10. Insidious (2011)

Kicking off this list we have Insidious. After bursting on to the scene with his hit Mystery/Crime Horror film ‘Saw’, Director James Wan struck gold with this haunting tale of a young boy being possessed by a demonic entity. With great overall performances from the actors, the film offers up some good tension and creepy imagery to keep the viewer hooked in. Insidious is a go to for lots of viewers and it should be one that is watched this Halloween.

9. The Shining (1980)

his cult classic film by Stanley Kubrick has some of the best acting to date with unsettling performances from Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall. Rumor has it that Kubrick treated Shelly horribly on set to get a more miserable performance from her for the final product, and boy did he get it. The whole movie has a dark and disturbing atmosphere making it one of the creepiest films of all time and a must watch, although it may not be for everyone.

8. The Sixth Sense (1999)

With a prime M. Night Shyamalan at the helm, and superb acting from Haley Joel Osment & Bruce Willis, The Sixth Sense focuses on a little boy who is constantly visited by ghosts and a child psychologist trying to uncover the truth. Throughout the run time, the consequences they face lead to many unexplainable revelations. The film features one of the best plot twists in all of cinema and is very rewarding after sitting through this slow burn triumph.

7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Who doesn’t love a fun but scary slasher flick? A Nightmare on Elm Street delivers just that. From the late great Wes Craven and ‘Freddy Kruger’ himself Robert Englund, just when you think you’re safe in your sleep, you’re not. This film is scary, not in the demonic or ghost kind of way but in the serial killer way. This flick will have you second guessing whether you want to go to sleep or not and that’s more than enough to instill fear this Halloween season.

6. Halloweentown (1998)

This Disney Channel Original is one that many millennials remember and for good reason. This festive holiday movie gives insight to what it would be like if it was Halloween season all the time. What makes this movie so good isn’t the writing or acting, it’s the overall atmosphere and the feeling of Halloween it gives off and it thrives on it. Mixing in different Halloween clichés and tying it all in to a story that mostly delivers, the first installment in the series would go down as one of the better movies to watch every Halloween

5. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Taking place on Halloween, kids from a town uncover what had happened 300 years ago and try to make things right once and for all. Hocus Pocus is definitely a movie that the whole family will enjoy during Halloween as parents from all over have most likely seen it and even kids from this generation will find enjoyment from this classic.

4. The Conjuring (2013)

Remember James Wan from ‘Insidious’?  He’s returns with yet another horror hit and instant classic. Based on true events from paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, the film follows one of their paranormal cases in which a married couple and their family is being tormented by an unknown entity in their home. Hands down one of the scariest movies to come out in the past decade will have you looking between your fingers for a majority of the run time.

3. Coraline (2009)

The first animated film to make it on the list is certainly one to remember. With its very unique and dark plot, Coraline manages to do so much in a subtle and charming manner. Giving its protagonist real world problems and elevating it with over the top ideas while yet sending great messages and being creepy all at once, this charismatic film will give you all its emotional punches and leave you feeling a little unsettled by the end of it all.

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

While being more lighthearted than ‘Coraline’, this animated flick is helmed by the one and only Tim Burton. No one else could have pulled this off but him, with Burton’s creative and twisted imagination bringing this wonderful story to life. Tying in the two most popular holidays of the year with an admirable script and memorable characters, The Nightmare Before Christmas is a near perfect film for what it is made for and its delivery is beautifully twisted.

1. Halloween (1978)

‘Halloween’ is undoubtedly the best movie to watch during the fall season or on Halloween day. John Carpenter crafted a near perfect film with great suspense and tension filled atmosphere to go along with one of the most iconic movie characters of all time, Michael Myers. While the acting in the film isn’t the best, Michael Myers almost single handedly carries the film with his captivating presence on screen. John Carpenter’s masterpiece has everything you would want in a Halloween movie, from scares and thrills to a menacing antagonist that you love. This cult classic is undeniable.`