Buzz
While horror films are essential for the spooky season, as Halloween nears, it’s crucial to refine your selection. For those who, like me, thrive on meticulously planning their movie marathons, this means prioritizing films that not only deliver scares but also embrace the Halloween spirit by being set on the holiday itself.
The classic Halloween (which I’ll undoubtedly mention) has long dominated holiday watchlists, not just as a stellar slasher but also because of its title and setting. However, it’s not alone: Here’s a list of 13 eerie (or eerily themed) movies that unfold entirely—or predominantly—on Halloween night.
Hell House LLC (2015)
A chilling and entertaining addition to the found footage horror genre, Hell House frames itself as a documentary exploring the tragic deaths of 15 individuals during the opening of a haunted house attraction on Halloween night in 2009. The venue, Hotel Abaddon, was already steeped in ghostly rumors, but the ambitious team behind the event pushes forward, with a stubborn CEO refusing to let early accidents and unexplained injuries delay the launch. The film injects a thrilling twist into the Halloween haunted house concept by hinting that the terror might be more real than staged. With a compelling premise and strong execution, it also boasts several worthwhile sequels for those who want more.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Shudder, Tubi
Late Night with the Devil (2023)
Late Night brilliantly captures the vibe and style of the 1970s, portraying a low-budget talk show titled Night Owls With Jack Delroy (brought to life with captivating arrogance by the ever-dependable David Dastmalchian). Set in 1977, the show hosts a Halloween special featuring a psychic, a skeptic, and a parapsychologist. While the usual cheesy antics dominate at first, things take a dark turn. Delroy’s hidden past and his deceased wife, who may not be at peace, add a layer of unsettling intrigue.
Where to stream: Hulu, AMC+, Shudder
Terrifier (2016)
Writer and director Damien Leone first introduced his terrifying clown in a few short films before giving him a full-length feature debut here. Since then, Art the Clown has risen to unexpected fame, headlining three increasingly successful movies. This initial installment, made on a shoestring budget, is set on Halloween night in 2017, where Art relentlessly pursues two young women, eliminating anyone who crosses his path. His Halloween night origins marked the beginning of an ongoing reign of terror.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Peacock, Tubi
Halloween (1978)
Halloween lives up to its name by spanning two Halloween nights, 15 years apart, linked by the relentless violence of Michael Myers. The film’s unforgettable opening scene takes place in Haddonfield, Illinois, where a seemingly innocent 6-year-old commits a gruesome murder, leading to his swift capture and confinement in a mental institution under the watch of Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence). Fast forward to 1978, where Jamie Lee Curtis’s Laurie Strode—a resilient teenager who may or may not be Michael’s sister, depending on your preferred sequel timeline—becomes the target of his escape. The first sequel, while not as strong, continues the story on the same fateful night.
Where to stream: Shudder, AMC+, digital rental
Night of the Demons (1988)
Set in 1988, the film follows a group of teens who decide to throw a Halloween party in a deserted funeral home with a dark history. Angela Franklin (Amelia Kinkade), the goth of the group, suggests adding a séance for fun. Unsurprisingly, the mortuary isn’t as empty as it seems, and demonic forces begin possessing and slaughtering the partygoers in horrifying fashion. One of the most memorable scenes features a demonic possession unfolding as a seductive dance, perfectly synced to a Bauhaus track. Both the first sequel and the 2009 remake also take place on Halloween night.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Peacock, Tubi, Shudder, AMC+
Ghostwatch (1992)
Ghostwatch shocked British audiences in 1992, masquerading as a live Halloween TV special filmed at a supposedly haunted house (inspired by the "true" Enfield Poltergeist case, also featured in the second Conjuring film). Real-life TV host Sarah Greene and comedian Craig Charles from Red Dwarf appear as themselves, setting the stage for what seems like a night of lighthearted scares. However, the entity known only as "Pipes" emerges, unleashing chaos that feels almost apocalyptic. The presentation is so authentic, mimicking a cheesy holiday special, that many original viewers were convinced it was real.
