October is here, which for some, means decorating and indulging in pumpkin flavored treats. But some like to relish in the scary aspect of Halloween. To prepare for the spooky season, here are some of the best scary, funny, and some classic horror/halloween movies to set the mood for this year’s Halloween. Although some of these movies are solely Halloween themed films, most of them are horror, so please mind that they may contain sensitive topics such as violence, gore, body horror, death, and other controversial topics. 

From timeless classics to modern masterpieces, Halloween movies bring people together to enjoy the nostalgia, horror, and thrill of the season. Whether you’re discovering or revisiting, these movies capture what truly makes October so special.

Starting with a classic, 1996’s Scream is a horror about a masked murderer named “Ghostface”, who targets various high school students in California. Worse comes to worse when a group of friends has to figure out the mystery of who Ghostface actually is. Ghostface taunts them over the phone, treating his killings like some sort of sick game. Scream has been loved by horror fans for almost 30 years because of its well developed characters and well constructed plot. To many, Scream is the “perfect” horror movie because it set the standard for many other movies to come. Kennedi Hartman, Wayzata High School freshman, says “The visuals and unique plot kept me interested the whole way through. Although the Scream movie series is great, the first movie will always hold a special place in my heart.” 

Scream, 1996

A newer thriller/horror is The Black Phone. The movie follows a 13 year old boy named Finney Blake who gets kidnapped by a masked serial killer called“The Grabber”, and held in a soundproof basement. As he’s trapped in the basement, the disconnected phone on the wall starts to ring. Finney discovers that the previous victims are able to talk to him through the phone. Meanwhile, his younger sister uses her psychic powers to piece together where her brother is being abducted. The movie is suspenseful and intriguing, combining supernatural and psychological elements as the watcher follows Finney on his journey to try and escape. Ethan Hawke’s performance as “The Grabber” is truly chilling, as he plays the role of a sadistic and unpredictable killer perfectly. The movie is rated 4/5 on Rotten Tomatoes, and recently just received a sequel that’s out in theatres now.

Another well known Halloween movie is Hocus Pocus, a family favorite set in Salem, Massachusetts. It follows a teenage boy named Max Dennison and his sister, Dani, who have to stop three evil, 17th century witches who’ve been resurrected into the present day from stealing the town’s life force to become immortal. Max, Dani, and their friends who they’ve made along the way have to work together to stop the curse on Halloween night to make sure the witches don’t turn immortal. The movie incorporates historical events while keeping it humorous and enjoyable for all audiences. In an interview with Kate Anderson, she said “I like how the witches can relate to the actual Salem Witch Trials, and other events in the movie are semi-historically accurate which I can appreciate.” Although it might not be a main theme in the movie, Hocus Pocus can be educational as well as a fun, family-friendly classic.

Hocus Pocus, 1993

One of the best psychological/horror movies is the critically acclaimed Get Out. Get Out is about a black man named Chris, who travels to Upstate New York with his white girlfriend, Rose, for the weekend to finally meet her parents. But while there, he notices strange things and behavior from the Black staff at the house and guests at a party. His girlfriend reassures him nothing is wrong, but he can’t shake the feeling that there’s something more sinister going on. Get Outis considered a great horror film because it doesn’t rely on cheap scares, it gives you a sense of dread throughout the film, every line and scene serving a purpose. It also addresses current racial issues, as well as historical racism.

A comedy/horror classic that’s been popular for decades is Beetlejuice. After a car crash accident, the Maitlands turn deceased and find themselves having to haunt their old house to scare away its recent owners, the Deetzes and their daughter Lydia. They’re unsuccessful, and decide to hire another ghost named Beetlejuice to help them. But he only ends up being chaotic and dangerous to the Maitlands and poor Lydia. The film is loved by many because of its mix of humor and its pure absurdity, as well as the iconic characters. Its distant visual “homemade” style and unconventional storytelling also adds to the movie’s charm. Alauna Reardon, WHS student says “Although it’s an older movie, it’s still talked about and well known by everyone during Halloween the season.” 

Finally, 2025’s Sinners is another fan favorite that deserves all of its praise. The movie starts a western in 1930s Mississippi during the Jim Crow Era, following twin brothers who return to their home town to open a juke joint, a Black-owned club to connect their community through music and food. But on the opening night of the juke joint, vampires arrive to disrupt their success. The brothers and the community have to fight against the supernatural, as well as the real-life obstacles they face. The movie makes you care for the characters, so when conflict starts it hits even harder. The vampires aren’t dainty feeders. Instead, they’re brutal and violent, which makes it all the harder for the community to fight against them. The film uses music, especially the Blues, as a powerful tool, as the vampires are drawn to it while also serving as a metaphor for the historical theft of Black music in America. The western aesthetic turned supernatural is a unique take on horror films today, making it a remarkable movie perfect for the Halloween season.

Sinners, 2025

No matter what mood you’re in for Halloween, each of these movies capture a different side of the season. Films like these remind viewers of how thrilling October can be, from iconic horror movies to family friendly classics. As the month comes to a close, there’s no better way to celebrate the spooky season than watch an exciting Halloween movie.