Halloween Movies to Watch – 2023

Since last Halloween, I have been putting in some extra Horror Movie watching time, to provide a list on what you might like to watch on your spooky night. This year, I’m going to provide 4 of my top picks in each Horror sub-genre. I won’t be using the same movies from the previous year’s so if you need a reminder please look at my top picks in their categories for;

2021 – Halloween Movies to watch.

2022 – Halloween Movies to Watch.

Categories –

1. Halloween Movies for Kids
2. Halloween Comedy Movies
3. Monster/Creature Movies
4. Paranormal Movies
5. Psychological/Thriller Movies
6. Slasher Movies

There is something to watch for Everyone. Most of the genres are in there. Click on the movie title to read more about the movie and if you would like to see the trailer you can click on the image. Hope you have a Happy Halloween!

Halloween Movies for Kids

Coco

(2017, PG) Director – Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich

This is a sweet movie even though it’s in the Halloween list. I enjoyed the storyline and the young boys passion to play music. It is an emotional story, which really emphasises family and how important they are. It has some deep philosophical ideas about the afterlife and attaches to the human need to be remembered. The kids will enjoy it, though be ready, if needed, to answer questions about what happens when you die etc. I just remember being terrified as a kid because I couldn’t understand that no one living understands what happens and what no longer existing means… still makes me scared as it will always be an unanswered question…

Despite his family’s generations-old ban on music, young Miguel dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead. 

Starring – Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Alanna Ubach, Renée Victor, Ana Ofelia Murguía, Edward James Olmos

Hotel Transylvania

(2012, PG) Director – Genndy Tartakovsky

This movie was so much fun to watch. It is a true family movie to make the scary into lovable characters and wonderful storyline to boot. I enjoyed the weird and wacky characters dealing with normal human concerns and working together to solve them. Gives views of adults and teenagers and problems they have, plus the funny way they work through them.

Count Dracula runs a high-end resort for monsters and is overprotective of his daughter, Mavis. When a human named Johnny enters the hotel, Dracula tries to prevent Mavis from falling for him.

Starring – Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Fran Drescher, Steve Buscemi, Molly Shannon, David Spade, CeeLo Green

Coraline

(2009, PG) Director – Henry Selick

Damn, did this movie scare me… and I was not a kid when I watched it! It was brilliant, but please watch first before letting the kids watch it. I know, I’m sounding like a scaredy-cat, but as you can see from the rest of my list, I am used to horror… this movie can be a bit too much for young children. If I was still a kid and watched it, I would end up with nightmares, just so you’re forewarned. It is based on the novel by legendary Neil Gaiman. I am a big fan of his work and his book does not disappoint on the big screen.

An adventurous girl walks through a secret door in her new home and discovers a strangely idealized version of her frustrating home, but it has sinister secrets.

Starring – Dakota Fanning, Teri Hatcher, Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Ian McShane

The Witches

(2020, M) Director – Robert Zemeckis

I was so scared of the book, by the amazing Roald Dahl, when I was a kid and my cousin read it to my brother and I on a camping trip. I was only five years old, so give me a break lol. The movies not very popular, in flavor of the 1990s version (The Witches (1990)), even though it was much more faithful to the original book. Decide for yourself by watching them?

When an orphan encounters a witch, his grandmother takes him away in order to protect him. But, in their hotel, a group of witches plot to get rid of the children of the world.

Starring – Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Kristin Chenoweth

Halloween Comedy Movies

Studio 666

(2022, R) Director – BJ McDonnell

Ok, the movie is pretty bad, but the music is awesome! Anyone love The Foo Fighters? The storyline or idea is great, but unfortunately was badly executed. It’s one of those… is this meant to be scary or funny, kinda movies? I think most horror movie directors kind of hope it will be scary, then after editing just kind of give up and hope it will be considered funny. It’s not a great movie, but the music makes it worth it… or the only reason to watch it. Actually here’s the soundtrack in case you want that instead?

Foo Fighters, the legendary rock band, move into a mansion in Encino to complete their new album. But Dave Grohl becomes possessed by supernatural forces and becomes a threat to all others.

