Boo! Here Are 13 Terrifying Movies To Get You In The Mood For A Spectacular Spooktober
Plot twist: The hantu is more afraid of you from all that screaming.
By Steffi Anthony — 09 Oct 2023, 05:23 PM
October is here and that means... Jeng jeng jeng! It's the season of ghosties and ghoulies!
What better way to spend the month than to stay up all night soaking in the terror with some horror flicks, while snuggling under the blanket with your bestie?
Check out this list of horror movies, ranging from the latest blockbusters to underrated classics, specially curated for all horror buffs:
1. The Exorcist: Believer
If you enjoyed the OG 1973 film, The Exorcist, you'll want to watch this sequel to the movie, which is also the sixth instalment of The Exorcist franchise. The movie revolves around two friends who go missing in the nearby woods, only to mysteriously appear three days later with signs of trauma and bringing something extremely sinister home with them.
This film preys on your inner fear of demonic possessions without the unnecessary placement of jumpscares and predictable plotlines, which makes Pazuzu's return definitely worth checking out.
Watch the trailer below:
2. A Haunting in Venice
Although this movie isn't actual horror, there are still many reasons to watch A Haunting in Venice. One of them is that our beloved Dato Michelle Yeoh is starring in this movie alongside Tina Fey! This crime/mystery film is loosely based on Agatha Christie's detective novel called Hallowe'en Party.
Set against the backdrop of post-World War II Venice, the film is steeped in an atmosphere of lingering trauma that casts a dreadful shadow over every scene. It's a perfect movie for Halloween if you want something less scary.
Watch the trailer below:
3. The Nun II
If you've been following The Conjuring Universe closely, then you're probably a fan of Valak by now! This film is set after the first instalment of The Nun, where Sister Irene visits the abandoned abbey of St Carta, leading to a fierce, spiritual battle with the demon.
In a selfless act of valour, Sister Irene's friend, Frenchie, sacrifices himself to protect her, only to have his body used as a vessel in the process to carry out the demon's ultimate goal while terrorising churches in the mortal realm.
This movie is a must-watch if you're interested in the backstory of how the cursed, the damned, and the profane demonic nun came to be.
Watch the trailer below:
4. Verónica
If there's one thing that makes a horror movie truly dreadful, it's when it contains the tagline, "based on true events".
Loosely based on the 1991 Vallecas case, where a girl named Estefanía Gutiérrez Lázaro died mysteriously after using an Ouija board, this movie depicts a disturbing plot about a girl who endangers the life of her younger siblings by involving them in her paranormal antics.
This Spanish horror movie is said to be so scary that viewers were unable to finish watching it, so why don't you be the brave soul to do so instead?
Watch the trailer below:
5. Pet Sematary
You can never go wrong with a Stephen King classic. If you're looking for a refreshing take on horror from a unique perspective, this blood-chilling and sometimes heart-wrenching movie that will make you ponder on the concept of life and death is definitely worth checking out.
Watch the trailer below:
6. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
Drawing loose inspiration from the exorcism of Annalise Mitchel, this film portrays a harrowing narrative mirroring the tragic events surrounding her exorcism.
It delves into the nightmarish descent of her exorcism gone awry, leading to a legal battle in which the state accuses a parish priest of negligent homicide following the fatal outcome of the exorcism ritual.
This alarming movie had viewers shivering under their blankets, so you'll want to grab a buddy or two to watch this together!
Watch the trailer below:
7. Sleepy Hollow
Catch super young (and cute!) Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci in this underrated but classic horror masterpiece, directed by the legendary Tim Burton.
Based on Washington Irving's dream-like short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, this movie boasts stunning visuals with just the right amount of creepy vibes. There's a gloomy, dreadful atmosphere looming throughout as you witness an extraordinary cast of characters that dabble in the supernatural. An excellent mix of horror, fantasy, and romance.
Watch the trailer below:
8. Talk to Me
This Australian horror movie showcases its brilliance through its intelligently and authentically crafted filmmaking. Its eerie depictions of unhinged teenagers looking to get high in the most unconventional way, with some harrowing consequences to follow, make it all quite terrifying and guaranteed to leave you on the edge of your seats.
Watch the trailer below:
9. [REC]
This Spanish found-footage horror film is the OG in this genre, and is said to be one of the scariest found-footage movies to ever be made. A clever mix of zombie apocalypse and the occult, a reporter and a cameraman find themselves locked in a dark apartment complex with something which would terrorise them and the residents of the complex through nihilistic tones and incredibly disturbing scenes.
Watch the trailer below:
10. Grave Encounters
If you love found-footage films, here's another underrated horror gem to satiate your thirst for terror, created by indie film company, The Vicious Brothers. A group of sceptical paranormal investigators decide to set foot in an abandoned mental asylum, only to realise that they will never see the light of day again. Hang on tight to your seats as you journey with them through the cursed hallways and into a dark, claustrophobic world of terror.
Watch the trailer below:
11. Oculus
This psycho-paranormal film revolves around the investigation of an evil mirror, believed to be the cause of the death of Tim and Kayley's parents.
In an attempt to exonerate her brother who was falsely convicted of their parents' murder, the now-adult Kayley tries to prove that the crime was committed by sinister intentions emitted from the antique mirror. Stealing the mirror from an auction, she decides to document its powers in their family home.
Watch the trailer below:
12. The Autopsy Of Jane Doe
It is safe to say that this film is not your average demonic possession movie, with a unique take on this subgenre.
This tense thriller involves a team of father-and-son coroners who are tasked to perform an autopsy on the body of a woman who had passed on as a result of a failed possession — or so they thought. Yikes!
Watch the trailer below:
13. Ouija: Origin Of Evil
When a recently widowed mother begins staging her séances with the intention of helping people to move on, she and her daughters also conduct séances of their own to contact their dead father. Breaking the rules of using an Ouija board, they unknowingly invite authentic evil into their home, which mercilessly possesses the youngest daughter. A film that will leave you with feelings of unsettlement.
Watch the trailer below:
