My Go-To Horror (and “Horror-ish”) Movies 🎬
It’s almost that time of year, spooky season! While I don’t go all out for Halloween itself, I do have a soft spot for horror movies (or at least movies I consider horror). October is the perfect excuse to queue them up. Some of these may not be “pure horror” by definition, but they’ve got the scares, the creep factor, and the vibes I love.
I’m also a huge marathon watcher; if a series has three or more movies, you better believe I’m sitting down to watch them all. So here’s my list of favorites for this time of year, in no particular order:
Chucky (Child’s Play Series)
Seven movies of creepy doll chaos. The first is still the best, but I appreciate that they brought back the original kid as an adult in the later films. The 2019 reboot? Not my fave. I didn’t like how Chucky looked either.
Jeepers Creepers
The first one had me yelling at the screen the entire time, thanks to the characters’ bad decisions, but that’s half the fun! The sequels are watchable, but the reboot left me disappointed.
Cujo
One word: rabid. A “good dog gone bad” story that still makes me nervous every time I see a St. Bernard.
Carrie
There are three versions—stick with the first two. The third isn’t my fave.
Children of the Corn
Crazy kids in cornfields? Terrifying. The original is the best, but out of the 11 films, a handful of the others are decent. The remake for #11 is decent.
Waxwork
A hidden gem! There are two of these movies, but the first one is where it’s at, an oldie but definitely a goodie.
Puppet Master
With 14 movies in the series, this one is a commitment. I wish they’d reboot it with modern effects because the idea is still great.
Pet Sematary
Grief and resurrection gone wrong. The original, the sequel, and the 2023 prequel all get a thumbs-up from me. The third film? Not my fave.
Final Destination
Six films that’ll make you side-eye every truck on the highway. The most recent entry (2025) took a different approach but I enjoyed it.
Hellraiser
Eleven movies of Pinhead terror. The most recent flipped Pinhead into a female lead, and it was good, but I still prefer the original.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (Freddy Krueger)
Nine movies of sleep-paralysis nightmare fuel. Freddy vs. Jason (#8) was a letdown—Freddy barely got any good hits in! Robert Englund is Freddy, and they really should’ve wrapped up Nancy’s story better.
Halloween
Four different timelines make this franchise a wild ride. The Jamie Lee Curtis originals are my favorite, though I thought the last showdown could’ve been more epic. Rob Zombie’s versions also brought something dark and fresh.
Alien & Predator
Sci-fi horror classics. Both series have their ups and downs, but they excel at creating atmosphere and suspense. Plus, the crossover movies (Alien vs. Predator) are a guilty pleasure. The new Predator is worth watching. I did enjoy it.
The Ring
Both the American remake and its sequels are worth watching.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
There are several takes on this story, but my favorite is the 2003 remake starring Jessica Biel. It’s gritty, bloody, and one of the most rewatchable slashers.
IT
Creepy clowns, red balloons, and childhood trauma? Sign me up (kidding… kind of). Both the original miniseries (1990) and the two-part movie remake (2017 & 2019) are worth watching.
Poltergeist
The first film is an iconic haunted-house horror. The sequel was good; the third was forced so the story didn’t really make sense.
The Blob
Nothing like an alien blob terrorizing a small town. Campy but a classic.
The Thing
Creepy, paranoid, and full of practical effects that still hold up today. One of the best “creature feature” horrors ever made.
The Candyman Series
You can’t talk about urban legend horror without mentioning Candyman. The original (1992) is still unmatched. The sequels (Farewell to the Flesh, Day of the Dead, and the 2021 reboot) tried to keep the mirror polished, but nothing quite matches the first film. To this day, I dare not say his name three times!
Honorable Mentions 🕸️
- Beetlejuice – Spooky, funny, and Tim Burton at his best.
- The Conjuring series – Chilling haunted house vibes, especially the first two.
- The Nun (1 & 2) – Creepy convent horror tied to The Conjuring universe.
- Saw series – Gore and traps galore.
- Get Out – Modern psychological horror with real-world punch.
- The Shining – Redrum. Enough said.
- Scream Series – The meta slasher that made us question every phone call and side door. Ghostface never misses his cue.
- I Know What You Did Last Summer – Teen guilt, bad decisions, and a fisherman with serious revenge issues. Classic ‘90s chills.
- The Grudge – Proof that curses don’t care about geography.
Funny Picks (Horror-Comedy Relief)
- A Haunted House (1 & 2) – Marlon Wayans parodying found footage horror.
- Boo! A Madea Halloween (1 & 2) – Madea vs. Halloween chaos.
- Zombieland (1 & 2) – The funniest zombie apocalypse you’ll ever watch.
🎬 That’s my Spooky Season movie lineup! From slashers to haunted houses, psychological thrillers to horror comedies, there’s a little something for every mood. Grab some popcorn, keep the lights on, and spooky watching. What do you think? What are your favorites?
