Finding a good movie for a chill-out (or perhaps, skin-shivering) session is probably one of the most tedious tasks one can attempt. When it comes to Halloween, it is a needle-in-the-hay kind of labour. We’ve decided to help you out by coming up with a mix of ten all-time horror favourites and rising stars for this year’s spooky season. Whether it is a classic ‘blood and gore’ type or an oldie but a goldie demon-summoning, you are sure to enjoy every minute of it.
The Shining (1980)
Ah, the vintage star of the horror cinema.
Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining will crawl under your skin with the sinister music, ominous symbolism and abandoned hotel vibes. You will witness a gradual, mind-boggling transformation of Jack Nicholson by an unknown force, the eerie secrets of the hotel and some quality screams.
Cast: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
This may be one of the creepiest but sweetest stories given to us by Tim Burton’s disturbingly unique genius. The film features the life of the phenomenon of a human, cursed, or rather, gifted with scissors instead of hands. An aura of mystery, rejuvenation and dread fills the amazing visuals from the beginning to end. Warning: nostalgic after-taste guaranteed.
Cast: Johnny Depp, Winona Ryder, Dianne West
Coraline (2009)
This animated film literally opens a little door to a hidden world, an unseen universe that creeps somewhere close. Coraline seeks to belong in a new town that she moved to with her cold and busy parents, making friends with eccentric neighbors. Discovering a paranormal escape door into the alternative world, the teenager struggles to stay back in reality.
Voice cast: Dakota Fanning. Teri Hatcher. Jennifer Saunders
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The lives of a boy who sees the unseen and a child psychologist get inadvertently entangled when they seek each other’s help. Morale? The spirits roam around us, restless, chasing the scent of life. Are you actually alone?
Cast: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette
Carrie (2013)
The sweet smell of revenge. Unless it is telekinetic and vicious. Based on the book by Stephen King, the master of horror. The setting of a small-town high school, conservative religious atmosphere and a group of daunting teenagers contribute to the growing tension and the horrifying consequences. Pauses, silence, spine-chilling sounds. Carrie is coming.
Cast: Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore, Gabriela Wilde
Hereditary (2018)
A fresh look at the all-known themes of spirits, Ouija boards, and inescapable fate. Just when you think it is all quiet and peaceful, think again. The ordinary life of a family of four is slowly sinking into an abyss as the unforeseen events and secrets unravel before us.
Cast: Toni Colette, Milly Shapiro, Gabriel Byrne
The Babadook (2014)
We’ve all been told scary tales as children by our parents about a ghost that lives in the basement, who will haunt you if you misbehave. Mr. Babadook is a different kind of ghost – he will haunt anyone, not only children, and he will not stop until he gets what he wants. Do not open that book.
Cast: Essie Davis, Noah Wiseman, Daniel Henshall
The Mist (2007)
Stephen King’s legacy is reinforced again.
It is childish to think that monsters live under your bed. They live right outside your door. King’s hallmark touch turns a quiet and unremarkable town into a battleground, where humans fight to survive against the sudden attack of creatures who hide in the mist. One by one, sacrifices have to be made.
Cast: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden
The Exorcist (1973)
Religious mysteries never go out of style.
A time-honored film, which served as a prototype for the next generation of demons, sinister priests and dark chants reappearing in new movies. Is it better to exorcise a demon or to leave him be and save everyone else from the horrors it will bring? That is a question that should perhaps be left unanswered.
Cast: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair
Ghostbusters (1984)
After all the fright, stress and screams, we offer you a happy ending.
Ghostbusters is a legendary comedy and action movie that will serve as a relief at the end of a great night. By the time you finish the reel of films about spirits, monsters, and whatnot, make sure to check your place for any supernatural activity. In any case, if you spot a ghost creeping behind you, you know who to call – Ghostbusters!
Cast: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver
Feature image obtained in CBN
The Shining movie poster obtained in Chimes Newspaper
Carrie movie poster obtained in Leo’s videos
All other movie posters obtained in IMDb
