13 Spooky Films to Watch in October

I don’t tend to watch a lot of movies these days, even though there was a time when I would watch something like five a day, but this October, I wanted to make an effort to watch some horror/thriller movies that would get me in the mood for Halloween! Most of them are classics in some way, or cult classics at least, or well-talked about horror movies that have made some sort of cultural impact and that I have been meaning to watch for ages.

The Craft (1996)

A Catholic school newcomer falls in with a clique of teen witches who wield their powers against all who dare to cross them – be they teachers, rivals or meddlesome parents.

This film is like, the absolute classic of the witch genre. I hear about it all the damn time. It’s one of those films that’s had such a significant cultural impact. I actually don’t know a thing about it except that it’s about teenage witches.

 

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Practical Magic (1998)

Sally and Gillian Owens, born into a magical family, have mostly avoided witchcraft themselves. But when Gillian’s vicious boyfriend, Jimmy Angelov, dies unexpectedly, the Owens sisters give themselves a crash course in hard magic. With policeman Gary Hallet growing suspicious, the girls struggle to resurrect Angelov – and unwittingly inject his corpse with an evil spirit that threatens to end their family line.

Another classic of the witch genre! I’ve never read the book this is based on (it is based on a book, right?), but I actually tried to watch the film a few years back but for some reason never finished it. I’d like to give it another go.

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Ginger Snaps (2000)

The story of two outcast sisters, Ginger and Brigitte, in the mindless suburban town of Bailey Downs. On the night of Ginger’s first period, she is savagely attacked by a wild creature. Ginger’s wounds miraculously heal but something is not quite right. Now Brigitte must save her sister and save herself.

I have a very distinct memory of myself as a young adolescent wandering the rows of Blockbuster (yes…I am Blockbuster years old), repeatedly being drawn to this movie, and arguing with my mother about renting it. She would take one look at the cover and refuse point blank to let me watch it. Literally every time I went into Blockbuster I would go back to this film, and I figure that’s gotta mean something. I’ve heard it’s a little weird but it’s become a cult classic over the years.

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The Babadook (2014)

A single mother, plagued by the violent death of her husband, battles with her son’s fear of a monster lurking in the house, but soon discovers a sinister presence all around her.

Isn’t this the movie that became iconic in the lesbian community for some reason??? I mean that might have been a bizarre Tumblr joke, but I just remember seeing references to this film everywhere, and I heard it was well-received, so I’m intrigued.

 

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The Conjuring (2013)

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives.

I loooove plots about paranormal investigators who confront weird shit, and this is supposedly based on a ~true~ story, and that’s what I live for. It also has pretty good reviews, which a lot of horror movies don’t, so.

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Suspiria (1977/2018)

A darkness swirls at the center of a world-renowned dance company, one that will engulf the troupe’s artistic director, an ambitious young dancer and a grieving psychotherapist. Some will succumb to the nightmare, others will finally wake up.

Okay, so, I’m actually not sure if I should watch the original film or the remake. I might have to do some research on which is better. Generally I tend to gravitate towards newer movies because they just…look better. Plus, you know, it’s the 70s. Films of that decade were already fucking weird. This showed up on my radar when I randomly watched the trailer and thought it was the most bizarre fucking thing I’d ever seen, so I don’t know if I need to add a 70s weirdness aesthetic to that.

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Thoroughbreds (2017)

Two teenage girls in suburban Connecticut rekindle their unlikely friendship after years of growing apart. In the process, they learn that neither is what she seems to be, and that a murder might solve both of their problems.

I absolutely love Anya Taylor-Joy, which is what first put this film on my radar, but since then I’ve heard excellent things about it, and it comes highly recommended. Out of all the films on this list it’s the only one that doesn’t fit into the horror genre at all; in fact it’s more of a thriller or dark comedy, but, you know, who’s counting.

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Apostle (2018)

In 1905, a man travels to a remote island in search of his missing sister who has been kidnapped by a mysterious religious cult.

Ever since I saw the trailer for this on Netflix I’ve been dying to watch it. It has such Wicker Man vibes (not that I’ve seen that film either but…cultural osmosis, you know?). It’s historic and features a creepy religious cult? Definitely count me in. Also Dan Stevens stars!

 

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Us (2019)

Husband and wife Gabe and Adelaide Wilson take their kids to their beach house expecting to unplug and unwind with friends. But as night descends, their serenity turns to tension and chaos when some shocking visitors arrive uninvited.

After Get Out, I think most people will watch any horror movie Jordan Peele puts out, and I am no exception. I’ve heard great things about this film, and it also stars Lupita Nyong’o, whom I adore!

 

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It Follows (2014)

For 19-year-old Jay, fall should be about school, boys and weekends out at the lake. But a seemingly innocent physical encounter turns sour and gives her the inescapable sense that someone, or something, is following her. Faced with this burden, Jay and her teenage friends must find a way to escape the horror that seems to be only a few steps behind.

This movie has such a bizarre premise; apparently the monster that follows is transmitted through sex, or something? I thought it was gonna be a silly teen slasher film when I first heard of it, but apparently it got really good reviews and is actually a really good horror film, so I’m interested.

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The Quiet Ones (2014)

A university student and some classmates are recruited to carry out a private experiment – to create a poltergeist. Their subject: an alluring, but dangerously disturbed young woman. Their quest: to explore the dark energy that her damaged psyche might manifest. As the experiment unravels along with their sanity, the rogue PHD students, led by their determined professor, are soon confronted with a terrifying reality: they have triggered an unspeakable force with a power beyond all explanation.

Of this list, I think this movie has the worst reviews, but something about it is drawing me to it. It’s loosely based on a real experiment called the Philip experiment, and I’m always intrigued by horror stuff based on real events. Also, how cool is that film poster?

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The Limehouse Golem (2016)

In Victorian London, a Scotland Yard inspector hunts down the sadistic killer behind a series of gory, Jack the Ripper-Like murders. The series of murders has shaken the community to the point where people believe that only a legendary creature from dark times – the mythical Golem – must be responsible.

Who would I be without a Victorian period flick? I don’t expect too much from this film besides some great costumes and a properly atmospheric Victorian aesthetic, but it actually has pretty decent reviews, so here’s hoping it’ll actually be enjoyable!

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The Addams Family (1991)

When an evil doctor finds out Uncle Fester has been missing for 25 years, he introduces a fake Fester in an attempt to get the Addams family’s money. Wednesday has some doubts about the new uncle Fester, but the fake uncle adapts very well to the strange family.

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this movie before when I was a child, because I have vague memories of it, but that could also be the excess of Wednesday Addams gifs I’ve seen on Tumblr. She’s such an iconic character and this is an absolutely iconic movie. Quotes and gifs of this are always floating around, so I definitely need to watch it as an adult.