Halloween has always been more than just candy and sweets. There has always been an overlying intent of the paranormal. That chill running down your spine at the very ideals of a holiday shrouded by mystery. A misty fog rolling through the heart of fall... Reminding us that there may just be someone watching from around the bend... A hallmark when coining the phrase "horror." A night of treats, maybe, but most certainly a night of frights.

And there's only one way to prepare yourself... Face the horrors head on! -- From the safety of your television screens, of course!

So, welcome foolish mortals and prepare for sleepless nights as we embark on a journey through another dimension... A twilight zone of horror films just waiting to be explored.

1. "The Woman In Black" (2012) - Directed By James Watkins

One of Daniel Radcliffe's first post-Potter films, "The Woman In Black", based on Susan Hill's novel of the same name, follows a lawyer, Arthur Kipps (Daniel Radcliffe), as he is sent to a remote village to put a deceased eccentric's affairs in order. Soon after his arrival, Kipps comes to realize that the villagers are withholding a terrible secret. He comes to learn that the house of his deceased client, "The Marsh House," is haunted by the spirit of an enraged woman (Liz White) who is trying to find someone she lost long ago and that no one is safe from her terrible wrath. Especially the children that she possesses to suicide in order for them to join her in death, whenever someone catches sight of her apparition. This period horror utilizes classic tactics in order to scare its viewers into submission, with an incredibly well-developed story development to boot, "The Woman In Black" will have you shaking. Jump scares, creepy dolls, and paranormal mayhem galore! Kipps' pursuit of the truth will have you simultaneously clutching a pillow to your face while hanging by the very edge of your seat. A modern release of a classic ghost story at its finest.

2. "The Shining" (1980) - Directed By Stanley Kubrick

Nobody can deny that "The Shinning" lives at the very pinnacle of modern horror storytelling. With the original book penned by Stephen King and Stanley Kubrick being at the head of this film adaption, there's no doubt about it. This chiller follows Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) of whom becomes winter caretaker at the isolated Overlook Hotel in Colorado, hoping it will help cure his writer's block. He settles in with his wife, Wendy (Shelley Duval), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who is plagued by psychic premonitions. As Jack's writing goes nowhere and Danny's visions become more disturbing, Jack discovers the hotel's dark secrets and begins to unravel into a homicidal maniac hell-bent on terrorizing his family. Kubrick shines in zeroing in on the very demons dancing around Jack's head. Highlighting the very inner turmoil that could drive a man to the brink-- making it almost too real to swallow. Ranked amongst one of the best horror films of all time, you can guarantee you're in for one hell of a ride. Hearing the phrase, "Here's Johnny!!", echoing in your head long after the ending credits roll.

3. "The Exorcist" (1973) - Directed By William Friedkin

With the absolutely superb television series adaption currently running its first season on Fox, isn't it only appropriate to revisit the source material? One of the most profitable horror movies ever made, "The Exorcist" is based loosely on true events and a hand in hand screenplay novel adaption written by Willliam Peter Blatty who also penned its source material. The tale follows a young girl, Regan (Linda Blair), as she begins acting strangely-- levitating, speaking in tongues. Her mother (Ellen Burstyn) seeks medical help only to hit a dead end. A local priest (Jason Miller), however, believes the girl may be seized by the devil. So, the priest requests permission to perform an exorcism and the church sends in an expert (Max von Sydow) to help with the job. The devil quite literally takes form in its torment of poor Regan's body-- from head spinning to spider crawling. This is the cinematic story of possession that quite literally inspired them all-- from "The Exorcism Of Emily Rose" to "The Possession." But, nothing will ever top the original.

4. "Psycho" (1960) - Directed By Alfred Hitchcock

Of course, Alfred Hitchcock, "The Master Of Suspense" himself was going to make this list! He quite literally created the elements of suspense and psychological thriller that are present within every film of the genre today. If you've never heard of Hitchcock, please just go and watch every single one of his films immediately! (And while you're at it, don't forget to play my favorite game, "Spot The Cock"-- if you find every single one of his in-film cameos, we can be best friends.) But, what film is more appropriate for the season than the origin of the slasher film ideal, "Psycho." You may be familiar with the modern backstory reimagining on A&E, "Bates Motel" (And if you aren't, that one is another MUST SEE!), but this is the original classic that started it all! Based on the novel of the same name by Robert Bloch, "Psycho" begins when Phoenix secretary, Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) impulsively steals $40,000 from her employer in order to run away with her boyfriend, Sam Loomis (John Gavin). While making her escape by car during a heavy rainstorm, Marion is overcome with exhaustion. Traveling along the back roads in order to avoid confrontation with the cops she stops for the night at the ramshackle Bates Motel and meets the polite yet high strung proprietor, Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins), a young man with an interest in taxidermy and a difficult relationship with his mother. A thriller masterpiece, "Psycho", will be giving you shivers all the way through your next hotel stay.

