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31 All Time Best Halloween Movies for a Frightfully Delightful 2025

by: Anelisa Nokoyo

Published on Aug 21st 2025

For many, spooky season is the perfect time to catch up on some of the best Halloween movies ever made. We’re talking slashers, psychological thrillers, paranormal horrors, monster movies, you name it. To help you get into the Halloween spirit this year, we’ve put together a list of the best Halloween movies for all ages and tastes. So grab your Halloween snacks and settle in for a night of frightful fun.

Best Halloween Movies Of All Time

The tradition of watching scary movies on Halloween goes back a long time. In fact, a recent survey from the NY Post found that about two-thirds of Americans loved horror films as kids and today, that number has grown to 73%. Part of the magic comes from the nostalgia of it all. Revisiting the same movies that once gave us goosebumps or that we connect to special moments from the past makes the experience even more special. If you’re looking to recapture the magic this fall, here are a few of the best Halloween movies of all time to check out.

1. Practical Magic (1998)

After losing their parents to a dark family curse, the Owens sisters grow up under the watchful eyes and quirky lessons of their spell-casting aunts. But when a dangerous ex refuses to stay dead, the sisters have to join forces, dust off their brooms and banish his nasty spirit before he takes them down with him. Practical Magic is a playful take on the good witch trope and a fun watch for the whole family.

2. The Addams Family (1991)

The Addams Family drops its delightfully macabre clan into a 90s backdrop, creating the ultimate collision of gothic and modern. In this tale, the Addamses find themselves the target of a cunning con artist after their fortune and each family member embodies the spirit of Halloween in the best way. The film stands as a bona fide classic of the comedy-horror genre and definitely deserves a spot on your lineup of the best Halloween movies of all time. The popularity of the Wednesday spin-off on Netflix is a testament to the relatability of the quirky family.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Nightmare has given us many permanent fixtures of the holiday, with Jack Skellington, Sally and of course Oogie Boogie seen everywhere now during this time of the year. The story follows Jack Skellington, Halloween Town’s beloved Pumpkin King, who accidentally discovers the magical world of Christmas Town and decides it might be fun to run the holiday himself. And no, even though it has "Tim Burton's" before the title on the poster, this was not directed by Tim Burton. That was taken care of by Henry Selick, while Burton created the original poem and story, and also served as a producer.

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4. Halloween (1978)

Halloween is best known for defining the slasher genre and giving us one of horror’s greatest icons in Michael Myers. As a child, Michael Myers was sent to a mental institution after killing his teenage sister on Halloween night. Fifteen years later, he escapes and returns to Haddonfield. There, he begins stalking teenage babysitter Laurie Strode and her friends, all while his psychiatrist, Dr. Samuel Loomis, tries to track him down. Halloween, much like the holiday it’s named after, lets us get comfortable with confronting our deepest fears. Plus, it’s one of the ultimate horror comfort watches for spooky season. A fun bit of Halloween Trivia for you: Myers' mask, called "The Shape," was based on a William Shatner mask (as Captain Kirk). It was picked up by the film's production designer, Tommy Lee Wallace, and then completely disfigured.

5. The Thing (1982)

The Thing follows a team of American scientists stationed in Antarctica who discover a mysterious alien life form. This creature has the terrifying ability to absorb and perfectly copy any living being. As the team realizes the alien could be hiding inside any one of them, fear and suspicion spread, leaving them unsure of who is human and who is the Thing.

Best Halloween Movies for Families

Scary movies aren’t just for grown-ups. Kids and families enjoy them, too. In fact, some of the best Halloween movies for families are considered cult classics that bring generations together every spooky season. Here are just a few options to get your Halloween movie spree with the fam started on the right note.

6. The Witches (1990)

Every Halloween season needs some witchcraft and The Witches delivers in spades. Adapted from Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name, the witches see 8-year-old Luke and his grandma, Helen, stumble upon a convention of witches in a hotel they’re staying at. Soon, Luke is changed into a mouse and has to find a way to stop dozens of enchantresses and save himself and his beloved grandma. It may be nostalgia talking, but we prefer the original Nicolas Roeg 1990 version to the Robert Zemeckis 2020 release.

