If you’re one of those ghoulish people who loves to watch horror all year round, and not just on Hallmark Halloween, we can be good friends! Throw with a bowl of popcorn, a cold beer or whatever your poison may be and OTT’s selection of spooktacular 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!
Make It A Fright Night This Halloween With Our Pick Of The Best Scary Movies
#Alive
If it’s a Korean production, you know it’ll be super intriguing. And Alive lives up to that expectation with cannibalism, Zombies and just general apocalypse scenes thanks to an uncontrollable disease. Apart from the fact that currently, it hits home with the disease aspect of things, Alive really keeps you on edge for its realistic portrayal of fear, loneliness, helplessness and general uneasiness. Of course, the timing of the release plays beautifully in the favour of the film, as we’re all almost always on edge now, but Joon-woo, the lead character is one to watch.
Annabelle
A prequel to The Conjuring, the Annabelle series with Annabelle: Creation, Annabelle and Annabelle Comes Home is about the origins of a creepy doll, that has the ability to terrify you without doing anything else. Or maybe that is just me. The three movies, though with different characters, are focused on this porcelain doll being haunted by what we assume is Annabelle’s ghost. The doll goes from one family to the other causing trouble and death in each storyline, which culminates in demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren trying to resolve the situation in Annabelle comes home. But...do why really?
It
If you’re in the mood for Halloween horror, with a side of Stephen King, then IT is the perfect fit. And you can’t go wrong with the King Of Horror providing inspiration for the film. With a clown as the creepy protagonist (which already spells trouble) that goes around playing intriguing mind games with five kids, this one is perfect for you if you’re looking for something that doesn’t involve zombies, aliens or ghosts. It will leave you quite riveted and of course, slightly uncomfortable long after the credits roll.
A Quiet Place
Simply put this is a sci-fi horror film that will have you feeling anxious throughout the movie as the characters navigate their way silently through a post-apocalyptic world that's filled with blind monsters whose sole mission is to kill humans. The movie stars John Krasinski and his real-life wife Emily Blunt. It's the perfect thriller for Halloween night and to watch with your friends on Netflix Party.
Also, did you know about these 5 most haunted places in India?
Pet Sematary
Stephen King's famously dark novel of the same name gets a 2019 reboot (there's another Pet Sematary), with a new cast and better visuals. The movie follows the Creed family, their dead cat who's brought back to life by a cemetery that has the power to bring the dead back. The rest of the movie is a mix of scary moments, lots of blood, and lots of knife slashes.
Doctor Sleep
Ewan McGregor stars in another adaptation of Stephen King's novel of the same name, where he plays the role of Danny Torrance who's got the power of "shining" to see ghosts and deal with them. Oh, yes, if you are wondering, this is the sequel to the movie and book The Shining. We don't need to say much, do we?
The Shining
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. "Here's Johnny!" still manages to give us the creeps!
Psycho
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.
Dark Shadows
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 scaredy cats.
Train To Busan
The 2016 South Korean action horror film is a cult classic for all you zombie fans. If you haven't watched the movie yet, then the plot involves a high-speed train from Seoul to Busan and a zombie apocalypse that suddenly breaks out in South Korea. It stars A-listers such as Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, and Ma Dong-seok.
The Omen
This was one of the first horror movies that this writer saw and the first thing he did was to ask his dad to shave his head and see if there was a 666 birthmark on his scalp. Starring Gregory Peck as Robert Thorn and Harvey Spencer Stephens as Damien Thorn, the Antichrist, the movie's violent deaths are what will throw you over the edge. Harvey's acting is chilling and one you'll remember for a long time. That creepy smile at the end just sends shivers down the spine.
Rosemary's Baby
Roman Polanski's 1968 psychological horror film, Rosemary's Baby, is often regarded as one of the greatest horror movies of all time. And why shouldn't it be? It's got everything from Satanists to well a demon baby. Trigger warning that there are some major explicit scenes involving rape and scenes involving paranoia. Watch it at your discretion.
Orphan
Directed by James Collet Serra, Orphan is a horror thriller that centers around a seven-year-old girl, who gets adopted by a couple who are dealing with the loss of their unborn child, but things get more and more interesting as the story unfolds about what led to her adoption. This movie beautifully plays with the thrill and suspense, and follows an intense storyline, that is executed perfectly, and will definitely leave you speechless.
Midsommar
The Babadook
Not about jump scares, and ghosts popping out at random intervals, The Babadook plays on the primal emotions that we all face, and weaves a story around it. As a young boy, Sam is convinced that there is a monster in his home, and the tale unfolds as to how it transpires into his mother's paranoia, and erratic visions. This movie conveys more than a story, as it portrays the complexities of human emotions, and our ways of dealing with fear, loneliness, and grief, making it a perfect horror film, with nuanced themes.
Child's Play
A horror comedy where a mother gives her child a doll that has the consciousness of a serial killer and two detectives that are chasing after a fugitive. This movie is a light watch and a great one who don't like extra gory, scary movies, striking a balance of horror and comedy perfectly. We'll highly recommend this one for a Halloween party watch if you are finding it hard to settle on a movie that's everyone's cup of tea, and not just for pro-horror watchers.
Friday The 13th
A total gore fest, this one is a genre-defining movie of 1980 and gave the slasher horror its roots. We recommend you not search for a meaning or the plot in these kinds, and watch them for cutting, chopping, and blood oozing out, with deformed faces and organs attached in weird ways. It is for anyone who wants to enjoy a very traditional horror movie and weirdly enjoys these kinds of visuals.
The Ring
A movie franchise that has successfully kept its audience engaged, the movie is a quest to unravel a secret behind a videotape that seems to be the reason for the mysterious killing of many people. It is counted as one of the scariest movies with disturbing visuals. The background score of the movie has to be specially mentioned, which echoes the looming death and doom, with the heartbeat raising perfection.
Silence Of The Lambs
With gut-wrenching visuals, and taking place entirely from a serial killer's point of view. Saying it is disturbing would be an understatement of the horror it portrays. The plot of the movie revolves around the quest for a serial killer, who targets only women and skins them alive in his basement, and contains frames that will force you to look away, making it only for people who are hardcore lovers of this genre.
A Nightmare On Elm Street
Another classic slasher film, this movie is set in a midwestern town where a midnight killer preys on teenagers, seeking vengeance, and a girl and boy who attempt to solve this mystery before it's too late. With melting faces, disfigured men, and gruesome frames, this movie is an absolute horror fest and follows many tropes of the traditional horror genre.
Exorcism Of Emily Rose
If you like a movie packed with traditional and cultural symbolism and puts religious faith, institutions, and practices in question, then get ready, because this will be your favourite scary movie of all time. Exorcism of Emily Rose is about a girl who is believed to be 'possessed', but really suffering through some medical conditions, thus critically analysing church practices, and rituals, and putting forth the need to be informed, with its compelling court room scenes, and setting.
The Others
A gothic, supernatural, psychological horror starring Nicole Kidman, this one is for all people who love a 'the house might be haunted' drama, with compelling performances, and creepy imagery. The camera direction follows the classic tease, and insinuating format, with creepy sounds, and visuals, and a perfect watch for a family horror movie night.
Pro-Tip
If these haven't scared you enough, we dare you to watch these 10 horror shows.