10 Movies For The Spooky Season

It's that time of the year again, where we willingly scare ourselves to the point of sleeping with the lights on. Fairs and amusement parks dedicate a large chunk of march to let people experience the terror in person. However, not everyone wants to pay those prices for a good scare. Why would you when you can stay in and bring the spooky season to your home with a good horror movie? 

The horror movie genre has been growing exponentially over the years with hundreds of movies to choose from. We decided to help you decide from those hundreds of movies by providing you our top ten horror movies of all time.

Number 10: Obsession (2025) (Curry Baker)

In 2025, known YouTuber Curry Baker was finally able to take his vision and bring it to the big screen. Considering  the film might not have had a huge budget by modern day standards of $600,000–750,000, the film had so much dedication poured into it that it became one of the best modern day psychological thrillers out there. 

While there is no major focus on jump scares the film has its fair share of terrifying scenes. The mix of music, camera work, and acting succeed at making the audience not only terrified but anxious throughout the entire film. Inde Navarrette, acting as Nikki, brings the eerie twist through the screen. It is definitely a must watch for this Halloween season.

Number 9: Psycho (1960) (Alfred Hitchcock)

There is no shock that one of the most classic horror movies of all time makes this list. Alfred Hitchcock will go down in history as one of the most influential film makers to exist. One of those reasons is his work on “Psycho.” Along with being one of the most referenced movies in Hollywood, it also delivers on its promise to scare audiences into never trusting strangers. Anthony Perkins portrayal of Norman Bates is truly unsettling as he delivers one of the most memorable outros to a film to this day.

Number 8: IT (2017) (Andrés Muschietti)

While Stephen King's famous novel did have a TV special adaptation in 1990, audiences wanted a new version for the big screen. Director Andrés Muschietti answered that call and delivered a film that exceeded expectations. Finn Wolfhard and Jack Dylan Grazer's back and forth banter makes it easy to feel like a part of the group. While there are plenty of jump scares the film is truly about grief and overcoming fear with the help of friends. While a sequel was released two years later, it fell flat in the areas the first film thrived on. However, the television series that was released in 2025 pulled audiences back into the story of Derry. 

In the first season we jump back to the past, 27 years before the losers club forms. This series adds a little more focus on the town of Derry itself as racial tension builds due to a number of children going missing. Once more a group of kids are on a mission to figure out what happened to their missing friends. The series is jam packed with terrifying and mysterious moments. I must warn you, no one is safe this time.

Number 7: A Quiet Place (2018) (John Krasinski)

With how large the population has grown over the years with bustling cities and constant noise it is hard to imagine our world without it. However, “A Quiet Place” shows us a world where being silent is your only chance at survival. We follow a family living in this world where any noise could be a death sentence. Interestingly enough, this family gets by communicating through sign language as one of the children was already deaf before the invasion happened. Audiences see this family dynamic unfold and teach us the extent to which a family can love each other when it seems all hope is lost while making us hold our breaths in fear of the terrifying beasts.

Number 6: The Mist (2007) (Frank Darabont)

Stephen King strikes again on this list with Frank Darabont's take on his short story, “The Mist.” Everyone knows that an invasive species can be catastrophic, but what if there was an invasive ecosystem? After a failed government experiment the world tragically finds the answer. Humans quickly learn that in this ecosystem, they are at the bottom of the food chain. This film is not only full of terrifying creatures but the horrors of the human mind when trapped in an inescapable situation. The most notable feature of this movie is its controversial ending.

Number 5: Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) (Wes Craven)

Nightmares often lead to us waking up in a sweat, but only for a brief moment. We find comfort that it was just a dream and it can’t hurt us, right? Well the teens in Springwood would argue differently. While victims usually have a chance to run away, how can you escape your own dream? Johnny Depp makes his mark on this film with his iconic bed scene that other horror movies often reference. This film is a must watch if you don't want to sleep for a week.

Number 4: Smile 2 (2024) (Parker Finn)

This entry is noticeably different from the others as it is a sequel to a film. The first “Smile” film is not a bad movie by any standard with plenty of scary moments and uneasy feelings. However, “Smile 2” takes everything in the first movie and cranks it all the way to 11. When a pop star falls victim to the “suicide virus” we follow her as she tries to be the first to survive. With some amazing mysteries and twists the film manages to keep you anxious to the very end.

Number 3: Insidious (2010) (James Wan)

The first entry on my top three is the first film in a franchise that recently had another installation release in theaters. The first “Insidious” movie introduces a new realm to reality called The Further. Only a few people have the gift to drift to this other reality in their sleep, however, this realm is not a friendly one. The Further is a place between life and death, where lost souls and demons roam. We follow a family as their son goes to sleep and never wakes up. As demons and other evil spirits decide that the vacant body is up for grabs. The family must uncover secrets from their past to solve where their son is. One of the best parts of these films are the connections between them, there are still mysteries left unsolved.

Number 2: Five Nights at Freddy's (2023) (Emma Tammi)

Before we get to the scariest movie on this list, let's talk about a more family friendly one. While Five Nights at Freddy's made a name for itself by being a series of terrifying games, the films are equally as popular. Starring A-List actors like Josh Hutcherson and Matthew Lillard, the film creates its own story using some of the lore originally created in the games. With few jump scares and an overall lesson on family, this film is definitely something to watch with the entire family.

Number 1: Sinister (2012) (Scott Derrickson)

Now it's time for the best and scariest movie on this list. “Sinister” follows a washed up author as he moves his family to a new house for inspiration on his big comeback novel. It so happens that he knowingly moved his family into a house where the previous family was murdered and their daughter went missing. When our protagonist discovers some old home footage he soon realizes the films are all of previous murders. The author seeks the help of the local officer “So and So” to not only write his novel but also to solve the mystery of their murders. With plenty of tense scenes and a score that will make anyone uneasy, this film is truly terrifying.