Halloween season is here, and there’s no better way to get into the spooky spirit than by curling up with a great movie. Whether you’re in the mood for chilling horror, gothic fantasy, or family-friendly frights, streaming platforms have plenty to offer. From timeless classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas to modern cult favorites, these 11 must-watch picks will set the perfect eerie (or enchanting) tone for October nights.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
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This stop-motion masterpiece is the definitive “Halloweentown meets Christmastown” musical fantasy. Follow Jack Skellington’s well-intentioned but disastrous attempt to take over Christmas. It’s an essential, visually stunning film that perfectly blends spooky whimsy with holiday cheer.
Where to Stream: Disney+.
Jaws (1975)
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Though not traditionally a slasher film, Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece is a pure exercise in primal fear and suspense. The film, which turns 50 this year, made an entire generation scared to go into the ocean. Its brilliant, minimalist tension makes it a perennial, must-watch horror classic.
Where to Stream: Apple TV.
Halloween (1978)
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John Carpenter’s original slasher film remains the gold standard for the genre. With its chillingly minimalist score and the silent, relentless menace of Michael Myers, the film established many of the tropes used in horror films today. It is arguably the most iconic movie to share the holiday’s name.
Where to Stream: AMC+
Beetlejuice (1988)
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Tim Burton’s early dark comedy is perfect for those who like their scares wrapped in colorful, chaotic whimsy. Michael Keaton’s manic performance as the titular “bio-exorcist” who helps a deceased couple haunt their home is a highlight of 80s fantasy-horror.
Where to Stream: HBO Max.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
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For a lighter, family-friendly marathon pick, this Disney comedy is an enduring holiday tradition. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy star as the three kooky witch sisters resurrected on Halloween night, providing high-energy, campy fun.
Where to Stream: Disney+.
Candyman (1992)
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This film explores urban legends, class, and racial injustice, making it one of the most intelligent horror movies of its time. The story of the vengeful hook-handed spirit summoned by those who say his name five times remains a powerful and chilling piece of mythology.
Where to Stream: Prime Video.
The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
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A brilliant meta-horror film, this movie deconstructs and lovingly parodies every horror trope imaginable. It’s a hilarious and surprisingly clever watch that turns the classic “teens at a cabin” scenario completely on its head.
Where to Stream: Hulu.
The Conjuring (2013)
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This highly successful film, based on the real-life cases of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, offers classic haunted house scares. It’s a masterfully directed movie that relies on slow-burn suspense and jump scares to deliver visceral terror.
Where to Stream: HBO Max.
Coraline (2009)
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This stop-motion fantasy film from Henry Selick is perfect for a dark family viewing. The story of a young girl who finds a seemingly better, but ultimately terrifying, alternate version of her life is spooky, imaginative, and beautifully animated.
Where to Stream: Amazon Video.
Gremlins (1984)
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This chaotic, genre-blending film is a beloved horror-comedy classic set during the Christmas season. The plot revolves around young Billy Peltzer, who receives a strange, cute creature called a Mogwai named Gizmo as a pet. The gift comes with three strict rules: avoid bright lights, don’t get him wet, and never feed him after midnight. When these rules are inevitably broken, Gizmo spawns mischievous, reptilian monsters known as Gremlins, who proceed to wreak havoc and mass destruction upon Billy’s idyllic small town.
Where to Stream: HBO Max.
Hereditary (2018)
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This modern psychological horror is a deeply disturbing look at trauma, grief, and the inherited fate of a family. Anchored by a powerhouse performance from Toni Collette, the film uses slow-burn dread and chilling, unforgettable imagery to deliver true, soul-shaking terror.
Where to Stream: HBO Max.
