It’s October – the season of horror, slashers, screams and mysteries that make our heart race! In this blog post, I’m sharing some new releases and some of my favorites to watch during the Halloween season! These are mostly spoiler-free reviews, but I will be sharing my takes so beware and read at your own risk! Grab your snacks – here are the movies that make October one of my favorite months of the year!
my favorites
halloween (2007)
summary: Michael Myers is placed in an institution after killing his older sister and stepfather in a rage. Once he breaks out of the institution, he returns to Haddonfield to hunt down his younger sister, Laurie.
platform: amazon prime
I have seen all the Halloween movies, either on tv, streaming or by DVD. I had the Rob Zombie Halloween (2007) Director’s Cut in my home when I was a kid. I remember watching it on the in-car tv on the way to soccer tournaments, which always made the long car rides spooky and fun. If Michael Myers was in my town on Halloween, I can confidently say I wouldn’t make it away. I would trip and fall going up some stairs and he would get me since he’s literally the Boogeyman. Rob Zombie’s version dive into Michael’s disturbing childhood, which makes his story more unsettling.
There’s a scene in Halloween (2007) where Michael returns to Haddonfield after escaping from the institution, and he digs up his old knife from beneath the wooden floor boards at his childhood home. His hands, caked in grime, paired with the dusty rusty knife that’s probably never been washed just grosses me out. At the very least, I am sure we could find some soap and water!
halloween II (2009)
summary: Following Michael’s return to Haddonfield , Laurie struggles psychologically as her life (and everyone she loves in it) is torn to shreds by Michael Myers in another Halloween rampage.
platform: amazon prime
Halloween II (2009) starts immediately following the end of Halloween (2007), so it’s always fun to watch them back to back. In the movie, Michael Myers’ long-term psychologist, Dr. Loomis, revealed Laurie’s identity as Angel Myers in his book which caused her severe breakdown and PTSD. The audience knows who she is, but she does not, which makes it much more emotional as she goes into a downward spiral.
If I were in Laurie’s shoes, I would also have a major psychological breakdown if I realized Michael Myers was related to me after he killed my original family, my adoptive family, and all my friends. Michael Myers is also more of a giant monstrous figure compared to a man lurking in the shadows from the previous Halloween films, so that has always creeped me out.
If you like your Halloween movies darker, and more psychological, the Rob Zombie versions are a must-watch!
prom night (2008)
summary: Senior prom is supposed to be the best night of her life, but for Donna, a killer had other plans for the night for her and all her friends.
platform: amazon prime, apple tv+
I first watched Prom Night (2008) with my mom when I was in middle school. My mom and I rented this on Netflix – back when DVDs still came in the mail. Horror films from the mid-2000’s always had a certain flair that current horror doesn’t have anymore – a campy, dramatic era.
In the movie, high-school senior, Donna is tormented by an inappropriately obsessive teacher she had the year before. The teacher was obsessed with her, implying he had a relationship with her which led him to be sent to a mental institution. Of course, he escaped the night of her prom and was out to get her since “they were destined to be together.” Since the prom was held at a hotel ballroom, you’d think there would be a higher level of security, but logic doesn’t exist. It’s a mix of teenage drama, jump scares and style. It’s dramatic, it’s funny and silly at times and an enjoyable slasher altogether.
If you prefer something more nostalgic, but still a scream, Prom Night (2008) is the best pick!
prisoners (2013)
summary: Two young girls are abducted in Pennsylvania and a father must take matters into his own hands as the police handle a lack of evidence.
platform: amazon prime, apple tv
My family bought this on DVD, and it was a dark and stormy night when we watched it the first time. Jake Gyllenhaal as a stressed-out detective and Hugh Jackman as a stressed-to-the-max father, let’s goo! I love Prisoners because it shows how everyone in the family just falls apart while Hugh Jackman’s character is trying to hold it together. Everyone becomes their own detective, and watchers don’t even know who to trust. Do we trust the police? Do we trust the families? Do we trust the old people down the street?
