off series, Fantastic Beasts, for more Harry Potter magic.

Supernatural (2005)

Supernatural has been on television since 2005, and that makes it not only one of the longest-running television shows in history, but it is also the longest of its kind. For almost 14 years, brothers Sam and Dean Winchester (played by Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles) hold down the fort by continuing to fight against supernatural creatures….

Everything from banshees, to djinn, to rugaru, to your everyday demon have been encountered. There’s also the fact that God, Lucifer, and even Lilith have made appearances on the show.

True Blood (2008–2014)

If you’re in the mood for some extremely good-looking vampires, attractive werewolves, and some beautiful humans living in the swampy regions of Boon Temps, Louisiana, then True Blood is the show for you. Based on “The Southern Vampire Mysteries” series by Charlaine Harris, the show follows telepath Sookie Stackhouse, who finds herself in a world where she is not the only “special one.”

The show is known for leaving nothing to the imagination, when it comes to showing skin as well as blood. So if either of those things aren’t your thing, you can skip through it or cover your eyes, because there are many scenes of that ilk.

The Walking Dead (2010-2021)

The Walking Dead has been a favorite show since it started in 2010. Over the last few seasons, there have been mixed reviews about the show and how much it strayed from the comics that it is based on. Despite that, it’s had a huge fan base and has had a huge impact in the film industry, going on to spawn a spin-off, video games, and novels….

The show follows former police officer Rick Grimes and his ragtag team of survivors who try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where zombies far outnumber the living. Creators announced in 2021 that its eleventh season will be its last. 

American Horror Story (2011)

Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story has no limit to what can or has happened on the show. It is one of the main reasons why people keep watching one of the scariest shows on television. Each season of the show is different from the others, and it has thus far covered witch covens, haunted hotels, freak show circuses, as well as the apocalypse, among many others….

No matter how many times you will be disappointed by the show’s finale, the next season always makes up for it. It also helps that some of the world’s most famous celebrities drop by as guest stars.

Halloween Wars (2011)

For those looking for a break from all the violence and gore, Halloween Wars is a great option for those wanting to stay in the Halloween spirit. The cooking competition follows 5 teams made up of a cake sculptor, sugar artist, and pumpkin carver who are tasked with creating show-stopping displays in the hopes of winning $50,000.

The show runs for four weeks in October, and there are over seven seasons of Halloween-themed treats to get through. Every episode features a guest judge.

Hannibal (2013–2015)

Adapted from Thomas Harris’ Hannibal novels that saw wide critical and casual acclaim, Bryan Fuller’s reinterpretation of the classic novel is the stuff that horror movie magic is made of. The series focuses on the relationship between Mads Mikkelsen’s character, a cannibalistic forensic psychiatrist, and Hugh Dancy, an FBI criminal profiler.

Despite how amazing the show was, it was cancelled in 2015, but luckily, it is available on several streaming services. This makes it one of the top choices for a Halloween binge-fest.

Bates Motel (2013–2017)

This psychological horror drama series is the prequel to the legendary 1960s Alfred Hitchcock film Psycho. The show expands on both the novel and the film, delivering chills down the spine in every single episode.

It follows Norman Bates and his mother in a different town before the disastrous events that would soon follow. Freddie Highmore took on the role of Norman, while his mother Norma was played by Vera Farmiga. It’s a great origin story to see how the man grew to become one of the most iconic villains in horror history.

Penny Dreadful (2014–2016)

Despite only lasting for three seasons, Showtime shocked audiences when they brought some of the world’s scariest fictional characters (Dorian Grey, Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll, Dracula) to life in a beautifully crafted yet scary story. The show follows the mysterious Vanessa Ives, played by Eva Green, whose supernatural gifts affect everyone around her….

It is the perfect show to binge-watch leading up to the scary festivities, especially if you want to see some of the world’s favorite monsters. But be warned, it’s not for those who are faint of heart.

The Coven (2015)

Rumored to be based on actual events, the movie revolves around a Wiccan group who disappeared at a place called The Coven – a ring of trees where practitioners of Cochrane’s Craft would meet. When a group of teens decides to camp there on Halloween night to witness pagan activity, they learn that they are part of the ritual….

To add to the scare factor, there is a child-like voice singing a nursery rhyme and Lucifer’s name on the ground. You’ve been warned when you try to go to sleep. 

Stranger Things (2016-)

Netflix took the world by storm with original programming when they released the hit series Stranger Things. Set in the 1980s in the fictional small town of Hawkins, Indiana, the series chronicles the mysterious disappearance of one of the town’s children.

In an attempt to find him, both his friends and family uncover a supernatural secret that literally turns their world upside down…. With otherworldly creatures, a preteen with special abilities, and a coverup by the government, this 1980s throwback is a great way to start the Halloween festivities.

Halloweentown (1998)

For those wanting to stay “PG” this Halloween or aren’t in the mood for scares, Halloweentown is a Disney classic that will do the trick. It follows three siblings who, after not being allowed to celebrate Halloween, run away to their fun and Halloween-loving grandmother’s house only to find out that she is really a witch….

After following her as she gets on a magical bus, the children stumble into Halloweentown. There’s also a sequel: Halloweentown II – Kalabar’s Revenge.