The Best Halloween Movies
There are two types of people at Halloween: those who want to spend the evening hiding behind a cushion, questioning every life decision that led them to watch a horror film, and those who would rather pour a large glass of Champs, light a candle and watch something that makes them feel like they might actually be a witch.
October is the perfect excuse to revisit the films we grew up with, discover something genuinely terrifying and, of course, indulge in a little cinematic witchcraft. And with Practical Magic 2 finally here, the obsession with Sally and Gillian Owens is officially back. Nearly 30 years after the original, the sisters have returned, which feels like a great excuse to revisit the film that made us all want a slightly haunted Victorian house, an extensive herb garden and a family history full of mysterious powers.
Whether you're hosting a Halloween dinner party, planning a sofa-and-snacks evening or simply looking for something to watch on a dark October night, I've rounded up my favorite Halloween films, from scary horror to nostalgic favourites that are more magical than murderous. Get the popcorn on.
The Witchy Classics
Practical Magic (1998)
The ultimate autumn film. No arguments.
Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, Practical Magic is a combination of witchcraft, romance, sisterhood and a slightly questionable approach to dealing with troublesome men.
The sisters come from a long line of witches, live with their eccentric aunts and have to navigate a family curse that makes falling in love rather complicated. Add a gorgeous old house, midnight margaritas, black cats and a soundtrack that deserves its own moment of appreciation, and you have a film that is practically perfect.
What makes it so brilliant is that it isn't really about being scared. It's about female relationships, family, heartbreak and the kind of magic that comes from having people who will always have your back.
Best watched: With your sister, your best friends or anyone who appreciates a little witchy escapism.
Practical Magic 2 (2026)
The witches are back, and about time, too.
After years of hoping, wishing and practically casting spells for a sequel, Sally and Gillian have returned. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman reprise their roles, with the story bringing us back into the Owens family and its complicated relationship with love, magic and that rather inconvenient family curse. The sequel also introduces a new generation of the family, with Joey King and Maisie Williams joining the cast, while Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing return as the gloriously eccentric aunts.
The original has such a devoted following that revisiting this world feels like catching up with old friends. And while no sequel can quite recreate the feeling of discovering a cult classic for the first time, there is something rather lovely about seeing these characters again. My advice? Rewatch the original first. Get reacquainted with the family, appreciate every detail of that beautiful house and remind yourself why this film became such a cult favourite in the first place. Then settle in for the next chapter.
Best watched: Back-to-back with the original, naturally. Witchcraft, cocktails and a generous helping of nostalgia.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
A Halloween essential, whatever your age.
If Practical Magic is the chic, romantic witch film, Hocus Pocus is its gloriously chaotic little sister. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy play the Sanderson sisters, three delightfully unhinged witches accidentally brought back to life in modern-day Salem. What follows involves a magical spellbook, a talking cat, plenty of mischief and some of the most memorable Halloween costumes in film history.
It is camp, funny, nostalgic and wonderfully silly. The performances are brilliant, the costumes are iconic and the whole thing feels like a big, comforting hug in film form. Is it scary? Not really. Is it essential Halloween viewing? Absolutely. I would argue that the Sanderson sisters deserve their own place in the Halloween hall of fame, alongside pumpkins, black cats and an unnecessarily elaborate front-door wreath.
Best watched: With friends, family or anyone who still knows all the words to “I Put a Spell on You”.
The Craft (1996)
For anyone whose teenage years involved black eyeliner, interesting fringe decisions and a fascination with the supernatural, The Craft is one film you’re going to love.
The film follows a group of teenage girls who begin experimenting with witchcraft, discovering that their new powers can bring confidence, popularity and revenge. Naturally, things get rather out of hand. It is darker and edgier than Practical Magic, with a brilliant 1990s aesthetic, alternative fashion and a storyline that explores friendship, power and what happens when you take things too far. The outfits alone are worth a rewatch.
