Throughout my twenty-nine years of life, I’ve watched just about every spooky movie you can imagine, from cozy childhood classics like Hocus Pocus to the kind of nightmare-fueled jump scares in Smile. And if there’s ever a time to lean into my scary movie persona, it’s now, baby. Spooky season is the perfect excuse to build a scary movie bucket list. So grab a blanket, dim the lights, and grab your favorite seasonal snack—because I’m sharing my list of favorites that are ready to make you scream, laugh, cry, reminisce, or book an extra therapy session.
Whether you’re craving those nostalgic rewatches, cult classics, or a hidden horror gem lurking beneath your Netflix algorithm, this list runs the full spectrum of scares. We’ve got something here for every kind of seasonal Halloween vibe—from playful to totally terrifying.
Witchy movies for when you want to feel like a Halloween main character
Practical Magic
I somehow watched Practical Magic for the first time this year, and I can’t believe it took me so long to tackle the classic. It’s the quintessential cozy, witchy watch to get you in the fall spirit all season long. Plus, now that Practical Magic 2 is out, it’s the perfect time for a rewatch.
The Craft
This cult classic film pretty much demands a rewatch every time October rolls around. Following four LA teenagers who turn to witchcraft to get revenge on their bullies, it’s full of campy magic. If you haven’t seen this teen horror yet, now is the time.
Suspiria
If you want your witchy movie night to lean more genuinely scary than whimsical, Suspiria is the film for you. When an American ballet student moves to a famous dance academy in Europe, she slowly discovers something murderous about the people running the school. Once you watch the original, be sure to follow it up with the 2018 remake.
More witchy movies to watch:
- The Witch, stream on Netflix
- The Love Witch, stream on Tubi
- Season of the Witch, stream on Tubi
- The Witches of Eastwick, stream on Tubi
- Blaire Witch Project, stream on HBO Max
Nostalgic Halloween movies that feel like childhood
Hocus Pocus
If you go through a Halloween season without watching Hocus Pocus—the best nostalgic scary movie of all time—you’re no friend of mine. From its costuming to the fun cinematic effects, this movie is a nostalgic re-watch staple for me, year after year. It’s more enchanting and witty than scary, which makes it a great choice for any kind of moviegoer looking to indulge in the October vibes. You can also make it a double feature night and follow it up with the 2022 sequel, Hocus Pocus 2.
Halloweentown
This is one of the most sentimental Halloween movies there is. It’s impossible to go through October without watching this at least once, and it’s great for setting the mood now that October has finally arrived. It’s definitely more of a family-friendly watch than “I’m-sleeping-with-the light-on-tonight” horror, so we rate this treat of a movie a one on our scare scale. Unlike some of the other darker themes on this list, this movie is all about courage, community, and the joy of the Halloween season.
Beetlejuice
More nostalgic Halloween movies to watch:
- The Addams Family, stream on Paramount+
- The Nightmare Before Christmas, stream on Disney+
- Twitches, stream on Disney+
- Ghostbusters, stream on Netflix
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, stream on Apple TV
Spooky movies that aren’t too scary
Coraline
Ok, non-horror movie-lovers, this iconic classic is a must-watch for you this time of year. Unless stop-motion puppets freak you out (valid), this movie isn’t necessarily “scary,” but still perfect for setting the mood for Halloween. Honestly, its stop-motion characters might be the most terrifying part in my opinion, but nevertheless, Coraline is technically rated PG. A rewatch like this definitely calls for a girls’ night in, filled with red wine and your favorite Trader Joe’s fall items.
Sinners
Did you know that if you looked up “perfect thriller” in the dictionary, it just says Sinners (at least my dictionary, OK)? Ryan Coogler’s latest masterpiece is a must-watch movie for good reason. The vampires alone make it perfect for Halloween, and we expect its mood board to inspire many of this year’s costume ideas. While it’s not exactly terrifying, there’s definitely plenty of blood, fangs, and cinematic flair to satisfy your scary movie cravings.
The Mummy
If you haven’t seen this one in a while—or ever—let this be your sign. With its mummy-themed monsters, this movie has just the right amount of Halloween flair, mixing action, comedy, and nostalgia. It definitely leans more toward adventure than gore (earning it a solid two on the spook scale), but it’s still a classic Halloween season watch—especially for those of you who don’t usually love scary movies but want the spooky season vibes.
More not-too-scary movies:
- Edward Scissorhands, stream on Disney+
- Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, stream on Peacock
- The Corpse Bride, stream on HBO Max
- I Know What You Did Last Summer, stream on Pluto TV
- Casper, stream on Disney+
Cozy spooky movies for a night in
Sleepy Hollow
This quiet, haunting classic story is just the thing to bring that spooky season energy to your weekend watch party. Plus, a young Johny Depp is always good motivation to watch a film. Head to Sleepy Hollow to relive the tale of the Headless Horseman.
