By Lily Rose
4:48 PM PDT, September 28, 2021
If you’re not kicking off spooky season with a whole bunch of movies, you’re doing it wrong. Halloween is Oct. 31. That means you have 31 days to watch as many scary, slasher-y, spooky, silly, fall-themed movies as possible before the season ends and you have to put your costume away for good. However, not all Halloween movies are created equal. That’s why we ranked the 50 greatest Halloween movies for you. Love getting spooked? You’ll find frightening favorites such as Scream, Friday the 13th, The Blair Witch Project and more on this list. However, just as much as Halloween is about tricks, it’s also about treats. Those with freaky-film phobias will be ghoulishly glad to see titles such as Double, Double, Toil and Trouble, Practical Magic and It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown are also some of our reasons to celebrate this season.
50. 'Fun Size'
After high schooler Wren (Victoria Justice) is forced to babysit on Halloween night, she tries not to miss out on going to the biggest party of the year and must keep track of her trick-or-treating little brother in the process. The only thing scary about this 2012 Nickelodeon Halloween movie is Wren’s FOMO.
49. 'Double, Double, Toil and Trouble'
This 1993 Mary-Kate and Ashley Halloween movie is a must-see for any Olsen twins fan. After discovering a witchy secret, the identical duo must break a family curse with a magic spell. This movie is a magically good time, especially for those of us who spook easily.
48. 'Casper'
Who knew Casper was such a hunk? This 1995 family flick starring Christina Ricci and Devon Sawa, as a hottie from another realm, gives us major childhood Halloween feels.
47. 'Boo! A Madea Halloween'
Your favorite Tyler Perry character stars in this 2016 Halloween movie. The Simmons family matriarch finds herself at the center of a prank war after crashing a college fraternity Halloween party in search of her grand niece.
46. 'Hotel Transylvania'
Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez lend their voices to this 2012 animated movie set at a secret resort for monsters. Watch and see what happens when a human accidentally gets in and falls for Count Dracula’s daughter.
45. 'The Haunted Mansion'
This 2003 Eddie Murphy movie is based off the Walt Disney theme park attraction of the same name. This family-friendly flick gets major points for incorporating elements from the ride, including the floating head encased in a crystal ball and various familiar ghostly personalities.
44. 'Scary Movie'
The only terrifying thing about this parody film is how hard you’ll be laughing. This 2000 film references Scream, The Sixth Sense, The Matrix, I Know What You Did Last Summer, The Blair Witch Project and more.
43. 'Monster House'
In this 2006 movie, three friends believe that a scary-looking house on their street comes alive to eat people. Can they bring the house down before Halloween and save their neighborhood trick-or-treaters?
42. 'Corpse Bride'
Tim Burton is the king of creepy, and his 2005 animated fantasy flick delivers the goods. This movie about a dead bride who falls for a living human will transport you into Burton’s dark and gloomy world with its wacky inhabitants who love it there. Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and Emily Watson lend their voices to the spooky marriage movie.
41. 'Night of the Living Dead'
This 1968 classic Halloween horror movie is a must-see if you love zombies. Plus, watching it will help you realize that it gets referenced in, like, every zombie movie since then.
40. 'Ginger Snaps'
Get your scary on watching this freaky cult-favorite 2000 flick about two sisters. One of the sisters, named Ginger, “snaps” after being attacked by a creature. Can she be saved?
39. 'Sleepy Hollow'
Another Tim Burton film has made the list of the greatest Halloween movies ever. This frightful 1999 film is based on Washington Irving's classic The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and stars Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci and Christopher Walken.
38. 'Little Shop of Horrors'
What’s so scary about a plant? How about one that eats human flesh. This 1986 movie musical may not be full of goblins and ghouls but it’s got blood, scares, a dentist who is obsessed with pain, romance that you root for and a total eclipse of the sun!
37. 'Edward Scissorhands'
The title character has been the basis for many Halloween costumes since its 1990 release. Maybe this Tim Burton classic will inspire your next costume or maybe you’ll just enjoy Johnny Depp learning to adapt to life in suburban America despite his scissors for hands.
36. 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show'
The second movie musical on this list is also a favorite midnight movie feature. The 1975 B-horror flick starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick is full of questionable dialogue, catchy songs and is the movie where the song “The Time Warp” comes from. Put on your holiest fishnets and get ready to bring your knees in tight.
35. 'Young Frankenstein'
Mel Brooks directed this hilarious 1974 Frankenstein film starring Gene Wilder, Teri Garr and Marty Feldman. If you’ve ever wished the story of Frankenstein had more laughs, this movie is for you.
34. 'Coraline'
If you read the story by Neil Gaiman when you were a kid and are still haunted by thoughts of the Other Mother, you need to see the movie and watch your nightmares come to life. Buttons for eyes? Pretty spooky stuff.
