31 Movies for Halloween

'Tis the season for thrills, chills, and kills!

It's that glorious time of year when decorating your lawn with skeletons, ghouls, and headstones won't prompt your neighbors to call the police. When feasting on salty and chocolatey snacks until your stomach is ready to explode isn't frowned upon. When engaging in a horror movie marathon doesn't (necessarily) make you a psychopath.

Yep, it's list time, and here are my 31 movies to watch on Halloween. Of course, I could probably come up with a different list every year, but that's all right. There is no "real" order to this, but the ones near the top are the ones that hold a more special place in my cold, black heart.

So turn off the lights, grab a big bowl of popcorn, and turn up the sound. And pay no mind to the glowing set of eyes staring at you in the corner of the room.

31. The Conqueror Worm (1968)

This period horror movie takes place in 1645 during the English Civil War. Matthew Hopkins (Vincent Price) travels the countryside with his fiendish cronies accusing, taking advantage of, and eventually disposing of so-called witches. But Hopkins messes with the wrong man's woman, and there's hell to pay. This may be Price at his most menacing, and Sara Lowes' (Hilary Dwyer's) screams in the final scene at the castle are the stuff of nightmares. (This movie is titled "Witchfinder General" overseas and has nothing to do with Edgar Allan Poe's poem of the same name.)

"I am Matthew Hopkins, witchfinder."

30. The Last House on the Left (1972)

If exploitation and sleaze are your things, then this is your flick. Mari Collingwood (Sandra Peabody) and Phyllis Stone (Lucy Grantham) are two teenage girls heading to a concert. But crazed escaped criminals abduct and later rape, torture, and kill them. The gang eventually makes it to Mari's house, where her parents discover that this roving pack of animals has killed their daughter. Revenge ensues. Disturbing and graphic, Wes Craven's directorial debut looked to portray violence realistically. Mission accomplished, but you'll probably need a shower after watching this.

"To avoid fainting, keep repeating, 'It's only a movie ...'"

29. Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer (1986)

This unsettling movie follows Henry (Michael Rooker) and Otis (Tom Towles) on their spree of murder and depravity. Loosely based on real-life serial killers Henry Lee Lucas and Ottis Toole, "Henry" was marred by controversy due to its extreme violence and dark themes when it was released. But the acting is outanding, and the film garnered very positive reviews. The scene of Henry and Otis watching a recording of one of their murders is still nightmare-inducing.

"It's always the same, and it's always different."

28. Spider Baby (1967)

Weird, weird, weird. Bruno (Lon Chaney Jr.) is the guardian of three orphans with "Merrye Syndrome," a progressive condition that eventually causes the victim to regress into "savagery and cannibalism." The movie starts with one of the orphans, Virginia (Jill Banner), trapping a delivery man in a window and hacking him to death. Virginia's fond of spiders, you see, and has captured him in her web. Freaky and funny, "Spider Baby" possesses a deranged "Adam's Family" meets "The Munsters" vibe and also features a youngish Sid Haig (Ralph).

"This has gone well beyond the boundaries of prudence and good taste."

27. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

A hideously burned man named Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) with a razor-claw glove is stalking a group of teenagers in their dreams. One of the teens, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp), later learns that Freddy was a child murderer who was let go on a technicality and then burned to death by avenging parents years ago. Now Nancy has to fight to stay awake (and alive) before Freddy can deliver his revenge. This was when Freddy was still terrifying and not the wise-cracking anti-hero he eventually became. In addition, the kill scenes (especially the gravity-defying ceiling drag) still hit the horror movie sweet spot.

"One, two, Freddy's coming for you."

26. Dead Alive (1992)

Lionel Cosgrove (Timothy Balme) has fallen in love with Paquita (Diana Peñalver), but his overbearing mother, Vera (Elizabeth Moody), is jealous. Vera follows the two of them on their date to the zoo, where she is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey. The bite eventually kills her and turns her into a zombie. Lionel, the ever-dutiful son, tries to keep his mom "safe" by sedating and locking her in his basement. It doesn't work out. Before long, Lionel has an ever-expanding horde of zombies on his hands. "Dead Alive" (also known as "Braindead") is a zombie comedy film directed by Peter Jackson (yes, that Peter Jackson) that doesn't skimp on the blood and gore. You'll never look at a lawnmower the same way again.

"I kick ass for the Lord!"

25. mother! (2017)

Biblical allegory? Psychological horror? Stress-inducing visual onslaught? Most of the movies on this list aren't for everyone, but "mother!" is probably the most polarizing of my selections. A poet (Javier Bardem) and his wife (Jennifer Lawrence) are renovating their house in the country. All seems tranquil, peaceful. Then a stranger (Ed Harris) turns up at the house, ushering in a wave of confusion and mayhem. Director Darren Aronofsky enjoys pushing the envelope, and he certainly does that with "mother!"