Where to stream: Shudder, Tubi, AMC+, digital rental
The Houses October Built (2014)
A great companion piece to Hell House, LLC, this film (released a year earlier) explores similar fears—like the possibility of a haunted house attraction being genuinely deadly—but from a fresh angle. Instead of supernatural threats, the danger here is entirely human. A group of friends from Ohio, bored with tame scares, embarks on a road trip to discover the most extreme haunted houses. They succeed, but their discovery comes with terrifying consequences.
Where to stream: Hoopla, digital rental
Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
While most Halloween films revolve around the holiday, Season of the Witch stands out as the only sequel completely unrelated to the others, including the original. The idea was to transform Halloween into an anthology series, but the concept was quickly abandoned in favor of returning to Michael Myers. This entry, however, delivers a premise that’s equally grim but delightfully absurd. It follows a Halloween mask manufacturer’s sinister plan to kill millions of children using a piece of Stonehenge in an ancient ritual. If a child wears a Silver Shamrock mask and hears the catchy jingle on TV, it’s already game over.
Where to stream: Peacock, AMC+, digital rental
Scream VI (2023)
The sixth installment in the Scream franchise (and the second in what was intended to be a trilogy) shifts the action to Manhattan during Halloween. The new Ghostface killer exploits the chaos of New York City to commit and evade murders. In a clever meta twist, the film features a subway car packed with Halloween revelers dressed as Ghostface, the fictional slasher from the Stab series, alongside costumes inspired by horror classics like Hellraiser, Ready or Not, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Where to stream: Paramount+, digital rental
Hocus Pocus (1993)
While investigating a haunted house on Halloween, three teens in Salem, Massachusetts, unintentionally resurrect three malevolent witches from the 17th century: the Sanderson sisters (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy). Initially panned by critics as silly and over-the-top, the film soon gained a devoted following and became a beloved family-friendly Halloween staple. The witches made a comeback years later in a sequel, with yet another installment reportedly in the works. Though stories portraying Salem witches as deserving punishment aren’t usually my favorite, this one is pure, lighthearted entertainment.
Where to stream: Disney+, digital rental
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
Adapted from the popular 1980s book series, Scary Stories serves as an excellent introduction to horror for younger audiences, combining classic genre tropes with striking visuals. Set on Halloween night in 1968, a group of kids steals a mysterious book from a supposedly haunted house. The book, penned by a young woman accused of witchcraft a century earlier, begins writing new stories that come to life and terrorize the teens. Iconic tales from the original books, such as “Harold,” “The Big Toe,” and “The Red Spot,” are woven into the plot. Directed by André Øvredal (Trollhunter) and produced by Guillermo del Toro, the film benefits from their expertise in crafting eerie narratives.
Where to stream: Netflix, digital rental
Trick 'r Treat (2007)
This direct-to-video Halloween anthology has earned a devoted following as a seasonal must-watch. Set in the quaint town of Warren Valley, Ohio, the film introduces Sam, a seemingly innocent trick-or-treater in footie pajamas who enforces Halloween traditions with deadly consequences. Sam connects four chilling tales of holiday-themed horror, featuring a talented cast including Dylan Baker, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Paquin, and Brian Cox.
Where to stream: Max, digital rental
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Tim Burton revisits Winter River, Connecticut, three decades later with a well-crafted sequel that brings back key original cast members, including Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, and Catherine O'Hara. Lydia Deetz (Ryder), once a goth teen, returns home for her father’s funeral, reconnecting with her stepmother (O'Hara) and her distant daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega). Lydia’s boyfriend Rory, who dreams of a Halloween wedding, has ulterior motives, while Astrid encounters a young man eager to spend Halloween with her. Both events collide with the chaotic reappearance of a certain dishevolent ghost.
Where to stream: digital rental
