8 movies to watch this Halloween

We’ve put together a list of our top 8 films we think are perfect in the run-up to Halloween, so light that pumpkin candle, grab your popcorn, and let’s get you settled to really ‘fang’-girl and binge our favourite movie picks for Halloween 2023.

Laugh your way through the fear

Hocus Pocus

The 1993 classic comedy Hocus Pocus is a MUST when thinking of an easy-watching comedy over the Halloween holiday! With arguably one of the best ‘horror’ movie casts, including Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, these three give the impression of a witch a high standard.

With a wicked storyline, Hocus Pocus follows the old style of witchcraft, where over 300 years have passed since the three sisters were eliminated for practising dark witchcraft. However, in this movie where they return to life with a combination of spells, the three sisters continue to spread the dark magic throughout the local town.

Shaun of the Dead

Shaun of the Dead is a film that will make you laugh out loud all the way through. This Simon Pegg and Nick Frost classic is the ultimate comedy to watch with a little bit of horror and blood at the same time. Again, with the classic cast of any Pegg and Frost movie, this is one not to be missed this year.

Shaun doesn’t have a pleasant life, and after losing his girlfriend due to his monotonous repetitive lifestyle, he attempts to win her back. However, this lands right in the middle of a zombie apocalypse. All he must do is 1) survive and 2) get the love of his life back.

The ones that never get old

Texas Chainsaw Massacare

Who will survive and what will be left of them? Recognise this iconic quote yet?

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is ultimately one the most classic horror movies to ever grace our cinema screens.Made back in 1974, the film follows five friends visiting the grave of a past relative; however, on the way they come across what appears to be an abandoned house – only to discover something severely sinister inside. And this something is armed with a chainsaw…

The Conjuring

The Conjuring movies, with all their additions and twists and turns that come with them, have made themselves a classic amongst horror fans - with a modern twist.

The original Conjuring series follows the story of Ed and Lorraine Warren who are paranormal investigators, who help different families with the terrible troubles in the supernatural world. This is seen throughout the series and reflects on how scary the past life can truly be – oh, and did we mention they are all based on true stories?

One for the Gen Z's

The Quiet Place

If they hear you, they hunt you… In A Quiet Place, we see an intense performance from the married Emily Blunt and John Kransinski, as they fight for survival against the predators.

Unlike the normal post-apocalyptic world, these creatures have defined the new world to be completely silent – with even the slightest of noises risking death. The Abbott family must use their non-verbal communication skills in the fight for survival in this new world, with challenges facing them along the way – how can they survive without sound?

The Purge

Another gruesome modern horror/thriller is the series of the Purge movies. With 5 of the Purge series being available on your screens, it is not one you want to miss out on – especially if you are partial to a conspiracy.

Based on something that could potentially happen in 21st-century America, the American government have sanctioned an annual 12-hour period in which all criminal activity -including murder- becomes legal. Meaning any person can ‘let loose’ without fear of punishment. With the theme following throughout the series of films, we see how the American citizens fight to survive or follow Government order in a fantom cult that is arranged annually to cause mayhem in society. This is one not to miss watching if you like a good thriller or something to turn the cogs on how scary society could become under political power.

Debatably a Halloween Movie ... or so we think

Ghostbusters

Who you gonna call? Ghostbusters! This light-hearted classic is something that doesn’t necessarily resemble the ghostly season but is a warm and friendly watch for when you’re busy carving those pumpkins.

With a top-notch cast as well, including stars like Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Sigourney Weaver; Ghostbusters gives you the proper 80’s movie feel.

The Woman in Black

The Woman in Black is a perfect film adaptation of the classic book that sweeps us off our feet with the undying horrors of Susan Hill’s 1983 novel.

Daniel Radcliffe is the star of the show, playing a young solicitor who through a work trip comes across the ere spirit of The Woman in Black. Whilst he aims to work hard to keep his job, Arthur discovers the reason why the spirit still haunts the local town. If you want to be frightened, then this is one for you – The Woman in Black, yeah, she’s scary…

With an array of films to keep you ticking over as you get out your Halloween decorations and carve those pumpkins, we hope that our selection keeps you feeling ever so spooktacular.

  Tag us in your Halloween Movie marathons and let us know what you think of our top picks this year over on our socials.