Best watched: When you're in the mood for something witchy with a darker, more rebellious edge.
The Cosy Halloween Films (No Sleepless Nights Required)
The Addams Family (1991)
Creepy, kooky, mysterious and spooky. The Addams Family is everything Halloween should be, with a wonderfully macabre sense of humour and some seriously good outfits. Anjelica Huston is perfection as Morticia, while Christina Ricci's Wednesday is the ultimate deadpan queen. The whole family is gloriously unconventional, and their complete lack of concern about what anyone else thinks is something we could all learn from.
It is funny, stylish and just the right amount of gothic without leaving you afraid to go upstairs alone.
Best watched: With a big bowl of sweets and a healthy appreciation for all things black.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Tim Burton's wonderfully bizarre supernatural comedy follows a recently deceased couple who enlist the help of an unpredictable spirit to scare the new inhabitants out of their home. Michael Keaton is completely unhinged as Beetlejuice, while Winona Ryder's Lydia remains one of the great gothic film characters. The film is weird, funny, visually brilliant and packed with the sort of imaginative details that make it worth watching again and again. It is also a reminder that a little black dress, a pale face and a gloomy attitude can make an excellent Halloween costume.
Best watched: When you want something spooky, funny and a little bit bonkers.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Is it a Halloween film? Is it a Christmas film? Does it matter? I say it belongs in both categories.
Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas and decides to give the festive season his own rather unusual makeover. The stop-motion animation is gorgeous, the songs are brilliant and the whole film has that slightly dark, wonderfully imaginative quality that makes it feel timeless. It's a particularly good choice if you're already mentally moving between Halloween decorations and Christmas shopping. No judgement here.
Best watched: With a hot chocolate, a blanket and the first tiny hint of festive excitement.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Who are you going to call? Obviously, the Ghostbusters.
When a group of eccentric scientists set up a ghost-catching business in New York, things quickly become more supernatural than they bargained for. It is funny, wonderfully quotable and full of classic 1980s charm. There are ghosts and a few creepy moments, but the comedy keeps everything firmly on the fun side of frightening.
Best watched: With friends who prefer their ghosts with a side of comedy
Corpse Bride (2005)
Another Tim Burton classic, Corpse Bride is a beautifully gothic animated film about a nervous groom who accidentally finds himself engaged to a deceased bride. It is romantic, strange, visually stunning and surprisingly touching. The story has a darker edge than some of the other films on this list, but its heart is very much in the right place. If you love atmospheric visuals, beautiful music and a slightly macabre aesthetic, this is a brilliant choice.
Best watched: When you want something a little more romantic than a traditional Halloween comedy.
The Films That Will Actually Scare You
Right, enough of the friendly ghosts and fabulous witches. If your idea of a perfect Halloween involves jumping out of your skin and immediately regretting your choice of film, these are the ones to queue up.
Halloween (1978)
You can't have a Halloween film list without Halloween. It would be practically illegal. John Carpenter's original slasher follows Michael Myers as he returns to his hometown on Halloween night, with terrifying consequences. What makes the film so effective is its simplicity. The music and the sense that danger could be lurking just around the corner are enough to make even an ordinary walk down the street feel suspicious. It is a classic for a reason, and its influence on the horror genre is enormous.
Scare factor: Classic slasher territory. Not for those who dislike tension and sudden scares.
Scream (1996)
An absolute classic from my teenage years, Scream follows a masked killer, a small American town, and a group of teenagers who really should know better. Scream takes the slasher genre and gives it a knowing, self-aware twist. Neve Campbell is brilliant as Sidney Prescott, and the film manages to be tense while poking fun at the very horror conventions it uses.
Scare factor: Plenty of suspense, jump scares and classic slasher moments.
The Conjuring (2013)
This is a step too far for me, but if you want a film that will make every creak in your house sound suspicious, start here. Based on the paranormal investigations associated with Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring follows a family experiencing increasingly disturbing events in their new home. It is expertly paced and full of genuinely frightening moments. Rather than relying entirely on gore, it builds tension until you're practically shouting at the screen. My advice? Don't watch this one alone in a dark house and then expect to sleep peacefully.
