31 Horror Movies to Stream All October
If I could do nothing but recommend horror movies for a living, I would do that, but no one wants to start a podcast with me. So instead, you’ll reap all of my sweet recommendation rewards with this top of the line horror movie calendar. I watch 31 movies every year in October, and while you might not be ready to watch a movie a night, this lineup has all of the spooky suggestions you need to pick the perfect flick for you. You’re welcome. And also, Happy Halloween.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
The spooky spiel: This sun scorched classic is the foundation behind modern gems like Ti West’s “X.” If you only watch two horror movies this October, make this one of them.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 2
The Empty Man
The spooky spiel: This far flung horror, which begins in Bhutan and meanders to a small midwestern town, has one of the most creative concepts of any horror movie released in the last few years. The jumpscares might not pack a punch, but the world building is top notch.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3
The Stepford Wives (1975)
The spooky spiel: Create a delicious highball of a double feature by pairing this baby with the ever-meme-able “Don’t Worry Darling.” It might not have the punchy cinematography, but no movie better captures the evils of the Disney corporation than the 1975 flick.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4
Ouija: Origin of Evil
The spooky spiel: Did you like “The Haunting of Hill House?” Did you like “The Haunting of Bly Manor?” Did you like “Midnight Mass?” Then you’ll love this because you love Mike Flanagan. It’s technically a prequel, but don’t let that stop you.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5
Willy’s Wonderland
The spooky spiel: Your sophisticated friends might want you to watch “Mandy” (and that movie is incredible, so do it), but if you’re looking for a less art-y Nic Cage flick, this “Five Nights at Freddy’s” knockoff will get you there.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6
His House
The spooky spiel: A horror movie that had me flinching and crying is always a winner in my book. This film will scare you and make you feel something in a one-two punch of overwhelming emotions. Perfect.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7
Possessor
The spooky spiel: David Cronenberg has a son and he’s weird just like his dad, but not in the same way as his dad. A fascinating directorial debut.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8
Perfect Blue
The spooky spiel: Satoshi Kon has influenced all of your favorite directors and this mind fuck of a film is the best way to jump into the deep end of his work. David Fincher straight up lifted an entire scene from this movie for Black Swan. It’s wild.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9
Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)
The spooky spiel: This paranoid sci-fi classic has a lot of heart, a lot of fun practical effects, and a jump scare that is so effective it made me shout out loud in a bright room in the middle of the day. A classic to help build your horror lexicon.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10
Noroi: The Curse
The spooky spiel: Some people hate this movie and some people love it, but I think its unnerving faux documentary collage feel makes it a singular experience. It’s an impeccable film that feels like doing a YouTube deep dive, but with a deeply unnerving plot. I could talk about it for hours.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 11
Censor
The spooky spiel: A British woman charged with censoring gruesome films for the government becomes entranced with a particularly surreal movie. This is a weird giallo love letter and it looks so good, even if the ending doesn’t quite land on solid feet.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12
Hell House LLC
The spooky spiel: I could make an entire calendar of found footage films, but instead, I’ll kickstart your obsession with the Hell House LLC franchise, which is filled with quality scares. This movie is exactly what it says on the tin, it’s a spooky haunted house tale that keeps you coming back for more (AKA the sequels).
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13
Horror Noire
The spooky spiel: I am not talking about the documentary Horror Noire (although that’s absolutely worth a watch), I’m talking about the excellent horror anthology. Anthologies have a soft spot in my horror heart and are the perfect discussion fodder if you’re watching with a group of friends. Debate your favorite shorts! It’s fun!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14
Under the Shadow
The spooky spiel: Set in Tehran during the Iran-Iraq war, Under the Shadow is laced with just as many genuinely sinister moments as it is with political and social commentary. Truly unnerving and genuinely interesting.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
Titane
The spooky spiel: Sexy! Weird! French! Cars! Upsetting! From the director of the sexy cannibal movie “Raw!” Is it weird that I thought “Raw” was sexy!?
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 16
Salem’s Lot
The spooky spiel: You legally can’t have spooky season without a Stephen King IP. Halloween is canceled if you don’t watch “It” or “The Shining” or “Carrie” at least once, so get a little kooky and skip the mainstream options for the Tobe Hooper helmed miniseries about vampires taking over a small town.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 17
House
The spooky spiel: Look, you’re probably not going to like this one, but it’s a hell of a trip. Technically it’s about a school girl staying in a haunted house, but it’s also not really that at all. Pair this with your drug of choice and have a wild Monday night.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 18
Sinister
The spooky spiel: I’m certainly no Ethan Hawke fan, but I cannot deny the stylish and wildly effective scares of Sinister. It’s so damn solid and it’s guaranteed to make you scream.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19
Crimson Peak
The spooky spiel: Did you read the novel “Jane Eyre” and wish it was somehow more gothic and also a movie? Then do I have a treat for you.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20
We’re All Going to the World’s Fair
The spooky spiel: A weirdo experimental flick about the horrors of the Internet. For peak atmosphere, start this movie at 2 a.m. after crawling out of a YouTube k-hole. You won’t feel right.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21
Caveat
The spooky spiel: Ugh this movie is so frustrating and so wild and so fun. If you’re the kind of person who yells at the screen “No one would ever do that!” This movie will have you frothing at the mouth and you’ll love every minute of it.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22
The Wolf House
The spooky spiel: The scariest stop motion movie you’ve ever seen. I mean, maybe not, but if you have seen a scarier stop motion movie, please hit me up with that rec. I’m trying to ruin my life.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 23
Mad God
The spooky spiel: And speaking of stop motion, this is the grossest and weirdest stop motion movie you’ve ever seen. Director Phil Tippet was the special effects genius behind all of your favorite movies (including Star Wars, Jurassic Park and RoboCop) and he poured every ounce of knowledge into this truly singular film.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 24
The Girl on The Third Floor
The spooky spiel: Do you want to watch CM Punk live in a house where jizz oozes out of the walls? Of course you do.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25
Henry, Portrait of a Serial Killer
The spooky spiel: A truly bleak and sadistic look into the mind of a serial killer. Unlike your favorite true crime podcast, this movie will make you feel bad for the rest of the day.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 26
Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum
The spooky spiel: Cool young people wander into a spooky asylum and things go just as well as you think they would. Watch this with friends and take bets on who would last the longest. Watch this with friends and take bets on who is going to scream the loudest when those jump scares hit.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27
The Lodge
The spooky spiel: Don’t watch this with friends. Watch this alone. In the dark. With the AC on. Soak up the loneliness.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28
The Bye Bye Man
The spooky spiel: Okay, we’re back to movies you should watch with friends because this film is trash and I still talk about it years later. This will become an inside joke with whoever you watch it with, which is a fun and spooky gift. Toot toot.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 29
Haxan
The spooky spiel: Alright, this isn’t really a movie for watching, it’s the kind of thing you have on in the background during your Halloween party. Having witches and devils cavorting across your TV will really set the mood.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30
Ginger Snaps
The spooky spiel: The pure, unbridled essence of October. The pain of puberty. The slick cruelty of high school. Ginger Snaps is an autumnal time capsule. Pair it with a sweet baked good and a spiked apple cider.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 31
The Exorcist
The spooky spiel: I live in D.C. and I love D.C., so there’s only one horror movie I’ll be watching on the 31st and that’s the undeniable film The Exorcist. If you only watch two horror movies this month, make this the second one.
Recommend If You Like is not owned or funded by a billionaire or even a millionaire. We do have a Patreon. If you can’t afford to become a patron, please sign up to our mailing list. It’s free and we’re asking here instead of a pop-up. Pop-ups are annoying.