Ronnie Angel's Definitive List of the 10 Best Halloween Movies!

by Ronnie Angel
(WA State)

Its that time of year again. That perfect time of year to kick back with a good old fashioned horror movie. Why hell, in the month of October, I make it a point to watch at least one a night every night of the week. That's right, I said AT LEAST one a night. Isn't it fitting then that I should present to you from my veat, random pointless facts and trivia clogged brain what I believe to be the ultimate list of the ten best movies for the Halloween season! Keep in mind, these may not be my all time favorite horror movies, but the ones I firmly believe are perfect for viewing on that day of the dead - or leading up to it. You may or may not agree with me, but at least I hope you have fun reading this. Here we go:

10. Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Sure its not one of my all time favorites, but damn it, it fits right with the season. The dark atmosphere, the witchery. Hell, we all have been hearing this classic tale on Halloween since we were little kids so why not include the big screen version of it?

9. TIE - The Funhouse (1981)

One of the better horror flicks to come out of the 80s that relies more on actual scares than gore.

***and***

Black Christmas (1974)

Proving it doesn't have to be Christmas time to enjoy this holiday horror, which basically introduced the slasher genre to us all. Still very frightening to this day.

8. The Fog (1980)

Not the horrible remake, yet the atmospheric original about the ghostly sailors hidden in the fog terrorizing the beach town on the anniversary of their deaths. Perfect one to watch with the lights out.

7. Dark Night Of The Scarecrow (1981)

This particular flick has become a Halloween night tradition at my house for years now. Just the general vibe of this movie about a vindictive scarecrow exacting revenge on a local lynch mob, screams Halloween. I highly recommend this one for the late night Halloween view.

6. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

I don't care what anyone says, this will still forever be one of my all time favorites. Just let yourself go when you watch it, put yourself in the movie, and imagine your last camping trip, imagine what were happening on screen was what you were experiencing, then you may have a different perspective and be able to take in the genius of this imaginative ghost story even more! I guarantee it will work.

5. Ghost Story (1981)

The title says it all. This is the quintessential ghost story movie. Excellent scary story that sucks you right in. Still stands the test of time.

4. Suspiria (1977)

Called by many the scariest horror film of all time, Suspiria doesn't disappoint. Runs like a twisted Alice In Wonderland telling and keeps you on the edge of your seat for the duration. If you've never seen it, the first few minutes will blow your mind!

3. The Shining (1980)

How in the world could I not include this one? Jack Nicholson going crazy, the two creepy dead twin girls, the odd spirits that populate the hotel, the general sense of desolation. How could you ask for a better horror movie? Definitely watch with the lights out.

2. Night Of The Living Dead (1968)

The one that started it all and my favorite Romero movie. Still hasn't lost a step over the years and still grips you like I'm sure it did the terrified people who first saw this back in the 60s. A must have for Halloween.

And of course (drum roll) the number one Halloween Movie is:




1. Halloween (1978) and Halloween 2 (1981)

I simply couldn't resist. The movies that gave the Halloween season its all new boogey man to keep us company for years to come and put the holiday back on the map. In my opinion, both movies need to watched back to back to get the full effect as they both take place on the same night. You can't top the king!

Here are some that almost made my list, just so you know: Rawhead Rex, Interview with the Vampire, Dracula, Blacula (no, really!), Nosferatu, Frankenstein, Poltergeist, Pet Semetary, Friday the 13th, Don't Look Now, Pumpkinhead and House on Haunted Hill (the original).

Well, there you have it. My opinion on the top ten movies to watch in the Halloween season. Happy viewing!

Ronnie Angel