Halloween 2024 is right around the corner, and with that, everyone’s quest to binge-watch some scary movies has also started. Nothing better than some terrifying horror flicks to bring friends and family together during this Holiday period. With that in mind, here we’ve discussed some must-watch Halloween movies you could watch this season in 2024.
1. The Conjuring
- IMDB: 7.5
- Release Date: July 19, 2023
The creepiest film with a lot of jump scares! That’s the best thing we can say about The Conjuring. There’s no denying that this film is one of the best Halloween movies that no horror genre fanatic should miss. That’s because The Conjuring gives you plenty of reasons to compare every horror film with it, as it sets a standard for the industry.
A family moves to a farmhouse in 1971 and gets terrorized by the haunting of an evil spirit. Unable to tackle the disturbing events, they approach the paranormal experts Ed and Lorraine Warren. The husband-wife duo must use all of their spiritual strength to fight evil and stop it from causing destruction to innocent lives.
2. A Quiet Place
- IMDB: 7.5
- Release Date: April 6, 2018
Now this is what a unique plot looks like, no fancy setting or costume work, just a perfect narrative and performances. A Quiet Place allows us to learn that even the simplistic stories are enough to get us hooked till the very end.
A Quiet Place sees a world that has been invaded by the sightless aliens who have eradicated the majority of the population of the Earth. The story revolves around the Abott family, who chose to be silent their entire life in order to survive the creatures who possess a strong sense of smell and hearing.
3. Hereditary
- IMDB: 7.3
- Release Date: June 8, 2018
Hereditary is the most disturbing film I have ever watched, to be honest. Well, it doesn’t feature any gore or body horror, but it is still quite distressing as it depicts events that make your stomach churn. While films like Insidious, The Conjuring, and Annabelle come with several jump scares that make you jump off your seats, films like Hereditary keep you hooked with their slow narrative, making it one of the best Halloween movies you shouldn’t skip. To be precise, these stories generally stay with us for a long time or maybe forever.
Following the unfortunate demise of her mother, Annie, and her family members start experiencing some disturbing events that allow them to learn about the traumatizing secrets of their family.
4. Beetlejuice
- IMDB: 7.5
- Release Date: March 30, 1988
Beetlejuice is the most funny horror comedy film I have ever seen. Tim Burton’s direction and the solid performance of our male lead, Michael Keaton, deserve all the praise to make it a huge success. No matter how often you have watched Beetlejuice, it will never be enough, as the film will make you laugh with its humor every single time you watch it.
A couple dies in an accident, but their affection for their house doesn’t let them leave, so they continue to live at their residence even after death. When a family buys the house, the dead couple tries to scare them. Seeing their efforts for their house, another spirit called Beetlehouse offers them help without letting them know his secret motive. You can also watch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the recently released movie for a Halloween movie marathon. It was a great revival of the famous horror comedy movie and the sequel is also available to rent now on different VOD platforms. You can read our Beetlejuice 2 review as well before deciding to watch it.
5. The Cabin in the Woods
- IMDB: 7
- Release Date: April 13, 2012
This one’s also a film that will make you laugh harder while giving you a dose of spookiness. The Cabin in the Woods is one such film that you can watch this Halloween with your family and have a good time. With superb storytelling, brilliant execution, and thriller elements, the film is a must-watch for every horror fanatic.
The story follows a group of teenagers who go to an isolated cabin in the woods for a vacation. However, soon, they find themselves fighting for their life from the deadly zombies.
6. The Conjuring 2
- IMDB: 7.3
- Release Date: June 10, 2016
There is a stereotype that the sequels don’t do justice to the original movie, but The Conjuring 2 shatters the glass of this belief. In fact, this horror movie not only matches the quality of the first movies but also exceeds it.
The Conjuring 2 takes place after six years of the first film. This time, the paranormal investigators Loraine and Ed travel to London to help a family get rid of a vengeful spirit. However, in this film, not only the possessed one’s family but also Ed and Loraine fall prey to the opponent.
7. Annabelle: Creation
- IMDB: 6.5
- Release Date: August 11, 2017
Set in The Conjuring universe, Annabelle: Creation is no different and doesn’t fail to give us creeps with the real scares. Incredible plotline, amazing characters, praise-worthy cinematography, well-crafted suspense, and whatnot. I don’t think a good Halloween movie needs anything more.