7. Beetlejuice (1988)

For a movie about a dead couple forced to haunt their old home, Beetlejuice is surprisingly fun and brimming with imagination. At its heart, it's a movie about making your own family, as Winona Ryder’s Lydia Deetz finally finds the parental figures she’s been missing in the ghosts who now occupy her house. Then there’s the unhinged Beetlejuice himself, whose brief appearances make him feel less like the star and more like a lurking menace. Make it a double feature with the sequel Beetlejuice Beetlejuice — and yes, this time the directing credit goes to Tim Burton.

8. Hocus Pocus (1993)

This is the go-to Halloween movie for families who want something perfectly kid-friendly without feeling too babyish for adults. The story follows a trio of sister witches resurrected on Halloween night, ready to wreak havoc on the modern world — unless a group of teen heroes and their bewitched talking cat, Thackery Binx, can stop them, that is. It’s the perfect mix of trick-or-treating and parties, magic and broomsticks, plus a few zombie henchmen for good measure. The sequel is also out on Disney+ for a binge-worthy Halloween frenzy.

9. Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999)

When strange events start shaking the town, everyone blames teenager Frances. The real troublemaker, however, is the Boogeyman. To prove her innocence, Frances teams up with Larry, her younger brother’s imaginary friend. But Larry has a secret of his own, one that could put their mission to stop the Boogeyman and save the town in serious danger.

10. Twitches (2005)

Twin sisters Alex and Camryn, separated at birth, meet for the first time on their 21st birthday. They quickly discover they’re not just sisters — they’re witches, too! Now, they must join forces and harness their magical powers to protect the mystical world where they were born, a world now threatened by a shadowy Darkness only they can destroy.

11. Casper (1995)

In this heartwarming ghost story, a widowed father and his daughter move into an old mansion to clear it of its ghostly residents: friendly Casper and his mischievous uncles, the Ghostly Trio. Amid pranks and adventures, the family uncovers the touching truth behind Casper’s past just in time for a memorable Halloween party. We may be showing our age here, but we remember the Casper trading cards and POGs, as well as the original Harvey Comics comic books and the animated series. The star is Wednesday Addams herself, Christina Ricci and Casper is voiced by 90s teen idol, Devon Sawa.

Best Halloween Movies For Adults

If you’re building your ultimate spooky season watchlist, these picks easily rank among the best Halloween movies for adults. They’re the kind of films you revisit every October because they never lose their edge, and many are also classics that shaped the horror genre as we know it today.

12. The Haunting (1963)

This supernatural horror follows a small group of people who, at the invitation of a seasoned paranormal investigator, enter a supposedly haunted house to uncover its dark secrets. After an excellent opening chronicling 90 years of Hill House’s grim history, much of the film unfolds through the subjective experiences of its characters and quiet stillness and terrors lurking just outside the frame are what bring this film’s horror to life.

13. Late Night with the Devil (2024)

This film frames itself as a faux documentary built around the “rediscovered” final episode of the late-night talk show Night Owls and the strange events that befell its host, Jack Delroy, on Halloween night in 1977. In a desperate bid to boost ratings, Delroy fills his guest list with paranormal personalities, but the night takes a sinister turn when one of them exposes unsettling truths about his past.

14. PumpkinHead (1988)

You can’t have Halloween without some pumpkins, and in this case, that just so happens to be in the form of an unstoppable monster propelled by terrible vengeance. The story follows Ed Harley, a grieving father who turns to a reclusive witch to summon the demon Pumpkinhead in retaliation against the people he blames for his young son’s death. What begins as an act of rage spirals into a grim realization as Harley witnesses the full horror of what he has unleashed.

15. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

This infamous supernatural slasher follows a group of teens terrorized by Freddy Krueger, an undead killer who attacks victims in their dreams. The nightmare premise, mixed with Freddy’s terrifying presence, makes this one of the classic Halloween movies you simply can’t skip. And of course, this film is renowned for kicking off the legendary A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise and the career of then little-known heartthrob, Johnny Depp. Krueger has become a fixture for Halloween costume ideas.

