- Black Phone (R)
Black Phone is the best horror film ever created. This story revolves around a young boy named Finny Shaw who is kidnapped by a serial killer who holds him in a soundproof basement. Here, he discovered a disconnected black rotary phone. Despite being disconnected from the wall, the phone mysteriously rings and Finney receives calls from the killer’s previous victims. These kids provide him with clues on how to escape. Finney’s sister at home starts to have psychic dreams that cause her to search for him and lead her right to the killer’s home. This film is a psychological thriller which creates suspense in its watchers and has one of the most encapsulating plots, putting it at the Number 1 spot.
2. Halloween Town (No rating)
‘Halloween Town’ is a classic movie filmed in 1998. Growing up, this was a movie my family and I would watch every year around the spooky month of October. The movie explains the story of Marnie and her kids getting shocked when they follow Grandma home to Halloweentown – and find out they come from a family of witches. The town is the only place where supernatural beings can lead a “normal” life, but trouble is looming. On her 13th birthday, Marnie not only finds she is a witch, but that she and her family are involved in a fight against the evil that is threatening to take over the world. One of the most memorable scenes for me is when Grandma Aggie first takes Marnie, Dylan, and Sophie to Halloweentown. The moment they step off the bus and see the town for the first time, with all the quirky creatures and the giant jack-o’-lantern in the town square, it’s just so magical and exciting. It really sets up the tone for the whole adventure and captures the wonder of discovering a whole new world.
3. Hush (R)
Hush is another horror thriller that will actually make you jump out of your seat! The main character of this movie is a deaf woman so this movie has little to no dialogue. This aspect enhances the suspense and builds a strong fourth wall in that the audience knows much more than the main character. This is a very good and entertaining movie for the Halloween season.
4. The Visit (PG-13)
The visit is a horror movie I highly recommend if you’re into realistic thrillers. This isn’t a big slasher movie; however, it is very creepy and will make your skin crawl. This movie starts off with two siblings visiting their grandparents’ house whom they have never met before. Their grandparents turn out to be pretty strange and they quickly realize they need to get out of the house for their own good. The twist ending added even more depth and complexity to the story, making it that much better.
5. Scream (R)
The original ‘Scream’ from 1996 is considered the best by fans. “Scream” is the first of 6 in its series. It follows the story of a high school student named Sideny Prescott, who becomes the target of a mysterious killer known as ‘Ghostface’. The movie is famous for its clever mix of horror and self-aware humor, as it both honors and pokes fun at classic horror movie tropes. WIth a series of intense and suspenseful scenes, “Scream” keeps viewers on the edge of their seats while also delivering some unexpected twists. It’s a must watch!! One of my favorite scenes from “Scream” is the opening sequence with Drew Barrymore. It’s incredibly tense and sets the tone for the entire film. The way it plays with the audience’s expectations and introduces the terrifying presence of Ghostface right from the start. Plus, it’s one of those scenes that has been iconic in horror movies’ history.
6. The Conjuring (R)
“The Conjuring” is also an amazing horror movie, and it has three in its series. I would say “The Conjuring 2” is my favorite. This movie is a supernatural horror film that follows paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren as they travel to London to help a single mother and her four children who are experiencing disturbing events in their home. My favorite scene is when Lorraine confronts the Demonic nun, Valak, in the Warrens’ home. The way the scene builds up with the painting and then the actual confrontation is too intense and creepy. It’s definitely a standout moment in the movie.
7. IT (R)
“IT” is a movie based on Stephen King’s novel and follows a group of kids in the town of Derry, Maine, who call themselves the Loser’s Club. They discover that the shape-shifting entity, often taking the form of a clown named Pennywise, is responsible for the mysterious disappearance of children in their town. As they confront their deepest fears and the trauma of their childhood, they band together to face Pennywise and try to defeat him. The movie jumps between their childhood and their adult lives, showing how the trauma of their past still affects them. My favorite scene is when Pennywise appears in the sewer drain at the beginning of the movie. The way he interacts with Georgie is so creepy and sets the tone for the rest of the film.
8. The Ring (PG-13)
The Ring is a classic horror movie. The eerie atmosphere and suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat. The mystery surrounding the cursed videotape keeps you hooked from start to finish. The way the story unfolds relieves more about the main character and her tragic backstory adds a layer of depth to the story making it more than a typical horror film. The tension builds throughout the whole movie, making it a solid horror movie which develops a chilling experience.
9. Coraline (PG)
Coraline is a movie that follows a young girl named Coraline Jones who moves into a new home with her parents. Feeling neglected and bored, she discovers a secret door in the house that leads to an alternative universe. In this other world, everything seems to be perfect, and her “Other Mother” and “Other Father” are attentive and loving. However Coraline soon realizes that this world is a trap created by the sinister Other Mother to keep her there forever. With the help of a talking cat and the ghosts of the other trapped children, Coraline finds ways to outsmart the Other Mother and return to her real world. My favorite scene is when she realizes the true nature of the other mother.The transformation from a seemingly loving figure to a menacing, spider-like creature is both terrifying and visually stunning.
10. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (G)
This movie is a classic and beloved animated television special that had to be included in this top 10 list. The story is centered around the comic strip Charles M. Schulz. The story is centered around Linus, who believes in the Great Pumpkin, a mythical figure who rises from the pumpkin patch on Halloween night. This is a special heartwarming movie filled with charm and has a timeless appeal.
