The Movie Buff’s Ultimate Hollywood Halloween Film List, Vol.1

Horror as a genre has been dazzling. On many occasions viewers get enraptured with horror films due to their sensations of exhilaration, fright, and excitement. With the quickly-approaching Halloween, many of us will watch our favorite horror films. 

Below, The Movie Buff  has prepared the ultimate list, prepared by our critics to decide the ultimate films that scare us the best. These selections surely continue with time, but it needed to be listed down. The ultimate horror films of all time change from person to person. Horror-struck masterpieces that often do not make sense, or hide when the ultimate shock is going to occur. These films are better at hiding them, and the most subtle movies in the below list often reach their lasting form after the credits have rolled.  

Our ‘Ultimate Hollywood Halloween Film List, Vol.1’ is a collection of the best Hollywood horror movies, and is an essential blend of old and innovative classics, to be continued by modernity and a new era of films in ‘Vol. 2,’ due out tomorrow. 

Whether you’re looking for haunted places, creature features, or horrific slashes, it’s time to settle down for some Halloween thrills with these ultimate classic scary films you should be checking out. Turn the lights off if you dare. It’s time to get spooky.

‘Dracula’ (1931)

As a center of the story, Dracula has been often used in the films, but the first adaption was in 1931 from Bram Stoker’s novel of the same name. The Mysterious Dracula (Bela Lugosi) hypnotizes the British solid Renfield (Dwight Frye) and takes him to an old castle. Soon Dracula starts hunting for the blood; he starts turning young women into vampires by sucking their blood. Later, Van Helsing (Edward Van Sloan) comes to save this blood hunger.

This film, directed by Tod Browning and Karl Freund, is considered one of the early classics of the genre; the camera work and shot-reverse-shot edits of the film are elegant. 

‘Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

The Black Lagoon’s creature is sometimes considered one fo the classic Universal Monsters; the story focuses on a horrible fish-looking monster from the Amazonian jungle. Scientists want to catch the monster and take it back to advancement for research.

The film showcases one of the smartest trick by Jack Arnold: he used intelligibility and exhortation of a shot of the creature’s hand, and piercing three-note musicality with brass instruments and let the viewer’s curiosity fill in the dots. 

The underwater shots by cinematographer Ted Kent remain dreamlike and mesmerizing even now.

‘House on Haunted Hill’ (1959)

“House on Haunted Hill” is one of the cult classics released in 1959, directed by William Castle. The story focuses on a wealthy man Frederick Loren (Vincent Price), and his fourth wife, Annabelle (Carole Ohmart), who invites five people to their home for a haunted house party with a catch that whoever stays for one night in the house will be rewarded with $10,000. As the night unfolds, the guests are stuck inside the house with murderers, ghosts, and other terrors.

The film is a classic that shows an example of situational horror and gives a natural sense of fear. 

‘Rosemary’s Baby’ (1968)

“Rosemary’s Baby” was directed by Roman Polanski. This film needs no introduction. It’s one of the best films in physiological horror classic. Based on Ira Levin’s novel of the same name, the story focuses on a newly married couple; when the wife gets pregnant mysteriously, she suspect that her neighbors have designs on her child. 

The posters and advisements for the film said ‘pray for Rosemary’s baby.’ Can you petition the Lord through prayer? This movie is a Halloween must-watch.

‘The Exorcist’ (1973)

This great horror film is one of the most well-executed films. It may not be the frightening story of all time, but it’s a classic. The story is about a young mother that tries to exorcise her own young daughter, and what happens next is what the story is all about. The film’s story is patient in its pacing, and not rushing its hand like most horror flicks. With blazing editing and cinematography, it’s also flawlessly acted that really adds to the film’s uncanny atmosphere. 

It didn’t feel like an exorcism just for the sake of an exorcism; it felt earned, perhaps even an epic feeling.

‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

This film is an outright ‘slasher’ masterpiece. The concept, direction, acting, and relentless horror push the film leaps and bounds above many others. Many horror flicks nowadays use a lot of jump-scares and stock sound effects. However, the filmmakers were able to do it with a small budget and scant technology available at the time. It’s impressive; the story itself is thoroughly disturbing. Without a doubt, it is an outright classic.

‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975)

Two love couples go to the mystifying residence of Dr. Frank. They soon get up in a twister of song, dance, and intercourse. Will the two catch a break as the songs keep on playing? This film is among the early horror/musical that delivers on its quirky premise with a raw look at the genre. With unusual dramatis personae and good songs, this movie is one for the era.

‘Carrie’ (1976)

The story is inspired by the first novel of Stephen King, about a social outcast who discovers her supernatural abilities of telekinesis to return the favor towards her sociopathic classmates and her religious mother. Intense melodrama works very well with poignancy and piteousness. 

The film’s direction is crisp, and acting by all is perfect; the film is one of the memorable pieces in antiquity’s horror genre. And who can forget the memorable fierce jump scare scenes? Guess no one in the history of this genre. 

‘Eraserhead’ (1977)

The film is one of the best indie horrors directed and wrote by David Lynch. It’s so atmospheric and muddling yet alluring in a depraved way; it will take few revisits to understand the film’s core, and all have their own interpretation and theory on it.

