Monday, October 3, 2016

The Ultimate List of Halloween-themed Movies


I made a list a few years ago of movies centered around, set during, or containing elements of Halloween. Since then, I've noticed that list becoming sadly out-of-date and incomplete, so I decided to start a new, more comprehensive list of movies that are Halloween-themed. All of the films listed below contain Halloween elements, whether briefly or for their entirety. Some are set during Halloween, others just use the autumn season as a backdrop for their stories, some are directly about Halloween, but they will all help evoke that special Halloween spirit!

In this new list, I've not only included films I'd missed on the old list as well as new movies, but I've also broken down the movies into categories, from horror movies to family-friendly films to comedies and so on, as well as noting whether I recommend them or not. I've labeled each movie (at least the ones I've seen) with a rating of "recommended," "watch at your own risk," or "skip it."

The Ultimate List of Halloween-themed Movies:


Trick 'r Treat

Horror Movies:
10/31 (2017) - An indie horror anthology with stories taking place on Halloween, with a wrap-around story featuring an Elvira-like horror host. The stories are hit or miss, so watch at your own risk.
10/31 Part II (2020) - I haven't seen this one yet, but I expect it is similar to the first anthology that features a variety of shorts centered around Halloween.
31 (2016) - Set on Halloween night, but lacking Halloween atmosphere. Plus, it was super-polarizing in theaters - watch at your own risk.
Abandoned Mine (2013) - It has some nice Halloweenie atmosphere at the beginning, but doesn't really pay off. Watch at your own risk.
The ABCs of Death 2 ("N is for Nexus" segment) (2014) - Great costumes, nice NYC Halloween atmosphere. Recommended (as is the whole anthology).
All Hallow's Eve (2007) - Haven't seen this one yet.
All Hallow’s Eve (2013) - An anthology film whose wrap-around story is set on Halloween. It wasn't as bad as I expected and has a creepy clown; recommended.
All Hallow’s Eve 2 (2015) - Not nearly as good as the original; skip it.
American Fright Fest (2018) - A haunt staged in an abandoned asylum turns real when escaped convicts start killing off patrons. This one has almost zero Halloween atmosphere and is a dull film with no real plot; skip it.
The Barn (2016) - A fun, well-done film that is set and filmed like it's the '80s - highly recommended if you can find it (it's doing the festival rounds now)!
Blood Fest (2018) - Fans flock to a haunt, only to find out that the organizer has a far more nefarious plan, and they must fight their way out. This horror-comedy has it's moments, but fell a little flat for me. Watch at your own risk.
Boo (2005) - Set on Halloween night at an abandoned, haunted asylum, this one is surprisingly ok for a low-budget film. Recommended!
Candy Corn (2019) - It’s Halloween weekend and a group of bullies are planning their annual hazing on local outcast, Jacob Atkins. When they take things too far, he’s resurrected to seek revenge against those that wronged him. Great Halloween vibes, but not very well-executed. Watch at your own risk.
Clownhouse (1989) - Set two weeks before Halloween, so it's not too Halloweenie, but crazed killer clowns are entertaining nonetheless. Recommended.
The Clown Murders (1976) - Haven't seen it.
The Crow (1994) - Set on Devil's Night or the night before Halloween, recommended!
Cry_Wolf (2005) - A group of college students make up a tale of a serial killer who will strike their campus on Halloween and spread the rumor online, and to their shock a killer does strike. This isn't the best film and can't even really be considered a slasher, but it's still worth a watch, especially for the autumn foliage and Halloween scenes. Watch at your own risk.
Dark Night of the Scarecrow (1981) - This made-for-TV horror movie is bigotry and revenge in a small town, set around autumn and Halloween. Recommended!
Donnie Darko (2001) - Time-travel film with a twist set around Halloween in the '80s, complete with Halloween party, costumes, and a great soundtrack. Recommended!
The Exorcist (1973) - The film opens around Halloween, with fall foliage, pumpkins, and trick or treaters on the streets of Georgetown. Reagan also messes around with the Ouija board around this time. Obviously this film is a classic, recommended.
