The 20 Best Halloween Movies for Every Scare Level

Currently I'm dating a boy who is just not in the Halloween spirit as I am, like at all. As someone who could care less about Christmas and Fourth of July, it's a little hard to spend all my time with someone who doesn't squeal with joy when they see a pumpkin patch. Like hello, can we get in the fall spirit and coordinate our costumes, or am I gonna have to reactive my dating profile to find less of a downer?

None of this would be a problem, if his dislike for Halloween didn't also extend to movies. In an effort to choose a movie for the night, I spent some time researching Halloween-esque movies that wouldn't keep him up at night or make me roll my eyes. During my hunt for the perfect compromise I realized I may not be the only one battling the right to celebrate how I choose, so I put together the twenty best films for everyone on the Halloween loving spectrum, from unimpressed to totally obsessed.

Movies that will make you miss the 90s (and won't scare you one bit).

1. Hocus Pocus
A perfect movie to carve pumpkins to and reminisce about how much better tv was in the late 90s. Plus, the perfect way to transition into an all day Sex and the City marathon.

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas
Does this movie even need an explanation? If anything, it's a great film to inspire your couples or group costume.

3. Halloweentown
Back when TV Disney movies were something we looked forward to. I found myself wtaching this last year and was just as ____ with the plot.

4. Practical Magic
Apart from two strong female leads, then and now, it's the best romantic comedy you're gonna find about two witches. Think of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, without the meddling aunts!

5. The Sixth Sense
The closest thing to scary my mom ever let me watch before the age of 12. I cant say more without ruining it for the .001% of you who haven't seen it yet.

Movies classics that are too old to be scary.

6. Halloween
Sure, it features one of those bad guys that just won't die, but the acting and plot is so cheesy at times that it's hard to be genuinely scared at time. Still good though.

7. Nightmare on Elm Street
Turns out the bad guy can only kill you while you're asleep. Whelp, see ya'll in the afterlife.

8. Carrie (1976)
We're you ever bullied in school? Well grab the popcorn and be prepared to root for the underdog.

9. The Exorcist
The scariest of this bunch, but only because they really amped up with the grossness factor in a few scenes.

Movies that will make you scream at the television.

10. You're Next
Ever watch Home Alone? This movie is like that, except much much scarier. You'll love it, trust me.

11. Panic Room
Similar to You're Next, but much less bloody and you'll find yourself throwing less popcorn at the TV.

12. Hush
One of the most stressful movies I've seen in a long time. Brief description: it's a home invasion and the woman is deaf. He taunts her for what feels like forever before making his move. Did I mention it's super stressful?

13. Poltergeist
Sure maybe this one should go with the classics, but you'll find yourself actually caring what happens to the people in this movie? Those sex crazed teens in the category before, not so much.

Movies that will scare you, but not so much that you won't wanna rewatch them.

14. Scream
Packed with a cast that you will still recognize today, plus that feeling you used to get before caller ID was a thing.

15. The Ring
Scary enough to make you jump a few times, but leave you feeling like you'd never be dumb enough to get yourself in that situation.

16. Carrie (2013)
The remake was absolutely amazing and should honestly be seen by anyone who was a fan of the original. Plus, it really makes you feel for teens nowadays, at least some of them.

17. Insidious
The lesson learned here is don't have kids, because they will be come possessed and then you have to clean up their mess. Stressful, scary and nerve-wracking, kinda like having a late period.

Movies that will make you hear every bump in the night.

18. Paranormal Activity
These movies are a lot of hype, not a lot of action. Yet somehow they manage to drag out the suspense to keep you interested until the very end.

19. The Conjuring
Cant say enough good things about this movie, and for once the kids aren't completely gullible. Plus with two recent sequels, you can make a night of it!

20. The Babadook
You'll spend half the time wondering what the heck is going on, the other half searching up boarding schools to send the annoying little boy to.



Okay now tell me, what's your favorite movie to watch in the month of October? Please tell me I'm not alone in loving every minute of this month!