33. 'Paranormal Activity'
This 2007 movie is the first of the Paranormal Activity franchise, and arguably one of the scariest. The freaky film centers around couple Katie and Micah, whose home is plagued by supernatural forces. The entire franchise is done in “found footage” style, giving the viewer the sense that these tapes might be all that is left of our main characters.
32. 'The Shining'
This 1980 movie based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, is full of iconic haunting imagery. The twin girls in the hallway, Jack Nicholson taking an axe to a door and Shelley Duvall clasping her face in horror all come from The Shining. Why should you watch? If only to hear Nicholson deliver “Heeeere’s Johnny!”
31. 'Clue'
This 1985 murder-mystery comedy movie brings the iconic board game to life. The film, which has a fall aesthetic and easily copied iconic costumes, stars Tim Curry, Christopher Lloyd, Madeline Kahn and Lesley Ann Warren. Although it’s a murder-mystery, the movie is way sillier than it is scary. Make sure you stick around to watch all three alternate endings.
30. 'Beetlejuice'
Don’t say his name three times! This 1988 Tim Burton Halloween classic about a demon who calls himself a “bio-exorcist” has it all: the underworld, monsters, shrunken heads and Winona Ryder as Lydia, the coolest goth teen ever.
29. 'Carrie'
The climax of this 1976 teen movie about a teenage outcast and a prom gone wrong has been duplicated to death, but the original is such a classic you need to add it to your Halloween movie rotation. While the prom scene is terrifying, the truly scary part doesn’t happen until the end.
28. 'Bram Stoker’s Dracula'
Nothing says Halloween more than a movie about Count Dracula. This 1992 romantic horror flick stars Keanu Reeves, Gary Oldman and Winona Ryder. This lacy-costumed, cobwebbed affair commits to the ultimate Halloween aesthetic. Never thought Halloween could look so good? The movie won Oscars for both its makeup and its costuming.
27. 'The Sixth Sense'
‘Tis the season to see dead people. Pop this 1999 thriller on to make every single hair stand up on your body, because (of course) this M. Night Shyamalan classic movie about a boy who can see ghosts features a massive twist.
26. 'The Silence of the Lambs'
This 1991 film adapted from the Thomas Harris novel of the same name is scary good. If you’ve never seen the crime thriller about an FBI student seeking the help of psychopath cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter, spooky season is the perfect time. We recommend pairing this scary movie with fava beans and a nice chianti.
25. 'A Nightmare on Elm Street'
This 1984 Wes Craven slasher movie about dream monster Freddy Krueger features Heather Langenkamp and creepy movie king Johnny Depp. Its classic scares, recognizable monster and overall autumnal vibes make it the perfect movie to watch during spooky season.
24. 'The Ring'
Looking for a fright night feature? This 2002 scary movie about a reporter who must figure out why a group of teens died after watching a terrifying videotape will still scare the pants off you.
23. 'The Amityville Horror'
This 1979 film adaptation of Jay Anson's book of the same name, is almost too creepy to be believed. You’ll want to watch this movie about one family’s experience being haunted, with all your lights on.
22. 'Friday the 13th'
This classic summer camp slasher film is a spooky-season must. Sure it’s set in summer so you don’t get fall vibes, but the sheer fear factor and crazy murders will get your blood pumping like Jason Voorhees is chasing after you.
21. 'The Visit'
This 2015 M. Night Shyamalan movie is an anxiety dream come to life. After siblings go to stay with their grandparents whom they have never met before, strange things start happening and their grandparents begin acting out in dangerous ways. Like all Shyamalan movies, there is a twist. Only this one, you definitely will not see coming.
20. 'The Blair Witch Project'
This 1999 found footage-style movie follows a group of students interviewing townspeople about their local legend, the Blair Witch. Things take a spooky turn once the group of young documentarians gets lost in the woods. The film was so authentically scary, people thought it was real.
19. 'Ready or Not'
This 2019 thriller is about a game of hide and seek that turns into a game of survival. Star Samara Weaving is one of the coolest scream queens since Jamie Lee Curtis, and it has Adam Brody, who is still a major dreamboat — even when he’s playing it creepy.
18. 'Jennifer’s Body'
Did we mention that Adam Brody is still cute even when he’s creepy? See him as a devil-worshipping lead singer in this 2009 dark comedy about a demon who takes possession of a high school girl’s body. This Diablo Cody-written movie also stars Megan Fox and Amanda Seyfried.
17. 'Halloweentown'
This 1998 Disney Channel movie is beyond adorable and a Halloween-time must-see. The story revolves around siblings who follow their grandma home, only to discover she comes from a town that's all-Halloween, all the time and that they are descended from witches.
