With Halloween just around the corner, it’s the perfect time of year to indulge in some scary movies with candy and the lights off. Here are nine movies you can watch this scary season to get your fix.
Note: These reviews have no spoilers of the story and can be read without fear of spoiling the movie for you.
- The Babadook (R) – This physiological thriller was met with large praise on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes when it was released in 2014. The film follows a single mother named Ameilla and her son, Samuel. Samuel is a rambunctious and energetic kid from the very beginning of the film. Samuel constantly feels distant from his fellow classmates and friends, and it’s clear he is different. Despite this, Samuel clearly lives a fairly fulfilling life while his mother tries to reconcile with the loss of her husband. As the story picks up, Samuel has his mother read him a bedtime story called “The Babadook”. In the book, a mysterious and shadowy figure is named Mr. Babadook. After reading the book Samuel and his mother are frightened by the book and the seemingly fictional character invades their life. If you are looking for a slow-burn scary movie that builds in fear as the story continues, this movie is for you
- A Quiet Place (PG-13) – This thriller stars former “The Office” star John Krasinski and his real-life wife Emily Blunt in a near future with monsters that are attracted to kill any living being that makes noise. In this new world, a family of five must survive against the odds and grow to find a way to kill the monsters.
- The Silence of the Lambs (R) – This 1991 thriller directed by Jonathan Demme tells the story of a young police cadet, played by Jodie Foster, that works with crazed killer Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to find a murderer on the loose and earn her position on the police task force.
- The Shining (R) – The Shining is a classic horror film that anyone can appreciate and use to get into the horror genre. The movie follows and adapts from Stephen King’s terrifying novel of the same name. The movie, directed by critically acclaimed director Stanley Kubrick, is a terrifying slow-build psychological thriller that involves a family of three and their move to a hotel where they stay for the winter. Although it seems that all is well, the hotel seems to have an effect on the family. This iconic movie is sure to scare you deeply and leave you trembling well after the credits roll.
- The Conjuring (R) – The Conjuring serves as a great experience for paranormal movie lovers. The small budget movie grossed over $319 million in total on just a meager $20 million budget. The story follows paranormal detectives Ed and Lorraine Warren as they seek out their biggest challenge yet: a farmhouse in the country that haunts a small family. Things heat up as the ghost activity continues. If you are looking for a movie full of jumpscares and unexpected twists, you should watch this one!
- Get Out (R) – This 2017 horror film shocked the world upon release when it came out with director Jordan Peele at the forefront of the discussion. You may know Jordan Peele from his hit comedy series with Keegan-Michael Key, titled “Key and Peele”. It gained slow notoriety as many of the sketches were posted to YouTube where they amassed millions upon millions of views. After Jordan Peele made the switch to movies, Get Out received major critical acclaim for its social commentary and fresh ideas that were brought to the table. The movie involves Chris and his girlfriend, Rose, as they travel upstate to meet Rose’s parents. Upon arriving, things seem off for the family, but Chris ignores it. As the movie continues, things get weirder for the family and take a turn for the worst.
- Halloween (R) – Everyone knows of this classic horror movie. The premise involves infamous killer Michel Myers as he stalks the streets of Haddonfield, Illinois. Michael’s main target, Laurie Strode: a single mother of two, tries to treat her children to a nice Halloween night before the masked killer interferes. As he stalks them and is out for bloodshed she tries to stay two steps ahead and avoid being murdered. This classic flick is a spine chilling spectacle that is iconic to this spooky holiday.
- Friday the 13th (R) – Another classic horror movie, Friday the 13th, gives you one more reason why you shouldn’t go to summer camp. While the iconic series has many movies, the original is great in its visceral action and dedication to the original idea.
- Annabelle (R) – After a family moves into a new home, a doll that they brought with them begins to manifest itself as a demon of the house. The 1950s setting was proposed by director James Wan, who also directed The Conjuring.
