Buzz
Viewing a terrifying film on Halloween has evolved into a tradition as iconic as any other holiday activity. So, why not cozy up at home this Halloween? With a global pandemic limiting our options for costume parties or trick-or-treating, masks have shifted from being spooky to a symbol of social duty.
For those who love flipping traditions on their head, even newer ones like horror movie marathons, this list is for you! Below are 10 non-horror films (spoiler-free, as you absolutely need to experience them) that promise to frighten you at least 35% more than the 2005 flick ‘House of Wax’ featuring Paris Hilton. It’s scientifically proven.
CAUTION: Certain scenes in this list may be unsettling. Viewer discretion is advised.
10. Come And See (1985)
War is a nightmare, and this film captures that hellish reality perfectly. It stands as one of the most unflinching, visually harrowing, brilliantly acted, and nerve-shreddingly intense war films ever created.
Adapted from the 1975 book 'I Am From A Fiery Village,' the movie portrays the horrors of Nazi-occupied Belarus through the perspective of Flyora, a teenage boy. Joining the Belorussian resistance, he witnesses unimaginable atrocities—mass executions, brutal mutilations, random deaths from landmines, burnings, and rape. Aleksei Kravchenko's portrayal of Flyora is unforgettable, grounding the terror in raw emotion. You’ll feel his pain and fear as if it were your own. Or, you could just watch Scary Movie 5 instead...
9. Woyzeck (1979)
Nearly any film by the unconventional German auteur Werner Herzog could earn a spot on this list. From the marginalized characters in 'Stroszek' to the relentless cruelty of nature and descent into madness in 'Fitzcarraldo' and 'Aguirre, Wrath of God,' Herzog reigns as the master of avant-garde oddities. His adaptation of Georg Büchner's unfinished 1836 play 'Woyzeck' is particularly haunting, featuring a mesmerizing Klaus Kinski at his most intense.
The film delves into the life of Franz Woyzeck, a deeply oppressed man struggling to provide for his mistress and their child. Working degrading jobs alongside his role as a 19th-century soldier, Woyzeck endures humiliation and medical experiments, slowly losing his grip on reality. His partner, portrayed by the underrated Eva Mattes, grows tired of him and betrays him with a Drum Major. Woyzeck's confrontation leads to further emasculation and a descent into madness, culminating in a chilling finale that offers a harrowing glimpse into the breaking point of a tormented soul.
Fun Fact: Woyzeck inspired the opera Wozzeck, composed by Austrian musician Alban Berg, who also created Lulu, an opera exploring themes of prostitution, lesbianism, and Jack the Ripper—featured in our Top 10 Truly Disturbing Classical Pieces.
8. Any Work by Animator Jan Švankmajer (1964—2018)
Whether you dive into one of his full-length features or a collection of his shorts, Czech animator Jan Švankmajer’s creations are a must for your Halloween night. Prepare for some of the strangest and most unsettling dreams.
His 1982 piece ‘Dimensions of Dialogue’ is designed to evoke the sensation of avant-garde art, critiquing late-stage communism, consumerism, and ideological chaos. However, it’s more likely to leave you feeling deeply unsettled and slightly nauseous. The stop-motion clay figures devouring each other, tearing chunks of grayish ‘flesh,’ and smashing their heads into a pulpy mess feels like witnessing an Eastern European snuff film with an artistic twist.
1988’s ‘Alice’ offers a grim reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland,’ making it ideal for Halloween. Picture the Disney version, but with a mix of live-action and stop-motion, stripped of all whimsy. If you’re unsure how dark this whimsical tale can get, consider Alice’s final line in the film (referring to the beloved White Rabbit): “He’s late as usual. I think I’ll cut his head off.”
7. Mulholland Drive (2001)
Much like David Lynch’s other works, ‘Mulholland Drive’ is filled with bizarre, surreal, and unsettling moments. But jump scares in a non-horror film? Absolutely, and this one is a masterpiece—possibly the most expertly crafted, tension-filled, and nerve-wracking jump scare ever captured on film. Or digital media.
The movie itself is a labyrinth—Lynch’s signature style of blending dreams, nightmares, and reality makes any attempt to definitively explain his films nearly impossible. What’s certain is that the diner scene stands as one of the most brilliantly executed and artfully constructed scares in film history. Capturing the essence of dreams and nightmares on screen is no easy feat, but Lynch comes closer than anyone, especially in this scene and throughout his cinematic works.
6. Threads (1984)
During much of the 20th century, the threat of nuclear annihilation loomed large over humanity. Films like ‘Threads’ only amplified those fears (though they may have helped politicians grasp the catastrophic consequences of their actions). This film strips away any ambiguity, delivering a raw, gut-wrenching portrayal of one of the darkest scenarios humanity has ever faced.
