Halloween is fast approaching, meaning it is now spooky season. Along with dressing up in costumes and eating candy, an iconic favorite Halloween tradition is gathering around and watching a scary movie with a group of friends or, for those who are brave enough, by themselves at night. While there are plenty ofhorrorofferings hitting theaters in time for Halloween, there is something special about gathering at home to watch a horror film. It feels like the ideal format, as the comfort of one home can make the experience feel safer but also all the more terrifying.
Update August 18, 2025: In honor of Halloween, this article has been updated to stay updated with what is streaming on Paramount+.
The Ring (2002)
A classic horror film from 2002, this frightful film will have you shaking in your seat for the entire ride.The Ringwas a terrifying movie that seemingly came out of nowhere and quickly became an irremovable part of the language we use to define horror nowadays. Now, every haunted house in America has one girl in a drab white gown and long dark hair, crawling on all fours as she comes to devour anyone who dares to enter. You can better believe that every town had at least one girl fromThe Ringwalking around that Halloween.
This film is worth a watch if only to celebrate the history of horror, but it’s a big bonus that you’re going to get scared right out of your seat as well. If you’re one of those purists who wants to watch it on an original VHS tape, just be careful your TV doesn’t start leaking water afterward. And try to resist the urge to whisper “Seven days,” into all of your friend’s ears. Because they probably won’t know what you’re talking about unless they’ve seen the movie, too.
The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Projectin many ways was the spiritual successor toNight of the Living Dead. It was a low-budget independent horror film that took the world by storm and created a film language. Everyfound footage filmsince has been compared toThe Blair Witch Project. Even after all these years, and a number of disappointing sequels,The Blair Witch Projectis just as scary as it was in 1999 and one of the most influential horror films of the modern era. It’s a great revisit for those who have already seen it and a perfect time for those who have only heard of it.
Paranormal Activity (2009)
Paranormal Activitywas the surprise hit of that year and launched one of the defining horror franchises of the 21st century. While the reputation ofParanormal Activitymight have been damaged by the franchise’s ever-growing sequels, the first film remains a terrifying classic. It used its $15,000 budget to its advantage to make a movie that lacked the polish of a big horror film. It felt real, relatable, and like it could happen at any home in America.
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While the later franchise would delve into the mythology, the first film is scary because the audience remains both literally and figuratively in the dark. Six of the sevenParanormal Activitymovies have been released near Halloween. It’s become an annual tradition, so the film feels like a must-watch for this time of year.
Shutter Island (2010)
Martin Scorsese decided to follow up his Academy Award for Best Picture and Director wins forThe Departedwith the psychological thrillerShutter Island. Adapted from the book of the same name by Denis Lehane, Shutter Island stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, and Max Von Sydow.
Not the typical cast you expect from a horror movie, but the legendary director creates a gripping, suspenseful thriller with an amazing production design that gives an isolated, haunting feeling to the audience member.The movie’s ending is controversialamong many, but the ride getting there is a horror thrill ride guided by one of the greatest filmmakers alive.
The Faculty (1998)
A teenage version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers,The Facultywas a movie very much of it’s moment in time in 1998. Itfeatures an impressive cast that would go on to become major starslike Josh Harnett, Elijah Wood, Clea Duvall, Laura Harris, Jordana Brewster, Famke Janssen, Salma Hayek, and Jon Stewart. The sci-fi horror is a must-watch. It also works as a great companion piece for director Robert Rodriguez’s previous film,From Dusk till Dawn, as both are the director reworking popular horror icons within his style.
10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)
It was recently announced that anewCloverfieldfilm is in developmentat Paramount Pictures, and while the 2008 film is still the most iconic entry it is the second entry in the anthology franchise, 2016’s10 Cloverfield Laneis regarded as the best film in the series. When a young woman wakes up after a car crash, she finds herself in a bunker with two men and cannot leave as the outside world has become uninhabitable. Taking place in one location, the film plays on the fear of claustrophobia and paranoia.
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The film features a powerhouse performance by Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and John Goodman delivers what might be his best performance as the main antagonist.10 Cloverfield Lane’sdirector Dan Trachtenberg’s latest film,Preybecame a major streaming hit, so take a look back at his first breakout film.
Overlord (2018)
Originally intended to be part of theCloverfieldanthology series, Paramount reworkedOverlordinto its own original idea. The story is straight out of a pulp novel or grindhouse horror film, a group of American soldiers is dropped into enemy lines the day after D-Day and discover a Nazi science experiment that has resulted in the creation of zombies.
Overlordhas a B-movie spirit but is given the shine, gloss, and spectacle of a bid-budget picture. And it delivers on every front. It has a great cast of characters, with a standout performance by Wyatt Russell. He is so good it almost feels like he is less Kurt Russell’s son and more a clone of him fromEscape from New York. The movie is bloody, over the top, and full of great zombie body horror, and while it was a modest hit when it was released in theaters, now is the great time to go and check out this underrated gem.
Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
Aterrifying psychological horror,Jacob’s Ladderranks up there with one of the scariest movies of all time. It follows a postal worker who has recently returned from the Vietnam War. As Jacob tries to make a living in the regular world, his psyche slowly begins to unravel. He is haunted by trauma from the war, memories of his failed marriage, and the heartfelt presence of his dead son. As his condition worsens, some of his friends even try to help him, but it steadily becomes apparent that Jacob may be too far gone to be saved.
Jacob’s Ladderdeals with PTSD and the thin veil of reality on which we all build our lives. The most frightening thing about this movie may be just how easy it could be to happen to any of us. Deep, painful trauma, left unmanaged, could seep its way into all of our lives. The religious idiom of “Jacob’s ladder” often refers to a connection between the realm of God and man, but in this instance, the title might be seen as a metaphor for Jacob’s journey into hell. Although it’s up to interpretation, given the movie’s ending.
Smile (2022)
Smilewas the breakout horror hit of 2022. Originally intended to be a Parmaount+ exclusive, the film was upgraded to a theatrical release following positive test screenings. It was a decision that paid off as Smile grossed $217 million worldwide against a budget of $17 million. The movie also earned positive reviews for a horror film, which is a rarity. Now it is on Paramount+ like it originally was intended and makes for a great horror watch.
Scream VI (2023)
How about a new horror film for Halloween? Why not the most recent addition to theScreamfranchise,Scream 6? It had a moderate return at the box office and mixed reviews from fans, but people generally saw the film in a positive light. This new tale in the slasher genre follows four friends who are survivors of the 25th anniversary of the Ghostface legacy killings. The group decides to move to New York City in order to escape the small town in which they are being hunted. Things go well in the Big Apple for a while, but soon, trouble follows them into the city that never sleeps.
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This new sequel has a great repertoire of actors, most notably starring contemporary scream queen Jenna Ortega. Other notable names in the cast include Hayden Panettiere, Jack Champion, and Courtney Cox. This long-running franchise first made a name for itself by helping to create a kind of “post-horror” genre. It pointed out obvious patterns in previous slasher films and added welcome nuance toscary movies of the 90s.