A doll-maker, Samuel, and his wife, Esther, lead a happy life until their daughter gets killed in an accident. Several years later, the couple decides to give shelter to a nun and some orphan girls only on the condition that they won’t enter their daughter’s locked room. However, things take an eerie turn when the disabled girl Janice enters the room and becomes the target of the evil soul.
8. The Babadook
- IMDB: 6.8
- Release Date: 22 May 2014
The Babadook is another title on the list that is a must-watch for all those who look forward to some genuine horror content. If you wish to watch something a movie this Halloween season that treats you with heavy jump scares, then this is not something for you. However, if you want to know what the absolute terror looks like, The Babadook is undoubtedly waving at you.
The story follows a widow named Amelia, who lives with her six-year-old rebellious son, Samuel. The kid often hallucinates a monster, who he thinks will kill them. However, initially, Amelia takes the help of a doctor to control her son, but later when their house manifests a book called Babadook, things start going South.
9. M3GAN
- IMDB: 6.3
- Release Date: January 6, 2023
M3GAN is an unconventional Horror flick that’ll make you tremble in fear of the technology. With the advancements in AI, we always wonder what would happen if artificially created intelligence took things into its own hands. Well, M3GAN plays around the same concept and does an incredible job at that. The robotic doll will appear as a cute little girl in the beginning, but her emotionless face and dance will send shivers down your spine.
The movie is about the 8-year-old Cady, who loses her parents at an early age. The girl is sent to live with her aunt Gemma, who has no idea how to care for a kid. So, she creates a robot named M3GAN and pairs her with Cady without thinking of the consequences of her rushed decision.
10. Longlegs
- IMDB: 6.7
- Release Date: July 12, 2024
Longlegs is the latest horror film that can perplex you with mind-bending twists and turns. The film is filled with a plethora of riddles that will make you wonder if this is a horror film or some thriller project. However, that’s what makes it unique in every aspect. Isn’t it?
Lee Harker, an FBI officer, has been handed over the responsibility of the case involving a ruthless serial killer. She must catch the killer or wait to see how much destruction they bring to society.
11. Scream Franchise
This stands out as one of the best slasher horror properties that will surely freak you out. The brilliant script, the mind-bending mysteries, and of course, the brutal kills make the franchise a fan favorite and must-watch movie on Halloween.
The Scream franchise saw a downfall in the 90s with so many bad movies, but eventually, it rose to fame again with Jenna Ortega’s starrer Scream VI, which was released in 2023.
12. Halloween Franchise
How can I not add the Halloween franchise to a list of horror movies you should watch this Halloween? It is again one of the slasher film series that has the ability to play with your gut will every kill. In such movies, it’s the mask that plays a huge role and Halloween plays smartly in that aspect.
Not only do the latest Halloween movies bring the old cast into the mix, but it also introduces several new faces. So, while invoking nostalgia, it also gives a “fresh and new” sense to its viewers.
13. Talk To Me
- IMDB: 7.1
- Release Date: 27 July 2023
Talk To Me is one of the most original writings and has some of the best jump scares. The movie allows us to admire so many things that even the films with the highest budgets fail to deliver. Despite being a low-budget film, Talk To Me is on this top Halloween movies list because of its fantastic cinematography, direction, and acting.
A group of friends gets excited after learning to communicate with the dead using a mummified hand. However, their joy is short-lived when someone among them goes beyond the limit and allows the dead to enter the world of the living freely.
14. Trick r’ Treat
- IMDB: 6.7
- Release Date: October 6, 2009
Of course, you don’t have to watch a movie just because its title is related to Halloween. But what if I say that Trick r’ Treat is actually a great movie? Most official trailers of the movie are underwhelming and don’t do justice to the actual film. One thing’s for sure – you will always freak out after seeing Pumpkins once you’re done watching this classic.
Trick r’ Treat is an anthology horror film that tells different stories. However, there’s one thing in common between these tales: a demonic kid. This entity haunts and kills someone when they break any Halloween tradition.
15. Thanksgiving
- IMDB: 6.2
- Release Date: November 17, 2023
Thanksgiving is basically a tragic yet horrifying tale of a person on a quest for revenge. After a store sale goes wrong and leads to a Stampede, several people lose their loved ones. The store owner is blamed for not keeping enough security and not facing any consequences for the deaths of several people. So, a mysterious person decides to take things into their hands.
What happens next? Well, a lot of gory murders and guessing games as to who’s doing all this. Thanksgiving is an amazing movie and has great potential to become a full-fledged franchise like Halloween or Scream. If you haven’t watched it yet, do find some time for it this Halloween.
Aparna Ukil