Extremity (2018) - A young woman signs up for an extreme haunt to help her exorcise her internal traumas, but has no way of knowing just how shocking her ordeal will be-or what dark secrets buried in her psyche will emerge. Recommended.
Fear, Inc. (2016) - A horror junkie and his friends sign up with a company that brings their customer's greatest fears to life. The personalized haunt experience comes to the group on Halloween night. This was okay, but didn't have much Halloween atmosphere going for it. Watch at your own risk.
Flesheater (1988) - Haven't seen it, but it's a low budget zombie movie set on Halloween night.
Frayed (2007) - Recommended!
The Fun Size Horror Vol. 1 (2015) - Anthology that has a nicely animated Halloween intro, but the stories themselves are not very Halloween-related. Watch at you own risk.
The Funhouse Massacre (2015) - Set at a haunt on Halloween where a group of escaped mental patients masquerade as scare actors and start killing off guests. A little light on story, but somewhat entertaining, watch at your own risk. 
Ghostwatch (1992) - A faux documentary investigating a haunted house and set on Halloween, it convinced millions of British viewers that it was real. Recommended.
Ginger Snaps (2000) - Love this film, and the Canadian autumn imagery and Halloween costume party makes it a fabulous werewolf film to watch around Halloween. Recommended.
The Guest (2014) - Fantastic film about a drifter crashing at a family's home who may not be who he says he is. Lots of Halloween decor in this one. Recommended!
Hack-o-Lantern (aka Halloween Night) (1988) - Satanists on Halloween! Yes, it's supremely cheesy, but recommended!
Hallow’s End (2003) - This low budget is set at a Halloween haunt and was better than I expected, recommended!
Halloween (1978) - Do I even need to say anything? Probably THE Halloween movie! Highly recommended!
Halloween II (1981) - Picking up right where the first one left off. Recommended!
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982) - This one leaves out Michael Myers altogether for a more Samhain-centric storyline. Recommended!
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988) - Michael Myers is back, and though not quite as strong as the first two films, still recommended.
Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989) - Watch at your own risk.
Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) - Watch at your own risk.
Halloween: H20 (1998) - Recommended.
Halloween: Resurrection (2002) - Skip it.
Halloween (2007) - Full of Halloween atmosphere, but really depends on whether you care for Rob Zombie's films, watch at your own risk.
Halloween II (2010) - Sequel from Rob Zombie, and also has lots of Halloween style, but watch at your own risk based on whether you like Rob Zombie's style.
Halloween (2018) - This remake picks up 40 years after the original, with Laurie Strode and her family facing down Michael Myers yet again. It has some very good Halloween atmosphere, and I enjoyed this remake. Recommended.
Halloween Night (2006) - Skip it.
Halloweenight (2009) - Haven't seen it.
Haunt (2019) - On Halloween, a group of friends encounter an "extreme" haunted house that promises to feed on their darkest fears. The night turns deadly as they come to the horrifying realization that some nightmares are real. Recommended!
Hell Fest (2018) - A group of friends checking out a Halloween haunt are stalked and killed off by a mysterious killer. I really enjoyed this one, it was a lot of fun! Recommended!
Hell House LLC (2016) - This found footage film is set in a Halloween haunted house as a crew prepares for October. I really dug it and thought it was pretty spooky! Recommended.
Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018) - The sequel, still about the infamous Halloween haunt, isn't as good as the original, but still worth a watch.
Hell House III: Lake of Fire (2019) - The last installment that wraps up the Hell House storyline in a pretty satisfying way. Recommended.
Hell Night (1981) - This is kind of a cheat since I don't think it is set around Halloween, but the characters wear costumes so I am including it. Recommended.
Hellbent (2005) - Slasher set on Halloween in West Hollywood, recommended!
Hellions (2015) - Trippy visuals and nightmarish atmosphere featuring otherworldly trick or treaters on Halloween, recommended!
