Make the most of dark fall nights with classic chills, thrills, and frights! Whether you’re craving supernatural scares or psychological suspense, these movies will get you in the Halloween spirit. And with all of them available to stream as of October 2024, you can dim the lights and start watching tonight!
Shutterstock: OkrasiukPoltergeist (1982)
What if a haunted house wasn’t a spooky old Victorian but an ordinary suburban home? “Poltergeist” flips the script on haunted house movies, bringing supernatural terror to suburbia. What begins as a seemingly playful haunting soon turns sinister when the spirits set their sights on the family’s youngest daughter. Blending a Spielbergian sense of wonder with legitimate scares, “Poltergeist” is a scary good time.
Where To Stream: Max
Eyes Without a Face (1960)
Hauntingly atmospheric, “Eyes Without a Face” follows a brilliant but deranged plastic surgeon who kidnaps young women to steal their faces. Ridden with guilt after a car accident disfigured his daughter, the plastic surgeon will stop at nothing to restore her beauty. In some ways, this eerie French classic is a meditation on grief disguised as a horror movie. But don’t let that make you think it doesn’t deliver as a horror movie!
Where To Stream: Max
Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho” redefined the horror genre with its shocking twists, psychological depth, and piercing score. Marion Crane, a secretary who steals a large sum of money, checks into the infamous Bates Motel. There, she encounters an awkward but innocent-seeming Norman Bates. Even if you already know the twists, it’s easy to see why “Psycho” is one of the most important horror movies ever made.
Where To Stream: Netflix
Carnival of Souls (1962)
After surviving a car accident, a young woman moves to a new town, only to be haunted by strange visions and eerie figures that draw her to an abandoned carnival pavilion. “Carnival of Souls” is an atmospheric horror story that has gained cult status over the years. The movie’s dreamlike sequences and unsettling mood build a sense of creeping dread. It will have you questioning what’s real and what’s not. Perfect for spooky season!
Where To Stream: Max
The Haunting (1963)
When a paranormal investigator invites a small group to investigate a haunted mansion, they soon find themselves at the house’s mercy. As the house seems to come alive, tensions rise, sanity is tested, and the house takes a particular hold on one guest — Eleanor. Based on “The Haunting of Hill House” by Shirley Jackson, much of the horror is psychological, leaving the audience’s imagination to run wild.
Where To Stream: MGM+
Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
After a couple moves into an apartment building, they meet strange neighbors. These neighbors initially seem harmless but become overly intrusive — and possibly even sinister — when Rosemary becomes pregnant. As her paranoia grows, so does the feeling that those around her are involved in a satanic plot. “Rosemary’s Baby” is a slow-burn where the horror lies in not knowing who she can trust — or what’s growing inside her.
Where To Stream: Paramount+
The Night of the Hunter (1955)
This unsettling Southern Gothic is filled with haunting imagery and unnerving moments. When a prisoner — the murderous preacher Reverend Powell — learns of a hidden fortune from his condemned cellmate, he tracks down the man’s family to get his hands on the money. The film’s dreamlike quality adds to the sense of unease, making “The Night of the Hunter” a chilling watch that blends horror and noir elements.
Where To Stream: MGM+
Suspiria (1977)
The acting can be corny, but the vibrant color palette, unsettling score, and nightmarish atmosphere make “Suspiria” an artfully disturbing choice. The film follows a young dancer who arrives at a prestigious ballet school, only to discover that dark, supernatural forces are at play. The film’s surreal visuals and graphic horror give it the feel of a twisted fairy tale, making it an eerie and mesmerizing choice for Halloween!
Where To Stream: Prime Video
The Birds (1963)
Hitchcock’s “The Birds” begins innocently enough when a stylish socialite winds up in a small coastal town but quickly escalates into a terrifying onslaught of nature gone mad. You see, the birds around town inexplicably begin attacking humans in increasingly violent and coordinated assaults. “The Birds” combines Hitchcock’s signature thrills with an unsettling sense of dread, building to a heart-pounding conclusion.
Where To Stream: Netflix
Hocus Pocus (1993)
The most recent classic to make the list, “Hocus Pocus” has become a Halloween staple for good reason. It follows three witches, resurrected in modern-day Salem, as they attempt to steal the souls of little children to gain eternal youth. With its mix of magic and spooky fun, “Hocus Pocus” casts a spell on audiences of all ages. It’s the perfect film to get into the Halloween spirit without too many frights.
Where To Stream: Disney+
Get Ready to Stream … and Scream!
Whether you’re after spine-tingling scares or a spooky good time, these handpicked Halloween classics have something for everyone. Spanning the spectrum of horror — from eerie suspense to supernatural fun — these films deliver chills and thrills for the Halloween season. As you settle in for a movie night, make sure to dim the lights and enjoy the haunting magic of these timeless classics.
