With October just around the corner and Halloween safely nestled at the end of it, I’m happy to reveal a project, weeks in the making and dear to depths of my blood-soaked heart. Yes, my friends, it’s finally that time of year again when everyone’s a horror fan, and in honor of this very special season, I’m delighted to present you with a painstakingly crafted list of horror gems—hidden, cult and commercial alike. So, feel free to peruse through what I’m declaring this year’s horror champions and make sure to follow Of Joy That Kills on Twitter and Instagram as we progress through Scaretober with this carefully curated Horrorween film calendar.
1. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
The darkly comedic horror anthology Trick ‘r Treat is the perfect film to get you in the proper Scaretober mood. Set on Halloween night, the film presents several interwoven stories with one main theme: What happens when you don’t observe the rules of Halloween? Join Sam, a mysterious trick ‘r treater in orange pajamas and a burlap mask, as the creeps and creatures that roam the night are revealed.
2. Psycho (1960)
A Hitchcock classic in black and white, Psycho is a timeless masterpiece. Psychologically thrilling, this low-budget film was a major influence for both the slasher and thriller genres. The film follows Marion Crane, a beautiful Hitchcock-Blonde, who steals a large sum of money for her lover, Sam. Hiding away in the secluded Bates Motel, she (and her sister) soon discovers the dark family secret Norman Bates has been hiding.
3. May (2002)
Written and directed by Lucky McKee and starring the bizarre talent that is Angela Bettis, May is a true hidden gem. The titular May is a socially awkward veterinary assistant with a lazy eye. Lonesome and isolated, May’s only true friend is a glass-encased doll. Follow May’s journey as she takes the idea that “if you can’t find a friend, make one” a little bit too seriously and transforms from endearing misfit to mad scientist.
4. Get Out (2017)
If you’ve somehow managed to not watch Jordan Peele’s directorial debut, then this is the time. A dark, racial satire, Get Out follows Chris, a black man who reluctantly agrees to meet his white girlfriend’s family at their country estate. As Chris slowly becomes more distrustful of this seemingly well-intentioned, but disconcerting family and their oddly-mannered all-black staff, he finds himself teetering between the gut-feeling that he is somehow in danger and the indoctrinated idea that he is overreacting to the everyday discomforts of racial and social disparity. Framed by the true terror of America’s current political climate, Get Out is a must-see horror film of the decade.
5. The Orphanage / El Orfanato (2007)
The Spanish horror film, El Orfanato, has received an immense amount of critical praise since its debut just over a decade ago. Written by Sergio G. Sánchez, the film follows former orphan Laura; now an adult, she decides to buy the orphanage she grew up in and reopen it as a home for disabled children. Part ghost story and part domestic tragedy, the film uses the disappearance of Laura’s child to reveal the devastating dread which haunts this fallen estate.
6. Paranormal Activity (2007/9)
No horror list would be complete without at least one found-footage treat. By far the best episode of a six-film series, Paranormal Activity follows a young couple, Katie and Micah, who find that their new home is not just haunted by a standard run-of-the-mill ghost, but by a terrifying demon. Pieced together from Micah’s home-videos, this film pinballs between slow-build tension and classic jump scares. The final effect is a supernatural horror that will have you double-checking every dark corner before you fall asleep.
7. Happy Death Day (2017)
From the highly successful low-budget production company, Blumhouse, Happy Death Day is a slasher of the post-modern era. A smart amalgamation of Groundhog Day and Scream, this film manages to be highly entertaining despite the predictable plot. After the gorgeous, self-centered sorority girl, Tree, is killed by a masked mascot while making her way to a party, she realizes that she must relive the day of her murder (her birthday) over and over again until she can uncover the identity of her disturbed assailant. Along the way, we get to watch Tree grow as a person; and thus, is yet another college campus saved from the terror of a knife-wielding maniac and the snarky mean girl.
8. 28 Days Later (2002)
Every horror list needs a zombie film, and 28 Days Later is a forerunner of the seemingly-endless zombie revival of the early 2000s. This post-apocalyptic British horror film follows Jim, a London-based bicycle courier, through this quest for survival. Twenty-eight days after a well-meaning test-animal liberation movement results in the release of a rage-inducing virus, Jim wakes from a coma to find the world much changed. Joining and bonding with a band of other survivors, Jim not only discovers the horror of flesh-eating-mania but also of crumbling society.
9. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
A cult-classic from the Golden Age of slasher films, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is exactly why you should be more careful when road-tripping through the vast nothingness of America. Presented as a “true story,” The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is the tale of chainsaw-wielding Leatherface and his cannibalistic family as they unapologetically slaughter a group of close-knit friends who have made the mistake of traveling to the isolated Texas homestead nearby. Violent, controversial, and surprisingly stylized, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a must-see for any die-hard horror fan.
10. Teeth (2007)
It’s no surprise that despite a positive critical reception, Teeth is an extraordinarily under-watched film. A deep dive into the weird realm where feminism and horror cross, Teeth is the humorous tale of teenager Dawn O’Keefe and her vagina dentata. Navigating a world where her feminine body is an invitation to throw out consent, Dawn discovers a biological gift capable of avenging transgressions and protecting her from the too-real possibility of sexual assault: a toothed vagina. A mythic appendage meant to discourage rape and promiscuity, Dawn’s southern hell-mouth helps flip the image of the femme fatale. Is Dawn a dangerous woman? Yes, but she’s a victim first. Teeth is a pre-MeToo reminder of the crucial significance of consent and an outstanding example of feminist horror.
11. Emelie (2015)
The film, Emelie, uses the babysitter trope to destabilize our safest space: the home. A thrilling reminder of why we should always vet our childcare professionals, Emelie may appear to be the perfect babysitter, but as the night wears on, her behavior becomes increasingly disturbing. It is up 11-year-old Jacob to strap on his man pants and protect his younger siblings from this demented interloper. Covering topics ranging from sexuality, puberty,
12. Raw / Grave (2016)
Even if you don’t understand French, Raw is the type of foreign film that makes you forget you don’t speak the language. Aesthetic, emotional, and well-acted, Raw is a masterpiece of dramatic gore that takes you to the other side of the cannibal trope. Join Justine, a life-long vegetarian on her first semester at veterinary school. Forced to eat raw rabbit kidneys during a horrific hazing exercise, Justine finds herself overcome by an unspeakable hunger for raw flesh. Stumbling between dreadful desire and personal revulsion, Justine finds herself trapped in a
13. It Follows (2014)
An outstanding and original specimen of contemporary horror, It Follows gets unexpectedly exact about modern-day fears surrounding sex and disease. If a film about a sexually transmitted supernatural entity (STSE) sounds a bit too ridiculous for you, you’re not alone; yet, somehow, despite a bizarre plot, It Follows proves to be a true feat of aesthetic anxiety. Stalked by a nightmarish shapeshifter only she can see, Jay must decide to either pass on her curse or spend her life running. Playing on our fear of intimacy and the STD crisis, It Follows is an intelligent addition to the supernatural
14. Scream (1996)
Who can forget the iconic Ghostface mask that sparked a decade
15. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Capping off the Golden Age of the slasher era, Wes Craven’s A Nightmare on Elm Street is unique in its addition of supernatural fantasy elements. With a fresh-faced Johnny Depp in his breakout role and Robert Englund as the iconic dream-daemon, A Nightmare on Elm Street spawned a multi-genre franchise of monolithic proportions. The inspiration for countless nights of insomnia, Freddy Krueger is a proud-to-wear-ugly-sweaters fear-feeder that gets his kicks using a bladed glove to progressively terrorize and murder children in their sleep. Join final girl Nancy in her fight against an entity that only exists in your dreams. Then, if you have the time, strap in for an exponentially ridiculous, but ultimately unforgettable, ride through the eight-film-series.
16. House on Haunted Hill (1959)
The oldest film on this list, House on Haunted Hill is Vincent Price gold. The eccentric millionaire, Frederick Loren, and his stunning but sardonic wife, Annabelle, invite five strangers to a “haunted house” party. What would inspire five strangers to attend this unconventional soirée? Well, the promise of $10,000 paid to anyone who can stay the night is certainly a strong incentive. The task seems easy enough, but when the scares get too real, the stakes start to seem a bit too high.
