Halloween is going to look a lot different this year, so how can we celebrate it within the confines of our homes? One thing the virus cannot ruin is the odd comfort in watching horror movies on Halloween.

There are too many great horror movies most people haven’t heard of that deserve recognition, and others that people just settle for watching a plot summary of. Now that there’s a lot less to do on Halloween, getting festive and watching a horror movie can fill a hole the virus created. These horror movies are great fits for all types of viewers and can help us stay strong and positive throughout the Halloween season.

Family Friendly:

These family friendly movies are something that the whole family can watch and enjoy, but just because they are more tame then others doesn’t mean they should be overlooked by any means.

Labyrinth (1986)

Labyrinth takes the viewer along with the main character through a strange, nonsensical world to save her baby brother from the Goblin King Jareth played by the unforgettable David Bowie. 

From the same studio responsible for The Muppets and Sesame Street and accompanied by a catchy soundtrack, Labyrinth is one of the most creative and fantastical films to be produced, it shines as a landmark of the 80s to this day. 

Labyrinth received a 7.4/10 from IMDB and a 72% from Rotten Tomatoes.

The Lost Boys (1987)

A campy comedy about two brothers taking on a local cult of vampires in a small Northern California town. Think The Goonies with a smaller group and more teen-oriented themes.

An all around fun movie for Halloween and appropriate for all ages, this film retains a cult following to this day.

The Lost Boys received a 7.3/10 from IMDB and a 76% from Rotten Tomatoes.

Comedy Horror:

Whether it be ‘so bad it’s good’ or just plain funny, these Halloween movies offer more laughs than gasps. These movies aren’t necessarily as family friendly as the last, but older children may still enjoy them.

Troll 2 (1990)

For viewers who like bad movies, Troll 2 is one of the best worst films in history. Despite its title as a sequel, the movie isn’t related to the first Troll. The film follows Michael and his family going on vacation in the town Nilbog–which is Goblin spelled backwards for those paying attention–where goblins disguised as the townsfolk try to turn the family into plants and eat them.

This film operated on an extremely low budget, had an overbearing director who didn’t fully understand the English language and how people in America spoke normally, and a screenwriter who wrote it as anti-vegetarian propaganda. However, it became one of the most beautiful trainwrecks ever conceived even though it was destined to fail. There are a few documentaries on Troll 2’s production that are worth watching after finishing the movie, the most notable being “Best Worst Movie”.

Troll 2 received a 2.9/10 on IMDB and a 5% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Young Frankenstein (1974)

Young Frankenstein is a parody of the classic Frankenstein by Mary Shelly, it follows Gene Wilder playing the grandson of the original Dr. Frankenstein as he tries to live up to his grandfather’s legacy.

Co-written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder, this film is practically bursting with hilariously witty quotes and will not be soon forgotten.

Young Frankenstein received a 8.0/10 on IMDB and a 94% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Vintage Horror:

Though these films are no longer as scary as they used to be, they remain iconic for their impact on films in general and should be remembered for it. Perfect for a casual viewing and those who enjoy film, art, photography, and even history.

Les Yeux sans Visage (Eyes without a Face) (1960)

Eyes without a Face is one of the most influential films that no one knows about. It follows a mad scientist and his daughter Christiane, who was left disfigured after one of his failed experiments. He lures in young women and attempts to take their faces to replace his daughters face.

The emotionless plastic mask placed over Christiane’s face inspired the mask that Michael Myers wears in Halloween, and the movie was also the inspiration for the song Eyes without a Face by Billy Idol. Les Yeux sans Visage is a strange and chilling story that continues to inspire many to this day.

Eyes without a Face received a 7.7/10 on IMDB and a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Nosferatu (1922)

While some parts of Nosferatu are slow and might be considered boring to modern audiences, Nosferatu is worth watching for Nosferatu alone. It follows an average man after realizing he made a mistake in selling a house to the mysterious Count Orlock who plans to kill his wife and turn the mans’ town into his new home.

The story is bland and a clear copy of Brahm Stoker’s Dracula, but Nosferatu makes up for it with its fantastic imagery. The makeup and appearance of Count Orlock is so impressive for the time and so iconic that he made an appearance in Spongebob of all things.

Nosferatu received a 7.9/10 on IMDB and a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Slasher horror:

If asked to think of any horror movie, most will go to a slasher film such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre or A Nightmare on Elm Street. The slasher sub genre is the most popular and well known in horror and not too scary, so they mostly pander to the teen to young adult audience.

Halloween (1978)

Recognized by the American Film Institute as one of the best thrillers, the original Halloween is possibly the closest to perfection any horror movie will get. A silent, motiveless psychopath escaping a mental facility to terrorize a town, specifically babysitter Jamie Lee Curtis. 

The villain is unpredictable and menacing, the hero strong willed and smart, and the soundtrack so memorable and chilling, it creates the definitive best slasher if not horror movie.

Halloween received a 7.8/10 on IMDB and a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Scream (1996)

It starts with a mysterious phone call and ends in a bloodbath, Scream follows a group of teens as they’re tormented by an unknown killer that hides behind the cold visage of the iconic Ghost Face.

With a perfectly crafted mystery and a great cast, movie legend Wes Craven brought the slasher genre back into the spotlight with Scream and provided a twist that was fresh to audiences. It’s a love letter to horror movies and fans of horror movies, but it can be enjoyed just as much by all types of viewers.

Scream received a 7.2/10 on IMDB and a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Paranormal Horror:

Multiple studies from several different sources show that a large number of people believe in the existence of ghosts and demons, and there are many great movies about ghosts and demons. The best ones, however, have anyone who’s watched them sweating when they hear a bump in the night.

The Others (2001)

Like all successful movies, The Sixth Sense brought about a lot of copycats, but The Others stands as one of the best copycat movies of all time. It follows a family who is undergoing several paranormal events in their home, but their haunting is more unusual than any other haunting.

This movie has a mind bending twist ending that leaves the viewer in shock. This movie is not as scary as it is a great ghost story, so it’s a good movie for a viewer who wants a more intelligent than usual horror movie.

The Others received a 7.6/10 on IMDB and a 83% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Insidious (2010)

Similarities are often drawn between Insidious and The Conjuring, but Insidious has a much more subtle approach to scaring the viewer than the Conjuring. Insidious follows a family as they move from house to house trying to get rid of their numerous ghosts as well as saving their son from a coma.

Insidious will reward the more focused viewer with ghosts hidden in corners and shadows for an extra scare. This movie sparked a ghost movie craze and has easily become a modern classic for its effects on the viewer.

Insidious received a 6.8/10 on IMDB and a 66% on Rotten Tomatoes.

There’s something so strangely soothing about cozying up with family and friends and enjoying themed snacks and a movie on Halloween. Let these movies put you in the Halloween spirit, and maybe you’ll even discover a new favorite of yours.