16. 'The Witches'
Based on the Roald Dahl novel of the same name, this 1990 fantasy movie about a young boy who stumbles on a convention of witches with an evil plot to turn all children into mice, brings the already eerie book to life in a scary good way. It also features some top-notch puppetry by Jim Henson.
15. 'The Lost Boys'
Calling all vampire fans. This 1987 teen horror movie about a gang of teenage vampires plaguing the Santa Cruz boardwalk community is a creature-feature classic. If you’re a fan of the ‘80s, Corey Haim and Corey Feldman or just movies about bloodsucking vampires, this movie is a must-see.
14. 'Pet Sematary'
Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, this 1989 movie (and its 2019 remake) about a mysterious burial ground will make an alarming addition to your typical spooky season roundup. This not-quite zombie movie will give you nightmares.
13. 'It'
Whether you’re watching the 1990 film or the 2017 remake, you’re in for a bone-chilling movie experience. The films, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name, are an especially good choice during Halloween, because clowns (especially bloodthirsty, shapeshifting ones) make for an extra-terrifying costume idea.
12. 'The Addams Family Values'
As their TV theme implies, the Addams family is definitely creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky. This 1993 feature-length dark comedy about everyone’s favorite goth family stars Anjelica Huston as Morticia, Christina Ricci as Wednesday, Raul Julia as Gomez, Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester and Joan Cusack as their devious nanny, Debbie.
11. 'What We Do in the Shadows'
This 2014 vampire movie, not to be confused with the 2019 TV series, is also done in mockumentary style. The film stars Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi and Jonathan Brugh. While vampires definitely set a Halloween mood, these vampires will also give you the giggles. They want to be scary, but really they’re just trying to assimilate to modern life.
10. 'Practical Magic'
Halloween movies can also be rom-coms. This 1998 autumnal fantasy flick stars Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock as witchy sisters. Kidman’s character, Gilly, desperately wants to fall in love while Bullock’s character, Sally, is actively trying to avoid it. However, things change for the two women when Gilly’s boyfriend disappears.
9. 'Death Becomes Her'
Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn become the undead and receive the makeover of their lives from Isabella Rossellini in this 1992 dark comedy. Why should you watch? This zombie-fied movie is as fabulous as it is freaky.
8. 'The Craft'
Three teen witches are seeking a fourth for their coven and find one when a new girl transfers to their school in this 1996 fantasy movie. Stars Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell and Rachel True rock witchy-empowerment, copy-able costumes and major Halloween vibes.
7. 'The Witches of Eastwick'
Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer star in this 1987 fantasy movie about three women and how they change when the devil (Jack Nicholson) comes to town. You’d be hard-pressed to find a Halloween movie more glamorous to watch during the month of October.
6. 'The Exorcist'
This 1973 horror classic was the first of its kind for its frightening special effects. After you watch this movie, you’ll realize how many times it has been copied by every other horror/thriller film out there.
5. Scream
There are four (soon to be five) Scream movies, but nothing beats the original. The 1996 Wes Craven flick has an all-star cast featuring David Arquette, Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, Matthew Lillard, Rose McGowan, Skeet Ulrich and Drew Barrymore. In this slasher comedy, Campbell’s character is the target of the “Ghostface” killer and the unknown murderer will kill everyone in the town of Woodsboro, California, to get to her. Yes, it’s dated, but it’s also intensely fun and frightening.
4. 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown'
Not all Halloween movies have to be scary. This 1996 movie will put you in the Halloween spirit, while also keeping you at ease. Join Charlie Brown and the rest of the Peanuts gang as they wait for the “Great Pumpkin” and have a party.
3. 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'
“What’s this? What’s this?” It’s another Tim Burton movie! While this one has a Christmas-filled plot and therefore can double as a Christmas movie in a pinch, this 1993 stop-motion animation film is arguably about the Halloween-ification of the December holiday — so it’s a Halloween movie. Plus, it’s full of more skeletons, ghost dogs, singing tombstones and creepy crawly Halloween creatures than any other movie, and a seasonal-sounding soundtrack.
2. 'Hocus Pocus'
In 1993, the world was graced with this Disney masterpiece. This near-perfect Halloween movie stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as Salem witches who were hanged and then brought back to life and into modern times, thanks to a spell they cast and one mischievous teenager. From Midler’s “I Put a Spell on You” musical number to the tween-dreamy Thackery Binx and Max Dennison, almost nothing can top this Halloween movie except…
1. 'Halloween'
This 1978 slasher flick is named for the holiday it’s about. It also stars the scream queen herself, Jamie Lee Curtis. The movie follows Curtis and her friends, who are all without their parents on Halloween night. If you’ve ever been home alone and heard a bump in the dark or thought you saw something move behind a curtain, this movie plays like a waking nightmare. It gets the No. 1 spot because of its time and place (Halloween, duh), features an iconic monster (Michael Myers, anyone?) and set the precedent for hair-raising, scream-worthy moments.