Starring – Dave Grohl, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Taylor Hawkins, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, Whitney Cummings, Leslie Grossman, Will Forte, Jenna Ortega, Jeff Garlin

Office Uprising

(2018, MA) Director – Lin Oeding

Again, this isn’t a great movie, but it does make me laugh when he’s walking through the zombified workers with his clip board. If you work in an office, it will make you giggle a bit. I thought they pushed the love story between the two workers a bit too much, when the plot didn’t actually benefit from it. Worth a watch if you’re feeling bored. Wasn’t the best movie I have ever watched, but also not the worst. It had some funny moments, but tried a little bit too hard on the action. Question? Why would the weapons in the museum be active? Isn’t that a health and safety risk for any company let alone a weapons designer? Also… why would they release a product without the necessary ingredients. That’s not the main characters fault as the designer told him… I liked the boss character, and I really liked the “slogan” guy. The different sections were funny and how they were different but the same with the toxic drink. It was good enough but not incredibly funny and some of the laughs felt a bit forced.

Desmond, who works at Ammotech, an arms and ammunition company, struggles to survive after he learns that the new energy drink is turning his colleagues into violent psychopaths.

Starring – Brenton Thwaites, Jane Levy, Karan Soni, Kurt Fuller, Alan Ritchson, Gregg Henry, Ian Harding, Zachary Levi

The Meg

(2019, M) Director – Jon Turteltaub

Sorry, had to put this in the comedy section. It is so funny! Why would a shark the size of a small island want to eat humans? It would be focusing on large prey like the whales… which it did, but then for some reason got a serious grudge and tried to eat, what in its mind would be plankton aka humans!?! Plus, that beach that it was about to attack… a Megadolon would be between 15-18 meters in length and the width would ensure he/she stayed in the deeper parts of the ocean, no where near the depth of a beach! It would hunt giant squid and whales, not tiny little people. Anyone else wondering why they spent so much money on a movie with such gigantic plot holes?

When the members of an underwater research facility are under threat owing to a 75-foot prehistoric shark, Jonas Taylor, a deep-sea diver, is hired to save them.

Starring – Jason Statham, Li Bingbing, Rainn Wilson, Ruby Rose, Winston Chao, Cliff Curtis

Boo! A Madea Halloween & Boo 2

I really liked these movies as they are easy to watch and almost in the dad joke of humour categories. Tyler Perry is very funny and plays 3 characters in the movies and even if it’s silly, it is an enjoyable watch. I preferred the second one, but both are good for an easy laugh and enjoyable time.

Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016, M) Director – Tyler Perry

Madea keeps an eye on her niece to ensure that she does not sneak off to a Halloween party. As the night progresses, Madea finds herself in a spooky adventure as she takes down supernatural beings.

Starring – Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, Patrice Lovely, Yousef Erakat, Lexy Panterra, Andre Hall, Liza Koshy, Diamond White, Brock O’Hurn, Bella Thorne

Boo 2 (2017, M) Director – Tyler Perry

Madea, Bam, and Hattie find themselves in trouble when they encounter monsters, goblins and boogeyman at a haunted campsite.

Starring – Tyler Perry, Cassi Davis, Patrice Lovely, Yousef Erakat, Diamond White, Lexy Panterra, Andre Hall, Brock O’Hurn, Tito Ortiz

Halloween Monster/Creature Movies

Underwater

(2020, M) Director – William Eubank

At those depths, it is terrifying, even without the monsters! This movie was good enough to stay in my memory banks and give me the same suspenseful fear that I associated with it. It’s a very emotional and empathetic journey through the most terrifying circumstance. The characters and situations built the tension and created a very real sense of danger. The team work and care for all of the characters, makes it a gripping story that you are hoping that they will survive. The end scene still makes me cry over the courage, it also questions the viewers bravery if put into a similar situation.

Norah and her team find themselves in a dangerous situation as they work at the bottom of the Mariana Trench and clash against an unidentified species.

Starring – Kristen Stewart, Vincent Cassel, Jessica Henwick, John Gallagher Jr., Mamoudou Athie, T.J. Miller

Train to Busan

(2016, MA) Director – Yeon Sang-ho

The reviews of this movie were not wrong. It is so good! I was put off from watching, when it first came out, because it was a foreign film and sometimes I find myself unable to fully empathise due to not understanding the cultural subtext. But this movie surpassed all my expectations. The plotline keeps you clinging the edge of your seat in suspense. The acting is spectacular and you really feel a strong connection to all the characters. I love my zombie movies and this one is equal to World War Z and that is my favorite zombie movie. I really regret not watching it sooner and I highly recommend watching this movie.