Every scene in the film twists your mind like a wet washrag; it’s not an easy watch for everyone. The background music of the film is appalling; I will highly recommend this film. It will give you all the needed horror kick you need when watched alone in the dark.

‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ (1978)

A truly frightening and dark film, the story showcases people who seem strange to us, normally. The camera pans the city streets and its inhabitants, forcing us to wonder who they really are. The special effects are wonderfully bizarre in that they are completely organic, representing crazed plant life. 

The best line in the film: “Why do we always think they’ll come in metal ships?” Of course, it refers to invaders from outer space.

‘Dawn of the Dead’ (1978)

“Dawn of the Dead” is the gold standard of zombie films—from the story to the characters—and the acting is top-notch, which never gets old. “Dawn of the Dead” picks up where “Night of the Living Dead” ends, and continues the journey into a world overrun by zombies. Most of the zombie story has taken inspiration from it. 

If you have not seen the film, then it’s a big doubt on your fandom for horror. It has great scenes and surprising humor with thrills. 

 ‘Halloween’ (1978)

It is a perfect choice for Halloween night with your friends and family if you want to make spooky any night. Director John Carpenter did magnificent work on creating fear, anxiety, and paranoia by developing a slasher like Michael Myers. The storyline of the film is realistic in a way—having a creepy stalker. Myers is one of the creepiest yet most intriguing characters in all of horror history. 

“Halloween” is one of the most recognized films in history, and it has earned its place as one of the best horror movies ever made.

‘Friday the 13th’ (1980)

Another iconic slasher of the 1980s that inspired a sequel of many more films. However, this one is classic. The story begins with the lake’s tragic accident, which sets in motion a chain of events. It is a silent flick compared to its sequels with slow pacing; it takes its own time setting up the scenario. Once the killing begins, it shines a gory way as its predator stalks teenagers.

The film has many of the stars at that time, and all have done great acting. You have to watch it to know from where it all started, and if you won’t, you never know what went into setting up the most versatile killing machine of all time, Jason Voorhees.

‘An American Werewolf in London’ (1981)

This film is an instant classic. The effects of the film are old, but still remarkably pleasing. It is the finest werewolf tale of all time, with an amazing transformation scene. Using London as the backdrop separates this film from other usual horror films, giving it a very authentic feel. 

The general plot is interesting and different. The music suits each frame and the entire movie is amazing.

‘Gremlins’ (1984)

The film is a great piece of horror/fantasy. It might seem like something to watch with kids, but you will regret it later if you do. The film lives up to today’s standards. It is both well-shot and acted, with good practical effects and a narrative that doesn’t leave you feeling like you have wasted time watching it. The story is about a sweet-looking creature who turns out to be a monster that wants to kill the whole town.  

“Gremlins” establish a charming fantasy/horror with well-executed and engrossing verisimilitude.

‘The Fly’ (1986)

“The Fly” is a sci-fi/horror, and one of the great remakes with monsters in it. The story is of a scientist who experiments on himself, and in turn transforms himself in to fly. And, as things turn out, he becomes a disgusting monster. 

Jeff Goldblum does the lead role; the performance is terrifying and gruesome to watch him transform into The Fly. The film has one of the best special effects, and is one remake that was better than the original.

‘Child’s Play’ (1988)

It’s one of the original classics. The story is about a creepy doll that kills people. It has many moments that will scare you, terrify you, and haunt you as well.

“Child’s Play” is highly recommended to any horror fan, especially killer doll fans, as this is a true classic.

‘Beetlejuice’ (1988)

“Beetlejuice” is among the most watchable Halloween films of all time, directed by Tim Burton. The narrative is imagery-filled and creative. Michael Keaton cast as the Beetlejuice ghost is perfect. All the creepy scenes are visualized well for all set of audiences.

This movie has the right mix of horror and comedy that you can enjoy with the entire family on Halloween night. 

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

A simple psychological-horror film about three people who go to a forest to film a documentary a brutal serial killer who has killed teenagers. As they start getting information from locals, some believe in the tale while some deny. When they experience stranger things, they decide to return to town but have lost the path. Soon forlornness, disquiet, and dubiety establish in their minds; the reaction is the loss of their optimism, and the film’s sense of anguish and spite really terrifies viewers.

There are no spirits, witch, or ghost appearances. Still, all their supposition, conjectures, and sense of gloom will frighten the viewers. The film is a hidden gem. An indie horror one should not be missing. 

‘Hocus Pocus’ (1993)

“Hocus Pocus” is one of the most popular Halloween movies; the story focuses on three witches who are sisters resurrected on Halloween night by three teenagers. The teens and a magical cat try to stop evil witches from turning into the immortal. 

With continuous guffaws and spooks, this is a perfect family Halloween film.

‘Sleepy Hollow’ (1999)

This is the story of a man that comes to learn that the supernatural is real. It has a mixture of fantasy, the supernatural, and horror with an Olde English script. The film has good thrilling and horrifying moments, with strong acting from Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci. 

Obvious Mentions:

‘Psycho‘ (1960) /‘The Shining’ (1980) and ‘Scream’ (1996)

I hope you enjoyed Vol.1 of our Ultimate Hollywood Halloween list and share with your friends and family. Do let us know your favorites in the comments below.