Photo by Kleigh Balugo
Looking for movies or TV shows to watch this Halloween? Well look no further, here is a list of horror movie/TV show recommendations.
MOVIES:
The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
This Netflix three-part horror film series is based on the Fear Street book series by R. L. Stine. Each movie jumps between present day and the past to tell the story of a witch’s curse on the town Shadyside. All three movies work together to explain everything at the end of the third movie. They are full of action, jump scares, gore, and many twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat (or peeking at the screen from behind your hands).
Ready or Not (2019)
A wedding, board games, and killing. This comedy thriller stars Samara Weaving as Grace who marries into a family with a boardgame empire, where she must fight for her life in a game of hide and seek to stay in the family and, more importantly, stay alive. Unlike cheesy comedy horror movies, this movie seamlessly intertwines comedic elements through its overall somber tone.
The Invisible Man (2020)
This science fiction horror film starring Elizabeth Moss is inspired by The Invisible Man novel by H.G. Wells and follows a woman whose abusive ex-boyfriend torments her after she runs away from him and his apparent suicide. However, she believes he is invisible, which makes everyone around her question her sanity and trustworthiness. Although portraying the fictional element of invisibility, this movie depicts the emotions and psychological state of PTSD from relationship abuse I have not seen represented anywhere else. You can watch it on HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video.
Get Out (2017)
Written and directed by Jordan Peele, this horror movie follows a Black man who becomes increasingly suspicious and fearful of his well-being while on a trip to meet his white girlfriend’s family for the first time. You can watch it on Hulu.
Us (2019)
Written and directed by Jordan Peele and starring Lupita Nyong’o, this horror movie revolves around a family who is threatened by their evil and unsettling doppelgangers who are out to kill them. You can watch it on Hulu.
Truth or Dare (2018)
This supernatural horror movie starring Lucy Hale and Tyler Posey follows a group of friends who play a game of truth or dare while on vacation in Mexico and find out that they can’t escape the deadly game once they return home. The CGI smiling faces are genuinely unsettling in this movie, enhancing the demonic tone of the game’s intense truths, dares, and consequences if players opt out.
Happy Death Day (2017) and Happy Death Day 2U (2019)
This slasher movie starring Jessica Rothe combines horror and Groundhog Day, where the main character Theresa (aka Tree) keeps reliving her birthday, which restarts every time she is murdered. But her murderer hides their identity by wearing a mask, so she needs to figure out who is trying to kill her in order to stay alive and prevent the day from repeating. This movie also has a sequel, Happy Death Day 2U, which follows the same characters in an alternate reality that includes a new killer. You can watch them on Hulu.
Midsommar (2019)
For a truly disturbing movie to watch, Midsommar, starring Florence Pugh who plays Dani, is a horror movie centering on a group of friends who travel to Sweden and find themselves trapped in a gruesome cult. Although not the focus, this movie highlights mental illness with its authentic portrayal of Dani’s anxiety and panic attacks, providing representation and showing what it’s like to have these experiences. You can watch it on Amazon Prime Video.
It (2017)
A creepy killer clown who targets children. This horror movie is based on the novel It by Stephen King and stars Bill Skarsgård, Sophia Lillis, and Finn Wolfhard. The movie follows a group of kids being tormented by the clown Pennywise after the disappearance and assumed death of one of their brothers. You can watch it on Hulu.
A Quiet Place (2018) and A Quiet Place Part II (2020)
This post-apocalyptic thriller stars John Krasinski, who also directed the movie, and Emily Blunt. The movie follows a family trying to survive after monsters with acute hearing invade the world. They need to live as quietly as possible to avoid being killed. This movie also has a much-anticipated sequel, A Quiet Place Part II, that continues following the family where the first movie left off. You can watch them on Paramount+.
TV SHOWS:
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
This dark fantasy/adventure animated miniseries, originally aired on Cartoon Network, is about two half-brothers, named Wirt and Greg, on a mysterious journey. Although there are some scary elements, this is a more family-friendly show. You can watch the ten episodes of this show on HBO Max.
Nancy Drew (2019-2021)
This CW show, starring Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew, is currently in its third season and takes a spin on previous adaptations of Nancy Drew with a more teen-focused audience and horror-centered genre. It’s also full of mystery and supernatural elements. You can watch it on the CW and HBO Max.
The Haunting of Hill House (2018) and The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)
This horror miniseries, based on The Haunting of Hill House novel by Shirley Jackson, is about a family who is haunted by a house they ran away from years ago. The show alternates between past and present, slowly revealing more information about the characters and their situation. You can watch the ten episodes of this show on Netflix. And if you’re interested, you can also find The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) on Netflix, a gothic romance miniseries that is the second show a part of The Haunting series. It includes some of the same actors, but they portray completely different characters in this new story.
Stranger Things (2016-2021)
This Netflix science fiction drama/horror show follows a group of kids who encounter the supernatural and attempt to uncover the mysteries of a girl with telekinetic powers while fighting for their lives. There are three seasons starring Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Gaten Matarazzo, and Caleb McLaughlin, with a fourth season on its way. In each season, there are new and continuing unknowns about their town, Hawkins, that become answered.
(Note: Where to watch locations may have changed, depending on when this article is viewed)
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