Holidays ("Halloween" segment) (2016) - the Halloween segment itself is awful, recommended for the rest of the shorts which are themed around other holidays, otherwise skip it.
Hollowgate (1988) - Awful low-budget slasher set on Halloween. Skip it.
The Hollow (2005) - Set at a hayride on Halloween with a headless horseman running amuck. Yes, it's cheesy, but I had fun with it! Recommended.
The Hollow (2015) - Different from the movie mentioned above, this one deals with three sisters being stranded on an isolated island facing off against a monster on the night before Halloween. It's pretty forgettable, though I dimly seem to recall a tiny bit of fall foliage in this one. Not really enough to make up for its dull storyline, though. Watch at your own risk.
Home Movie (2008) - Only briefly set on Halloween, but the film itself is chilling and recommended.
Honeyspider (2015) - Fantastic Halloween atmosphere and music, but lacking good acting or a fully realized storyline. Watch at your own risk.
House II (1987) - A zany sequel that's set around Halloween, complete with brief scenes of a costume party. Recommended if you like weird movies.
House of 1000 Corpses (2003) - A group seeks refuge with a backwoods family after their car breaks down Halloween night, though unbeknownst to them the family has murderous intentions. This has some cool Halloween imagery and decor, and is directed by Rob Zombie. Recommended.
The Houses October Built (2014) - Halloween enthusiasts travel the country looking for the most extreme haunted attraction, but the one they find may scare them to death. I didn't care for this one, but the haunt scenes were cool; watch at your own risk.
The Houses October Built 2 (2017) - I liked this one slightly more than the original, which follows the survivors as they try to hunt down the infamous haunt from the first film. Watch at your own risk.
I Am Not a Serial Killer (2016) - I loved this movie (check out some of my thoughts here), and it opens on Halloween and features a scene of a high school Halloween dance. Recommended.
Invitation to Hell (1984) - Directed by Wes Craven, this made-for-TV movies is set around Halloween and is about an evil country club run by Susan Lucci! There is a few scenes of a Halloween party and scarecrows on porches, but not much more than that in the way of Halloween spirit. Also, it's a pretty bad movie (though it falls under the category of being so bad it's good); watch at your own risk.
It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To (2009) - This indie film about a Halloween party delivers! Recommended.
Jack-O (1995) - On Halloween night, the vengeful monster Jack-O is released from his grave to continue its bloodthirsty quest begun nearly one hundred years before. Cheesy, but in a so-bad-it's-good way; watch at your own risk.
Lady in White (1988) - A young boy sees a ghostly vision on Halloween night and becomes involved in tracking down a serial killer that has been plaguing his quiet community. Lovely autumn visuals and a nostolgic feel! Recommended
The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane (1977) - I think there is only a scene or two set around autumn/Halloween, but it's a good film; recommended
May (2000) - Shy May just wants a friend, but when those around her continually disappoint her, she decides to make her own. Recommended, though only the last part of the film is set on Halloween night.
The Midnight Hour (1985) [watch on YouTube] - Highly recommended for goofy '80s fun as the whole film is set at a Halloween party! Plus the soundtrack is pure Halloween goodness!
Mischief Night (2013) - A blind woman must protect herself against a mysterious intruder the night before Halloween. Better than I expected, but it has no Halloween atmosphere/decor at all. Watch at your own risk.
Mischief Night (2014) - Haven't seen it.
Mr. Halloween (2007) - Skip it.
Murder Party (2007) - A lonely man shows up at a Halloween party with killer consequences. I didn't care for this one, but a lot of people liked it; watch at your own risk.
Night of the Demons (1988) - At a Halloween party in an abandoned funeral home guests start getting possessed. An '80s classic; recommended!
Night of the Demons 2 (1994) - Not as good as the first, but also recommended.
Night of the Demons (2009) - I dug the soundtrack to this remake and thought it was well done; recommended
