If you're like me, you actually watch horror films year-round. Halloween, however, is that time of the year when you're especially into the spooky. I've compiled a list of my top 10 favorite scary movies that I'll be binge watching as Halloween approaches.
10. "Misery" (1990)
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No horror list is complete without Stephen King. Kathy Bates is a great horror actress, and you might recognize her from American Horror Story. This is one of my favorite of her roles. She's absolutely nuts and she makes this movie.
9. The Wicker Man (1973)
This film (the 1973 version, because the 2006 version didn't happen and we don't talk about it) is just weird enough. Without gore or monsters, it manages to be extra creepy by drawing on what's horrific about humans and "civilized" society.
8. Pan's Labyrinth (2006)
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You know a movie is good when it can be in a foreign language and still be utterly captivating. "Pan's Labyrinth" is a Spanish film that blurs the lines between childhood fantasy and adult horrors. This movie's makeup and character design is both flawless and horrifying.
7. "Drag Me To Hell" (2009)
I have five words that should sell you on this film: a bada** evil old gypsy lady. Sam Raimi is my absolute favorite horror director, and in no other film is his personal style exhibited so well. "Drag Me To Hell" is not only terrifying, but it's also visually (and audibly) stunning. You just have to watch it to understand!
6. "The Exorcist" (1973)
You may never be able to enjoy pea soup ever again after watching this movie, but I can promise it will be totally worth it. No horror movie experience is truly complete without the film that started the immortal trend of exorcism movies.
5. "Scream" (1996)
"Scream" is the slasher flick of our generation. You know every awful boy from elementary school had to be Ghostface for Halloween and it was terrifying.
4. "Evil Dead" (1981) and (2013)
The original gore-fest. This movie both scares and nauseates you, but you can't stop watching. I had to include both the original and the remake because they're both so good (and I don't want to take sides on this debate seeing as there's nothing scarier than an angry horror movie fanatic). Sam Raimi directed the 2013 remake, and it stays true to enough aspects of the original so as not to be blasphemous, but also brings some unique style to the table.
3. "Trick 'r Treat" (2007)
"Trick 'r Treat" is unlike any of the other films on my list — it's not a usual favorite among horror movie fanatics, nor did it garner much success at the box office. I love "Trick 'r Treat" because it is a treat. With a combination of short stories all rolled into one universe, it stands apart from other linear horror narratives. It incorporates slashers, vampires, werewolves, and an adorable little Halloween creature (pictured above). IIt's unique and unexpected, and it fits the Halloween vibe perfectly.
2. "The Shining" (1980)
Stephen King makes another appearance on my list with this Stanley Kubrick classic. This is a movie you might have to watch more than once to fully appreciate, but you'll likely want to watch it again and again. I once asked for "The Shining" on DVD for Christmas and I felt like a little kid when I opened it on Christmas morning.
1. "Halloween" (1978)
"Halloween" was the first horror movie I ever saw. No, I've never seen the Rob Zombie remakes, and I don't plan on it. Michael Myers is the original slasher. Of all horror movie villains, he's the most terrifying. Yes, I think he'd win in a fight against both Freddie Krueger and Jason Voorhees because Michael Myers is immortal. All he needs is a plain mask and a knife to be terrifying. It's minimalist horror at its finest.
Grab your popcorn and that teddy bear you brought to college with you even though you're definitely an adult and don't need it any more. It's Halloween. Time to get scared.
