Skip to Content

60 Classic Halloween Movies to Watch for a Scary Evening In

From childhood classic like Halloweentown to cult favorites like Beetlejuice, we guarantee you'll find your favorites here.

By The Editors
Fun, Hairstyle, Forehead, Eyebrow, Happy, Fashion accessory, Headgear, Temple, Costume accessory, Cool,
Buena Vista

We're not saying that Halloween is the only holiday on the calendar with an impressive roster of films—from Christmas to the Fourth of July, Hollywood is never one to slouch on a good theme—but there is something about the spooky season that seems to inspire cinemaphiles. Be it with tense thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, classic scream-fests filled with monsters and slashers, or lighthearted family fun with a creepy twist, there's no shortage of films to satisfy every movie lovers craving. No matter what your style, with just 31 days to cram all of your essential Halloween movie watching into, it's important to have a plan of attack. To help out, we've gathered up some of the very best Halloween moves to watch this year, so pop up some popcorn and break out those fun-sized candy bars to settle in for a real treat.

More: Easy Men's Halloween Costumes to Try Out This Year

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

youtubeView full post on Youtube

This is a true classic the whole family can enjoy. For more than 50 years, Snoopy and the gang have been getting us into the Halloween spirit. The animation might even make you nostalgic for childhood memories of trick-or-treating.

STREAM NOW

Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

The cult-favorite musical is the longest running theatrical release in history, because of its frequent, interactive showings around Halloween. So watch it solo or, even better, grab some friends and do the Time Warp again.

STREAM NOW

Hocus Pocus (1993)

You can't go wrong with Hocus Pocus. The family-friendly comedy stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy star as three Salem, Massachusetts witches, resurrected just in time for Halloween.

STREAM NOW

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Harry Potter

It's been argued that the Harry Potter films are all Christmas movies, as the festive season often features, but it's also safe to call them Halloween flicks—after all, the story is about witches and wizards. Each of the films is currently available to stream on HBO Max.

WATCH NOW

Scream (1996)

This clever-yet-scary slasher movie/black comedy stars a variety of big names, from Courtney Cox to Drew Barrymore, and continues to be a fan-favorite year after year.

STREAM NOW

The Addams Family (1991) & Addams Family Values (1993)

When it comes to the Addams Family movies–that’s right, not just the first but the second, too!–there’s a lot to love. Great jokes, campiness, and gothic style? Plus, Angelica Huston is a total vision as Morticia. Consider these perfect viewing for anyone who loves the Halloween mood, but could do without actual scares.

STREAM NOW

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Scooby Doo & The Ghoul School

Another more kid-friendly (but still festive) film is this cartoon mystery where the Scooby Squad finds themselves in a boarding school for monsters and ghosts. It's perfect for your tween's Halloween party.


Watch Now

Mean Girls

Now, Mean Girls isn't exactly a horror movie, but it does feature one of the most iconic Halloween scenes in recent memory, earning it a prime spot on this list.

WATCH NOW

The Omen (1976)

“It’s all for you, Damien!” You’re not a real horror buff if you haven’t seen this ‘70s classic. Gregory Peck and Lee Remick star in the demonic film, which is remembered as one of the most cursed movies of all time.

STREAM NOW

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

Roman Polanski’s Rosemary’s Baby is a cornerstone of the horror movie genre, making it a must-see this spooky season. In the film, Mia Farrow plays a young woman whose husband makes a deal with the devil without her knowing.

WATCH NOW

A Nightmare on Elm Street

Almost a decade before Scream, Wes Craven gifted the world with one of the most infamous movie villains: Freddy Krueger. But it’s not just a slasher flick with a gruesome lead, the movie is held up by a compelling premise and storyline that will definitely leave you scared to go to sleep. Did we mention this was Johnny Depp’s acting debut?

STREAM NOW

The Haunted Mansion

Disney doesn’t do a whole lot of scary, but when they do, they sure do it right. Eddie Murphy brings his comedic genius to this spooky story of a family that ends up trapped in a (you guessed it) haunted mansion due to a case of mistaken identity. While we’d still classify this as family friendly, note that it might be on the scarier side for some young viewers.

STREAM NOW

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Friday the 13th

What starts off as a fun movie about teenagers working at a summer camp quickly turns sour as Jason Voorhees appears on one Friday the 13th. Hockey masks have never been the same since this flick’s 1980 release, featuring Kevin Bacon.

STREAM NOW

The Shining (1980)

If you're looking for a good fright with a side of cinematic prowess, turn on The Shining. The Stanley Kubrick-directed film has become a horror classic, tracing the tale of an innkeeper who goes off the psychological deep end.

STREAM NOW

Halloween (1978)

Few movies are as appropriate for Halloween as, well, Halloween. The slasher movie stars Jamie Lee Curtis and follows a mental patient and murderer who escapes a sanitarium and returns to his hometown to stalk innocent passersby.

STREAM NOW

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Halloweentown (1998)

A movie perfect for the whole family, Halloweentown follows a young witch named Marnie, torn between her normal life and her grandmother's home in an enchanted place where it's always Halloween.

STREAM NOW

Labryinth

This film was a collaborative effort by Jim Henson, George Lucas, and David Bowie. We’re not sure how such a star-studded project came to happen, but we’re sure glad it did. The plot: one girl (Jennifer Connelly) has 13 hours to save her brother from being turned into a goblin by Bowie, the Goblin King.

STREAM NOW

Child's Play (1988)

A doll possessed by a serial killer? Sure, why not. This movie introduced the infamous Chucky character, who will certainly make you look at children's toys in a different way.

STREAM NOW

MORE: These '80s Horror Movies Will Please Cult Film Buffs

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Beetlejuice (1988)

This Tim Burton horror/comedy follows a ghost couple who haunt their prior home, alongside, of course, a devious poltergeist named Beetlejuice. Watch for the laughs, the star-studded cast, and THE famed striped suit.

STREAM NOW

Get Out (2017)

This movie has quickly become a horror classic. The Jordan Peele-written and directed feature follows a Black photographer going home with his white girlfriend for the first time. Shrouded by casual racism, the dynamics get eerier and eerier as the film progresses.

STREAM NOW

Watch Next
 
preview for Leisure Section Curated
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Halloween Ideas

last minute halloween costumes for men

Easy Halloween Costume Ideas for Men

barbie

No Barbie Halloween Costumes for Striking Actors

travis kelce taylor swift

Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce Halloween Costume Idea

barbie halloween costumes

7 Barbie Costume Ideas to Wear This Halloween

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
tiktok
youtube
facebook
instagram
pinterest
Hearst Fashion and Luxury Collection - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2024 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map