One of my favourite things to do in October is have a horror movie marathon. I love these kinds of movies and can recommend some pretty good ones for you to enjoy as well.
Horror movies encompass a wide variety of things. For most people, the first things that pop into their heads would be intense murder scenes, seances, ghosts, demonic possession, and zombies. For some reason, those things don’t make everyone intrigued and want to watch them. Go figure. So in this list there are a few family-friendly ghost movies that can satisfy the faint of heart and still inspire that Halloween spirit. I’ve also rated the movies in the categories of gore, scare factor, and plot out of five to help you choose which one you might actually feel like watching.
The Exorcist (1973) R
Did you know that when this movie first came out, it was so scary it sent people to the hospital? Must-watch classic, I’d say.
Gore: ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
The Cabin in the Woods (2012) R
This title screams cliche, it is anything but that.
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Beetlejuice (1988) PG
Fun movie centered around an eccentric ghost and his shenanigans.
The Shining (1980) R
“REDRUM REDRUM” says the seemingly innocent child. (SPOILER: It spells murder backwards).
Gore: ☠☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Haunting in Connecticut (2009) PG-13
When a real estate agent says a house has “history,” you turn, run, and never look back.
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠
Frankenweenie (2012) PG
If you’re doing a horror movie marathon, perhaps it’s best to play a lighthearted yet Halloween-related movie before you have a heart attack and develop chronic insomnia.
Halloween (2007) R
What does this movie have? It’s simple-guts, blood, screaming, and more blood. Oh, and faint traces of a plot.
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠
The Ring (2002) PG-13
“What’s that movie with the girl that climbs out of your TV-” This one.
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠
Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) R
This is one of my favourite movies of all time. I wouldn’t necessarily call it a horror film but it is definitely dark and does not lack in monsters, both human and imagined. It has such a great plot and concept that I think it’s worthy of an English teacher’s analysis. Yeah, that good. An interesting thing is that it’s in Spanish. Worry not though, because you can find this gem on Netflix with English subtitles.
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Any Tim Burton movie
I guarantee if you pop in almost any Tim Burton movie it is bound to put you into the Halloween spirit. It’s simple science.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) R
This is one of those rare movies whose remake I actually preferred over the original. Though it’s lacking young Johnny Depp, it is fast-paced and keeps you on your toes with special effects.
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠
Silent Hill (2006) R
If anybody ever started running at me with a Pyramid Head costume I will fear for my life and run. It took a while to get that character out of my nightmares.
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠ ☠
Hotel Transylvania (2012) PG
Nothing wrong with not liking getting your pants scared off.
Child’s Play (1988) R
Want to see why I have an irrational fear of dolls?
Gore: ☠ ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠
Skeleton Key (2005) PG-13
A movie that’s worthy of watching twice.
Gore: ☠ ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
1408 (2007) PG-13
I never get tired of watching this film (perhaps because there’s three alternate endings). The story is illustrated so well that it sends shivers down my spine.
Gore: ☠
Scare factor: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
Plot: ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠ ☠
