It’s official—spooky season is upon us. Pumpkins are lining the streets, people are carefully crafting their costumes, and the air is heavy with pumpkin spice. Between haunted hay rides, carving jack-o-lanterns, and gourging on delicious candy, there is no shortage of frightful Halloween activities to enjoy.
One way to celebrate the Halloween season is by unwinding with your favorite spooky movie. Whether you gravitate toward a campy slasher, a family-friendly scare, or something that’ll make your skin crawl, there are plenty of spooktastic movies out there for everyone.
Plenty of us love to go back to our fall repeats. But, for those looking for something new, we might have just the thing. So, sit back, grab your coziest blanket, and sip on some warm cider as we give you eleven spooky classics to get you in the Halloween spirit.
1) Scream (1996)
If a classic slasher is what you’re after, Scream is one of the best. Between an iconic cast of characters and a notorious masked killer who picks them off one by one, what’s not to love?
Scream follows a group of high schoolers as a ghost-faced killer stalks their quiet town, taunting his victims over the phone with movie trivia. The film is best known for its who-dunnit element, leaving you guessing who’s really behind the mask. The franchise, with six movies so far, is a fan favorite for many horror lovers. Scream 7 releases on February 27, 2026.
IMDb: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, Peacock
2) I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Another great slasher is I Know What You Did Last Summer. One night, a group of friends accidentally runs over a fisherman and dumps his body in the water. Vowing to never speak of their heinous crime again, they go on with their lives, thinking no one else would find out. That is, until they receive a letter telling them otherwise.
The group is terrorized by a mysterious man with a meat hook, who leaves a trail of blood behind. The film follows the classic slasher storyline, leaving viewers on the edge of their seats. A remake was released earlier this year, with Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. reprising their original roles.
IMDb: 5.8/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+
3) Friday The 13th (1980)
A franchise credited for giving us one of the most iconic horror movie villains of all time—Jason Voorhees—you can’t get more classic than Friday the 13th. The film is one of the first to popularize the very well-known summer camp slasher trope.
Friday the 13th plays out at Camp Crystal Lake, where a group of counselors are brutally plucked off by a machete-wielding killer in a hockey mask. The entire franchise spans 12 movies, marking it as a popular Halloween favorite.
IMDb: 6.4/10
Where to Watch: Peacock, Paramount+
4) Halloween (1978)
Ok, maybe I lied. You can get more classic with Halloween (I mean, it is in the name.)
Yet another notorious villain, Michael Myers is a terrifying murderer who stalks unfortunate babysitters with a chef’s knife. The sinister killer is an escaped convict who murdered his sister as a child.
Offering an iconic villain, memorable final girl (Jamie Lee Curtis), and defining theme music, Halloween truly is one of the greats. With 13 movies in total, the expansive franchise remains a popular Halloween rewatch.
IMDb: 7.7/10
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
5) The Addams Family (1991)
Straying away from the slasher vibe for a moment, The Addams Family presents fantastically macabre, comedically eccentric fun for the whole family.
Inspiring popular spin-offs such as Netflix’s Wednesday, The Addams Family is arguably one of the most famous families in the media, especially where Halloween is concerned. The family’s gothic style and inclination toward the grotesque is what makes them so enjoyable to watch.
IMDb: 7/10
Where to Watch: Paramount+
6) Hocus Pocus (1993)
This list has no shortage of serial killers and psychopaths, so how about throwing some witches in for a change? If you’re looking for something fun and spooky, Disney’s Hocus Pocus is perfect.
Recently freed by a dubious teenager, three witches roam the streets of Salem, causing mischief in their wake. The movie is hilariously fun and is a great option for sharing in the Halloween spirit with your whole family.
IMDb: 6.9/10
Where to Watch: Disney+
7) Beetlejuice (1988)
Beetlejuice is another classic, family-friendly option to enjoy (as long as you don’t say his name three times, that is).
When the disruptive Deetzes and their teen daughter move into a new home, the ghosts that haunt the residence attempt to scare them away. This attracts an even more rambunctious spirit, whose comedic antics pose a dangerous threat. The gothic horror/comedy got a sequel in September 2024.
IMDb: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: HBO Max
8) Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
In A Nightmare on Elm Street, there is nowhere safe to hide—not even your own dreams. Leaning into the scary horror category, the film adds yet another famed movie villain to the list.
The bone-chilling slasher revolves around a disfigured killer who preys on unsuspecting teens in their dreams, murdering them with a razor-bladed glove. There are nine movies in the franchise, including a Freddy vs. Jason crossover in 2003.
IMDb: 7.4/10
Where to Watch: HBO Max
9) The Shining (1980)
Hereeee’s Johnny! Most known for the memorable scene of Jack Nicholson breaking through a bathroom door with an axe, The Shining is a solid Halloween scare.
A writer struggling with writer’s block locks himself away in an isolated hotel with his wife and son. The writer slowly descends into homicidal madness, tormenting his family. Adding a level of psychological scare, it’s a great classic to revisit.
IMDb: 8.4/10
Where to Watch: HBO Max
10) The Exorcist (1973)
If paranormal possession is more your vibe (for me, absolutely not), The Exorcist is a standout in the category. It prides itself as one of the most profitable horror movies ever made.
A young girl begins exhibiting strange behavior, leading those around her to believe she has been possessed by the devil. Naturally, that means bringing in an exorcist to rid her soul of whatever evil entity plagues it. The film is loosely based on true events, making it a truly chilling tale.
IMDb: 8.1/10
Where to Watch: HBO Max
11) Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock is a true trailblazer when it comes to horror. We’ve all seen or heard of the famous shower scene from Psycho. If you haven’t, well, watch the movie!
Psycho follows a young woman who, exhausted, decides to stay the night in the decrepit Bates Motel. She meets the owner, a strange man with an unusual relationship with his mother. Truly a pillar of the horror genre, this film is a must-watch to add to your list this Halloween season.
IMDb: 8.5/10
Where to Watch: Peacock
Embrace the Spookiness!
Classic and sure to bring a good scare, these eleven spooky movies perfectly encapsulate the Halloween spirit. No matter your scare level, this list has something for everyone. So, grab your popcorn, turn down the lights, and embrace the spooky spirit! Just maybe don’t take any unknown calls from masked killers.
What’s your favorite scary movie?
