31 Films for 31 Days of October

We’re almost at the midpoint of Two Months of Terror, and October is coming fast! With 31 days in the month of October, I’m providing you with my Top 31 horror films to watch.

Different genres. Different decades. There’s something for everyone.

You can watch one movie a night until Halloween!

Old School

1 – The Twilight Zone (1959)

Okay, okay, so I’m cheating already. “The Twilight Zone” is not a movie. But it is one of the most groundbreaking television shows of all time. It’s also the genesis for almost every horror movie, filmmaker, and vehicle. Don’t let the black and white old TV show fool you. It absolutely transcends place and time and is often more relevant today than when it was made. If you’ve never watched it, check out my Top 15!

2 – Psycho (1960)

The legendary Alfred Hitchcock gives us a gem with “Psycho,” a film that made the Bates Motel a household name. It also serves as the foundation for the genre of horror films, with the Hitchcock name lending to quality.

3 – Night of the Living Dead (1968)

George A. Romero’s indie film is the start of the zombie sub-genre. “Night of the Living Dead” has a cheap feel to it. And that’s what makes it work so well. The film is undeniably simple. A group of people are barricaded in a rural farmhouse as a gang of undead ghouls tries to break in.

That ’70s Horror

4 – The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Tobe Hooper’s directorial prowess makes this OG slasher film stand out with intentional artistic style. Shots linger on grisly images. The framing is intentional, and the scares are genuine. Its haunting realism and character of Leatherface make it stand out still, 52 years after its release.

5 – Eraserhead (1977)

If you’re looking for a traditional horror movie, David Lynch’s surrealist work is not for you. If you enjoy a cinematic challenge, an overload to your senses, and a desire to be truly terrified in ways you never thought possible, I dare you to check it out.

6 – Alien (1979)

I don’t love “Alien,” but I like it. More importantly, I understand its place in the history of horror. The Ridley Scott classic blends the genres of horror and science fiction. It takes the great fear of the unknown – in this case space exploration – and leaves a lasting image of terror.

Slashers, Practical Effects, and all time Classics, oh my

7 – The Shining (1980)

The 80s is where horror began to shine. Literally. Stanley Kunrick’s “The Shining” is one of my favorite horror stories. Based on an outstanding novel by Stephen King, it might be the first true horror film. Jack Nichelson stars as the unstable winter caretaker of a haunted hotel. Here’s Johnny!

8 – The Thing (1982)

Isolation, paranoia, and mistrust. Toss in a carnivorous shapeshifting alien and you have the basis for terror in John Carpenter’s 1982 classic. 44 years later, it proves practical effects demolish cgi.

9 – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Whether or not you’ve seen the movie, you know who Freddy Krueger is. The burned face, striped sweater, and trademark glove line costume store shelves to this day. And filmmaker Wes Craven put himself on the mantle of the horror greats behind the camera. The idea is one of creative genius. A sadistic character like Krueger who terrorizes teens in their dreams. You must sleep at some point, so the idea that dozing off could be fatal is a nightmare.

10 – Ghostbusters (1984)

Upon hitting the theaters on June 7, 1984, few could have envisioned the lasting imprint that the film “Ghostbusters” would have, not only on cinema, but on our entire culture. A true horror/comedy, casual fans can enjoy the story but be warned, there are a couple of moments that are straight up scary.

The Resurgence

11 – Scream (1996)

The undeniable classic from my generation, and the rebirth of the horror genre is the 1996 blockbuster “Scream.” It created a lasting image and an iconic character. Nearly two decades after its release, the Ghostface mask can still be found on costume shelves every Halloween season

12 – The Sixth Sense (1999)

M. Night Shyamalan’s signature piece is known for its iconic twist ending. But don’t let that overshadow a great film. The acting is outstanding on all fronts (Bruce Willis, Hailey Joel Osment) with no weak links, and the scares and creep factor are real. 

13 – The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Tim Burton’s legendary stop-motion animated musical brings legendary songs and characters and successfully bridges Halloween and Christmas. This one is fun for all ages.

Top Tier Cast and the rise of Found Footage

14 – The Others (2002)

To land an actress like Nicole Kidman in a starring role is almost unheard of for horror. The result is an unheralded classic for the genre. The Others is a haunted house ghost story with a great atmosphere and some truly chilling scenes.

15 – Signs (2002)

More big names. M. Night Shyamalan landed Mel Gibson and Joaquin Phoenix for this film about an alien invasion. A bit lighter than some of the other films, “Signs” has good horror moments, great acting, and can easily be enjoyed by anyone.

