Stranger Things To Addams Family: Your Netflix Guide For A Haunted Halloween

If you’d rather not dress up to go trick-or-treating, make the most of the holiday with a bowl of popcorn, a cold beer, good friends and Netflix’s selections of spook-tacular offerings. From old classics to contemporary horror hits, we’ve got you covered for a night of thrills and chills. But first, start with The Addams Family. It always sets the right tone!

If you’re yet to see this hair-raising horror movie, now’s the perfect time! Ticking off every box in the genre, The Conjuring is one of the few horror films that isn’t a re-make or sequel while still maintaining its freshness despite a seemingly contrived setting. Haunted house, family with kids, dead dog — you know the drill {or do you?}. Keep your drinks at a distance, cause you’ll be jumping in fright for sure {clap clap}.

A classic Kubrick film, The Shining has stood the test of time in our eyes, emerging as a go-to in the psychological horror genre. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall, the film has been interpreted to be about the Native American killings, racism, sexism, and even masculinity in crisis. Whatever your take on it is, we know it’ll leave you feeling a little shell-shocked.

We’re always down for anything Ethan Hawke-related, but we’re not so sure about this diabolical gem if you’re hoping for a quiet night in. What starts as a true crime thriller quickly spirals into a nightmarish and positively occult mystery.

Self-aware and satirical as hell, Cabin In The Woods isn’t afraid to play on classic horror tropes {the blonde dies first — we know you already know} and challenges viewers with its tongue-in-cheek attitude. The movie does a great job highlighting the spectatorship that is central to the horror genre, and will have you bellowing at the screen, telling the gorgeous Chris Hemsworth & Co. to run for their lives.

If you’re looking for something a little more campy, you’ve found it. This comedy horror film is sure to raise eyebrows with its odd premise, but reads like a capitalist mass-production nightmare waiting to strike: what if all your childhood toys reproduced at the speed of light with a single drop of water, and wanted nothing more than to murder you and everything you love?

It’s not Halloween without at least one Hitchcock flick on your list. The famous shower scene is the perfect culmination of Anthony Perkins’s neurotic portrayal of Norman Bates, and will leave you with a lingering sense of paranoia about your next overnight trip.

#LBBTip: If you’re craving more, check out its prequel Bates Motel.

If you’ve ever wanted to see a vampiric Johnny Depp engage in some mid-air lovin’ with Eva Green, or watch Chloë Grace Moretz belt out teen angst as a werewolf, then Dark Shadows is a great pick. Fun for the entire family, you’ll definitely get into the Halloween mood with this comedic horror, perfect for even the scardiest of cats.

Kids or no kids, check out this movie if you want something {very} mild to ease you into the Halloween spirit {pun intended, sorry}. Casper really is the friendliest ghost out there.

If you’re looking for something more satisfying than a two-hour quickie, spend your weekend {or Tuesday night, who needs sleep?} binge-watching these highly addictive horror-themed shows.

Look out for features from Jon Hamm, Bryce Dallas Howard and Rupert Everett in this technophobic anthology, sure to leave you feeling unsettled and more than a little disturbed. The mix of sci-fi, satire and horror makes for addictive television, and ranks among the top TV shows we’ve come across on Netflix. Yup, all three season of it.

Penny Dreadful is responsible for reviving the gothic-horror genre, and stars Eva Green, Josh Hartnett, Timothy Dalton and Rory Kinnear to name a few. Their bleak Victorian-era sets create the perfect eerie atmosphere for a night spent under the blankets, peeking out only to marvel at Green’s captivating performance.

More quirky than it is scary, this zombie series is like Night Of The Living Dead meets Sherlock Holmes… kind of. Clever, fast-paced and fun, you’ll finish this series faster than you can start it.

If you’re more about crime and less about horror, you’ll be glued to your screen with this series of real-life murder mysteries. The most terrifying stories are based in reality, and this Netflix-curated collection does not fail to show you the sick and gruesome {within a limit, you weirdo}.

Shoutout to all Shrek lovers if you’re in the mood for a childhood throwback with a spooky twist, or just looking to spend some quality time with your broodlings.

Just in time for Halloween, Season 2 of Stranger Things was released on October 27. And if you haven’t watched it already, then you simply cannot put it on hold any longer. The four boys, a bit more grown up now, and Eleven, are back for some serious Upside Down drama. There’s even a new addition who looks a little bit like Zac Efron. Wait, what? You haven’t watched Season 1? Please go hang your head in shame first, then watch both season, back to back.

Inputs by Aakansha Singh Devi