Pay the Ghost (2015) - One year after a man's son disappears on Halloween, he begins to unravel the mystery behind his son's disappearance. Surprisingly decent (even with Nicholas Cage) and I liked the Halloween carnival and general atmosphere of this one; recommended.
Pet Sematary 2 (1992) - A pivotal scene in the film occurs Halloween night, when the young boys head into the pet cemetery with classmates to tell spooky stories. I happen to like this sequel, recommended.
The Pumpkin Karver (2006) - Skip it (though I do love the pumpkin patch scenes).
Pumpkinhead (1988) - Witches, pumpkin patches, and demonic pumpkin-headed monsters? They are all here, and though Halloween isn't really overtly mentioned, this is very Halloween-y feeling. Recommended.
Satan’s Little Helper (2004) - A bratty boy befriends a man in a devil costume on Halloween, not realizing that the Halloween pranks he is involved in are all too real. This dark comedy is one of my Halloween faves! Recommended.
Scare Zone (2009) - Workers at a Halloween haunted attraction are killed off one by one. It has a good haunt atmosphere, but the story is meh; watch at your own risk.
Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark (2019) - Based on the popular books, the film opens on Halloween night with a group of friends breaking into a supposedly haunted house that once belonged to the powerful Bellows family, where they unwittingly unleash dark forces. The film features some fall foliage and opening scenes of jack-o-lanterns and '60s Halloween decor, plus the main characters in Halloween costumes. Recommended.
Sleepy Hollow (1999) - The legend of the headless horseman and Ichabod Crane who sets out to solve the mystery. This Tim Burton tale has a New England Halloween feel, full of jack-o-lanterns and a gloomy, fog-drenched woods. Recommended.
Slugs (1988) - This campy creature feature is set around Halloween and the climax occurs on Halloween night. Halloween atmosphere is scarce, but there is a high school Halloween party that has some jack-o-lanterns and a few costumed teens. Watch at your own risk.
Something Wicked This Way Comes (1983) - This film is big on nostolgic small town Halloween celebrations and autumn imagery, plus a classic tale from the King of the October People himself, Ray Bradbury. Recommended!
Tales of Halloween (2015) - A fun, goofy, anthology filled with Halloween-themed short films, recommended!
Trick (2019) - A detective tries to track down a masked killer who reappears every Halloween to wreak bloody havoc. I didn't really care for this one, but your mileage may vary. Watch at your own risk.
Trick or Treats (1982) - An escaped madman comes home Halloween night when his son is playing pranks on the babysitter. Some fun Halloween gags, but the rest of the film drags. Watch at your own risk.
Trick or Treat (1986) - A loner metalhead accidentally brings his favorite rock 'n' roll idol back-from-the dead after playing his unreleased material backwards. You can't go wrong with metal and Halloween, plus this one has some neat cameos. Highly recommended!
Trick 'r Treat (2009) - This wonderfully done Halloween horror anthology is a new classic and sets the bar high for Halloween stories and imagery. A must-watch every Halloween, and it goes without saying that it is highly recommended.
Terrifier (2018) - Art the Clown from All Hallows Eve returns to terrorize two women (and anyone else who gets in his way) on Halloween night. This one doesn't have much in the way of Halloween ambiance, but it is a wickedly gory and mean-spirited film that I very much enjoyed. Recommended.
V/H/S (segment “10/31/98”) (2012) - A group heads to a Halloween party, but unknowingly get the wrong house and stumble upon something terrifying. Recommended.
The Witching Season (2019) - A horror anthology with some gorgeous, mood-setting autumn and Halloween imagery! The stories themselves aren't too memorable, but it is still a fun and evocative anthology. Recommended.
WNUF Halloween Special (2013) - This is another faux news documentary that features a live newscaster and crew investigating a supposedly haunted house on Halloween. It has a great retro feel complete with '80s-style commercials and a grainy, filmed-on-VHS look. Recommended!
Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines (2012) - Skip it, it's set on Halloween but there isn't a lick of Halloween decor or atmosphere, plus it's just a really bad movie

