Movies that are scary are perfect to watch on Halloween night. I love autumn, and when the leaves have fallen and the tree branches look like the gnarled hands of ghouls, I really get into the spirit of Halloween and all things spooky. So it’s totally natural that my viewing preferences change at this time of year, and I want to watch movies about things that go bump in the night.
To be honest, I was never into horror or scary movies until recently. Slasher films do nothing for me, and some, like Saw I honestly think are deeply disturbing in premise and I will not watch. However, I have become drawn to films with hauntings. Do I believe in ghosts? I guess I do because I know that we cannot rule out the existence of ghosts completely. So stories about hauntings have become fascinating to me. I suppose they always were because I was into Christopher Pike novels as a middle grade reader–he’s far superior to R.L Stine in my opinion. And I’m turning to more thriller reads in my reading life, just like I’m enjoying movies with hauntings in my viewing life–especially around Halloween.
Let’s jump to the movies I think would be perfect to watch on Halloween night.
The Conjuring
I really enjoy this series of films, and The Conjuring really was scary. I think this was the movie that prompted my interest in films depicting hauntings. The setting of the film was creepy, the lighting made it more so, and the weird happenings really set me on edge. And the possession of the mother in this film–really scary. This is one film that I love watching during the month of October and I think would be perfect to watch on Halloween night.
Sleepy Hollow
This film is a little dated now, but I still think it’s a great movie to watch on Halloween night. Again, the setting is perfect and the grey scale feel of the movie really sets the mood. It’s not a scary movie, but it was not intended to be I don’t believe. It’s more atmospheric and I have always been particular about the weather and feel of the evening I chose to watch this movie one. I prefer for it to be a bit windy or rainy for some reason, and think that this is a perfect movie for Halloween.
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Hocus Pocus
More family friendly than the first two films I recommended, this movie really brings me back to the my childhood-and not just because I was a child when this was released. It’s the setting again, the streets filled with fallen leaves and the pumpkin craving just makes me feel like I’m five again, filled with excitement for trick or treat. The story is still cute and makes me smile because I was a child when I first saw this movie. Even if the special effects are a little cheesy now, this really is perfect for Halloween.
The Haunting of Hill House
This one isn’t a movie, but this series on Netflix is so so good. As is its sequel or follow up, The Haunting of Bly Manor. You could watch this series in the week of Halloween, and you won’t regret it because this series is so well done. I really loved both series and would love to watch them again this year. You are very spooked throughout the series and are always wanting more.
Crimson Peak
This movie is a mood movie, and one that I remember being creepy and atmospheric. The cinematography was truly beautiful, which may seem odd seeing as this is a horror film, but it is gothic horror and definitely sets a spooky mood which would be perfect for Halloween night.
Final Thoughts
These are five movies I’d recommend for Halloween night, each of them speaks to me for a different reason and each affected me on an emotional level as well. We all love to be scared or feel creeped out from time to time, which is why scary stories are story types we seek out from time to time. Halloween is the perfect time of year to seek out these stories and so I have made it a tradition in the past to watch some scary films during the month of October, and especially close to Halloween. If you haven’t seen some of these recommendations, I hope you’ll check them out and share your thoughts with me.
What movies would you add to this list? Let me know in the comments below.
I love Hocus Pocus! It’s one of my favorite movies to watch during the Halloweens season. Great movie ideas.
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Glad you liked them!
CONJURING IS ALSO ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVOURITE SCARY MOVIES.I MOSTLY LIKE ATMOSPHERIC THRILLERS SO I WOULD ADD THE SHINING. YES,THE OLD MOVIE
I’ve not seen The Shining, but I’ve heard all good things 😊
Your list is packed full of Halloween and autumn vibes! We are starting to put together our list of must-watches too, and Sleepy Hollow and Hocus Pocus are on it. One of my all-time Favorites, though, is Spooky House.
Thanks for sharing. 🙂
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I haven’t seen Spooky House, I’ll have to look into it.
Thanks for the suggestion! I think i will watch hocus pocus with my kiddo. GrEat recommendation!
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Hope you have fun!
The haunting of hill house I haven’t seen in this series, I’ve watched all the others but this I must see. I know what my plans are now.
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Oh, I’m so glad you’re going to check it out! It’s so good.
Awesome movies, I’ve been looking for movies to watch but could only find Halloween kills that are awesome. Will check these. Thank you for sharing!
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What a spooky list, I’m not a fan of anything horror or scary so I’d stick to watching hocus pocus from your list!
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It’s a great movie lol I think everyone should watch it around Halloween.