10 Must See Horror Movies For Halloween
With Halloween nearly upon us we here at Popcorn Cinema Show decided it was time to pick out a few great horror movies to watch. Well here are 10 must see horror movies for you to watch this Halloween.
The Amityville Horror (1979)
- Running Time: 118 mins
- Directed by: Stuart Rosenberg
- Music by Lalo Schifrin
- Starring James Brolin ; Margot Kidder ; Rod Steiger ; Don Stroud ; Murray Hamilton
Based on a true story, a mother, father and four of their children are murdered with no apparent motive. One year later George Lutz (James Brolin) and his wife Kathy move into the house along with their three children.
When Father Delaney arrives at the house to bless it he finds nobody home, he goes upstairs and enters one of the rooms, the door slams shut and a voice tells him to GET OUT!!!
More strange events start to take place, one of those being George begins to feel ill. In fact George is starting to come apart.
With everyone experiencing stange events you know something big is going to happen!
This movie has plenty of atmosphere helped in no small way by the music score provided by the great Lalo Schifrin.
Conclusion
Well worth watching this Halloween night…
Phenomena (1985)
- Running Time: 110 mins
- Directed by: Dario Argento
- Starring Jennifer Connelly ; Daria Nicolodi ; Donald Pleasence ; Dalila Di Lazzaro ; Patrick Bauchau
Phenomena is an Italian horror movie by Dario Argento. After missing the bus in the Swiss countyside a tourist looks for help at a nearby house, she enters and is attacked and murdered.
Eight month later Jennifer Corvino (Jennifer Connelly) arrives at a Swiss academy for girls. After sleepwalking Jennifer witnesses the murder of a student and finds herself lost in the woods.
John McGregor’s (Donald Pleasence) chimpanzee finds her and leads her to him. He believes she has some kind of gift of telepathy with insects, I know how it sounds stay with me. Jennifer is able to control insects such as firefly and the like.
After being taunted by fellow pupils she does indeed summon a swarm of insects that covers the entire building and really freaks out the students.
Don’t worry there is a lot more to come murders etc… but I would strongly recommend that you watch this movie.
There is a great piece of music that really sets the tone for the film giving it a unique feel, and lets not forget the movie has Donald Pleasence which also helps.
Conclusion
Dario Argento films have a unique style and this is the one I like the most – It’s a must see this Halloween.
10 Must See Horror Movies – Dario Argento
An American Werewolf In London (1981)
- Running Time: 97 mins
- Directed by: John Landis
- Starring David Naughton ; Jenny Agutter ; Griffin Dunne ; John Woodvine
Two American set off backpacking across the Yorkshire moors in England, with the light going they call in a the local pub. Jack (Griffin Dunne) see a five pointed star on the wall and asks about it, the locals turn hostile and they are asked to leave.
They are given some advice, keep to the roads, however soon after they find themselves lost on the moors and the sound of wolf tracking them!!!
David awakes in hospital in London only to be told his friend Jack has been killed, however this is just the start of Davids nightmare…
Conclusion
Now this is a comedy-horror and it works perfectly, If you have have never seen this horror classic then I recommend treating yourself to a viewing the Halloween!
Near Dark (1987)
- Running Time: 95 mins
- Directed by: Kathryn Bigelow
- Starring Adrian Pasdar ; Jenny Wright ; Lance Henriksen ; Bill Paxton
Caleb Colton (Adrian Pasdar) lives in a small town, one night he encounters Mae (Jenny Wright) who he is instanly attracted to. He takes her on a drive and gets more than he bargined for when she bites him shortly before sunrise and then runs off!
Caleb’s truck won’t start so he has to walk home, the only problem being he starting to burn.
Mae and her friends snatch Caleb right in front of Caleb’s father and sister. Confused about what has just occured Caleb attempts to leave and go home only to discover he is no longer the same man he once was.
Now he has to learn to kill to survive…
Conclusion
Not a big hit upon release this is now widely considered a cult classic, and I for one would agree with that. I love the mood and feel of the film – An underrated cult classic!!!
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Running Time: 91 mins
- Written & Directed by: Wes Craven
- Starring Robert Englund ; Heather Langenkamp ; John Saxon ; Johnny Depp
A group of friends stay over at Tina’s house but during the night shes is brutally murdered whilst her boyfriend is sleeping next to her.
The police assume he has murdered her, however Tina had been having nightmares about a man chasing her with claws!!!
It soon becomes apparent that all her friends are having the same nightmare, so begins the terror of going to sleep, who will be Freddys next victim???
Conclusion
The first film is normally the best and the 1984 original is an excellent psychological horror, oh and don’t forget this
1,2 Freddy’s coming for you
3,4 Better lock your doors
5,6 Grab your crucifix
7,8 Gonna stay up late
9,10 Never sleep again
– A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Now try going to sleep this Halloween night having just watch A Nightmare on Elm Street!!!
