Tierra Kelly
Staff Writer
Halloween is the ideal time to watch movies that send chills down your spine. Haunted houses aren’t for everyone—some people prefer to be scared in the comfort of their own home. If you enjoy watching movies at home, here’s a list of Halloween films ranging from lighthearted to classic horror.
“Goosebumps”
“Goosebumps” is based on the children’s horror novel series by R.L. Stine, which features pre-teens and teenagers in frightening, supernatural situations. In the movie, Zach Cooper (Dylan Minnette) becomes interested in his neighbor, Hannah (Odeya Rush), and discovers that her father is the renowned author R.L. Stine. When Zach accidentally unleashes the monsters from Stine’s books, it’s up to R.L. Stine, his daughter, and Zach to capture the creatures and return them to their stories. If you want to enjoy Halloween without being too scared, “Goosebumps” is the perfect family-friendly movie for laughs and fun. Goosebumps is available to watch on Peacock, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and Apple TV.
“IT”
On the scarier end of the spectrum, “IT”, the 2017 thriller remake, stars Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise, a shape-shifting killer clown. Every 27 years, Pennywise emerges from the sewers to prey on children in Derry, Maine. Seven pre-teens must confront their deepest fears to defeat him. The movie strikes a balance between frightening moments and an engaging plot, with strong character development, blending humor and hope amid the scares. Skarsgård delivers a chilling performance as Pennywise, leaving a lasting impression. This thrilling adventure is available to watch on HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Fandango at Home.
“Halloween”
For a classic horror experience, “Halloween” features the iconic and seemingly unkillable Michael Myers. In the film, a 6-year-old Michael kills his sister, and fifteen years later, escapes from a mental institution to stalk high school student Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) in Haddonfield, Illinois. The haunting piano theme is one of the most recognizable in the horror genre. Combined with suspenseful camera angles and slow pacing, it builds tension and anticipation in every scene. Although Laurie survives, her story with Myers is far from over. This ongoing battle between good and evil is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, Sling TV, AMC+, and PLEX.
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”
“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,” released in 1974, is a gritty, unsettling film characterized by disturbing imagery and suspense. A group of friends on a road trip stumble upon a farmhouse inhabited by a cannibalistic family, and their journey quickly turns into a struggle for survival. The film’s low-budget style amplifies its raw, gruesome atmosphere. The sound design—featuring screeching, screaming, and the infamous chainsaw—adds to the horror, often allowing the imagination to fill in the terrifying details alongside the intense suspense. And before you comment, in the original movie, chain saw is two words. However for all sequels, it was one word, chainsaw. You can watch “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” on Tubi, Pluto TV, Peacock, and Netflix to experience the terrifying journey.
“A Nightmare on Elm Street”
“A Nightmare on Elm Street” remains an enduring classic, blending supernatural horror with psychological fear. Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund), a burn victim turned killer, attacks teenagers in their dreams. Nancy Thompson, a high school student, must figure out how to stay awake and defeat Freddy before he kills her, too. Unlike other horror villains, Freddy blurs the line between dreams and reality, making him one of the genre’s most creative and haunting threats.
So turn off the lights, turn up the sound on the TV, grab your popcorn, and most importantly, your horror movie buddy, and prepare to scream!
