Top 10 Spooky Films and Shows to Watch on Netflix this Halloween
Script written by Michael Wynands
#10: “Tales of Halloween” (2015)
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Killers, ghosts, aliens, witches - this one poor town has got everything; and unfortunately for its citizens, these forces of evil all rear their ugly heads come Halloween night. A horror anthology film held together by a wraparound narrative, “Tales of Halloween” presents a veritable horror buffet for your viewing pleasure in the form of 10 terrifying short tales - each written and directed by a different creative team. This movie is an especially good choice if you’re having a Halloween movie night with a large group - offering up something to satisfy every type of horror movie fan. It’s not the scariest entry on our list, but 10 stories for the price of one? That’s quite the treat.
#9: “The Ritual” (2017)
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Released theatrically in the UK, this British horror film went on to scare a wider audience after landing a distribution deal with Netflix. “The Ritual” tells the story of four university friends who embark on a hiking trip along the King’s Trail in Sweden to honor the recent death of a friend. Of course, they make the classic horror movie mistake of leaving the trail in favor of a shortcut, and soon enough, they find themselves in a waking nightmare. A stylish film set in a wonderfully terrifying wilderness setting, “The Ritual” might ruin camping for you… but it’ll sure help to make Halloween a memorable night.
#8: “Creep” (2014)
Since the cultural phenomenon that was “The Blair Witch Project”, horror filmmakers have been trying to find similar success with their own found-footage flicks. Most of these offerings are derivative and disappointing, but “Creep” can be counted among the rare exceptions. Produced by and starring indie heavyweight Mark Duplass alongside the film’s director, Patrick Brice, “Creep” is clever and unconventional, delivering the scares and maintaining a distinctly indie vibe without feeling cheap. The dynamic between Bryce’s character, Aaron, and Josef (played expertly by Duplass), will have you on the edge of your seat, start to finish. It’ll make you laugh… but it’ll also leave you deeply unsettled.
#7: “1922” (2017)
Stephen King is the gift to horror lovers that just keeps on giving. So many of his works have been adapted to the screen, but we’re guessing that you’ve already watched the classics multiple times over. Thankfully, there are always more King stories to choose from; and in 2017, Netflix gave us a powerful adaption of his novella, “1922”. Thomas Jane plays Wilf, a farmer who kills his wife to avoid having her leave and take their son to live in the city. What follows is a slow descent into madness as Wilf is haunted by his crime, in the form of rats. It’s a chilling story, though maybe the wrong choice if you’re celebrating a rural Halloween.
#6: “The Witch” (2015)
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Is there any figure more synonymous with Halloween than a witch? Be warned though, you won’t be finding flying broomsticks and hocus pocus in this film. Director Robert Eggers’ first feature film, “The Witch” follows a family in New England in the 1630s who, after the disappearance of their youngest child, are plagued by an insidious evil - both in their own home and the neighboring woods. It’s a deeply creepy film, made all the more terrifying by the stellar performances of its cast. There aren’t any cheap jump scares in this movie. True to the spirit of Halloween, it’s that which you don’t see, the unknown, that really inspires fear.
#5: “Apostle” (2018)
Halloween can be whatever you want it to be - a colorful, happy evening or a veritable frightfest that delights in the superstitions of old. This film is sure to appeal the latter category of reveler. Dan Stevens is no stranger to the horror genre, having appeared in “Vamps” and “The Guest”. In “Apostle”, he teams up with director Gareth Evans to tell a haunting and stylish story about a man sent to retrieve his sister from a cult. Suffice it to say, this period piece isn’t for the faint of heart. There’s a creeping, atmospheric sense of dread that runs throughout the film, but there are also also tons of bloody moments and horrifying visuals.
#4: “The Conjuring” (2013)
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There are few filmmakers operating in the horror genre that have been more influential or successful in the 21st century than James Wan. He gave us both the “Saw” and “Insidious” franchises, but arguably his greatest, most well-rounded film is “The Conjuring”. Inspired by the real life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, “The Conjuring” feels like a blast from the past - an old-school haunted house film with classic scares and a great story. A rarity in modern horror, it also features a cast of characters who are genuinely likable and who you’re sure to feel invested in. It’s just a perfect movie for the Halloween season.
#3: “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” (2018-)
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From the executive producers who introduced us to the 21st century Archie with “Riverdale”, comes another fresh twist on a fan-favorite character from television and comics. This is Sabrina Spellman like you’ve never seen her before, and her adventures come to Netflix just in time for Halloween, with a release date of October 26th, 2018. It’s reportedly inspired by horror films of yesteryears like “Rosemary’s Baby” and “The Exorcist”, but also boasts the modern tone and slick style that makes “Riverdale” so distinct. There’s a very notable “American Horror Story” vibe to it as well. Only time will tell how it plays out, but we suspect that this series holds tricks and treats a’plenty.
#2: “The Shining” (1980)
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It might not have been well-received at the time of its release, and author Stephen King remains vocal in his dislike for it, but Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining” is today considered a horror masterpiece. Ambiguous, deeply unnerving and boasting staggering performances from all the actors involved, “The Shining” is pure nightmare fuel. Even people who have never seen the film are aware of its many iconic images, like the twins in the hallway, the wave of blood and Jack Nicholson’s face in the door. This Halloween season, let’s put them all back in context by visiting the Overlook Hotel for ourselves. This is a crash course in terror.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
“American Horror Story” (2011-)
“It Follows” (2014)
“Bates Motel” (2013-17)
#1: “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018-)
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In 2017, filmmaker Mike Flanagan teamed up with Netflix for the psychological horror, “Gerald’s Game”, an adaptation of the Stephen King novel by the same name. He’s returned to the streaming service to adapt another horror classic, Shirley Jackson’s “The Haunting of Hill House”; and this time we’re getting a full blown series. Starring Carla Gugino and Michiel Huisman, “The Haunting of Hill House” explores the horrors faced by a family in their old home, and the trauma and damage that has followed them since. The house is spooky, the scares plentiful and the atmosphere most certainly haunting. Translation? This is the perfect Halloween binge!