5. "Carrie" (1976) - Directed By Brian De Palma

This chilling Stephen King classic follows the story of Carrie White (Sissy Spacek), a withdrawn and sensitive teen who faces taunting at the hands of her cruel classmates and abuse at the hands of her fanatically pious mother (Piper Laurie). When strange occurrences start happening around Carrie, she begins to suspect that she may have supernatural abilities. Invited to the prom, after an abusive incident at the hands of her peers while in the girl's locker room shower, by the empathetic Tommy Ross (William Katt), Carrie tries to let her guard down. However, things eventually take a dark and violent turn. "Carrie" explores not only the horrific nature of dark powers matched with a slip in control but also that of the abuse human beings are capable of thrusting upon one another. Making it a far cry from the conventional in its ability to supply horror in the same vein of trying to convey a lesson. Expressing how humanity itself can drive their own peers to the brink.

6. "Horns" (2013) - Directed By Alexandre Aja

Loosely based on the novel of the same name by Joe Hill (Fun fact: Hill is the pen name of Stephen King's son, Joeseph Hillstrom King), "Horns" follows the story of Ig Perrish (Daniel Radcliffe) of whom is accused of murdering his former girlfriend (Juno Temple) after the police find her body in the woods. Innocent, Ig tries desperately to fight the case against him, however not one scrap of evidence seems to be in his favor. Until one morning he wakes up with a mysterious pair of horns growing out of his temples of which give him the allowance to coerce out everyone's darkest truths and desires, as well as being able to command those dark desires to do his bidding. Armed with these newfound supernatural powers, he sets out to find the true killer. Playing off the idea that the devil was once an angel, Ig's story chronicles closely as a man fallen from grace, seeking redemption after wrongful persecution. This one is very much a brain picker at its core, calling the audience to dig deep and follow Ig as he strings together the pieces. Punishment is now his weapon and he is ready to wield it. I would highly suggest paying attention to all the subtle imagery, they mean a whole lot more than you think! (Hint: All the license plates are bible passages that relate to the characterizations of their drivers!)

7. "A Nightmare On Elm Street" (1984) - Directed By Wes Craven

Wes Craven-- a master of fright, was very much a no-brainer on this list. Written as well as directed by the man himself, this classic slasher flick follows several Midwestern teenagers as they fall victim to the likes of, horror icon, Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund). Krueger is a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on the teenagers in their sleep-- which in turn, kills them in reality. After investigating the phenomena, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) begins to suspect that a dark secret kept by her and her friends' parents may be the key to unraveling the mystery. However, time isn't exactly on their side... As Nancy and her boyfriend, Glenn (Johnny Depp) try desperately to solve the puzzle before it's all too late. Now, this one I can very much guarantee won't have you sleeping for a week... That is... If you're lucky.

8. "Scream" (1996) - Directed By Wes Craven

Yet another gem in the Wes Craven vault-- "Scream" primarily follows the story of Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she tries to cope with the mysterious murder of her mother. However, in the background, there's a lurking menace closing in on her as well as her horror movie obsessed friends. The sleepy little town of Woodsboro will never be the same... With a killer in their midst who has seen a few too many horror movies of their own. Suddenly, nobody is safe, as the psychopath stalks victims, taunts them with trivia questions, then rips them to bloody shreds... It could be anybody. A horror film that works as both a slasher and a parody of the horror genre's past, "Scream" works even for the not so keen viewers.

