Halloween is a time for costumes,
candy, and all things spooky. For horror movie and TV show enthusiasts, it’s
also the perfect time to indulge in their favorite bizarre content. Whether
you’re in the mood for a classic horror movie, a modern horror film, or a
popular TV show in the horror genre, there are plenty of options to choose
from. In this article, we’ll provide recommendations for all three categories,
so you can easily plan your Halloween horror marathon.
Classic Horror Movies
There’s something special about
classic horror movies. Maybe it’s how they use practical effects to create scares or rely more on suspense and atmosphere than jump
scares. Whatever it is, classic horror movies have a timeless quality that
still manages to frighten audiences today. Here are some must-see classics for
your Halloween viewing pleasure:
Psycho (1960) - Directed by Alfred Hitchcock,
Psycho is a psychological horror film that follows a woman who checks into a
motel run by a disturbed young man. The film is famous for its iconic shower
scene, but the slow-burning tension makes it a classic.
The Exorcist (1973) - Directed by William Friedkin, The
Exorcist is a supernatural horror film that follows a young girl possessed by a
demon and the efforts of two priests to exorcise it. The film’s graphic
content and religious themes made it controversial at the time, but it’s now
considered one of the greatest horror movies ever made.
Night of the Living Dead (1968) - Directed by George A. Romero,
Night of the Living Dead is a zombie horror movie introducing the modern
zombie concept. The film follows a group of people trapped in a
farmhouse as the dead rise from their graves and attack the living.
Halloween (1978) - Directed by John Carpenter,
Halloween is a slasher movie that follows a serial killer named Michael Myers
who escapes from a mental institution and returns to his hometown to continue
his killing spree. The film’s atmospheric score and tension-filled scenes made
it a genre classic.
The Shining (1980) - Directed by Stanley Kubrick, The
Shining is a psychological horror film that follows a writer working as
a winter caretaker at a remote hotel. As the winter wears on, the hotel’s
supernatural forces begin to drive him insane. The film is famous for Jack
Nicholson’s iconic performance as the writer.
Modern Horror Films
While classic horror movies have
charm, modern horror films have unique qualities. With technological advances and special effects, modern horror movies can create scares that
classic films could only dream of. Here are some recent horror movies that are
worth checking out:
Get Out (2017) - Directed by Jordan Peele, Get Out
is a horror film that explores themes of racism and cultural appropriation. The
film follows a young black man who visits his white girlfriend’s family only
to discover a sinister plot involving hypnosis and brain transplantation.
Hereditary (2018) - Directed by Ari Aster, Hereditary
is a supernatural horror film that follows a family haunted by a mysterious
presence after the death of their grandmother. The film’s slow-burning tension
and shocking twist ending make it a standout in the genre.
A Quiet Place (2018) - Directed by John Krasinski, A
Quiet Place is a horror film that follows a family forced to live in silence to
avoid being hunted by mysterious creatures attracted to sound. The
film’s inventive premise and intense suspense make it a must-see for horror
fans.
Midsommar (2019) - Also directed by Ari Aster,
Midsommar is a psychological horror film that follows a group of friends who
travel to a remote Swedish village to participate in a festival that only
occurs once every 90 years. As the festival unfolds, the friends begin to
realize sinister rituals are at play. The film’s bright and sunny
visuals contrast with its gruesome horror, making it a unique and disturbing
viewing experience.
The Babadook (2014) - Directed by Jennifer Kent, The Babadook
is a psychological horror film that follows a single mother struggling to raise
her son, who becomes convinced that a monster from a children’s book is
haunting them. The film explores grief and motherhood as haunting as
the monster itself.
Popular TV Shows in the Horror Genre
In recent years, horror TV shows
have become increasingly popular. With the freedom to tell longer and more
complex stories, TV shows can explore horror in ways that movies cannot. Here
are some popular horror TV shows worth checking out:
American Horror Story - Created by Ryan Murphy and Brad
Falchuk, American Horror Story is an anthology series that explores different
horror themes and settings each season. With a rotating cast of actors and each
season being a self-contained story, the show offers a wide range of scares and
styles.
Stranger Things - Created by the Duffer Brothers,
Stranger Things is a sci-fi horror series that pays homage to the horror and
sci-fi movies of the 1980s. The show follows a group of kids in a small Indiana
town who discover a supernatural threat to their community. Stranger Things has become a cultural phenomenon with its nostalgic tone and memorable characters.
The Haunting of Hill House - Created by Mike Flanagan, The
Haunting of Hill House is a supernatural horror series that follows a family
who grew up in a haunted house. The show uses time jumps and multiple
perspectives to tell a complex and emotional story about family trauma and the
power of ghosts.
Hannibal - Created by Bryan Fuller, Hannibal
is a psychological horror series that explores the relationship between FBI
agent Will Graham and psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal
Lecter. With its stylish visuals and complex characters, Hannibal is a unique
and unsettling take on the horror genre.
The Walking Dead - Based on the comic book series by
Robert Kirkman, The Walking Dead is a zombie horror series that follows a group
of survivors in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the undead. With its action, drama, and horror mix, The Walking Dead has become a cultural phenomenon
and spawned multiple spinoffs.
Whether you’re a fan of classic
horror movies, modern horror films, or TV shows in the horror genre, there’s
plenty of spooky content to indulge in this Halloween. From the iconic scares
of Psycho and The Exorcist to the inventive horror of A Quiet Place and
Midsommar, there’s something for every horror fan. And with popular horror tvs shows like American Horror Story and Stranger Things, you can binge-watch scares
all season long. So grab some candy and settle in for a Halloween horror
marathon. Happy haunting!