The Wicker Man (1973)
- Running Time: 87 mins
- Directed by: Robin Hardy
- Starring Edward Woodward ; Christopher Lee ; Britt Ekland ; Diane Cilento ; Ingrid Pitt
When a young girl disappears on a remote island off the coast of Scotland, Police sergeant Howie (Edward Woodward) is dispatched to investigate.
However upon arrival he finds the locals not only strange but unhelpful. Furthermore the islanders worship the old pagan Celtic gods and are due to hold their May day festival, with Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) seemingly in charge.
Conclusion
A British horror classic, it’s a bit unnerving with a great plot twist and if that wasn’t enough it stars Christopher Lee maybe one to consider this Halloween.
Poltergeist (1982)
- Running Time: 114 mins
- Directed by: Tobe Hooper
- Music by Jerry Goldsmith
- Starring JoBeth Williams ; Craig T. Nelson ; Beatrice Straight ; Heather O’Rourke
A family begin to note strange activity in their house, one being their daughter Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke) having conversation with the TV when only static is on.
One night the whole house begins to shake and this is followed by the famous movie line by Carol Anne “Theyre Here”
This is just the start of the family’s troubles, but I won’t spoil it for those yet to see it. Although some of you will no doubt have seen the 2015 remake, which is a truly bad effort and backs up my opinion “Never Remake A Classic” there are exceptions but I digress.
Conclusion
A great horror movie with a great horror score from Jerry Goldsmith perfect for Halloween…
10 Must See Horror Movies – Note this is the original 1982 film and NOT the 2015 remake!!!
The Omen (1976)
- Running Time: 111 mins
- Directed by: Richard Donner
- Music by Jerry Goldsmith
- Starring Gregory Peck ; Lee Remick ; David Warner ; Billie Whitelaw ; Patrick Troughton
Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck) has just become US Ambassador to Great Britain but his wife (Lee Remick) has just had a stillborn child.
Unknown to her Robert Thorn agrees to Father Spiletto offer to adopt another child whose mother has just died giving birth. Robert Thorn passes this child of as their own knowing how much his wife wanted a child.
They move to England so Robert can take up his new job and name their son Damien. On his fifth birthday they have a garden party which ends badly when Damien’s nanny kills herself.
Soon after Father Brennan (Patrick Troughton) visits Robert Thorn with some disturbing news about his son Damien!!!
Conclusion
A true horror classic with a great cast and yet another great film score from Jerry Goldsmith.
The Exorcist (1973)
- Running Time: 122 mins
- Directed by: William Friedkin
- Starring Ellen Burstyn ; Max von Sydow ; Lee J. Cobb ; Jason Miller ; Linda Blair
The film begins on an archeological dig site in Iraq where Father Lankester Merrin (Max Von Sydow) also a archeologist finds an amulet which strikes fear into him.
Meanwhile in Georgetown Washington DC, actress Chris McNeil (Ellen Burstyn) is starting to notice some worrying behaviour in her daughter.
With the doctors at loss and unable to help she turns to Father Damien Karras (Jason Miller) but when things escalate he request a exorcism.
Conclusion
A must see for all horror fans this Halloween, as this film has it all, and don’t forget the piece of music most associated with this film Tubular Bells by Mike Oldfield
What horror movie list such as my 10 must see horror movies would be complete without The Exorcist?
Halloween (1978)
- Running Time: 91 mins
- Directed by
- Music by: John Carpenter
- Starring Donald Pleasence ; Jamie Lee Curtis
October 31st (Halloween night) 1963 six year old Michael Myers stabs his sister Judith to death with a kitchen knife. 15 years later, October 30th 1978 Michael Myers escapes the Smith’s Grove Sanitarium.
Dr Loomis (Donald Pleasence) knows exactly where he’s heading. He is going home to Haddonfield, Illinois where Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) has been asked by her father to drop off the door key for the Myers house. (Her dad is a real estate agent)
So it’s Halloween night and Laurie and her friend are babysitting in the same street but different houses, Michael Myers is on the loose and Dr Loomis is trying to find him. This sounds like it will end well!
Conclusion
The ultimate horror film choice for Halloween by the great John Carpenter no less! Many horror films have copied this movie but none have better this particular style of horror movie.
So that concludes my 10 Must see horror movies this Halloween feature. If you can only manage one film to watch on 31st October I would recommend John Carpenter’s Halloween.
A MUST SEE this Halloween!!!
That was my 10 Must See Horror Movies guide. I hope this has given you some ideas for your Halloween movie night…
Don’t forget to check out my horror review of Dracula (1958) starring two horror greats Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing in Hammer’s version of this classic horror story.
Prefer a more modern horror film then check out my review of The Innkeepers (2011), this one stars Sara Paxton and Kelly McGillis (Top Gun fame)
So enjoy the Halloween countdown and keep an eye out for my upcoming Halloween specials and more horror movie reviews…
Don’t forget you can subscribe to the Popcorn Cinema Show Youtube channel where you can find more video movie reviews & all the previous Movies Released This Week videos!
In the meantime
Happy Halloween!!!
