Vanessa Maki presents a selection of horror movies perfect for Halloween season viewing…
Halloween season has officially begun where pumpkins are everywhere, the leaves are crisp, and people are putting up their decorations. Despite most horror fans are consuming horror throughout the entire year, not just during October, it’s always a blast to throw on a fall themed horror film. Sure, you could watch Halloween for the millionth time, but that’s such an easy choice. Why not go for a horror film that you might not be thinking about?
So, instead of recommending any of the films in the Halloween franchise, this list will include a different selection for you to indulge in. From films about werewolves to weird slashers, you’re not going to be without options. It’s time to grab your pumpkin shaped chocolates, candy corn, or whatever your preferred Halloween-themed , and get ready for some fall horror goodness…
Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981)
Horror films made for television don’t always have to be really bad, sometimes they’re solid. Dark Night of the Scarecrow follows ignorant vigilantes who are experiencing strange events, after their decisions led to the death of someone who was innocent. It’s one of those horror films where karma is coming for the victims, and you likely won’t find yourself feeling sorry for them. Despite its low budget and lack of R rating, the film is extremely effective in how it captures a fall atmosphere.
Dark Night of the Scarecrow not only feels authentic to the happenings of a small town, but the night scenes were actually shot at night. The scenes are perfectly atmospheric with the pumpkins, rural setting, and people that aren’t glammed up for Hollywood. There’s nothing wrong with glossy or picture perfect looking horror films, though if you’re looking for a specific rural charm, then check this one out.
My Bloody Valentine (1981)
If you’ve ever seen the My Bloody Valentine remake, it exists because of this Canadian cult slasher. My Bloody Valentine follows a friend group who decides to celebrate Valentine’s Day, only to be stalked by a deranged killer. Naturally the bodies pile up, the characters have dramatic history with one another, and there’s a lot of slashing going on. It’s a charming early ’80s slasher with young adults rather than bumbling teenagers.
The film achieves at differentiating itself from the numerous slashers coming out at the time. Primarily by being set in a Canadian mining town, one in which the atmosphere feels relatively cold. Despite being set during the spring, My Bloody Valentine has fall vibes because it was filmed during the fall.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
An American Werewolf in London follows an American backpacker named David (David Naughton), who gets bitten by a werewolf and is forced to undergo his transformation. As far as werewolf horror goes, it’s absolutely up there as one of the greats and there’s plenty for werewolf lovers to enjoy throughout the film’s runtime.
The film’s practical effects are what people especially praise, and for good reason because they’re spectacular. Werewolf transformation is meant to be gnarly, often quite painful, and this film absolutely tackles that. An American Werewolf in London isn’t about whether David will transform, it’s focused on when he will. The film will make you think and will also make you squirm.
Fright Night (1985)
A campy and very queer cult classic that will forever be discussed in discussions about vampire horror. Fright Night follows a teen boy and his friends who try to discover whether his neighbor is a vampire. The premise plays out as campy as you can imagine, and the practical effects are incredibly memorable. In terms of the film itself, it’s hard not to love it and see the importance of a film like this one for the horror genre.
Fright Night not only succeeds it making its characters standout, but it offers boatloads of queer subtext, and some of the cast is even queer to boot. It’s a film that likely wouldn’t get made the same today, and in a way that’s part of what makes it special. If you’ve been waiting to be given a sign that you should watch it, you’ve been officially given one.
Night of the Demons (1988)
Demons causing havoc on Halloween? You got it. Night of the Demons follows high schools students who decide to host a Halloween party in an abandoned funeral home. When they stupidly decide to host a séance, all hell breaks loose and a demon begins to possess the students. It’s a very ’80s horror film with nudity, stupid kids, and a lot of silliness in its premise, but it’s still a lot of fun for its viewers and doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Night of the Demons features an iconic dance sequence with Bauhaus playing in the background, unnerving makeup for the demons, one unexpected survivor at the end, and it’s very deserving of its cult status. It might not be perfect, and some of the characters are simply there to die, but it’s a horror film that embraces its silly qualities. And that alone is worth commending when the end result is better than what you might expect.
Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987)
It might be extremely controversial to say, but this sequel is better than Prom Night. Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II follows a high school student who becomes possessed by the spirit of a teenager who died in 1957. Instead of following the typical slasher route of the first film, this a sequel that takes a sharp turn to the left by adding supernatural elements. There’s no Jamie Lee Curtis in this one, instead the lead is a different blonde girl named Vicki (Wendy Lyon).
Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II is a case where the sequel is better than the original for a number of reasons. There are no scenes that make it difficult to sort out what’s going on, instead the film gets to the point quickly. While it’s not a sequel that’ll blow your mind, it’s a wacky ’80s supernatural slasher that you’ll have fun with. And will make a perfect watch for this Halloween season as a result.
Ginger Snaps (2000)
There aren’t as many coming-of-age werewolf horror movies, but this is definitely one of the best examples. Ginger Snaps follows sisters Ginger (Katharine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins) who are at odds when Ginger is bitten and begins transforming into a werewolf. The film is very much a feminist cult film, and is certainly one of the most notable Canadian horror films.
Ginger Snaps is certainly a bleak film that explores menstruation, the experiences of being a teen girl, and uses werewolf transformation as a metaphor for that. At the very heart of the film is the relationship between Ginger and Brigitte, whose relationship becomes very fractured because they’re not on the same page. It’s also a good look into how small suburbs do hide secrets and can be disastrous behind the scenes. Overall, if you haven’t seen it, it’s very much worth your time.
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Rob Zombie doesn’t vibe with everyone as a filmmaker, but there’s no arguing that he knows how to create a mood. House of 1000 Corpses follows two couples whose Halloween plans are tarnished when they’re kidnapped by a serial killer family. The film noticeably takes inspiration from The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), but the family in this are even more bonkers.
Considering House of 1000 Corpses kicks off a trilogy, you could very well binge-watch all of them. It’s not the best of the trilogy (that’s arguably The Devil’s Rejects), but it’s got a specific charm that people can appreciate, and if you’re simply looking for an atmospheric Halloween watch, you’re sure to find that here.
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Halloween can be an absolute disaster, can’t it? Trick ‘r Treat follows four different stories, a demon named Sam (Quinn Lord) who appears in all of them, and how breaking Halloween traditions results in death. It’s a shame that there’s never been a sequel to this, especially when it’s a film that’s really well-loved enough to become a cult film.
Trick ‘r Treat is nonlinear, happening in the same town, and the characters collide in various ways. The film gives its audience a chaotic Halloween night with fun performances, a great antagonist in Sam, and great effects. You’re guaranteed to become wrapped up in the story, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the outcome.
Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
In terms of the best entries in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, this one absolutely makes the list. New Nightmare is meta and is set in the real-world where Freddy is meant to be a fictional character. Only for him to become real and cause havoc for those who have worked on the films. There’s no arguing that it’s one of Wes Craven’s best films, and it adds plenty of layers for fans to ponder about in terms of what becomes real to us as horror fans.
New Nightmare might not feature a comedic Freddy (Robert Englund), but if you want a menacing version of Freddy Krueger then you’ll get it here. You don’t have to be a superfan of the franchise to enjoy this one, though you should at least watch the other films to fully understand the importance of this one. Also, who doesn’t love practical effects, Heather Langenkamp being an icon, a scarier Freddy, and an appearance from Wes Craven himself?
Vanessa Maki
