The Best Horror Movies for Your Halloween Marathon
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Halloween is a time of monsters and terror, but who could dread all the good scary movies just waiting for their annual viewing? Whether you're into the horrifying prospects of cosmic horror or looking for silly slasher fun, we have an article for you. Grab your candy corn and drop the zombie masks because you're about to discover our top 10 horror movies that'll be perfect for your Halloween movie night.
Alien (1979)
First on our list is the movie that quite literally gave birth to one of the most iconic movie monsters of all time - in a somewhat gruesome manner, too. Alien follows the crew of the Nostromo, a spaceship that lands on a desolate planet, who come into contact with a hostile alien organism that proceeds to pick them off one by one. Their objective quickly becomes clear: remove the threat or escape with their lives.
With a stellar performance from the small yet talented cast and a nightmarish biomechanical alien designed by H.R. Giger, this science-fiction tale has become a staple in Hollywood's depictions of cosmic horror.
Fun fact: During the famous dinner scene, the cast was only partially informed of how the sequence would play out. Their frightened reactions to the alien's violent birth were genuine.
(Image Source: Independent)
The Thing (1982)
While we're on the topic of creature features, The Thing has become something of a cult classic. It takes place in the isolated wasteland of Antarctica, inside a research base that a monstrous alien infiltrates. The catch, however, is that this alien can take on the appearance of the infected crew members, leading to a tense debacle among them as to who is human, and who is not.
This film is a horror icon with nail-biting paranoia and unrivalled body horror that will leave you churning in your seat. The film is a hit not only for the concept it sells but also the go-to example for enthusiasts of practical effects as to why they love the passion behind the project.
(Image Source: WBUR)
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
It would be much too easy to make a list of slasher films you should watch on the 31st, so instead, we'll provide you with just one of the classics. A Nightmare on Elm Street follows all the standard tropes: an assorted group of teens are met with a grizzly fate as they're hunted down by a psycho killer wielding a sharp object. What makes this one so special, however, is the twist: Freddy Krueger's ability to stalk his victims in their dreams.
Nobody can forget Freddy Krueger. From Robert Englund's charismatic performance of the character to his burnt visage and striped jersey, he knows how to differentiate himself enough to find his place on this list.
(Image Source: Cultured Vultures)
Event Horizon (1997)
Pulling out another cult classic, Event Horizon is a sci-fi horror film set in the far reaches of our solar system, far into the future. When the titular ship Event Horizon spontaneously reappears after years of vanishing, the ship's designer and a rescue team visit the abandoned spacecraft to investigate its mystery. Instead, they find a force that will take them to the darkest depths of their mind and back again, dragging the audience along for the ride.
The film endured a severe butchering during the editing process. Nearly 20 minutes of footage was deleted due to the studio's reluctance to feature such gory scenes, a sad loss for fans. Despite this, Event Horizon is a fine blend of horror from both a cosmic and a spiritual level, and its devout following comes as no surprise to those who've watched it.
Fun fact: The ever-so-coveted deleted scenes of Event Horizon were stored in a Transylvanian salt mine. As a result, they were unusable.
(Image Source: HorrorGeekLife)
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
When one thinks of the found footage genre, it probably won't take long for The Blair Witch Project to enter their mind. Shot entirely from the perspective of the character's cameras, the story follows three film students who seek to create a documentary about the titular Blair Witch myths, only to slowly realise the harrowing truth behind the legends throughout several haunting nights.
The film is a timeless example of how creativity demands no budget. With stellar acting in a mostly improvised story and a fascinating behind-the-scenes process, The Blair Witch Project has no equal in its place as an iconic horror film.
(Image Source: Silverscreen Tours)
Dog Soldiers (2002)
If you're looking for a straightforward action-horror film with guts and gore and a dingy setting to boot, we'll happily point you toward Dog Soldiers. Set in the gloomy Scottish Highlands, a team of British soldiers carry out a routine training mission when monsters of myth ambush them. Finding themselves holed up in an abandoned family home, they have no choice but to fight until sunrise.
While werewolf movies date back to the early days of film, most modern adaptations of the gnarly beast tend to fall short of current standards. However, if there's one film that rids itself of the thematic complications and fully embraces the grotesque nature of these creatures, it's Dog Soldiers.
(Image Source: The People's Movies)
The Descent (2005)
Taking us through a more claustrophobic journey is the film titled The Descent. Six women decide to reconcile after one of them suffers a traumatic loss, exploring an uncharted network of caves to prove their combined strength. Instead, they find the home of carnivorous subterranean humanoids, and the women need to escape before falling victim to the beasts who are all too hungry as they lurk around every corner.
Dark, moody, and delightfully scary, The Descent is a film that provides more than a tale of resilience and overcoming. It will renew that childhood reluctance to enter dark spaces, all while reteaching you the important lessons of teamwork and commitment.
(Image Source: The Artifice)
Overlord (2018)
The keen eyes among you might've noticed that we haven't mentioned any zombie movies yet. Worry not, for Overlord is a film that delivers a fresh new take on the genre. Taking place just before the invasion of Normandy, the film follows a group of American soldiers tasked with destroying German communications. However, as they delve further behind enemy lines, they unravel a disturbing plot that must be stopped no matter the cost.
This film is for zombie and war movie fanatics alike, blending shootouts, espionage, and running from the undead down tight corridors with an extra helping of gore. Of course, a special mention should be given to Pilou Asbæk's role as the lead villain, whose presence dominates every scene he's in and fills the role of a chaotic threat perfectly.
Fun fact: This film was initially assumed to be a prequel for the Cloverfield franchise before it was confirmed to be a stand-alone film.
(Image Source: The Verge)
Nope (2022)
The most recent project from the horror mastermind Jordan Peele, the general tone of the film Nope is roughly what the title might suggest. Taking place in the rural farmlands of the American West Coast, the movie centres around a family of horse ranchers who, out of financial despondency, attempt to film an alien spacecraft. However, as the story progresses, things begin taking a dark turn for the family and the locals in the surrounding area.
It's a rare feat for a film to deliver such a subversive take on something so well-established as the concept of UFOs, yet Nope brings the audience a twist that is not only incredibly unique but rather disturbing as well.
(Image Source: MoMa)
Smile (2022)
We'd like to wrap up our list on a contradictory low note, fitting for the spooky season. Smile follows a psychologist who, after witnessing the violent death of a patient, is haunted by a dark presence who continues to inflict her with increasingly disturbing visions of her traumatic past. It is up to her to resolve these traumas, and should she fail, she'll be met with the same violent fate that so many others have endured.
Telling a story of dread that lulls the audience into a hopeful corner only to rip them away from it over and over through shocking twists and turns, Smile is a film that will continue to haunt you with the themes it explores and with that, we hope you enjoy it as much as we have.
One more fun fact: Prior to the film's release, a short film titled Laura Hasn't Slept was released, based around and featuring the Laura character from the start of the main movie.
(Image Source: Polygon)
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Author: Brandon Rix
