It has provided inspiration for some of the best horror films of all time, but what are the best Halloween movies? John Carpenter’s third movie Halloween began life as The Babysitter Murders. Having a killer stalking some babysitters was the project’s original hook, until the producer realized that nobody had ever used the title Halloween for a movie.
And thus, the Halloween movie franchise was born. In the aftermath, many movies turned to the spooky season for inspiration, ranging from kids’ fare to gory slashers. Since Halloween is basically Christmas for horror fans, many people have their own rotation of movies they revisit each year.
That being said, there aren’t that many great horror movies that actually take place on Halloween itself. It’s a rare treat to find one that uses the holiday as a key part of the plot while also being a good film in its own right. Thankfully, there are upwards of 15 movies that use Halloween just right.
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Michael Keaton as Betelgeuse in Beetlejuice BeetlejuiceCustom image by Ana Nieves
Tim Burton was on a years-long streak of duds until he returned to the world of Beetlejuice. Reuniting with much of the original cast and leaning into his roots seemingly energized the iconic filmmaker, as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the most purely entertaining film Burton has made in the last 20 years.
Given that it’s one of Burton’s favorite celebrations (no surprise there), Halloween also plays a part in the story. While it would be tough to be terrified by this belated follow-up, it’s still loaded with solid gags and visuals, and it’s rather lovely to see Burton and Michael Keaton doing their thing again.
Dark Harvest (2023)
Sawtooth Jack in a burning room in Dark Harvest.
Dark Harvest is a shamefully slept-on Halloween gem that got dumped on digital platforms and received mixed reviews. It will no doubt become a cult favorite in the years ahead, with this David Slade-directed adult fairytale depicting an annual Halloween event in an isolated town.
Each year, a creature dubbed Sawtooth Jack rises from the ground, and the local teens must hunt it down and kill it as part of some mysterious ritual. Dark Harvest has its faults, but it’s a stylish, gory and wickedly entertaining creature feature that’s also loaded with intriguing subtext.
House Of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Captain Spaulding from House of 1000 Corpses
Rob Zombie began his directing career with this grim little Texas Chain Saw Massacre ode. Zombie’s debut was also long delayed, with the film sitting on a shelf for years after two studios passed on distributing it. In truth, House of 1000 Corpses is quite flawed, featuring an unlikable cast of protagonists and a barely existent plot.
Where the film does shine is the worldbuilding and atmosphere that Zombie conjures. It plunges viewers into his dark vision, and love it or hate it, House of 1000 Corpses definitely sticks in the memory. Halloween also serves as a backdrop to Zombie’s nightmarish ride, only adding to its gothic flavor.
Terrifier 2 (2022)
A blood-soaked Art the Clown from Terrifier 2.
Terrifier 2 is one of the most extreme slashers of all time, which is really saying something. Terrifier 2’s bedroom kill became controversial almost immediately, and lovable old Art the Clown creates many more bloody canvases throughout the sequel’s surprisingly lengthy runtime.
David Howard Thornton replaced Mike Giannelli as Art the Clown following the 2013 horror anthology All Hallows’ Eve.
The film’s extremeness will be off-putting to some, but for those with strong stomachs, it’s a wild Halloween watch. It fully embraces the spirit of the holiday, features a great final girl in Lauren LaVera’s Sienna and cemented Art as the next big horror favorite.
The Addams Family (1991)
The Addams Family Christina Ricci as Wednesday and Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester sitting at a table.
Based on the classic TV series, there are few gateway horrors better than The Addams Family. A comedy at its heart, this Barry Sonnenfeld-helmed blockbuster enjoys leaning into the creepy side of things. The key to The Addams Family is its actors, where each lead role is perfectly cast.
For the era it was made, it’s hard to picture better casting than Angelica Huston, Christina Ricci or the late, great Raul Julia for the Addams clan. Halloween isn’t a huge part of the plot, though it does lend the excuse to add it to this list.
Ginger Snaps (2000)
Ginger enters school and everyone stares at her.
Compared to vampires or zombies, werewolves are criminally underserved as a subgenre. There are some great ones, including this cult gem from 2000. Ginger Snaps uses lycanthropy as a potent metaphor for puberty, as a teen girl undergoes some rather extreme changes following a wolf attack.
Part teen drama and part gruesome monster movie, Ginger Snaps works on many levels. Katharine Isabelle and Emily Perkins are spot on as the leads, and the movie manages to balance its dark subtext with being an inventive and fresh take on a well-worn genre.
Trick ‘R Treat (2007)
A living carved pumpkin bleeds in Trick ‘r Treat.
A Halloween horror anthology that famously gathered dust on a shelf before being unceremoniously dumped. Trick ‘r Treat was totally undeserving of that treatment, with the film being a variety box of ghoulish delights. It’s a witty and scary love letter to both the holiday and horror itself.
It would be a shame to spoil its surprise for newcomers, but each story has its own monster theme and tone. Trick ‘r Treat packs a lot in its slender runtime also, with the anthology running for less than 80 minutes (minus credits).
The Guest (2014)
Dan Stevens aiming a revolver against a red background in The Guest.
The Guest is more of an action thriller than a straight-up horror, but it most certainly belongs on any Halloween movie list. This casts the swoonsome Dan Stevens as the titular guest, a mysterious soldier who arrives at the door of a grieving family claiming to be a friend of their late son.
Stevens is a delight as a slasher who wears the skin of a charming, gentlemanly soldier. The Guest itself revels in being set during the spooky season, and it’s filled with quotable dialogue, likable characters and an awesome soundtrack. In short, it’s ideal for those who don’t want to be terrified watching a Halloween movie.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Johnny Depp as Ichabod Crane in Tim Burton’s Sleepy Hollow.
Sleepy Hollow may not be a Halloween movie per se, but boy, is it ideal for the season regardless. A Gothic Horror that ticks every checkbox of that genre, this gorgeous and bloody Tim Burton delight casts Johnny Depp as squimish constable Ichabod Crane.
He is sent to the titular town to investigate reports of a Headless Horseman, and his decapitation-heavy adventure begins. Sleepy Hollow plays like a mega-budget Hammer Horror and is steeped in both the imagery and tone of a classic Hammer film. As a Halloween offering, it’s creepy and bloody without being super intense.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Mary, Winifred, and Sarah Sanderson performing on stage in Hocus Pocus.
It simply wouldn’t be a list about Halloween favorites without Hocus Pocus. For many horror fans, it was this Disney classic that introduced them to the genre. It follows a trio of witch sisters (played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker) who get resurrected by accident and return to wreak havoc.
Hocus Pocus is perfect for the whole family. It’s funny and a little spooky, and its witchy antagonists are a treat. The film was initially considered a flop, but thanks to TV airings and home media releases, it has grown to become a Halloween classic.