17. The Evil Dead (1981)
Don’t be fooled by the “Dead” in The Evil Dead. This cult classic may have a plethora of reanimated corpses, but it’s not another zombie film. A demonic blood-fest, this film grew into a delightfully campy franchise, which includes three films, one remake, an enthralling tv series, and even a musical. Follow Ash Williams (played by the iconic Bruce Campbell) and his friends as they make an ill-advised trip to a remote cabin. After discovering the Necronomicon nestled safety in their basement, the five friends find themselves stalked and possessed by a demonic force that can only be stopped via dismemberment. Gory, gruesome, and darkly comedic, this film is a wild ride you might never want to get off of. Also, it might change your relationship with trees. Fair warning.
18. A Quiet Place (2018)
The post-apocalyptic hit of the year, A Quiet Place will have you thinking twice before you make a sound. Directed, co-written and co-starred in by John Krasinski (from The Office [US]), this film is proof that not only can funny guys do horror, they can do it exceptionally well. This commercial and critical success focuses on a family surviving in a world where you can’t make noise, lest the alien invaders find you. Raising a family without making a sound is hard enough, but with another baby on the way, the stakes have been exponentially raised in this family-focused nightmare.
19. Let the Right One In / Låt den rätte komma in (2008)
I’d be remiss to present a film list without at least a touch of romance, and no dark creature does romance better than the vampire. The Swedish vampiric horror, Let the Right One In, tells the story of Oskar, a preteen outcast in Stockholm who spends his days indulging in grisly revenge fantasies against the local bullies. When pale beauty Eli moves in next door, Oskar’s heart is set aflutter, but Eli has a dark secret. Lonesome and marked by darkness, the human and the vampire begin to bond as they realize that they’ll need each other if they want to survive.
20. Carrie (1976)
A supernatural-horror classic based on a Stephen King novel of the same name, Carrie is another example of outcasts getting their revenge. Raised by an overbearing and obsessively religious mother, meek teenager Carrie White is relentlessly bullied by her fellow classmates. The tables turn, however, when Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers. With a new found supernatural strength and a hot date to prom, things seem to be looking up for this social pariah, but with the next prank hanging precariously over her head, Carrie is one provocation away from exacting her
21. Tragedy Girls (2017)
Tragedy Girls is a grievously under-watched gem of the contemporary slasher genre. A comedic satire about social media obsession, this movie tells the tale of two true-crime bloggers willing to do anything for more likes. When real-world murders fail to produce enough followers, these enterprising teenage BFF
22. Shaun of the Dead (2004)
No Halloween list would be complete without the addition of a zombie-comedy. While the vast list
23. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
Another oldie but goodie, Rosemary’s Baby is every expectant mother’s nightmare come true. When Guy and Rosemary Woodhouse move into a fancy New York apartment, expectant-mother Rosemary finds herself increasingly afraid that her overbearing, new neighbors might actually be a satanic cult with sinister intentions. Psychologically thrilling and supernaturally suspenseful, Rosemary’s Baby is an award-winning masterpiece everyone should watch at least once in their lifetime.
24. Cabin in the Woods (2011)
Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard’s horror-comedy satire, Cabin in the Woods, seeks to pay tribute and poke fun of all the horror genre has to offer in a mind-blowing and witty amalgamation of every trope of yore. When a group of college students travels to a remote cabin the woods, they find themselves tormented by technicians from top
25. It (2017)
Nothing seems to quicken the heart of our generation like a horror-infused coming-of-age trip through the realms of nostalgia. With Stephen King relishing in yet another revival period, it’s not surprising that the 2017 remake/adaptation of Stephen King’s It debuted to immense critical and box office success. A supernatural-horror-thriller, It: Chapter One is the story of seven preteen Maine misfits whose everyday trauma and victimization is about to get much, much worse. Terrorized by a shapeshifting fear-monster whose favorite semblance is that of Pennywise the Dancing Clown, this “Losers Club” realizes that they have to band together if they want to survive the ancient evil that has been abducting and devouring children in Derry for centuries. If you haven’t had a chance to watch it yet, make sure you do now because the sequel is coming out in 2019 and you’re going to want to be caught
26. Train to Busan / Busanhaeng (2016)
Just when we thought we could never take zombies seriously again, South Korea went and proved us all wrong. Train to Busan follows Seok-woo, an ambitious fund manager, and his lonely daughter Su-an. This year Su-an has one birthday wish and one only: for her absentee father to take her to see her mother in Busan. Reluctantly, Seok-woo agrees to comply with Su-an’s request and they board the train from Seoul to Busan along with a homeless drifter, a tough-teddy-bear-type and his pregnant wife, a high school baseball team and their groupie, two elderly BFFs, and an egotistical millionaire. One zombie leads to another, and before you know it, the strained relationship between a workaholic father and his neglected daughter becomes background noise to the battle for survival. Framed by the social commentary we’ve come to expect from a zombie flick and fleshed out by an emotional, character-driven plot, Train to Busan is the type of horror film that’s sure to exceed anyone’s expectations. So, don’t let the subtitles deter you, this foreign film is well worth the effort.