The Harry Potter movies
A full viewing of the Harry Potter series from start to finish is pretty much a required event in my life every year. There’s honestly nothing that will get you into the cozy fall spirit quite like watching Harry, Ron, and Hermione run around the halls of Hogwarts. The whole collection is on Peacock, making it the perfect excuse to spend an entire day on the couch working your way through them.
Fantastic Mr. Fox
Let me introduce you to quite possibly the coziest movie ever made. Fantastic Mr. Fox, with its warm hues and life lessons, is basically fall in film form: cozy, sweet, and nostalgic. I’m forever thanking Wes Anderson for introducing us to Mr. Fox and his family as he tries to settle down and leave his life of stealing food behind—until he gives in to his natural instincts and raids the farms of three mean human neighbors.
More cozy Halloween movies:
- When Harry Met Sally, rent on Apple TV
- Gremlins, stream on HBO Max
- Young Frankenstein, rent on Apple TV
- Over the Garden Wall, stream on Disney+
- Monster House, stream on Prime Video
Horror movies that are truly terrifying
The Silence of the Lambs
I will include this in every scary movie roundup I do in my life for a simple reason: IMO, it’s the best movie of all time. It is unparalleled in its storyline and acting. If you’ve never seen it, it should absolutely be number one on your to-be-watched list. I gave this a five on our scale because, while there’s not much gore, the premise is very intense. However, everyone on this planet should definitely watch this because of its compelling story.
Sinister
There was a period of time around 2012 when a bunch of new-age horror movies came out, but this one still haunts me. This movie scared the bejeezus out of me. To this day, I’ve only watched it one more time, but I think about it approximately once a week. This is a good one to watch with a group so you have friends to trauma-bond with for days… err, months later.
Longlegs
This film went absolutely viral for its marketing campaigns. I was on the edge of my seat in anticipation of this film, and it did not disappoint. The story follows a serial killer (Cage) and the FBI agent (Monroe) pursuing him, as she uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.
More terrifying movies:
- Talk to Me, stream on HBO Max
- The Substance, stream on HBO Max
- The Shining, stream on HBO Max
- Barbarian, stream on HBO Max
Psychological thrillers for a different kind of scare
Midsommar
Made by the same studio as Hereditary, this will leave you feeling less petrified and more disturbed. It’s completely unique in its concept and has some of the wildest scenes of any horror movie I’ve ever seen. This movie is a full-blown experience that stands in a league of its own, both in terms of storyline and acting. Florence Pugh is incredible in it. Another selling point? The entire film takes place in full daylight.
Split
Psychological thrillers are some of my favorite movies out there, and in this one, the main character, Kevin, has 23 personalities living within his mind. The craziest part is that each personality has its own unique qualities, including physical capabilities, moods, and temperaments. There’s one particularly strong personality, though, who is a danger to everyone who encounters him. After you watch this movie, you’ll want to use “That wasn’t me, that was Patricia” for every excuse from now on.
Us
After Jordan Peele’s debut movie, Get Out, I didn’t know how he could come up with another story that twisted—but he did, and it did not disappoint. This is one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Period. It managed to chill me to my core while also keeping me invested in a unique, out-of-the-box storyline. Lupita Nyong’o not getting an Oscar for her performance is a crime I’ll never get over, but that’s a rant for another day.
More psychological thrillers to watch:
- Saltburn, stream on HBO Max
- Black Swan, rent on Apple TV
- Get Out, stream on Peacock
- The Invitation, stream on Hulu
So, what kind of spooky movie are you watching tonight?
- Want witches? Watch Practical Magic on HBO Max.
- Want nostalgia? Watch Hocus Pocus on Disney Plus.
- Want cozy fall vibes? Watch Sleepy Hollow on Tubi.
- Want something creepy but not terrifying? Watch Coraline on Disney+.
- Want to actually scream? Watch Longlegs on Hulu.
- Want psychological chaos? Watch Us on HBO Max.
Madigan Will, Assistant Editor
As an Assistant Editor for The Everygirl, Madigan writes and edits content for every topic under the digital media sun. As the oldest of four siblings, she enjoys utilizing her big sister persona to connect and inspire readers—helping them discover new ways to maximize their everyday.
Lauren Blue, Editor & Book Club Co-Host
As an Editor for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives, from must-read books and behind-the-scenes interviews to beauty products she can’t live without. When she isn’t sitting in an AMC watching the latest buzzy release, she can be found scouring Goodreads for the perfect pick for The Everygirl Book Club. There, she co-hosts discussions with members, debating plotlines, fancasting characters, and, of course, tossing in her own recommendations.