If you enjoy psychological horror that makes you question everyone, Prisoners is the move!
nightmare on elm street (2010)
summary: The spectre of a disfigured man haunts the children of the parents who murdered him, stalking and killing them in their dreams.
platform: hbo max
This is honestly one of the most hated reboots in terms of slasher films (it has ONE star on Rotten Tomatoes). I don’t think anyone likes this version that much, but for me, it’s wonderful! Rooney Mara’s acting was not good, and the reboot is quite predictable but I still love it and watch it all the time. Kyle Gallner, my favorite on-screen scream king, absolutely slays his role and if I was going through this torment by Freddy Krueger, I’d want him by my side too!
If you enjoy badly written horror, but a good experience, Nightmare on Elm Street is the go-to!
as above, so below (2014)
summary: When a team of explorers venture into the catacombs beneath the Paris streets, they uncover dark secrets.
platform: amazon prime
I can’t remember the first time I watched As Above, So Below, but my sister always talked about it and gave it a 10/10. I love this movie because if I was in the main character’s position, I would just have a panic attack, hyperventilate until I pass out, then hope the supernatural forces don’t take me. What do you mean we’re stuck in the haunted catacombs under Paris when I didn’t even want to come in here AT ALL? I just wanted to say my goodbyes and well wishes and now I’m stuck with you LIARS? I’d be absolutely devastated. The film is also found-footage, which I think is a wonderful horror sub-genre.
If you enjoy found-footage horror, As Above, So Below is the best!
new-ish releases
longlegs (2024)
summary: In pursuit of a serial killer, FBI agent Lee Harker discovers occult clues that she must solve before the killer strikes again.
platform: hulu, disney+
First watch of Longlegs was on Amazon Prime with my mom. I wish we’d seen it in theaters. We streamed it instead, which meant we could pause every other minute to ask “Now what the heck is going on?” (my IRL comments were more explicit).
I will admit Longlegs made me unbelievably uncomfortable and unsettled the entire time, but that’s movie magic. Every single moment deserves to be dissected by a film critic because the camera shots and set up were absolutely beautiful, scary and wildly unsettling. FBI agent, Lee Harker, I would’ve never been able to do your job, that’s for sure! I would never want Longlegs to sing me happy birthday or bring me any gifts, no thank you! I will also never watch it again, because it was unexpectedly extremely Satanic which made me uncomfortable.
Definitely not a comfort rewatch, but if you want to be permanently unsettled, Longlegs is your pick!
talk to me (2022)
summary: A group of friends discover how to contact spirits with an embalmed hand, and unleash supernatural forces.
platform: hbo max
First watch of Talk To Me was in theaters with my sister, and this was another film where I was consistently asking myself “what the heck is going on here?” I don’t care if the party involves a spooky mysterious hand, you won’t catch me sitting in the hot seat. I will not give in to peer pressure! Overall, it’s very entertaining and weird, and if my friend group tried to convince me to call out to spirits, I don’t think we’d be friends anymore. No spooky hands, no ouija boards, no calling out to the other side, I am good right here in this corner!
If supernatural horror is your go-to, Talk To Me is your next watch!
watcher (2022)
summary: After newly moving to Bucharest, a young woman notices a mysterious stranger watching her from across the street, while a serial killer stalks the city.
platform: netflix, tubi
I watched Watcher on Hulu. As soon as I saw that it starred Maika Monroe, I knew I was in for a treat. She’s always playing roles where her character is stalked and harassed by an unknown figure. As I watched the film, I thought to myself “now what would I do if I was in a foreign country, thinking my neighbor was stalking me?” Watcher kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. In a rewatch with my mom, I realized I thought the end of the movie was a completely different scene.
If you enjoy horror movies where the main character is stalked, Watcher is your pick!
that’s all for today’s post! I hope you enjoyed reading about all my favorite horror movies for halloween time and maybe watched one for yourself!
