10 Must Watch Scary Movies During October

October is the perfect time to indulge in the eerie and unsettling, with Halloween setting the mood for horror lovers to dive into spine-chilling movies. Whether you’re a fan of supernatural hauntings, slasher flicks, or psychological thrillers, there’s something for every kind of scare-seeker. Here’s a list of ten scary movies perfect for October, along with interesting facts that make them even more compelling.

1. Halloween (1978)

Director: John Carpenter

This classic slasher introduced Michael Myers, the mask-wearing killer, who terrorizes the small town of Haddonfield. The movie’s minimalistic score, also composed by Carpenter, is one of the most iconic horror themes of all time.

Fun Fact: The Michael Myers mask was actually a modified Captain Kirk mask from Star Trek, painted white to create a hauntingly blank expression.

2. The Exorcist (1973)

Director: William Friedkin

Known as one of the scariest movies ever made, The Exorcist tells the story of a young girl possessed by a demonic force and the priests who attempt to save her. The movie pushed boundaries with its shocking imagery and has remained influential in the horror genre.

Fun Fact: Several accidents occurred on set, leading many to believe the film was cursed. The production was so troubled that a real priest was brought in to bless the set.

3. Hereditary (2018)

Director: Ari Aster

This modern horror masterpiece explores family trauma, grief, and dark occult themes. Hereditary is known for its disturbing visuals, psychological horror, and Toni Collette’s powerhouse performance.

Fun Fact: The eerie miniatures featured throughout the movie were meticulously handcrafted to mirror the lives of the characters, adding to the unsettling tone of the film.

4. The Shining (1980)

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Based on Stephen King’s novel, The Shining follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) as he slowly descends into madness while caretaking a remote, haunted hotel. The Overlook Hotel becomes a character in its own right, amplifying the terror of isolation.

Fun Fact: The iconic “Here’s Johnny!” scene was improvised by Nicholson, and Kubrick, known for his meticulous direction, shot it a staggering 60 times to get it right.

5. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Director: Wes Craven

Freddy Krueger, the burned killer who stalks teens in their dreams, became one of horror’s most enduring villains. His ability to attack people in their sleep introduced a terrifying concept that left audiences sleepless.

Fun Fact: This film was Johnny Depp’s first major role, and Craven cast him after his daughter said Depp was “dreamy.” The character’s death scene involving a bed and a geyser of blood is still one of the franchise’s most memorable.

6. The Witch (2015)

Director: Robert Eggers

Set in 1630s New England, The Witch is a slow-burn horror film that explores paranoia and religious fervor in a family exiled to the edge of a dark forest. The unsettling atmosphere and historical accuracy make it a haunting experience.

Fun Fact: Eggers insisted on using only natural light and historically accurate set designs to immerse the audience in the period, making the movie feel even more authentic and eerie.

7. Get Out (2017)

Director: Jordan Peele

A modern horror film with strong social commentary, Get Out explores the horrors of racism through the story of a Black man visiting his white girlfriend’s family for the first time. The film balances suspense, psychological horror, and humor.

Fun Fact: Peele won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Get Out, making him the first Black screenwriter to achieve this honor.

8. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Director: Tobe Hooper

One of the most brutal and terrifying films of its time, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre introduced audiences to Leatherface and his cannibalistic family. Despite its reputation, the movie contains surprisingly little on-screen blood, relying more on psychological terror.

Fun Fact: The film’s gritty, low-budget production made conditions unbearable for the cast, who filmed in sweltering Texas heat with limited breaks. The meat used in the dinner scene was real, and it began to rot during filming.

9. Paranormal Activity (2007)

Director: Oren Peli

A found-footage horror film that uses surveillance cameras to capture strange events in a suburban home, Paranormal Activity revived the found-footage genre with its subtle scares and low-budget ingenuity.

Fun Fact: The movie was shot on a shoestring budget of just $15,000, but it became a massive box office success, grossing over $193 million worldwide.

10. It Follows (2014)

Director: David Robert Mitchell

This indie horror flick introduces a supernatural curse that is passed through intimate contact. The victim is relentlessly pursued by a shape-shifting entity that can look like anyone, adding an unpredictable edge to the scares.

Fun Fact: The movie’s dream-like atmosphere is enhanced by the 1980s-style synth soundtrack, which became as iconic as the film’s unsettling visuals.

Honorable Mentions:

If the top 10 films weren’t enough to satisfy your horror cravings, here are five more honorable mentions that deliver spine-chilling scares and unique takes on the genre.

1. Scream (1996)

Director: Wes Craven

This meta-horror slasher revitalized the genre in the ’90s by blending humor with horror, as a masked killer known as Ghostface stalks a group of teenagers. Scream cleverly subverts horror movie tropes, offering a fresh and self-aware twist.

Fun Fact: The Ghostface mask was discovered by the film’s location scout while searching through an abandoned house. The design was loosely based on Edvard Munch’s painting The Scream.

2. The Babadook (2014)

Director: Jennifer Kent

An unsettling psychological horror, The Babadook tells the story of a grieving mother and her son who are tormented by a sinister figure from a children’s book. The film blurs the lines between supernatural and psychological horror.

Fun Fact: The Babadook became an unexpected LGBTQ+ icon after fans started to celebrate the character as a symbol for repressed feelings. This culminated in The Babadook being featured in some Pride parades!

3. The Ring (2002)

Director: Gore Verbinski

A remake of the Japanese horror film Ringu, The Ring follows a cursed videotape that leads to the death of anyone who watches it within seven days. The film is notable for its eerie atmosphere and the creepy, iconic antagonist, Samara.

Fun Fact: Actress Daveigh Chase, who played Samara, also voiced Lilo in Lilo & Stitch—a surprising contrast to her terrifying role in this film.

4. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Directors: Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez

This low-budget found-footage film follows a group of students who become lost in the woods while investigating the legend of the Blair Witch. The film’s ambiguous ending and minimalistic style left audiences debating what they had witnessed.

Fun Fact: The actors were given basic instructions and left in the woods to improvise many of their scenes. Their genuine discomfort and confusion added to the authenticity of the performances.

5. The Conjuring (2013)

Director: James Wan

Based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring follows a family haunted by a malevolent spirit in their farmhouse. This film helped solidify the Warrens as pop culture icons and launched a successful horror franchise.

Fun Fact: The real Lorraine Warren served as a consultant on the film, and the actors experienced strange occurrences on set, including a sudden cold draft during an intense scene.