The Best Halloween Movies To Watch From Behind The Covers

Is there any better way to celebrate Halloween than switching off the lights, grabbing some popcorn and getting scared silly? Whether it’s a classic that you’ve seen a hundred times before, so you can hold your popcorn tighter when the jump scares are about to hit, or a newbie that you’re willing to give a chance, the end of October is perfect for a bit of a spooky movie fest.

Not sure what flick will make those goosebumps hit just right? Here are the best Halloween movies to watch and where to stream them.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

Starting with a classic, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is gruesome horror at its finest. The movie centres on a group of friends who come across a chainsaw-wielding killer, Leatherface, and his psychopathic family. The movie is incredibly gritty and gory, and the production makes it feel horrifyingly realistic. If you’re familiar with the story or have only seen the modern remakes of Chainsaw Massacre, with an 84% Rotten Tomatoes rating, the original is definitely worth a watch.

You can watch The Texas Chainsaw Massacre on Apple TV.

Get Out

Get Out is one of those rare movies that is suspenseful and scary, keeps you guessing until the end, and does it all with a very fresh-feeling concept. The plot focuses on Chris, a young Black man (central to the plot), and his girlfriend Rose, as they visit Rose’s family for the weekend. Things feel off to Chris from the start, and spoiler alert, he is right. But you will need to watch to find out just how bonkers things get. With a 98% Rotten Tomatoes rating, expect a creepy, unsettling and genuinely excellent watch.

You can watch Get Out on Prime.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

I thought this movie was real for way longer than I care to admit. If you haven’t seen it, the entire film is shot in the style of ‘found footage’ from a group of three lost film students who have gone hiking to make a documentary about a murderer. We only see what they see which makes the whole thing incredibly tense and eerie, and adds to the escalating tension. It’s an incredible movie and, as I mentioned, definitely feels real. 

You can watch The Blair With Project on Netflix or Stan.

Halloween (1978)

This is the movie that started the iconic horror franchise that now has a whopping 13 films, so yeah, it’s pretty good. Starring the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis and boasting a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, there is a whole lot to love about this movie. It follows escaped mental patient Michael Myers, originally locked away for murdering his sister on Halloween, as he goes on a killing spree. The movie is classic slasher with so bad but so good spooks and scares.

You can watch Halloween on Stan.

28 Days Later

With the third installment of this cult zombie franchise now released, it’s the perfect time to add the original to your Halloween watch list. The movie starts with a group of animal rights activists trying to free chimps from a lab. Good, right? Not exactly. One is infected with a ‘rage’ virus. We then cut to bicycle courier Jim (Cillian Murphy) as we see the effects of the virus spread – you guessed it – 28 days later. Released in 2002, this dark and grainy zombie flick has the perfect combo of jump scares and classic gory deaths, and the character-driven drama offers a refreshing take on the well-worn genre.

You can watch 28 Days Later on Prime or Apple TV.

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• The best Australian horror movies
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Rosemary's Baby

You don’t need special effects or gore to be genuinely terrified, as proved by this classic psychological horror from 1968 starring Mia Farrow as Rosemary, with a stellar 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The story sees Rosemary move into a new building with her husband, and a bunch of weird neighbours, where she soon falls pregnant. What plays out is a slow-burn horror show. Rosemary’s Baby is a genuinely creepy and unsettling movie and the whole story has a claustrophobic feel to it. If you’re looking for two hours of excellent acting, suspense, terror and a feeling of perpetual dread, this is the one for you.

You can watch Rosemary’s Baby on Prime and Apple TV.

The Ring

This film really set a new standard in the horror genre when it was released in the 2000s, so it definitely deserves a spot on your Halloween watchlist. Starring Naomi Watts, the story is based on a video tape that kills anyone who watches it within seven days. Oh, and there’s a creepy girl who climbs out of TVs and wells. The move has been parodied to death, but the film still holds up as one of the creepiest and well-paced horrors out there. If you haven’t seen it, maybe leave the lights on for your first watch.

You can watch The Ring on Stan.

The Babadook

This Aussie horror film is an absolute gem that will tap into some of your deep-held childhood fears. The story follows a sleep-deprived single mum and her son, who’s convinced a monster from his (absolutely cursed) storybook is real. Strange things start happening and things spiral into a chilling, emotional rollercoaster about grief and mental health. This is a must-watch for fans of well-made horror.

You can watch The Babadook on Prime, ABC iView and SBS On Demand.

The Invisible Man

This is another horror movie with a unique premise and oh-so-good execution. The Invisible Man stars Elisabeth Moss as a woman escaping her abusive ex. As for the villain, well, you kind of don’t see him coming. Because he is invisible. Let me tell you the jump scares in this movie will absolutely send your popcorn flying to the ceiling. It’s a masterclass in tension with some equally insightful exploration of gaslighting. If you’re looking for a genuinely scary horror with a story to back it up, this is it.

You can watch The Invisible Man on Paramount Plus.

Main image credit: Stan