27. The Witch (2015)
The Witch was made for horror fans who’ve grown tired of the modern age. A Hawthornian period-piece about the evils that hide within the woods, this film follows a family of religious-outcasts whose banishment from a puritan village and into the forest is made dire by the sudden fear that one of them has gone and made a pact with the devil. A psychological-thriller inspired by the New England witch
28. Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2010)
These days, the slasher genre has become horror-comedy monolith in need of rejuvenation. There are certainly several modern slasher-comedies out there, but Tucker & Dale vs Evil is by far one of the best this subgenre has to offer. This flick tells the story of two endearing, but socially awkward hillbilly
29. The Descent (2005)
If you’ve been hurting your head trying to think up a reason to not get into cave diving, then the British psychological-horror film, The Descent is definitely the film for you. If you’re just another fan of good movies, then I have good news: this one is for you, too. Although she is still reeling from the loss of her husband and daughter in a fatal car accident, Sarah agrees to join five friends on an Appalachian spelunking trip. Led into an unexplored tunnel system by the rebellious Juno, the women find themselves trapped with slim hopes of escape. To make matters worse, these caves are revealed to be infested by pale, humanoid creatures (the crawlers) consumed with a primal desire to sink their teeth into fresh human flesh. This harrowing battle for survival is magnified by the film’s emotional core. With a well-developed, all-female cast this gem proves itself to be an unconventional claustrophobic nightmare laudable for both its nuanced narrative and its spine-chilling atmosphere.
30. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
While not the first film to use zombies, Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is certainly the origin point for the zombie-horror genre we’ve come to know and love. Like many of the films that would follow, Night of the Living Dead uses an apocalyptic backdrop to criticize modern society. Romero’s six Dead films to date center on themes such as racism, consumerism, and classism. A well-deserved cult classic, Night of the Living Dead follows Barbara, the wilting heroine, and Ben, a significantly black male lead, as they join other survivors in a secluded farmhouse. Tensions rise as these strangers struggle to survive the hordes of slow-moving dead ambling outside.
31. Halloween (1978)
If you only have time to watch one scary movie on Halloween night, then my advice is that you spend the night following cult horror-figure Michael Myers on his murder spree through Haddonfield, IL in John Carpenter’s Halloween. Masked menace Michael has murder on the mind and the devil in his eyes. With the body count mounting, it’s up to the ultimate final girl, Laurie Strode as played by Jaimie Lee Curtis, to save this sleepy, Midwestern town from his slasher wrath. The inspiration for nine sequels and two Rob Zombie remakes, Halloween is partially responsible for the slasher mania of the Golden Eighties and has continued to inspire the genre through its many succeeding waves.
So, there it is, that’s my massive list of thirty-one scary movies you should watch this October. Though many of these are my favorites, I have to admit that October simply does not have enough days to cover my personal list of horror must-sees. The process of choosing and eliminating films from my favorite genre was, at times, truly heartbreaking. Still, I had a blast choosing these films for you; I hope you have a blast watching them.
Tell me: What is your favorite horror film that did or didn’t make this list? What are you most looking forward to this Horrorween?
As always, you can leave a comment here or, if you’re up for it, throw me a line on social media.
Also, make sure to follow @ofjoythatkills for updates as we make our way through this year’s horror journey. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing all my fellow final girls, final boys, and final preferred-personal-identifiers on the other side come November. Until then, join Of Joy that Kills in indulging in the scariest time of the year.
