35 Best Scary Halloween Movies That Are Worth Watching This Year
You might want to keep the lights on for these.
Every item on this page was chosen by an editor from The Pioneer Woman. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Halloween doesn't have to be scary—but that's half the fun! Sure, you can spend the season carving pumpkins, baking spooky treats, or crafting cute décor, but nothing gets your heart racing like a good horror flick. Whether you're into psychological thrillers, slasher classics, or something new that'll have you sleeping with the lights on, there's no shortage of options.
We pulled together the best scary Halloween movies to stream this October, from timeless favorites like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre to modern nightmares like A Quiet Place and Ready or Not. You might even spot the movie Ree says “permanently” ended her babysitting career (you’ll know it when you see it!).
So grab your favorite cozy blanket, dim the lights, and settle in for a proper fright night. You can go classic with vintage horrors that defined the genre or mix things up with something newer that’s just as spine-chilling. Either way, these movies will make you appreciate the calm of your own living room once the credits roll—and maybe keep a light on, just in case.
Beware, though. These movies aren't for the faint of heart! You can always put on your favorite kids' Halloween movies on Netflix or these Halloween TV episodes after as a palette cleanser. (Whatever you do, though, just don't watch any of these movies in a haunted hotel!)
More Halloween movies for every kind of person:
Five friends head to a remote cabin for a weekend getaway, but nothing about their trip is what it seems. What starts as a classic horror setup quickly turns into a twisted, mind-bending experiment you won’t see coming.
This horror classic follows a group of friends who stumble upon a farmhouse run by a family of cannibals. It’s pretty terrifying, and still one of the most influential slasher films ever made.
A quiet, lonely boy befriends a mysterious girl who just moved into his apartment complex. Their friendship takes a chilling turn when he discovers her dark secret—she’s not a girl at all, but a centuries-old vampire.
After witnessing a traumatic event, a psychiatrist begins seeing an unnerving presence everywhere she goes. Warning: This one is psychological and loaded with jump scares!
A young, expecting couple are excited to move into their new home and change things around to completely make it their own. When the husband meets a girl on the third floor of his home who claims to be his neighbor, lots of unexplained creepy events start taking place.
Trick 'r Treat is a bit of a doozy, because it follows four different stories, all of them scary, while also stirring up some laughs. Be careful, though! It'll make you think differently about the people around you.
This is a great Halloween watch, since it's about witchcraft and black magic. The movie takes place in colonial New England following a family torn apart when their son goes missing.
A couple moves into a Long Island home that was previously the site of a gruesome mass murder. The house becomes a living nightmare when dangerous spirits descend.
This gory, brutal remake of the 1972 film isn't for the faint of heart. It follows two parents set on revenge against escaped convicts who kidnapped and tortured their daughter.
The "kids" book series was turned into an equally terrifying movie in 2019. It follows a group of teens as they try and solve the mystery behind the sudden gory deaths in their town.
Follow paranormal investigator Zak Bagans as he and his team face the real-life "Portal to Hell" and the demonic forces that plague them. You'll be on the edge of your seat for this one!
In this 2011 prequel, a team of scientists in Antarctica discover a shape-shifting monster that wreaks havoc on their expedition. This suspenseful film will have you watching with hands over your eyes.
What do you get when you mix The Hunger Games with a bit of horror? Well, you get this film! Hillary Swank stars as the leader of a group of hunters who use humans as their targets. But what happens when one of the hunters decides to rebel?
When you're planning your next girls' trip, just make sure it doesn't involve exploring a labyrinth in North Carolina. 😅
Laurie Strode is all grown up and anything but a victim. She and the other survivors of Michael Myers are now seeking revenge, and they won't stop until they end his reign of terror once and for all (or at least until the next sequel).
As the tale goes: If you say "Candyman" five times while looking in the mirror, you'll probably encounter a vengeful spirit who does not pity the living. Can this young couple escape its wrath?
An apartment with a leak usually resorts to a complaint to a landlord. For this mother, it means something much more demonic. And now, she must figure out a way to keep her young daughter safe.
Never doubt a woman's intuition. Especially when it has to do with the supernatural and her deceased daughter. 😳
This movie will seriously creep out any former babysitters, like Ree! A girl named Kaylie is warned to lock the doors while babysitting one Mischief Night. Sounds harmless, right?
This bride did not expect to play a deadly game of hide and seek on her wedding day. Talk about not getting along with your in-laws!
Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.
Ree Once Made Dolly Parton’s ‘Cuppa Cuppa’ Cake
10 Summer '80s Movies You Should Watch ASAP
10 Movies to Watch If You Love ‘Dutton Ranch’
4th of July Movies for the Kids to Watch