Seok-woo and his daughter are on a train to Busan on the latter’s birthday to see his wife. However, the journey turns into a nightmare when they are trapped amidst a zombie outbreak in South Korea.

Starring – Gong Yoo, Jung Yu-mi, Ma Dong-seok, Kim Su-an, Choi Woo-shik, Ahn So-hee, Kim Eui-sung

Grimcutty

(2022, MA) Director – John Ross

I wasn’t sure what to expect with this movie and it surprised me in a good way. I think it shows a perfect metaphoric teenage frustration of parents turning fears into much bigger problems. I think all teenagers get a bit annoyed when a parent will imagine the worst possible scenario for something and this movie makes those illogical or exacerbated fears into a reality. Worth a watch.

A suburban teen girl and her little brother must stop a terrifying internet meme brought to life by the hysteria of their parents.

Starring – Sara Wolfkind, Shannyn Sossamon, Usman Ally

Barbarian

(2022, MA) Director – Zach Cregger

Barbarian is a bit slow paced, but has a good enough plot line to be interesting. I liked how it pointed out the differences in the whole male/female caution that we rarely consider. A woman does have to be much more cautious in situations which can endanger them. But then it flips it on its head to show that the man should have shown the natural caution that the woman has shown since the beginning. While it’s not the best horror movie, I think it is worth a watch.

A young woman discovers the rental home she booked is already occupied by a stranger. Against her better judgment, she decides to spend the night but soon discovers there’s a lot more to fear than just an unexpected house guest.

Starring – Georgina Campbell, Bill Skarsgård, Justin Long

Halloween Paranormal Movies

The Haunting

(1999, M) Director – Jan de Bont

This was one of my favorite movies as a teenager. It was also one of the movies that hooked me onto the horror genre in the first place. This storyline, cast and special effects (for 1999) really create a mesmerising and immersive experience. I have watched this movie repeatedly and it has never lost its luster. 

Dr Marrow enlists Theo, Luke and Nell for a study of sleep disorders at the Hill House. As soon as the terrifying truth about the mansion is revealed, everyone is found fighting for their lives.

Really amazing cast starring Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Owen Wilson, and Lili Taylor.

Below

(2002, M) Director – David Twohy

This one was an odd find, as I don’t generally like submarine movies as I have always considered submarines as a bad opening to a shark horror movie. But this one is in the  suspenseful, blood and gore category for the paranormal, which makes it interesting. 

During World War II, a submarine is out on what should be a routine rescue mission. But for the crew, it is about to become a journey into sensory delusion and mental deception.

Starring – Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Davis, Olivia Williams, Holt McCallany, Scott Foley, Zach Galifianakis, Jason Flemyng, Dexter Fletcher

Darkness Falls

(2003, M) Director – Jonathan Liebesman

I know I include a lot of darkness movies but this one is the one that I first watched and it is one of my favorites. Who can resist a horror movie about an evil tooth fairy lol.

A woman’s spirit haunts the town of Darkness Falls as revenge for being lynched by an angry mob many years ago. However, the son of one of her victims returns after a prolonged period to face her.

Starring – Chaney Kley, Emma Caulfield

The Black Phone

(2021, MA) Director – Scott Derrickson

What made The Black Phone particularly impressive was its cast, with standout performances from Mason Thames and Ethan Hawke. Their portrayal of the abducted teenager and his deranged captor added depth and authenticity to the characters, making them all the more compelling.

Finney Shaw is a shy but clever 13-year-old boy who’s being held in a soundproof basement by a sadistic, masked killer. When a disconnected phone on the wall starts to ring, he soon discovers that he can hear the voices of the murderer’s previous victims — and they are dead set on making sure that what happened to them doesn’t happen to Finney.

Starring – Mason Thames, Madeleine McGraw, Jeremy Davies, James Ransone, Ethan Hawke

Halloween Psychological/Thriller Movies

Old

(2021, M) Director – M. Night Shyamalan

This is another M Night Shyamalan great movie. If I wasn’t a fan before, I would be now. He has to be my favorite horror movie director as his films aren’t basic jump scares and gore. This movie taps into the fear of aging and makes us scared by its rapid progression. The characters different reactions and coping mechanisms with the bizarre circumstances, was brilliant and realistic. It develops the characters wonderfully. If you’re a horror fan that likes the normal blood and Gore, don’t watch this. I highly recommend watching if you appreciate the amazingly thought out plot and the sense of unease that the movie taps into, based on a common fear which everyone shares. Brilliant.