16 – Paranormal Activity (2007)

The first and best of the found footage series’ films, this is ultra simple and super scary. A young couple are experiencing strange things at home. So, they set up a camera and hit record. I’ll add part 2 and 3 to the review as additional options that are equally good, though the original is always the best.

17 – Lake Mungo (2008)

This Australian indie film is one of the most unsettling movies you may have never heard of. The mockumentary style follows a typical family dealing with grief in the aftermath of a tragedy.

18 – Cloverfield (2008)

Another found footage entry, this one blends horror with the elements of a classic monster movie. A group of friends have their party wrecked by the arrival of an otherworldly monster. Will they survivie the night?

The Modern Era and some Lesser-Known Films

19 – The Conjuring (2013)

“The Conjuring” follows the real-life story of paranormal pioneers Ed and Lorraine Warren as they investigate a haunted house. Filmmaker James Wan keeps gore and gristle off the screen by using other genius methods of scares. This movie is like a rollercoaster ride.

20 – A Quiet Place (2018)

A little noise is okay; a big noise is not okay. Something horrible is lurking out there, this much we know from the start. Barbarous creatures that are blind, hunting strictly by sound and killing whatever they find in a succinct and efficient way. We follow the Abbott family and their struggle to keep hidden, residing amidst the shadows of a besieged town in the aftermath of the creatures’ arrival.

21 – The Invitation (2015)

“The Invitation” isn’t your standard horror film, but rather a suspense thriller that’s done in such a perfect way it makes for a great changeup to watch this Halloween season.

22 – Coherence (2013)

Another dinner party film, savage science fiction fans will love this suspense thriller by James Ward Byrkit. The style mirrors the classic “Twilight Zone” episode ‘The Monsters are Due on Maple Street’ as we see just what can happen to normal people when challenged with simple adversity.

The rise of Arthouse Horror

23 – It Follows (2015)

David Robert Mitchell’s highly acclaimed indie piece is a superb and must-see horror film. “This thing is going to follow you.” A young man explains as he describes a curse that he has just passed along. “It can look like someone you know, or a stranger. It appears out of nowhere. It’s slow but not dumb. Never be in a place with only one exit.”

24 – The House on Pine Street (2015)

Its psychological nature depicts the simplicity of a haunted house with a gripping horror story that never strays too far outside the realm of possibility.

25 – The Lighthouse

You’ll either love it or hate it. In fact, after my first viewing I was still on the fence. This 2019 film was crafted by Robert Eggers is an arthouse picture for sure. There are parts I loved, and moments I could do without. It’s beautiful and it’s weird. Proceed at your own risk.

Present Day

26 – Oddity (2024)

I haven’t been scared watching a movie in some time. This one achieved the ultimate in horror rush. A psychic trying to locate her twin sister’s killer. A cheating husband. A creepy giant statue. It’s all here.

27 – Caveat (2020)

Same filmmaker as “Oddity,” “Caveat” is a rawer version of indie cinema, and its horror elements, including one of the scariest moments I have ever witnessed in a movie.

28 – Host (2020)

Filmmaker Rob Savage delivers a perfect scary story amidst the immense constraints of the 2020 Coronavirus pandemic. From a production standpoint alone, its sheer brilliance. Filmed entirely via Zoom, A group of friends have been cut off from each other due to Covid. To liven things up, they decide to conduct a virtual séance. It quickly turns to terror as they discover malevolent demons can surf the internet too.

29 – Skinamarink (2023)

Perfecting the Art of Analog Horror “Skinamarink” was born from YouTube horror creator Kyle Edward Ball. The film isn’t afraid to flex its artistic chops. Its style and presentation are not for casual movie goers, and it may be more fun to discuss than watch, though it does contain one of the best horror scenes I have ever watched.

Horror Shorts

30 – Toe (2019)

Clocking in at 7 minutes, “Toe” is a masterful work of art. With a chilling sound and surreal presentation, this horror short has a haunting aesthetic that will leave you with a state of dread.

31 – Portrait of God (2022)

No man shall see Me and live. The cold line comes from the book of Exodus, and its presence on screen opens the film. Excellent writing, single character acting, and horror elements are here, and all confined to a mere seven-and-a-half minutes.

Bonus!

Totally Killer (2023)

What if the forces behind Cheesy Christmas Movies delved into the Halloween Holiday? You get “Totally Killer” a hysterical release from Amazon Videos. The movie was crafted by a trio of writers; David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, and Jen D’Angelo, and directed by Nahnatchka Khan. It’s billed as a dark comedy. It has plenty of gore to offset the laughs, and serves as a perfect changeup for Spooky Movie Season.