"Get out of my house!"

24. Se7en (1995)

A demented madman uses the seven deadly sins as inspiration to commit a series of brutal murders. A retiring detective (Morgan Freeman) and a hotshot newcomer (Brad Pitt) looking to make a difference try to stop him before he completes his masterpiece. While not necessarily a "horror film" in the strictest sense of the term, "Se7en" is full of atmosphere and dread, and the ending will have you questioning why people exist at all. Director David Fincher does a phenomenal job of choosing what to show and what not to, and the climax will keep you on the edge of your seat.

"What's in the box?!"

23. Interview with the Vampire (1994)

This film, based on Anne Rice's incredible novel of the same name, begins in modern-day San Francisco, with a reporter (Christian Slater) interviewing Louis (Brad Pitt), who claims to be a 200-year-old vampire. The reporter is initially skeptical, but Louis soon makes him a believer. Louis tells him about his plantation in Louisiana, his turning at the hands of the aristocratically aloof Lestat (Tom Cruise), his reluctance to kill humans, and his tragic relationship with Claudia (Kirsten Dunst). Chock full of moody, atmospheric scenes, "Interview" also boasts some spectacular special effects that make it one of the best vampire films of the past 30 years.

"Lord, what I wouldn't give for a drop of good old-fashioned Creole blood."

22. Eyes Without a Face (1960)

How far would you go for a person you loved? Doctor Génessier (Pierre Brasseur), a brilliant but unbalanced plastic surgeon, is riddled with guilt after a car accident leaves his daughter Christiane (Édith Scob) disfigured. So he enlists his assistant Louise (Alida Valli) to kidnap young women and bring them back to his mansion, where the doctor removes their faces and tries grafting them onto his daughter. Sick and stylish, "Eyes Without a Face" is a brutal look at what happens when you have a lunatic for a father.

"My face frightens me. My mask frightens me even more."

21. The Thing (1982)

A team of researchers in Antarctica come up against a shape-shifting extraterrestrial life-form that can imitate other organisms. And it doesn't come in peace. Kurt Russell (R.J. MacReady) and an all-star cast are consumed with fear and paranoia as they realize that any of them could be the "Thing." Dripping with tension and unease, "The Thing" features gut-churning practical effects and director John Carpenter's skillful eye to deliver a sci-fi horror film of the highest order.

"I don't know what the hell's in there, but it's weird and pissed off, whatever it is."

20. The Fly (1986)

"The Fly" is the story of an offbeat scientist named Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) whose work with teleportation goes horribly awry. Despite some failed experiments, Seth decides to go through the "telepod" himself. To be fair, Seth was drinking a bit because he thought his special lady friend Veronica (Geena Davis) was getting back with her ex. Anyway, a housefly makes its way into the booth, and Seth begins the transformation into "Brundlefly." This one has sensational special effects, and Goldblum is terrific, evoking pathos for his unfortunate situation. Arguably director David Cronenberg's best film.

"There was an old lady who swallowed a fly, perhaps she'll die."

19. Planet Terror (2007)

An homage to the exploitation films of the 1970s, Robert Rodriguez's "Planet Terror" is a rip-roaring good time complete with gross-out horror, action, laughs, and zany characters. An experimental biochemical weapon is unleashed on a rural area in Texas, turning people into flesh-eating monsters. While the movie doesn't take itself too seriously, it does have heart. You find yourself rooting for go-go dancer Cherry Darling (Rose McGowan) and the mysterious El Wray (Freddy Rodriguez) to rekindle their romance while they fight for survival. Loads of fun.

"Two against the world."

18. Audition (1999)

Shigeharu Aoyama (Ryo Ishibashi) is a widower who sets up an audition for a non-existent film to target a possible new wife. He becomes smitten with Asami Yamazaki (Eihi Shiina), a demure, soft-spoken beauty. Shigeharu eventually calls Asami, who we see sitting alone in her apartment next to a mysterious giant sack. But before she picks up the phone, whatever is in the sack lurches and rolls around. Just a hint of what's to come in this freakfest of a film. The torture scenes in this one are not for the squeamish.

"All words are lies. But pain doesn't lie."

17. Frankenstein (1931)

I'm not sure if any movie has genuinely captured the essence of Mary Shelley's novel, but James Whale's version probably resonates with me the most. Boris Karloff is frightening, sympathetic, and relatable as the pieced-together monster, and Colin Clive shines as the mad scientist Henry Frankenstein hell-bent on playing God. Maybe the monster is supposed to represent humanity—confused, despised, isolated—and the doctor is meant to embody the great Creator—disappointed, disturbed, and exasperated. Or maybe this is just a cool monster movie.

"Now I know what it feels like to be God!"