Arsenic and Old Lace

Short Horror Films (links go to YouTube or Vimeo - there are so many of these, I've only listed a few I enjoy!):

Candy. (2010)
Candy (2014)
Jack Chop (2009)
Just Take One (2010)
Scary Mask (2013)
Selfie (2013)
Witches Brew (2013)
Yummy Meat (2015)


Family-Friendly Movies/Cartoons (again, there are tons of these, I've only listed a few!):

Betty Boop’s Hallowe’en Party (1933)
Casper (1995)
Disney’s Halloween Treat (1982)
Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
E.T. (1982)
Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask, part 1 and part 2 (1995)
Halloween is Grinch Night (1977)
The Halloween that Almost Wasn't (1979) [watch on YouTube]
Hocus Pocus (1993)
ParaNorman (2012)
Under Wraps (1997)


Adult Comedies/Dramas:

Addams Family Values (1993) - The whole film is kooky, but it isn't really Halloween-y, and more of a summer flick. However, the Thanksgiving play gives it an autumn-like feel so I couldn't resist putting it on this list. Recommended.
Arsenic and Old Lace (1944) - This quirky classic features some wonderful autumn and Halloween scenes. Recommended.
Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016) - Set on Halloween night, it has some funny moments.
Boys in the Trees (2016) - An achingly beautiful look at lost friendship set on Halloween night in 1997 in Australia.
Ed Wood (1994) - It has a snippet of kids trick or treating at Bela Lugosi's (played by Martin Landau) house on Halloween.
Flatliners (1990) - This thriller about a group of doctors trying to explore what lies beyond death features a few scenes set on Halloween, including one of a bonfire party with lots of people in costume.
Fun Size (2012) - This teen comedy is set on Halloween night and follows the adventures of a girl who is trying to find her little brother after he gets lost trick or treating. Recommended.
Gravy (2015) - This off the rails black comedy features tons of gory slapstick when a trio of costumed misfits invades a restaurant and forces the employees to engage in depraved gluttony. Recommended.
Grow Up, Tony Phillips (2013) - I haven't seen this.
The Hollywood Knights (1980) - A Beverly Hills car gang called the Hollywood Knights raise hell throughout Beverly Hills on Halloween Night, 1965. Starring the young Tony Danza, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Fran Drescher. An obvious rip-off of American Graffiti, this movie is kinda a mess and doesn't have enough Halloween ambiance, but some of the decor and costumes are neat. Skip it.
Idle Hands (1999) - This teen horror/comedy about the protagonist's hand getting an evil mind of it's own is set around Halloween and mostly at a party on Halloween night. Recommended.
The Karate Kid (1984) - It features a scene where Daniel (Ralph Macchio) is being chased through the night by a group of Cobra Kai bullies wearing skeleton costumes. 
Mad Monster Party (1967) - This stop-motion classic about a bunch of monsters coming together at Dr. Frankenstein's castle isn't exactly set on Halloween, but to me it will always be something I love to watch this time of year! Recommended.
Mean Girls (2004) - One of the funniest scenes features new student Cady attending her first high school Halloween party as a scary undead bride, only to find that all the other girls are dressed as sexy animals. Recommended.
Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) - This film features a segment on Halloween and shows how it was celebrated in 1903 - with kids terrorizing the neighborhood (with the parents and neighbors playing along in good fun). This is how Halloween was once celebrated, as more of a "mischief night" than anything else!
Once Bitten (1985) - A young Jim Carrey stars in this comedy about a teen being bitten by a vampire and slowly transforming into one. A rad '80s high school Halloween dance is one of the most fun scenes in the movie. Recommended.
The Paul Lynde Halloween Special (1976) - This TV special is pretty corny, but it gets points for nostalgia (even if I wasn't alive when this was made). Recommended.
Practical Magic (1998) - Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star as two sisters born into a witchy family, complete with a love curse. Their family's house is goals, and there is a sweet Halloween end scene. Recommended.
Roseanne: Tricks and Treats (Halloween episodes from various seasons) - One of my favorite things to watch around Halloween! They really knew how to Halloween! Recommended.
The Simpsons - Treehouse of Horror (various seasons) - More most-see Halloween TV for me! Recommended.
Spaced Invaders (1990) - I haven't seen this one, but it is set on Halloween and features aliens.
To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) - In both the film and book, Halloween plays a pivotal role in the story of this drama where a man is wrongfully accused based on race.
We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) - This bleak drama features an unsettling scene on Halloween night as Eva (Tilda Swinton) drives through a neighborhood while trick or treaters seem to menace and upset her. Recommended.


Documentaries:
The American Scream (2012) - recommended
Every Other Day is Halloween (2010) - recommended
Halloween: 25 Years of Terror (2006) - recommended
The Haunted History of Halloween (1997) - recommended
Haunters: The Art of the Scare (2017) - recommended; read my thoughts on it HERE!

I'm sure I've missed some Halloween-themed movies, so please feel free to leave any films I should add in the comments below!

8 comments:

  1. Wow, thanks for the suggestion some of them I've never considered. But this is increably extensive, I'll be watching some of thesse over the next few weeks.

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  2. Doesn't the film "Terror Train", w/Jamie Lee Curtis, take place during Halloween? I remember everyone wore costumes,while a killer was on the loose. Great list!

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    1. Great suggestion! Terror Train doesn't take place during Halloween as it's set during the end of the school year at a graduation party, but at the party everyone dresses up in costume! Like Hell Night it is kinda a cheat, but just because of the costumes (and a magic act by THE David Copperfield), I think it would make a fun viewing this October! :)

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  3. This is so great!
    Thanks for posting this!

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  4. This list is so awesome! Thank you so much! Guess I have to watch everything!

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  5. Even though this is technically a TV series, the original Star Trek has a great episode (Catspaw, Season 2, Ep.7)that mentions Halloween and has a witch, a warlock and a huge black cat! Also, because of the show's cultural significance, I think this one exception should be added to your list. :)

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  6. Castle of Blood takes place on All Soul's Night which is the night of November 1.

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  7. Great list! I collect Halloween themed movies for my month long celebration of Halloween I call Shoctoberfest. Here's a couple I have that weren't on your list; Girls Against Boys, The Addams Family, Practical Magic, Scarecrow, Headless Horseman, Hallows' Eve, Grave Halloween, Goblin, House of Fears, The Hazing, The Bates Haunting, I Am Zozo, Tormented, Stephen King's Riding The Bullet, Stan Helsing, The Roost, Monster Night, Killer Eye Halloween Haunt, Knock Knock 2, & The Blair Witch Project.

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