16. The Conjuring (2013)

Based on real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, this film tells the chilling story of the Perron family, who experience disturbing events after moving into a Rhode Island farmhouse in 1971. It’s more spine-tingling than gory, and the fact that it’s inspired by true events — complete with real statements and photographs — only adds to the fear factor.

17. The Shining (1980)

Stanley Kubrick’s take on Stephen King’s novel is atmospheric horror at its finest. Jack Nicholson’s unsettling performance as Jack Torrance — a writer slowly descending into madness while snowed in at a remote hotel with his family — is unforgettable. A deluge of blood from elevators, a grim chase through a snowed-down maze, an axe through the door, and a terrified truly terrified Shelley Duvall (Kubrick did some real psychological scare tactics) — all work together to make this a Halloween classic.

18. The Exorcist (1973)

Few films have had as much cultural impact as The Exorcist. It tells the story of a young girl’s possession and the desperate attempt by two priests to save her. Loosely based on a real 1949 exorcism case, its shocking imagery and intense atmosphere have cemented it as one of the best Halloween movies for adults who love supernatural horror.

19. The Return of the Living Dead (1985)

This zombie horror-comedy follows a warehouse owner, his staff, a mortician and a group of teenage punks as they accidentally unleash a horde of brain-craving zombies. Equal parts creepy and campy, it’s a cult favorite that introduced the now-famous concept of brain-eating zombies.

Classic Halloween Movies

When it comes to classic Halloween movies, it doesn’t get more definitive than the spine-chilling options we’ve handpicked for you below. It includes awesome horror masterpieces and timeless favorites that’ll take you back to a time when practical effects were more terrifying than any amount of CGI.

20. The Omen (1976)

Dripping with foreboding and doom, The Omen follows the terrifying premise of the Antichrist in child form, unknowingly raised by a loving but tragically doomed couple. Sure, it’s not tied directly to Halloween, but when you have evil incarnate in a cold, inhospitable world, you’ve got the perfect recipe for holiday chills.

21. The Craft (1996)

In The Craft, four teenage girls form a coven and gain the powers of witchcraft. At first, their bond helps them overcome years of bullying and hate at the hands of the most popular kids at school. But soon the power begins to make them a danger to one another. One of the best Halloween movies, it’s a sharp coming-of-age story wrapped in spells, vengeance and the realization of just how fragile life can be.

22. Candyman (1992)

In Candyman, a graduate student digs into the urban legend of a hook-handed killer haunting a Black community’s housing project. But is he a flesh-and-blood murderer or a vengeful ghost? The film’s collision of modern urban struggles with timeless folk horror makes for a uniquely unsettling slasher. You'll never look at a mirror the same way again. The sequel to the original horror film returns to the now-gentrified Chicago neighborhood where the legend began.

23. Friday the 13th (1986)

This chapter in the Friday the 13th franchise is a blend of foggy nights, eerie atmosphere and unmistakable nods to Frankenstein. It’s the film that officially transforms Jason into an undead force, resurrected by lightning and now truly unstoppable. Other than a few cheesy moments, it’s the perfect inspiration for creative Halloween party themes that capture that same vintage, mysterious charm. All you need for your DIY Halloween costume is a hockey mask, a brown jacket and jeans, and very a sharp object.

24. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

A cornerstone of the found-footage genre, this film remains chilling 25 years later thanks to its grounded, everyday realism. Following a small crew attempting to document the legend of the Blair Witch, it slowly unravels into a tense, disorienting nightmare as they become lost in the woods and perhaps fall prey to the witch herself. By keeping its horrors mostly unseen and up to the imagination, the film sustains an unnerving authenticity that lingers long after it ends.

25. Horror of Dracula (1958)

No Halloween list is complete without the Count and this Hammer Films classic is widely regarded as one of the finest adaptations of Bram Stoker’s tale. It offers an elegant yet feral take on the character, blending animalistic menace with dark romantic allure. Plus, the film builds to a thrilling, action-driven finale that remains a highlight of vampire cinema.

