Ten Halloween Movies to Watch This Halloween (That Aren’t Halloween)
Spooky Season is the best time to watch horror movies. Everyone agrees. Or maybe no one does…I haven’t focus tested that statement. What I am sure of is that a lot of horror movies take place on Halloween. That one I can prove. In fact, there’s an entire film series titled Halloween. It has some good movies in it. Also, some bad ones. Even some so bad they’re good. We’re not going to talk about those movies in this article though. That’s not because I don’t recommend watching them this Halloween…it’s because they don’t need to be recommended. It’s pretty obvious from their titles that they take place on Halloween.
But there are many other movies either fully or partially set on everyone’s favorite costume holiday. That’s what this article is about. Ten movies that are well worth throwing on while you wait for the next group of kids to knock on your door looking for candy. Hopefully that only happens on Halloween…but these movies are all good to go any day of the year.
I’m just going to throw these in alphabetical order. This isn’t a definitive ranking based on quality…that’s why it isn’t in the ranking section. All ten of these movies are good movies. Some of them are even great. None are as great as John Carpenter’s 1978 masterpiece Halloween…but I already told you that we’re not going to talk about Halloween in this article, so I don’t know why you keep bringing it up. I put it right in the title. Let it go.
Ginger Snaps
Someone got their Halloween into my werewolf movie! While it is accurately regarded as one of the best werewolf movies ever made, Ginger Snaps is also a fine choice for a film with a Halloween setting. You might feel like saving it for the next Full Moon…but it’s a good enough movie to watch on both occasions.
The story of Ginger Snaps begins the month prior to Halloween…but everything is heading towards the event. You get a Halloween party…and werewolf action. Two for the price of one! Really though, Ginger Snaps is an excellent movie and one of the best things to come out of Canada since insulin.
You can find Ginger Snaps streaming on Peacock and Shudder right now. But, and this goes for every upcoming link in this article, that is always subject to change in the future. Which is definitely when you are reading this. Unless you are using a time machine for the most unimportant thing imaginable.
Haunt
Haunt was the underground breakout horror hit of 2019. Every horror lover who saw it couldn’t wait to tell their friends about it. A true word of mouth success story. It put its directors on the map and has resulted in their next two projects hitting theaters nationwide (65 and Heretic). Haunt remains their best movie.
A group of costumed teens head into an extreme haunted house on Halloween night. That simple premise lays the foundation for an independent horror film that feels like a breath of fresh air from start to finish. If you don’t have a friend who told you to give this one a look six years ago…you need to find some better friends.
Until then…you can find Haunt streaming on Shudder or rent/purchase in on VOD from Amazon. After you watch it, you can join the rest of us in wondering why there hasn’t been a sequel yet.
Haunted Ulster Live
The latest version of the “fake TV show presented as true events on a spooky Halloween night” movie is also one of the best. Seriously, this is a genre of film now. In fact, there might even be a second one on this list in a minute. Haunted Ulster Live is FUN. While the concept isn’t totally original (and its placement here can be taken as a recommendation for Ghostwatch and WNUF Halloween Special as well), it is a criminally underseen gem.
You can read our non-spoiler review here. Or ignore it. It was only put there to help SEO anyway. What you shouldn’t do is miss out on this fun watch about a TV broadcast gone awry on Halloween night. It’s funny, it’s fun, and it has some surprises in store for you.
You can find it streaming on SCREAMBOX and Amazon Prime Video. You can also rent/buy the VOD on Fandango at Home.
Hell House LLC
Found footage haters beware…we’ve got something you aren’t going to like. For everyone else…Hell House LLC delivers what you want in a Halloween movie. The story involves a group of friends setting up their haunted house for…and you’d never guess this…Halloween. Creepy clowns, unexplainable events, portals to Hell…Hell House LLC has everything.
You can listen to us talk about it on an old podcast episode. I don’t think that link does anything for the SEO…I just wanted to plug the podcast. While I don’t think Hell House LLC is the best installment of the series…it does sit right near the top. It’s certainly the best one centered around Halloween. Which is why it’s on this list instead of Hell House LLC: The Carmichael Manor. That one was for the SEO.
You can find Hell House LLC streaming in a lot of places. Including Shudder and Amazon Prime Video. So, get out there and find that footage! Sorry. We have a long way to go. Too early for that nonsense.
Late Night With the Devil
Remember when I said there might be another “fake TV broadcast from Halloween night” coming up on the list? No? You should get that checked out. It was just like a minute ago. Or you could kick back and enjoy one of the best horror movies of the last few years, Late Night With the Devil.