16. Nosferatu (1921)

This silent film is based on Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula" (despite protests from Stoker's estate). Thomas Hutter (Gustav von Wangenheim) travels deep into the Carpathian Mountains to visit Count Orlok (Max Schreck), who is looking to purchase a house near Hutter's home. But Count Orlok is a vampire who has his eyes (fangs?) set on Hutter's wife. Widely considered the first horror movie ever made, "Nosferatu" is regarded as one of the finest examples of the German Expressionist movement. Despite being over 100 years old, Orlok's makeup and iconic imagery still unnerve, and director F.W. Murnau's changes to the source material continue to influence modern vampire movies and literature.

"Is this your wife? What a lovely throat!"

15. Shaun of the Dead (2004)

You can make the case that "Shaun of the Dead" is a romantic comedy disguised as a zombie film. But that doesn't make it a bad thing! Shaun (Simon Pegg) is at a crossroads in his life. He's approaching 30, works at a dead-end job, has a strained relationship with his stepdad, and has just been dumped by his girlfriend, Liz (Kate Ashfield). What else can go wrong? Zombies! The on-screen chemistry between the characters is excellent, especially the friendship between Shaun and Ed (Nick Frost). Enjoyable and at times poignant, "Shaun of the Dead" respects and lampoons the zombie genre at the same time and has a lot of fun along the way.

"You've got red on you."

14. Horror of Dracula (1958)

It's not Halloween without a Hammer Horror film, and "Horror of Dracula" is one of my favorites from that iconic British film company. Based on Bram Stoker's novel "Dracula," this picture stars Christopher Lee as the eponymous vampire and Peter Cushing as Doctor Van Helsing. Both turn in dazzling performances (really, the entire cast is fantastic), the score by James Bernard is epic, and the Technicolor pops off the screen. The final scene with Van Helsing jumping on the table and ripping down the drapes remains cinematic gold.

"We must destroy that shell for all time!"

13. Suspiria (1977)

This Italian horror film by Dario Argento opens with an American ballet student (Jessica Harper) traveling to Germany to study at a prestigious dance school, where murder and bedlam await. "Suspiria" is like watching an acid-induced nightmare come to life, and the first 15 minutes and final five minutes boast some of the most gorgeously shot scenes you'll ever see. The band Goblin sets the mood with an ominous score, and the vibrant colors keep you on edge. The plot is a bit muddled (something about witches) and the English dubbing can be distracting, but it's still Argento's crowning achievement.

"Hell is behind that door."

12. Hellraiser (1987)

Enjoy puzzles? Then this body horror supernatural film might be your bag! Deviant Frank Cotton (Sean Chapman) purchases a mysterious puzzle box that summons vile creatures from another dimension called Cenobites, which promptly tear him apart in his attic. Later, Frank's brother Larry (Andrew Robinson) and his icy second wife Julia (Clare Higgins) move into the same house. When Larry accidentally cuts his hand moving furniture, his blood resurrects an "incomplete" Frank. Julia (who had an affair with Frank) agrees to help Frank restore his body by picking up rando guys and killing them. But that's only the beginning of this twisted tale. "Hellraiser," based on Clive Barker's extraordinary novella "The Hellbound Heart," is a sadistic film overflowing with atmosphere and gore. A Halloween exacta!

"We have such sights to show you."

11. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) are backpacking through rural England, where they are attacked by a vicious beast along the moors. Jack perishes, but David survives. Lucky him, right? Unfortunately, an "undead" Jack returns and tells David they were attacked by a werewolf, and David will turn into one during the next full moon. Unless he kills himself. This horror comedy (written and directed by John Landis) thrills and delights with its macabre humor and amazing special effects. The agonizing transformation scene still mesmerizes, and the nightmare sequences are surreal madness. A drop-dead classic.

"I will not be threatened by a walking meatloaf!"

10. Creepshow (1982)

A love letter to the EC horror comics of the 1950s, "Creepshow" consists of five movie shorts, all of which have their merits. But my favorites are "The Lonesome Death of Jordy Verrill," which stars Stephen King as Jordy, a country rube who has the unfortunate luck of having a meteorite crash on his farm, and "Something to Tide You Over," which features a cold-blooded Richard Vickers (Leslie Nielsen) getting the tables turned after exacting aquatic revenge on his cheating wife Becky (Gaylen Ross) and her lover Harry (Ted Danson). Lurid and frequently funny, "Creepshow," directed by George A. Romero and written by King, stands as one of the best horror anthology films ever.

"I can hold my breath for a long time!"

9. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

One of the best psychological horror movies of all time, "Rosemary's Baby" seems to creep up my list of favorites the more I watch it. Actor Guy Woodhouse (John Cassavetes) and his wife Rosemary (Mia Farrow) move into the Bramford apartment building in Manhattan. There, they befriend the Castevets, an elderly couple next door who have taken a liking to them. Sounds sweet, right? Well, all they want is for Rosemary to bear Satan's child. Superbly cast and beautifully shot by Roman Polanski, "Rosemary's Baby" will make you think everyone is part of a coven.

