Halloween picks
For me, a Halloween movie doesn’t necessarily have to make you jump out of your seat. This list has a variety of movies that are scary, or spooky, or just a good movie that messes with your head.
Silent House (2011)
Categories: Psychological thriller, Horror
Hulu, Prime (free), Starz
Why I love this movie
A great example of a movie that is both a horror film and psychological thriller. Who doesn’t enjoy a good haunted house premise? Though the subject is classic for this genre, the movie itself will surprise you as Elizabeth Olsen uncovers what exactly is haunting her during a trip down memory lane.
The Gift (2000)
Categories: Psychological thriller
Prime (free)
Why I love this movie
If you enjoy a thriller with a spooky, witchy, edge to it – set in the south, then this is the movie for you. It makes for a great Halloween watch as the story centers around a young socialite’s disappearance, investigated by a clairvoyant. If that doesn’t convince you – let the cast speak for itself as it stars Cate Blanchett, Katie Holmes, Keanu Reeves, and Hillary Swank.
The Uninvited (2009)
Categories: Horror
Rent Prime
Why I love this movie
I don’t know why I never see this top lists of great scary movies. It’s about a young girl returning home from her stint at a psych ward following the death of her mother. It deals with an evil step mother, mind games, and my favorite – a scary lake house setting.
The Illusionist (2006)
Categories: Emotional drama
Prime (free), Vudu, Sling
Why I love this movie
This is a fun Halloween watch when you don’t want to be scared but still want some magic and mystery. It’s the story of forbidden love taking place at the turn of the century between a famous magician and a Duchess.
The Others (2001)
Categories: Horror
Prime (free), Hulu, HBO Max
Why I love this movie
My absolute favorite ghost movie, this one is equal parts creepy and mystery. Grace (Nicole Kidman) and her children are left alone in their eerie mansion on the English coast, while they wait for her husband to return from World War II.
Lady in the Water (2006)
Categories: Psychological thriller
Rent Prime
Why I love this movie
Give this movie a chance. It was ill received when it came out, but I’m telling you – its good! I blame the bad reviews on the public turning on M. Night Shyamalan after he made a series of movies outside his normal repertoire (The Village). The key to enjoying it is to not expect a movie like Signs or The Sixth Sense, it’s a very different movie with an interesting message and some humor that lightens it.
The Craft (1996)
Categories: Horror
Hulu, Prime (free)
Why I love this movie
It’s a cult classic for a reason, The Craft combines all things I love, a 90’s teen movie, witches, and private school. This isn’t a deeply scary movie and can be a fun watch if you’re not looking for nightmares but still want to be festive.
Split (2016)
Categories: Psychological thriller, Horror
Rent Prime
Why I love this movie
This tense psychological thriller might scare you in the moment but it won’t leave you with nightmares like the typical Halloween pick. A couple of teenage girls are captured by a man they think is named Dennis, but turns out to be Kevin, a man suffering from dissociative identity disorder with 23 personalities. Watching Casey (played by Anya Taylor-Joy) navigate the different personalities and how to get herself and the other 2 girls out of their situation will have you glued to your screen.