The movie takes place in Sheffield, a northern English city. As the saying goes, “It’s grim up north.” A young couple, still living with their parents, decides to marry after an unexpected pregnancy. At first, it seems like a gritty, Ken Loach-style drama about working-class struggles in post-industrial England. But just when you think it can’t get darker, it does—much worse.
The Soviet Union and the USA engage in nuclear warfare, and the world is engulfed in flames, including Sheffield—a key industrial hub and a Soviet target in the event of war. The film follows Ruth Beckett, the pregnant protagonist, as she navigates the horrors of a post-nuclear England. Even for fans of dystopian stories, this might be too intense. While Orwell’s ‘1984’ was chilling, ‘Threads’ feels terrifyingly real.
5. Un Chien Andalou (1929)
Surrealist filmmaker Luis Buñuel, who co-created this bizarre work with Salvador Dali, once called it “a desperate, impassioned call for murder.” Still intrigued?
Similar to David Lynch’s later works, Buñuel’s film explores dreams through a Freudian lens, abandoning traditional logic and chronology. Salvador Dali contributed his eccentric vision to the project. While the film lacks a clear plot, its imagery is deeply unsettling—ranging from eerie to grotesque. Memorable scenes include a death’s head moth, a hand crawling with ants reaching through a door, and, most famously, a man slicing a woman’s eyeball with a razor. Can we return to melting clocks now?
4. High Plains Drifter (1973)
You might be skeptical if someone recommends a Clint Eastwood western for Halloween. Most of his cowboy films are about as frightening as a refreshing sarsaparilla drink (unless you’re allergic to sarsaparilla, of course). But ‘High Plains Drifter’ is an exception.
Eastwood plays a nameless drifter (reminiscent of his iconic ‘man with no name’ from Sergio Leone’s ‘Dollars’ trilogy) who stumbles upon a remote mining town in California. The film captures the harsh, perilous essence of the Old West, setting a grim and eerie tone even before the story unfolds. After killing the town’s sheriff and deputies and assaulting a local woman, the frightened townspeople plead with the stranger to become their new sheriff. Their desperation stems from the impending release of a vengeful gang of criminals. What follows is a masterful blend of gothic atmosphere, misery, and spine-chilling tension, making this a uniquely unsettling Halloween pick. Apologies for the cowboy pun.
3. Dead Man’s Shoes (2004)
This cult favorite by Shane Meadows burrows deep into your psyche, leaving behind a lingering sense of dread that festers long after the credits roll. Combining the raw realism of iconic British working-class films like ‘This Sporting Life,’ ‘Kes,’ and ‘Secrets & Lies’ with the dark revenge themes of ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Death Wish,’ and ‘Se7en,’ it still stands apart. ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ is a unique beast, defying easy comparison.
The film uses classic horror and slasher elements—a terrifying gas mask, brutal killings, an ominous atmosphere, and jagged editing. Yet, it’s far from a horror movie. Instead, it’s a psychological thriller that delves into themes of brotherly love, loss, and the harsh realities faced by disabled individuals without support. If that sounds too much like a public service announcement, don’t worry—it’s still deeply unsettling. I’ve avoided opening suitcases for years after watching this film…
2. Marathon Man (1976)
For many, a visit to the dentist is as terrifying as any horror movie. Now imagine a Nazi dentist using his tools to extract information through torture. Still feeling calm?
This tightly-wound thriller isn’t the most frightening film you’ll ever watch, but it cleverly uses Dustin Hoffman’s passion for running to heighten the tension, making you feel as though you’re fleeing alongside him. Is that enough to make you hide under a blanket? Not quite.
Then comes the infamous torture scene. Just as ‘Jaws’ kept a generation out of the water, the agonized screams of Dustin Hoffman’s character and the piercing sound of Laurence Olivier’s Nazi dentist’s drill kept audiences away from their dental appointments for years.
1. Spirited Away (2001)
This film is arguably the most visually stunning entry on the list. Hayao Miyazaki’s masterpiece is frequently celebrated as one of the finest animated films of all time. Yet, it also has its moments of genuine terror.
While the soot sprites are undeniably adorable, the ‘No-Face’ creature is equally terrifying. Haku’s graceful dragon form contrasts sharply with the grotesque appearance of the giant-headed witch Yubaba. One of the most unsettling scenes involves Chihiro, the young protagonist, discovering her parents transformed into monstrous pigs, greedily devouring enchanted street food.
Far from being just cute or romantic, this film, like many Studio Ghibli productions, carries a dark and unsettling undertone beneath its breathtaking beauty.