David Dastmalchian is at his career best as the host of a late-night show who gets a little too close to the spooky things he’s trying to conjure for ratings. Technically this is found footage too…but it doesn’t adhere to what those haters consider tropes of the concept…so it’s safe for them to watch as well. If you don’t believe me…check out our non-spoiler review. Which was…written by me so it doesn’t exactly provide a second opinion.
You can find it streaming on Hulu and Shudder…as well as being up for rent or purchase on VOD from Fandango at Home and Amazon.
Late Night With the Devil is also the first movie on our list to take home a coveted Scare Value Award. I would tell you that a second one is coming…but you wouldn’t remember it anyway.
Murder Party
Before fully breaking out with the excellent Blue Ruin and the acclaimed Green Room, director Jeremy Saulnier left the color naming theme behind and delivered the excellent horror/comedy debut Murder Party. The story of a lonely man attending what he thinks is a Halloween party who slowly realizes he’s at…well…exactly what it says in the title.
Then things really get wild. Murder Party is a one-of-a-kind movie that will entertain you from start to finish. It’s funny. It’s crazy. Most importantly, it’s Halloween. The way the insanity builds throughout the story makes it an easy Halloween recommendation. Just be sure to read your invitations before deciding to attend the party.
Murder Party is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Night of the Demons
You knew we couldn’t have a best of Halloween horror movies without heading back to the 80s, right? Night of the Demons is pure 80s…and pure Halloween. A group of friends throwing a party at an abandoned mortuary on All Hallow’s Eve? Sign me up twice.
Night of the Demons is entertaining in the way that all 80s horror movies are. There’s a seance and possession and, honestly, it just kind of goes off in any direction it feels like. That was the 80s for you. And there was nothing like it. Practical effects, a torrid pace, characters whose names you will never remember…Night of the Demons has it all.
You can stream Night of the Demons on Amazon Prime Video. Or rent/buy in on VOD from Fandango at Home.
Terrifier 2
The first Terrifier also takes place on Halloween…but I opted for its superior sequel on this list. Art the Clown is back, and an increased budget allows his madness to be fully realized. Terrifier 2 introduces its standout final girl to the mix…and delivers the buckets of blood the fans demand. It’s also a pretty great Halloween movie. In fact, the final girl arc begins and ends with the creation of a Halloween costume.
Art slaughters his way through this sequel while taking time to trick or treat, visit a costume shop and do his dirtiest work while our hero attends a Halloween party. Plots don’t hinge on the holiday much more than they do in Terrifier 2. It did it so well, in fact, Art had to move on to Christmas in Terrifier 3. Of course, the Terrifier series isn’t for everybody. And that’s fine. Go watch Hocus Pocus. No one is stopping you.
You can read our non-spoiler review here before heading to Peacock, SCREAMBOX or Amazon Prime Video to see it for yourself. It’s also available to rent/buy on VOD from Fandango at Home. Most things are.
Trick ‘r Treat
If you were going to guess one movie that would appear on a list of Ten Halloween Movies to Watch This Halloween (That Aren’t Halloween) I bet Trick ‘r Treat is the one you’d pick. If for no other reason than I used a picture of it at the top of this article. If there was another reason, it’s because it completely belongs. This is one of the best horror anthologies ever constructed. As a bonus…it’s all about Halloween.
With stories that bleed into each other organically, Trick ‘r Treat feels like a town has come alive before your eyes. From creepy principals to secret werewolves to whatever is up with Sam…every piece of Trick ‘r Treat delivers. Of all the movies listed here…this might be the biggest love letter to the holiday.
Trick ‘r Treat is streaming on HBO Max. You can also lay out some coin at rent/buy it on VOD from Fandango at Home and Amazon.
V/H/S/Halloween
The most recent movie on our list will also be our last. The suddenly reliable V/H/S series is no stranger to themed installments. From the 80s to aliens…the franchise as thrived since moving to Shudder. You may have guessed that this year’s chapter is about Halloween due to its inclusion in this article.
V/H/S/Halloween is the rare horror anthology with no down parts. Although the framing story is unnecessary, even it provides some fun segments. The proper shorts range from good to great. The standout comes from Too Many Cooks and Adult Swim Yule Log maniac Casper Kelly. These are found footage and God knows that means a certain segment of viewers won’t be interested…but that is their loss. These bite sized horror snacks are the perfect complement to your Halloween night. Just don’t ask where those snacks came from.
You can check out one more review plug before deciding to watch V/H/S/Halloween streaming on Shudder.
Whatever you choose to do this Halloween…watch these movies at some point in your life. If you’ve already seen them…congratulations on your fine taste. Now go watch them again.
