The leaves are turning orange, the evenings darken at an earlier time, and pumpkins are popping up around the city. You know what that means: It’s spooky season! Admittedly, I’m not good with horror films, although sometimes I can’t tear my eyes away from the screen despite cowering behind a blanket. Since Halloween is roughly a week away, now is a good time to start putting some scary movies on hold in case you’d like to celebrate the 31st at home, if you’re up for some (or many) scares. Get some hot cocoa, get comfy in a dark room, and put on your brave face!
Below is a list of horror movies for those who are feeling a bit fearless; the recommendations range from found footage to paranormal films to slashers. What do you find scary? Killer clowns? Demonic possessions? Vampires? Scroll down to unravel what just might be your next fear, if you don’t already have one!
We’re starting off with a classic that’s a household name among horror enthusiasts: The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974). It’s a violent slasher film based on true events that’s filled with cannibals, yet none are as intimidating as Leatherface, who dons a mask made from human skin. Yes, it’s as disturbing as it sounds. While some of us have already seen this classic, many argue that this original film is still the best version of the chainsaw-wielding killer despite the many sequels and reboots over the past six decades. And I’ll agree: There’s something intense and more viscerally unnerving about this compared to the other films that came after it. It’s a classic for a reason!
It (2017) is based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel (which is a very lengthy yet creepy read, by the way!). While Tim Curry’s creepy Pennywise probably instilled the fear of clowns in a lot of people from previous generations, I’m sure Bill Skarsgård also does the same for the current generations who have braved the film. There are scenes from this 2017 movie that will forever be ingrained into my mind, like that unsettling (and quite graphic) sewer scene. Maybe float away from this movie if you have coulrophobia!
A stop motion animation horror film? You heard right! Coming out of Chile, The Wolf House (2018) is quite uncanny, although its artistic and avant-garde nature had me unable to look away. Its captivating story centres around a young woman, María, who leaves her colony and finds a house occupied by two pigs (who later morph into humans). Things take a dark turn when food becomes scarce, and María realizes that she may be next on the menu. The imagery and, well, how the film looks in general is quite unsettling. The film is in Spanish but Hoopla (which comes free with your VPL membership, by the way!) has English subtitles for those of us who don’t know the Spanish language.
Have a fear of puppets? Possum (2018) might amplify that. Philip, a puppeteer, can’t get rid of a marionette that shadows him around, no matter how many times he’s attempted to. This marionette, Possum, has an unsettling humanoid head and many legs like a spider. Perhaps Possum is symbolic to Philip’s dark past, which consisted of horrific abuse. When Philip visits his previously burned-down childhood home, trauma seems to resurface. This film might be a little slow for some, but it’s one of those movies that settles into your mind after you watch it, lingering as you think about it at a deeper level.
While many argue that this American version of The Ring (2002) isn’t as eerie as the original Japanese version, I’m sure that the phrase, “Seven days,” has been embedded into pop culture as among the most unsettling words one could possibly hear over the phone — because everything about the Ring franchise is just so haunting. And this perturbation is perhaps most prominent when the iconic tape is shown to both the protagonist and the audience. Can you sit through and watch the experimental-esque tape that’s supposedly cursed? Or would you rather not risk taking a peek?
The plot and setting of Grave Encounters (2011) almost reminds me of the game Phasmophobia, although this found footage film dials the unsettling atmosphere to new heights. When you’ve played the game enough times, Phasmophobia becomes more of a detective-like game where you attempt to find out what type of ghost you’re dealing with. When a player dies in the game, there isn’t an ear-piercing jumpscare that’ll rattle you the core. But in Grave Encounters, as I hadn’t previously heard of the film before, I was terrified at the prospect of jumpscares whenever the scenes got tense and suspenseful.
The Lighthouse (2019) is a mix of genres, including psychological horror and dark comedy, that’s entirely in black and white. Directed by Robert Eggers, who also directed the equally enticing Nosferatu (2024), The Lighthouse is a film that can be quite difficult to describe, especially without spoilers. There are so many theories about the movie and what it represents, making it perfect for film discussions or watch parties. When the horror elements kick in, it really does feel tense. Mix that with Eggers’ distinctive stylistic choices and you’ll have a film that’ll have you riding the waves of different emotions.
I’ve mentioned Nosferatu (2024) in the previous entry, but what about Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror? While the original was released in 1922, this 100th anniversary edition released by BayView Entertainment has a new score and includes the “best available picture materials,” as per their Facebook post. Admittedly, my introduction to Nosferatu (which was at an early age) was through an old SpongeBob SquarePants episode called “Graveyard Shift,” which was the 16th episode of the second season. While this episode took a more comedic approach to Count Orlok, the 1922 film was paramount to vampire movies — and, despite the century that has passed by, it still feels very eerie. Maybe it being a silent film magnified this!
Premonitions and nightmares; or, perhaps, maybe it’s just a bunch of coincidences? In Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025), the sixth installment of the series, Death lines up the deaths in goosebump-inducing ways — because if you’ve at least seen the trailer, then you’ll probably be like me and have a fear of drinking iced beverages for a while. But unlocking new fears from the Final Destination films probably isn’t uncommon. Those who have seen the movies (or at least some of the scenes) will probably have fears of all sorts of things, from laser eye surgery to driving behind trucks that carry a bunch of logs. Don’t believe me? Watching these films may sow a seed of paranoia into you!
Feeling frightened yet? Maybe you’re tough as bones and these movies aren’t enough to send a chill down your spine. In that case, head over to our website and browse through our collection to see if there’s anything else that might do the trick. Maybe you’ll find some deep cuts or hidden gems! For those of you who stuck it out to the end of this blog despite not being a fan of horror, here are some comedy movies to brighten up your Halloween!