Between trick-or-treating, costumes, and parties, there is no doubt that Halloween can be enjoyed in many ways. For those who want a quiet night in, handing out candy or testing how scared they can really get, horror movies may just be what you are looking for. With that said, here is a list of 4 movies–ordered from least scariest to most–for you to enjoy over Halloween and beyond!
HOCUS POCUS: To start off, Hocus Pocus is the ultimate Halloween, go-to comfort movie. Three children stumble upon a house in Salem, Massachusetts. Without knowing the haunted backstory of this house, the children’s mishaps bring about something truly chaotic upon our world…the three witches. Every year around this season, every conversation of this film is typically associated with nostalgia. Chances are you have seen or at least heard of the film Hocus Pocus but re-experiencing it every year with family and friends truly sets you up for Halloween and makes you feel in place on a chilly autumn day.
GHOSTBUSTERS: It wouldn’t be Halloween without some mention of the classic Ghostbusters. When four scientists come together on their common belief in paranormal activity, they uncover a whole dimension, one that brings havoc and destruction upon their beloved New York City. While there are ghosts and goblins and jump scares throughout this movie, it is very evident that the priority is humor, not horror. Therefore, if you are someone who is very much tactful when it comes to the topic of terror (like me), this film series is sure to keep you on point for Halloween while ensuring you can sleep in peace at night.
THE RING: Comedic movies aside, if you want something more seriously aligned with Halloween, pushing your boundaries, then The Ring is the movie for you. Rumors of a video-tape that brings death comes true, causing journalist Rachel Keller to set out to find this evil before it finds what’s most precious to her. For me personally, I find the whole “long haired girls with the hair dark in color and covering their faces, wearing the white dresses” to be one of the scariest sights in horror films. With that said, if you really want to face your fears and push the boundary on your level of fear, this film is the best way for you to achieve this goal but just in case, be sure to have someone close.
THE SHINING: Lastly, one of the scariest horror movies of all times, The Shining. What started as an innocent effort to rid writer’s block turns into one of the most thrilling films ever made. The Shining goes beyond just trying to scare you with supernatural elements to psychological manipulation. The visuals are incredibly frightening with every aspect from the makeup, to the cinematography to the production all playing a significant role in giving you the scare of a lifetime! This film is seriously not for the faint of heart but given that it is Halloween, there is no better time to try it out!
These movies are only four amongst a plethora of other horror movies. This year itself (2025), we have had many scary movie releases from Sinners, Weapons and Bring Her Back (also arranged from least to most frightening). Movies are a significant part of Halloween because they let you experience the holiday to the fullest, an experience beyond anything simple experiences can leave you with. With that said, I hope you find that these films raise your Halloween spirits!
