Five Halloween movies that still hit every spooky season

Halloween means two things: a bunch of candy and movies that’ll make you jump out of your seats and leave you questioning why you’re watching them in the dark. Every year, we ask the same question at least once:

What’s the best Halloween movie?

Now, everyone has their favorites, but these five are the ones that hit year after year.

Halloween (1978)

When you think of classic slasher movies, this is the one. Before all the sequels and reboots, “Halloween” started it all. Michael Myers in a creepy mask, haunting music, small-town dread and a machete in hand. It’s simple, suspenseful and perfect for your classic Halloween movie list. And honestly, this movie is still quite terrifying. No matter how many movies came out after its release, this was the start of iconic slasher movies.

Child’s Play (1988)

Let’s be real – no Halloween watchlist is complete without a Chucky movie. This movie is old but gold. “Child’s Play” is a perfect mix of creepy and ridiculous. It’s that kind of “so bad, it’s good” horror that keeps you entertained the whole time. Even though the quality is a little dated, watching a terrifying doll cause havoc never gets old.

Scream (1996)

“Scream” is an absolute classic. If you’ve ever yelled “Don’t go in there!” at the screen during a horror movie, then “Scream” is for you. It plays on every horror cliché while still scaring you for real. “Scream” is funny, scary and definitely one of the best 90s horror movies. Ghostface isn’t just another killer in a costume – he’s why we still talk about 90s horror movies today.

Coraline (2009)

This is technically a “kids movie,” but come on, this is one of the creepier ones. The button eyes? The Other Mother? It gives me the creeps just thinking about it. “Coraline” is eerie in the best way. It’s the kind of movie that makes you want to turn on a light while watching. This movie will not only give you one of the best viewing experiences of your life, but will also taint you with an uncanny sense of humor throughout the film.

Get Out (2017)

Jordan Peele absolutely snapped with this one, making it the “perfect” Halloween movie. “Get Out” isn’t just creepy or scary; it’s smart. It mixes real-world issues with slow-building horror that makes you feel trapped right alongside the main character. It’s easily one of the best modern horror movies, proof that scary can also be clever.

Whether you’re watching scary movies for nostalgia, the chills or the endings that keep you up all night, Halloween movie nights never disappoint. Just grab some popcorn, kill the lights and maybe double-check that your doll collection didn’t just move.