26. Scream (1996)

Often listed among the best Halloween movies of all time, Scream breathed new life into the teen slasher genre, which had faded by the early ’90s. The premise is clever yet easy to follow: a year after her mother’s murder, a high school girl becomes the target of a mysterious masked killer. In a meta twist, this killer uses scary movie clichés as part of a deadly game, keeping both the characters and the audience guessing. When going to fetch a snack during the movies, don't say "I'll be right back," — one of the "rules" for surviving a horror movie.

27. Rosemary's Baby (1968)

A young couple moves into a historic New York apartment building with a dream of starting a family, but what unfolds is a slow, unsettling descent into paranoia. This film is a masterclass in tension, considered not only a classic Halloween movie but also one of the most haunting psychological horrors ever made. We never actually see Rosemary’s baby, which makes our imagination, and the dread it creates, even more terrifying.

Best Halloween Movies On Netflix

Netflix and chilling is among the most popular Halloween activities of the season, especially since Netflix started putting out a steady stream of spooky originals. The platform’s growing library makes it easier than ever to spend October nights curled up on the couch, Halloween cookies in hand, letting the otherworldly atmosphere set in.

28. Hubie Halloween (2020)

This comedy follows Hubie Dubois, a kindhearted but endlessly bullied Halloween enthusiast, as he tries to protect his beloved holiday in his hometown of Salem, Massachusetts. When strange happenings begin to unfold, Hubie takes it upon himself to investigate, though whether it’s the setup for a real horror story or just a string of harmless misunderstandings is part of the fun. The film pairs up Happy Gilmore alumni Adam Sandler and Julie Bowen.

29. Rattlesnake (2019)

Katrina’s road trip through Texas takes a deadly turn when a flat tire strands her on a dusty highway. While she works to fix it, her daughter Clara wanders off and suffers a venomous rattlesnake bite. A mysterious woman in a nearby trailer miraculously saves her, but the blessing hides a curse. To keep her daughter alive, Katrina must claim another life. This gripping film is a haunting moral puzzle wrapped in creeping dread.

30. In the Tall Grass (2019)

Adapted from a story by Stephen King, this Netflix original earns its spot among the best Halloween movies on Netflix by transforming open fields into a labyrinth of terror. Two siblings hear the desperate cries of a child and push into the six-foot-high grass of rural Kansas. Once inside, they find themselves trapped in a twisting reality where time loops, the land shifts and escape feels impossible.

31. The Ritual (2018)

Four longtime friends venture into the Swedish wilderness to honor a fallen companion but the trip soon curdles into something far darker. Scattered among the trees are cryptic runes, animal carcasses and unsettling wooden totems, all signs of an ancient presence watching them. As night falls, the forest closes in and the friends discover that the thing stalking them is older and far stranger than they could have imagined. If folklore horror is your thing, this is one of the best Halloween movies on Netflix to press play on.

Best Halloween Movies FAQs

What Is The No. 1 Halloween Movie?

Not only is it named after the holiday itself, but John Carpenter's Halloween (1978) is often credited as the film that defined the slasher genre, making it one of the most influential horror movies ever. Interestingly, though, the highest-grossing film in this category is It (2017 and another Stephen King classic), which earned $701 million worldwide.

What Is The #1 Scary Movie Ever?

Honestly, the #1 scary movie is the one that makes you uneasy long after the credits roll. For fans of classic horror, Psycho (1960) and The Exorcist (1973) still hold legendary status for their suspense and shock value. Slasher enthusiasts often point to Halloween (1978) or Friday the 13th (1980) as prime examples of tension and terror. Those who love psychological dread might nominate Hereditary (2018) or The Shining (1980), where fear is as much about the mind as the monster. Monster and creature fans might lean toward Jaws (1975) or Alien (1979), while gore and zombie devotees swear by The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) or 28 Days Later (2002). Even psychological sci-fi, like Event Horizon (1997), can push the boundaries of fear into unsettling, existential territory.

Legends, warnings and folklore are at the heart of Halloween, preserving the past and keeping the dead close in different ways across cultures. These legends come to life through film and remind us of the spookiness of this season. Whether you’re looking for the scariest Halloween movie of all time or a lighthearted spooky flick to watch with the kids, you’ve got solid options to choose from.

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