Some people say that Christmas is the best time of year, but I argue that Halloween is even better. No other holiday is like it, on this one day of the year it’s socially acceptable to walk up to strangers houses. Something we are normally advised not to do and ask for candy. Besides receiving free candy, you can be another person for a day. And the next day, everything goes back to normal. How magical is that? If you love Halloween like I do, then you probably love watching scary movies as well. Here’s my list of top 7 scary movies to watch before all hallows eve.
1. Halloween (1978)
Halloween must be at the top of every scary movie list. This movie transcends all ages and has one of the most recognizable movie theme songs. Directed by John Carpenter, the fictional character of Michael Myers murders his sister as a child and is placed in an asylum. Of course, he escapes from it leading to the plot of the movie. If they had spy apps back then, they would have able to monitor him better. Instead, he continues to stalk and kill people in this simple yet effective plot. The Halloween series has had a long-lasting impact on the horror movie genre.
2. The Shining (1980)
The Shining may not be as universally known as Halloween, but the concept is way more interesting. Director Stanley Kubrick is known for creating uncanny and unsettling movies that you can’t take your eyes away from. This is especially true with this movie, which is set in the beautiful but eerie Overlook Hotel. Jack Torrance and his family are responsible for watching over the hotel and maintaining it through a tough winter. The plot twist is that Jack slowly becomes psychotic and starts hallucinating former guests of the hotel. Hallucinations that tell him to murder his wife and child, and he actually tries to.
3. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Trick ‘r Treat differs from other scary movies in that it contains stories that somehow all weave together. In this case, the evil child (Sam) with the mask over his face appears in every story. Sometimes he is lurking in the background and other times he is interacting with other characters. Either way, he seems to have control over who lives or dies. This character or demon’s main purpose is to make sure people are respecting and celebrating Halloween. For instance, a couple that is seen taking down their Halloween decorations before the night is over is then killed by the character. The lesson of the movie is to celebrate Halloween to the fullest.
4. Monster House (2006)
Monster House is an animated movie about three teens who uncover the truth about a haunted house. Most neighborhoods have that one weird house that is unkept and odd looking. Hence the title, Monster House. But this isn’t an ordinary house, the house is haunted by the spirit of the old man’s wife. She tragically passed in a scene later shown in the movie. This animation is quite scary for a supposed children’s movie, I feel uneasy watching it. There’s something about watching animated scary films that can be more unsettling than watching films with people. After watching this movie, you’ll be looking at that strange house on your block a little differently.
5. Blair Witch Project (1999)
Blair Witch Project is all about fear of the unknown, a fear that almost every person has. When a group of college students is exploring in the woods (unsurprisingly) they wind up missing and presumed dead. Now to bring it back to the beginning, a previous murder in the same woods is what drew them there. As students and amateur filmmakers, they wanted to see the haunted woods for themselves. Soon after arriving, a dark presence is felt to be watching them. If modern technology existed back then, it would be useful to know how to catch someone spying on you. And that is what the witch was doing, she was watching them and had control over the forest so the students would never find a way out. They never did.
6. It Follows (2014)
It Follows is not your average horror movie, instead of just senseless violence, there is a deeper meaning to it. Although, the meaning varies among each viewer. Some people see it as a commentary on teenage relationships and STDS, while others view it as how death is inescapable. Sure in the movie it takes on different forms, but at the end of the day, we can’t escape our fear of dying. A thought that is even scarier than the idea of teenagers passing on diseases. Whatever interpretation you have, what you see in the movie is one teenager sleeping with another and a “disease” (supernatural entity) is spread. This continues on throughout the movie, and they are all trying to get rid of the “disease”. Once a person is contaminated, the supernatural being stalks and attempts to kill them.
7. The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring series involves the infamous Annabelle doll and our favorite ghost hunters, Lorraine and Ed Warren. This ghost fighting couple is summoned by a family being haunted by malevolent spirits. Similar to many paranormal movies, the haunting starts out small with doors opening on their own and glasses falling off shelves. Then it escalates to the mother becoming possessed and trying to attack her own children. The skilled ghost hunters are able to fight off the demon, but Lorraine is truly affected after encountering the evil spirit. The Conjuring is full of suspense and makes you feel uneasy until the minute it’s over. If you like this movie, make sure to see The Conjuring 2, Annabelle, and Annabelle:Creation.
Other notable scary and horror films include Cabin in the Woods, A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984 & 2010), Silence of the Lambs (statting Anthony Hopkins), The Nun, Pet Semetary, It, and The Evil Dead (starring Bruce Campbell).