9. "The Silence Of The Lambs" (1991) - Directed By Jonathan Demme

You may have heard of NBC's recently canceled hit, "Hannibal," (Of which, full disclosure-- I am a huge fan!) but this is exactly where the phenomena began. Based on the novel of the same name by Thomas Harris, "The Silence Of The Lambs" opens upon our meeting of Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), a top student at the FBI's training academy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn) wants Starling to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant psychiatrist who also just so happens to be a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have some insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out. Starling must confide in Lecter in order to capture another serial killer who skins his victims alive. With a unique aspect to the slasher film genre of women who won't play victim-- this highly acclaimed classic draws full on shivers at the sight of the grotesque in this all out psychological thriller.

10. "Misery" (1990) - Directed By Rob Reiner

The role that made Kathy Bates a star, as well as an Oscar Winner for Best Actress, is a true form of horror that only Stephen King could manage to conjure. "Misery", an adaption of King's novel of the same name, follows novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), who after a serious car crash is rescued by a former nurse, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) of whom claims to be his biggest fan. Wilkes brings him to her remote cabin to recover, where her obsession takes a dark turn when she discovers Sheldon is killing off her favorite character from his novels. As Sheldon devises plans for escape, Wilkes grows increasingly controlling and notably violent, as she forces to Sheldon to shape his writing to suit her twisted fantasies. This one truly reflects the whole, "Super fan gone wrong" idea. The twisted and grotesque madness surrounding the human capability in the realm of the infliction of harm. Bates absolutely horrifies viewers to the very core as she breathes that madness into Annie Wilkes so vividly on screen, you might just start seeing her in your nightmares.

11. "Poltergeist" (1982) - Directed By Tobe Hooper

With a story by modern film great, Steven Spielberg, "Poltergeist" has never ceased to haunt audiences. Strange and creepy happenings beset an average California family in this ghost story. The Freelings-- Steve (Craig T. Nelson), Diane (JoBeth Williams), teenaged Dana (Dominique Dunne), eight-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins), and five-year-old Carol Anne (Heather O'Rourke) are greatly troubled when spirits begin to commune with them through their television set. Initially friendly and playful, the ghosts turn unexpectedly menacing, and when Carol Anne goes missing, Steve and Diane turn to a parapsychologist and eventually an exorcist for help. This is a great one for fans of this summer's breakout hit, "Stranger Things"-- due to the series' many listed homages, this film just so happens to be one of them. But, it may come at the risk that you may not ever want to go near any other electrical device ever again...

12. "Halloween" (1978) - Directed By John Carpenter

Not only is John Carpenter yet another virtuoso of the horror film genre, but this one also stars the original "Scream Queen," Jamie Lee Curtis. "Halloween" tells the story of Michael Myers (Tony Moran), who at the age of six (Will Sandin) on a cold Halloween night in 1963, murdered his seventeen-year-old sister, Judith (Sandy Johnson). He was sentenced and locked away for fifteen years. But on October 30, 1978, while being transferred to a court date, Myers steals a car and escapes Smith's Grove. He returns to his quiet hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he looks for his next victims. This film was a complete game-changer for the horror genre, proving that big budgets didn't equal success. With a close to nonexistent budget, "Halloween" was able to create a whole new level of fear through the power of suggestion. Never allowing the audience to see how Myers murders his victims, adds a whole new layer of discomfort and paranoia.

13. "The Devil's Backbone" (2001) - Directed By Guillermo del Toro

Guillermo del Toro is arguably the most prolific storyteller in all of film history. Being able to switch between mainstream action flicks like the "Hellboy" franchise and "Pacific Rim" to Spanish-language dark fantasy pieces like that of "Pan's Labyrinth" and the final film on our list, "The Devil's Backbone." This one goes out to all my fellow foreign language film fans and even to those who don't often wander outside of the English speaking forum-- turn on the subtitles and dive into this one, you won't regret it! Widely considered a masterpiece of cinema, and rightfully so, "The Devil's Backbone" takes place along the backdrop setting of Spain in 1939, during the final year of the Spanish Civil War, following the story of twelve-year-old Carlos (Fernando Tielve) after the loss of his father. Carlos is sent to the Santa Lucia School, which shelters orphans of the Republican militia and politicians, and is taken in by the steely headmistress, Carmen (Marisa Paredes), and the kindly professor, Casares (Federico Luppi). Gradually, Carlos uncovers the secrets of the school, including the youthful ghost that wanders the grounds. An intriguing mix of the supernatural and political spheres, del Toro delves to the core of both and digs up each of their double-edged qualities.