HALLOWEEN WATCHLIST: a curated selection of films for the spookiest night of the year

By Bennie

If you’re skipping out on Halloween festivities or simply crave a quieter night in, there’s no better way to embrace the spooky season than by settling in with a great movie. Halloween films aren’t just about the jumps and screams—there’s a perfect pick out there for every kind of mood, whether you want a cosy animated classic, a spine-chilling horror masterpiece, or a quirky arthouse that’s more treat than trick. This curated list of Halloween favorites brings together everything from visually stunning treasures to the timeless thrillers that have defined the genre. So grab your favorite snacks, find a comfy spot, and get ready to dive into a night filled with eerie atmospheres, heartwarming scenes, and maybe a few good scares. Here are eight perfect films to keep you company this Halloween season!

1. SUSPIRIA (DARIO ARGENTO, 1977)

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y0EEqtWrJI

Suspiria is a visually stunning classic, famous for its haunting style as it is for its terrifying story. It follows an American ballet dancer named Suzy who travels to a prestigious dance academy in Germany, only to discover that the school hides dark, deadly secrets. Strange disappearances and supernatural happenings unfold as Suzy uncovers that the academy is controlled by a sinister coven of witches.

With its neon-drenched visuals, intense colors, and a legendary soundtrack by the band Goblin, Suspiria stands out as a surreal horror experience. The film’s unique combination of ballet, witches, and stylish scares has influenced horror for generations. It’s a must-watch for anyone looking for an unforgettable and truly unique horror film.

2. HOUSE (Nobuhiko Obayashi, 1977)

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQ_Yo06kIIA

House is a Japanese horror-comedy like no other, blending bizarre humor with truly surreal scares. The story follows a group of schoolgirls who visit a friend’s aunt’s mysterious house, only to be attacked by the house itself.

From man-eating pianos to floating severed heads, House feels like a nightmare and a fever dream rolled into one.

3. over the garden wall (patrick mchale, 2014)

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36mAsVSH_-s

Over the Garden Wall follows the strange, enchanting journey of two brothers, Wirt and Greg, who find themselves lost in a mysterious forest called the Unknown. With only a grumpy bluebird, Beatrice, to help them, the brothers must navigate dark woods, meet peculiar characters, and face eerie dangers in their quest to find a way home. This hauntingly beautiful tale combines spooky adventures with funny moments, bringing you on a heartfelt journey through the weird and wonderful unknown.

Perfect for a cosy night when you’re ready for a little mystery and magic!

4. a girl walks home alone at night (Ana Lily Amirpour, 2014)

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YGmTdo3vuY

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night is a unique blend of horror, romance, and social commentary. Set in the eerie Iranian town of Bad City, the film follows a mysterious young woman known as "The Girl," who wears a chador and has a dark secret: she’s a vampire. As she prowls the night, she encounters various men, each representing the predatory nature of society. The film beautifully contrasts the stark, desolate landscape with its hauntingly beautiful visuals, all while exploring themes of loneliness, empowerment, and the struggle against oppressive societal norms. When she crosses paths with a kind-hearted young man named Arash, a budding romance sparks between them, blending the supernatural with a story of human connection.

This film challenges the typical vampire narrative, offering a fresh perspective that speaks to modern issues of gender and identity.

5. the substance (Coralie Fargeat, 2024)

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNlrGhBpYjc

The Substance is a contemporary Picture of Dorian Gray set in 21st century Hollywood, where the cult of the beautiful becomes worship of the young, the fit, the sexualised body. Here the disciples of eternal youth are inevitably destined to misery: if they surrender to aging, they are rotten bodies, unattractive, therefore worthless; if they choose not to, their egomaniac fight against nature can only appear as a scary monstrosity, a pitiful delirium much more terrifying and ridiculous.

Visually superb, impeccably written; outraged and deranged: don’t miss it at the cinema this Halloween!