A couple who is about to get divorced takes their children to a tropical resort on a vacation. Their trip soon turns into a nightmare when they end up on a secluded beach that makes them age rapidly.

Starring – Gael García Bernal, Vicky Krieps, Rufus Sewell, Alex Wolff, Thomasin McKenzie, Abbey Lee, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Ken Leung, Eliza Scanlen, Aaron Pierre, Embeth Davidtz, Emun Elliott

Last Night in Soho

(2021, MA) Director – Edgar Wright

Slow paced but truly gripping. I love time distortion in plots and the 1960s was a spectacular choice. You get sucked into the storyline by the melancholic and absurd choices made. I enjoyed the character development and unpredictable plot that leaves you with a lingering sense of unease.

Eloise, an aspiring fashion designer, is fascinated with the fashion of the ’60s. But her life spirals out of control when she dreams of being transported back to that time period.

Starring – Thomasin McKenzie,Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Rita Tushingham, Michael Ajao, Terence Stamp, Diana Rigg

Secret Window

(2004, M) Director – David Koepp

Johnny Depp, the most amazing chameleon actor that has graced the big screen, can do no wrong in my book and he shows his adaptability with this gripping thriller based on the book by Stephen King. I loved the suspense and the phenomenal acting which made this movie go from good to great. I’m one of those people that question how the inner dialogue found in books and novels can be translated into the big screen. This movie showed how well that can be done.

A writer moves to his lakeside cabin to find solitude and clear out his head. However, a psychotic stalker blames him for plagiarising his work and refuses to leave him alone.

Starring – Johnny Depp, John Turturro, Maria Bello, Timothy Hutton, Charles S. Dutton

The Invitation

(2015, MA) Director – Karyn Kusama

Ok, there are two movies with the same name and I’m talking about the other one than the one you are thinking about. I found this movie pretty disturbing and suspenseful. Worth a watch. I really liked the ending.

Will and his girlfriend accept the dinner invitation of his ex-wife, Eden, and her husband, David. However, Will believes they have an ulterior motive for inviting them.

Starring – Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Lindsay Burdge, Michelle Krusiec, Mike Doyle, Jay Larson, John Carroll Lynch

Halloween Slasher Movies

Dying Breed

(2008, MA) Director – Jody Dwyer

This is an Australian horror film about the Tasmainian outback. If you know the history of Alexander Pearce who was an Irish convict who was imprisoned for theft in 1820. He was sent to Van Diemen’s land aka Tasmania for his crimes. He escaped a few times with a group of convicts and supposedly ate the convicts that had escaped with him. Dying Breed interweaves the two most fascinating icons of Tasmanian history: the extinct Tasmanian tiger and “The Pieman” (aka Alexander Pearce) who was hanged for cannibalism in 1824.

Zoologist Nina investigates the existence of the Tasmanian tiger in the Tasmanian bush. But, another inhabitant may also be the descendants of ‘The Pieman’, who was hanged for cannibalism in 1824.

Starring – Leigh Whannell, Mirrah Foulkes, Nathan Phillips, Melanie Vallejo

Texas Chainsaw Massacre

(1995, R) Director –  Kim Henkel

I make fun of these movies and how many there are now with the exact same plotline, but out of the nine movies this one is my favorite… probably because Matthew Mcconaughey really does excellent work as a nutter.

While returning from their prom night, a group of teenagers meet Leatherface, who along with his family is notorious for his obsession of killing people.

Starring – Renée Zellweger, Matthew McConaughey, Robert Jacks

The Menu

(2022, MA) Director – Mark Mylod

Not the best movie but definitely worth a watch. The workers fatalistic non-chalaunce at dying seemed a bit odd, though I guess cults would have a similar outlook. It captured my attention and I liked the character development. 

Shocking surprises await a couple when they travel to a coastal island to sample a chef’s lavish menu at an exclusive restaurant.

Starring – Ralph Fiennes, Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult, Hong Chau, Janet McTeer, Judith Light, John Leguizamo

The Farm

(2018, R) Director – Hans Stjernswärd

This is a bad movie, but!!! The story is beyond disturbing. I was truly impressed by the horrific storyline. If they had had a good budget for production, I think this film would have made top reviews. 

A couple decide to stay at a remote cabin when they run out of fuel during a road trip. When they wake up in the morning, they find themselves locked up in cages by people wearing animal masks.