Every August I start playing my favorite scary movies in anticipation of Halloween. Some are classic Halloween stories, others are just plain ole’ horror films. But here is a list of what I would consider are some of the best of the best.
1.Arsenic and Old Lace starring Cary Grant. This little gem actually takes place on Halloween. A recently married couple returns to the home Grant grew up in to meet his only remaining family, two little old ladies who happen to be Grant’s aunts. They’re so sweet they can’t help poisoning people less fortunate them themselves. Hilarious and spooky. A treat for the whole family.
2.The Nightmare Before Christmas. Tim Burton’s classic is an absolute must. Whether you show it to your whole family or sneak off to be alone, you’ll be glad you watched it again.
3. Psycho. Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense. The shower scene is burned in American culture forever. Who could have known that Anthony Perkins would play a psychopath so well?
4. Evil Dead II is a humorously gruesome movie. Not a family film, but a definite Halloween classic. It’ll make you ask yourself, “Who’s laughing now?”
5. Cujo, the 1983 Stephen King horror flick about an evil dog with rabies is not for the canine timid. An amazing animal horror film that is still talked about.
6. The Omen. You’ll never forget little Damien’s face, or Gregory Peck’s performance. Such a classic evil child film. You could do a comparison of performances from Rosemary’s Baby, The Omen and We Need To Talk About Kevin. Which kid creeps you out the most?
7. 28 Days Later. If you love zombie movies than this is a penultimate film for you. It helped spawn a resurgence in zombie culture that hasn’t slowed down. If you want a lighter version of this film, watch Shaun of the Dead.
8. The Sixth Sense – You probably already know the famous twist in this movie, but on the off chance you haven’t seen it I’m not going to tell you. It’s such a compelling story all on its own.
9. Hellraiser has some of the scariest looking villains you’ll see in any horror film. The image of a man with needles all over his face will forever be etched into my memory, but that doesn’t mean I can look away.
10. Pet Semetery. It’s a great film to watch, but it will scare young children. I just love this story. Of course, if you want to follow this up with Poltergeist you might have the best scary combination from the 80s.
Emma Rae Curtis writes and researches everything Halloween from costumes, party ideas, baby costumes, makeup, accessories and everything else under the full Halloween moon