"God is dead! Satan lives!"

8. Psycho (1960)

Based on the novel by the criminally underrated Robert Bloch, "Psycho" starts with Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) deciding to steal $40,000 from her employer. She goes on the run and spends the night at the Bates Hotel, where she meets the proprietor Norman (Anthony Perkins), who lives with his mother in the house overlooking the motel. He's a bit of a mama's boy, as we and the rest of the cast will soon find out. Way ahead of its time, Alfred Hitchcock's "Psycho" laid the foundation for atypical plot structure and slasher film tropes. Bernard Herrmann's iconic score and the shower scene are but two of this film's lasting gifts.

"We all go a little mad sometimes."

7. Dawn of the Dead (1978)

The sequel to George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" continues to track the fallout of the zombie apocalypse. This time, it focuses on four people who decide to take refuge in a shopping mall. After establishing a safe haven, they descend into joyless consumerism before taking on a roving gang of bikers. The blood runs shockingly red in this installment and features some inventive and gory special effects. There are three different cuts of this movie, and you can't go wrong with any of them.

"When there's no more room in Hell, the dead will walk the Earth."

6. The Evil Dead (1981)

Love low-budget gore? I do! Sam Raimi's "The Evil Dead" tracks five college students as they vacation in a remote cabin in the woods. The kids discover the Book of the Dead and play an audio tape they find in the basement, which awakens ghouls from beyond. Cheryl's (Ellen Sandweiss') demonic transformation scene remains scary as hell, and the shots of the evil entity rushing through the forest are truly frightening. And let's not forget the introduction of the great Bruce Campbell as Ash Williams!

"Why have you disturbed our sleep?"

5. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

Frequently cited as the first zombie film, George A. Romero's "Night of the Living Dead" isn't the goriest (by today's standards), but its impact at the time can't be understated. Seven people eventually hole up in a house and try to ward off the undead. Simple enough, but there's also social, cultural, and political commentary (if you're into that sort of thing). Romero's shoestring budget and choice to shoot in black and white contribute significantly to the film's frightening atmosphere, and the ending credits still give me chills.

"They're coming to get you, Barbra!"

4. Halloween (1978)

It wasn't the first slasher film, but it's the one that kick-started an entire horror subgenre. "Halloween" begins in 1963 with six-year-old Michael Myers stabbing his teenage sister to death on Halloween night. Exactly 15 years later, Michael escapes the sanitarium and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield to kill a babysitting teenager and her friends. The execution by director John Carpenter (along with his score and uncanny but simple piano melody) and compelling performances from Jamie Lee Curtis (Laurie Strode) and Donald Pleasence (Dr. Sam Loomis) propel this movie to the top of its class.

"Death has come to your little town, sheriff."

3. The Shining (1980)

The best haunted house (hotel) movie of all time (with apologies to Stephen King). Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) and his family are left in charge of caring for the Overlook Hotel in the Rocky Mountains during the winter offseason. Jack's son Danny (Danny Lloyd) has a gift called "shining" that allows him to see spirits. And the Overlook is full of them. Jack eventually succumbs to the malevolent forces and tries to kill his wife (Shelly Duvall) and son. From the sets to the exteriors to the music (not to mention those creepy sisters), Stanley Kubrick's "The Shining" is full of moments that still get under my skin no matter how often I watch it.

"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy."

2. The Exorcist (1973)

Twelve-year-old Regan MacNeil (Linda Blair) falls victim to a demonic spirit who claims to be the devil. Enter Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller), who's suffering through a spiritual crisis, and Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow), who's in ill health, to the rescue. In less capable hands, "The Exorcist" might have been destined for B-movie status, but William Peter Blatty's powerful source material, a memorable cast, and the seriousness of director William Friedkin turned this "possession" story into a critical and commercial success. A masterpiece that seems deeper every time I watch it.

"The power of Christ compels you!"

1. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

You're not supposed to pick up hitchhikers! Unfortunately, five friends make that mistake and are eventually terrorized by a bizarre family of cannibals deep in the heart of Texas. From the opening narration by John Larroquette to the final scene of an angry, chainsaw-wielding Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen), "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" is a tour de force of gritty, grimy, gruesomeness. It's not a gorefest (despite its reputation), but director Tobe Hooper's masterful filmmaking makes you wonder whether you're watching a movie or a snuff film. Often replicated but never duplicated, "Chainsaw" remains a seminal horror movie that still defines the genre.

"My family's always been in meat!"

What did I miss? Share your thoughts and/or displeasure in the comments below!