The 10 Best Halloween Films on Netflix
It's Halloween tomorrow, and if you don't fancy going out, here are our picks for the best Halloween movies on Netflix to make your scary movie night one you spend hiding behind your hands!
Date published: 30th Oct 2023
Whilst you may still be recovering from the hedonistic hauntings you received at the Halloween Raves this weekend, the main event is still yet to come! However, with it falling on a school night this year, many of you won't want to head out on the slash again, which (in our opinion) calls for one thing and one thing only...
Curling up in front of the telly, lights off, with a scary movie on!
The only problem is, what do you watch? Do you sink back into one of the classics and see Jason Voorhees, Freddy Kruger, or Micheal Myers terrorise teens? Do you indulge in some truly terrifying modern masterpieces like Sinister, Insidious, or Talk To Me? Or (if you're a bit of a scaredy cat), do you opt for something a bit more lighthearted like Zombieland or Scary Movie?
Whatever your preference, we've got you covered on this list. So, here are our choices for the best Halloween films on Netflix; Scroll down and check them out!
Sinister
Sinister is a spine-tingling horror film that's truly one of the scariest films ever created. Directed by Scott Derrickson, the movie revolves around true crime writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) who moves his family into a new home to do research for his latest book.
As he delves into a series of unsolved murders in the town, he finds a box of disturbing home videos in his attic that document the gruesome fates of the previous occupants. As he delves deeper into the mystery, the line between fact and fiction blurs, and a malevolent presence seems to close in on his family.
This is not one for the faint of heart, and some of the home video scenes are among the hardest things we've ever had to watch on screen. A true terrifying delight of a film (or a waking nightmare if you're easily spooked) Sinister should be near the top of everyone's list.,
Talk To Me
The newest movie on this list, and one that has just been added to Netflix in time for Halloween, Talk To Me is nothing short of a modern horror masterpiece. Following the story of the main character Mia, the film follows Mia and her group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits through holding an embalmed hand and saying "Talk To Me", becoming hooked on the thrill it gives the holder.
Yet, as expected, this is until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces upon Mia and her friends.
Talk To Me is truly a horror for the modern age, unlike many horror movies, it doesn't shy away from modern technology, with social media, and the influence it has on people being a strong undercurrent to the story. Yet, don't fear about this becoming noticeable, as at its core it is a possession story of incomparable terror that gets under your skin and festers, truly one of the best in recent memory.
Halloween
Where to start with John Carpenter's classic. It laid the foundation for the slasher genre and created one of the most iconic horror villains of all time; Michael Myers.
For those who haven't seen it before (first of all where have you been), the film sees Myers escape from a mental institution and return to his hometown to terrorise babysitter Laurie Strode, played by the legendary Jamie Lee Curtis. Packed with suspense, tension, and an eerie score composed by Carpenter himself, "Halloween" laid the foundation for countless imitators and remains an enduring and chilling tale of pure, unrelenting evil.
A sure-fire watch this Halloween.
Insidious
Another modern horror classic, that'll leave you quivering behind the covers is Insidious.
Directed by James Wan, the mastermind behind "The Conjuring" and "Saw," this supernatural thriller follows the Lambert family as they grapple with unexplainable and terrifying occurrences in their new home. When their young son inexplicably falls into a coma and becomes a vessel for malevolent spirits, they are forced to confront the darkness that has latched onto their lives.
Fit with many a scare, including one of the most iconic jump scares in horror history, Insidious is a deserved watch for anyone this Halloween. Just be warned, it'll probably have you sleeping with the lights on.
Evil Dead Rise
Another new addition to the world of Horror, and one of its most iconic franchises, 2023's Evil Dead Rise is a standalone in the series and its fifth instalment.
The film revolves around estranged sisters, Beth and Ellie, having their reunion abruptly disrupted by The Evil Dead's infamous Necronomicon, AKA The Book of the Dead. The curses within unleash a Pandora's Box of demonic possession, placing the protagonists' family in grave danger and forcing them into a primal battle for survival against flesh-possessing demons, as they confront a nightmarish version of family like no other.
This one is truly gruesome and gory, and if that isn't your style it's best to avoid it. However, for fans of all things grisly and macabre, this one is an adrenaline-fuelled ride that doesn't let us until the final seconds, that also features dashing of the franchise's signature dark humour.
Saw
There are few Horror movies that have flipped the genre on its head like Saw. Directed by James Wan, the movie created something truly original whilst also introducing us to Jigsaw, a villain that has become as iconic as any.
The film follows the sadistic Jigsaw Killer, who devises elaborate and gruesome traps to test his victims' will to survive. As two men awaken in a dilapidated bathroom with no memory of how they got there, they must unravel the mystery of their captor's twisted game, which includes taking part in some truly gruesome puzzles, before time runs out.
We shouldn't have to sell this one to you and with the 10th movie in the franchise also coming out this year, why not wind back the years and see where it all began?
Scary Movie
Want to get in the spirit of Halloween but are a bit too scared to watch a full-on horror movie? We feel you; you aren’t alone. Scary Movie is one of the best Halloween movies on Netflix for those who don't want nightmares.
It's all about spoofing horror movies and poking fun at some of the typical horror clichés like falling over when running away, having no phone signal, and people making really dumb decisions; with the first one being a spoof of the Scream franchise.
It's really really silly, and a great laugh, to be fair, we've always enjoyed being able to sleep at night, and this film will have no problem in helping you achieve that./
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The third instalment into the widely lauded Conjuring series, The Devil Made Me Do It takes the Warrens, Ed and Lorraine, into uncharted territory as they investigate a real-life, bone-chilling case involving a young boy's possession and a murder trial that claims supernatural forces as the culprit.
This film skillfully blends supernatural horror and true crime elements to deliver a unique take on the horror genre that has not been seen before. You can always rely on The Conjuring series to give you some memorable scares, but this one, given its true historical relevance, will also make you think. Highly recommended.
Zombieland
Another for those of you who don't want a fright, but still want a great movie to watch this Halloween, Zombieland is a riotous and blood-soaked comedy that offers a unique twist on the zombie apocalypse genre and features an all-star cast including Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin.
Directed by Ruben Fleischer, the film follows a group of survivors as they navigate a post-apocalyptic America infested with the undead. Combining humour, gore, and infectious performances from its cast (especially you Woody Harrelson and your Twinkies), Zombieland stands out as a cult classic for Horror and Comedy enthusiasts, and will always be worth a watch.
Scream
We couldn't have a horror movie list and not include a Scream Movie, and it's just your luck as the latest instalment has just been added to Netflix in time for Halloween.
Set twenty-five years after the first streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, California, a new killer dons the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town's deadly past.
Featuring an excellent cast including Melissa Barrera, Mason Gooding, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, and the return of Courtney Cox, the latest edition to the Scream franchise holds its own next to its predecessor, and is a nostalgic thrill ride that will make any Halloween movie night a blast.
Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.
