It’s October! ‘Tis the season for chunky sweaters, all things pumpkin spice, and (of course) scary movies! Horror movies are an interesting genre because there are numerous sub-categories within, including slasher horror, horror drama, and even comedy horror, to name a few. With all these options, choosing a creepy film to watch can feel overwhelming. Luckily for you, I’ve compiled a list of ten flicks that I recommend you add to your scary movie repertoire right away. Beware! I mean, enjoy!

1. "The Descent"

This film from the U.K. follows a group of women who go spelunking in unchartered territory and discover carnivorous creatures lurking within. If you’re looking for damsels in distress or helpless cheerleaders tripping through the woods, this movie is not for you. These women are kickass. Even more, they’re multidimensional. There’s a decent amount of buildup as you’re introduced to the characters, but believe me when I say that once the action gets going you’ll be on the edge of your seat.

2. "REC"

Although it inspired a painfully mediocre American remake "Quarantine", "REC" is a consistently tense found-footage film documenting a television reporter as she follows firemen into a quarantined apartment building. The original is in Spanish, but there are very high-quality voiceovers available to those willing to search the internet. If not, it’s worth switching on the subtitles to give this movie a try. Trust me.

3. "Vacancy"

If you didn’t find motels creepy before, you will after watching this film. An estranged couple’s car breaks down prompting them to spend the night at a nearby hotel. This movie is incredibly fast-paced; the characters are forced to think quickly and take any means necessary to survive the night. Luke Wilson gives an impressive performance starring in this thriller.

4. "Let the Right One In"

Another foreign language film, this Swedish masterpiece has English voiceovers available online. It also inspired a lackluster American remake "Let Me In", but it’s worth the time to check out the original. An ostracized young boy befriends a strange young girl who happens to be a vampire. Warning: this is nothing like "Twilight". This movie features some graphic gore as well as superb acting.

5. "Oculus"

A young brother and sister witness a family tragedy that the sister insists was caused by an evil mirror. Years later, she finds the mirror and recruits her brother to help her destroy it. This movie has an added layer of mystery because it not only depicts the mirror’s supernatural abilities, but it also shows the brother’s more logical perspective without the mirror’s influence. Is the mirror really evil? You have to watch to find out.

6. "Evil Dead"

Not to be confused with Sam Raimi’s 1981 "The Evil Dead", this remake is horrifying. I don’t want to offend fans of the cult classic, but you must admit, the original is rather campy. The remake fills plot holes and gives the characters solid motivation to keep their friend in isolation as they mistake her demonic possession for drug withdrawal. This movie is filled with gore and is not recommended for those with weak stomachs. Also, it rains blood. It’s freaking awesome.

7. "The Last Exorcism"

If you love found footage films like "Paranormal Activity" or "The Blair Witch Project", this movie is right up your alley. A pastor has lost his faith and is making a documentary about his phony exorcisms to prove they do not exist. Along the way, he stumbles upon what appears to be an authentic possession. This movie features solid acting from a tiny cast along with the overarching mystery of whether or not this possession is legit.

8. "The Cabin in the Woods"

Are you tired of overused horror tropes or run-of-the-mill plot lines? Look no further. This one addresses classic scary movie stereotypes by giving a satirical explanation as to why they exist in a fresh, wildly original way. Many viewers were turned off by the purposefully vague previews, but believe me when I say the less you know about this movie the better. Just go in with an open mind and realize that this movie successfully roasts scary movies while also being a scary movie.

9. "V/H/S"

I’ll admit this isn’t the highest quality movie. It’s very choppy; it’s five separate scary movies combined into one. Delinquents break into a seemingly abandoned house in search of a videotape and find several short films documenting unrelated supernatural events. The short films are where the magic happens, each one more chilling than the last. I also recommend the sequel, which is more seamlessly edited but also lacking some of the original’s raw eeriness.

10. "The Babadook"

This Australian flick chronicles a widowed mother and her young hyperactive son who find a disturbing children’s book that ushers a dark figure into their home. Essie Davis is phenomenal as the exhausted mother trying to bury her grief over her husband’s passing as well as harboring resentment towards her child. The creature reminds her that the more you try to deny something, the more powerful it becomes. This movie will make you uncomfortable, steadily progressing from tense to downright petrifying.

Hopefully you found something on this list that struck your fancy! Feel free to contact me directly for a more customized list of recommendations. I love nothing more than to talk about movies (seriously, nothing). But for now, this general list should have you covered for a few bone chilling nights.