Scare factor: High. Particularly if supernatural horror gets under your skin.
Hereditary (2018)
This is not your light-hearted Halloween watch. In fact, it's probably the most emotionally unsettling film on this list. Following the death of her mother, a woman and her family begin to experience increasingly disturbing events. What initially feels like a family drama gradually develops into something much darker. Toni Collette, (one of my fave actors) gives an extraordinary performance, and the film's atmosphere is deeply unsettling. It is disturbing in a way that lingers long after the credits roll.
Scare factor: Very high. Psychological, disturbing and definitely not a cosy film-night choice.
The Shining (1980)
A remote hotel, a long winter and Jack Nicholson at his most terrifying. Stanley Kubrick's adaptation of Stephen King's novel remains one of the most iconic horror films ever made. As a writer takes a job looking after an isolated hotel with his family, his behaviour becomes increasingly disturbing. The film's unsettling atmosphere, eerie visuals and unforgettable performances make it a masterpiece of psychological horror. It is not necessarily about constant jump scares. Instead, it creates a creeping sense of dread that makes you feel uncomfortable from beginning to end.
Scare factor: High, particularly if psychological horror is your thing.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
I watched this once and never again! Freddy Krueger is the stuff of horror-film legend, and this is where it all began. A group of teenagers discover that a terrifying figure is attacking them in their dreams, with deadly consequences in the real world. The concept is brilliantly frightening because sleep, which should be the safest and most ordinary thing in the world, suddenly becomes dangerous. It's a classic slasher with supernatural elements, inventive scares and a villain who has become a horror icon.
Scare factor: High. Especially if you value a good night's sleep.
The Best Halloween Films for a Girls' Night In
Sometimes you don't want to be traumatised by a supernatural entity. You want great outfits, a little romance, some nostalgia and something you can talk over while opening another bottle.
These are my picks for the ultimate Halloween girls' night.
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn and Isabella Rossellini star in this deliciously dark comedy about beauty, vanity and the quest for eternal youth. When two women discover a mysterious potion that promises everlasting life, things become increasingly ridiculous. Think glamorous interiors, wicked humour and a wonderfully camp take on the fear of ageing. It is not a conventional Halloween film, but its blend of dark comedy and supernatural absurdity makes it an excellent October choice.
Best watched: With friends who love a 90’s classic.
Edward Scissorhands (1990)
Johnny Depp plays Edward, an artificial man with scissors for hands who is taken in by a suburban family. It's a beautiful, bittersweet story about being different, finding acceptance and the complications of love. The gothic visuals and autumnal atmosphere make it feel perfectly suited to October. It is more magical and melancholic than scary, but it has that wonderfully strange Tim Burton quality that makes his films so distinctive.
Best watched: When you're in the mood for something romantic, nostalgic and a little bit emotional.
Casper (1995)
For a gentler Halloween watch, you can't go wrong with Casper. Christina Ricci stars as Kat, a teenager who moves into a haunted mansion and befriends Casper, a friendly ghost. It is sweet, nostalgic and just spooky enough to feel seasonal. There are ghosts, supernatural antics and a few sad moments, but nothing that should ruin bedtime.
Best watched: When you want a little Halloween nostalgia without anything too frightening.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
Johnny Depp stars as Ichabod Crane, a detective sent to investigate a series of mysterious deaths in a small village where people believe a headless horseman is responsible. Tim Burton's gothic direction makes this film a visual treat, with misty woods, candlelit interiors and a beautifully dark atmosphere. It is definitely spookier than Casper or Hocus Pocus, but its blend of mystery, horror and period styling makes it an excellent choice for a Halloween evening.
Best watched: When you want something gothic and a little bit glamorous.
So, there you have it: my ultimate Halloween film list. Let me know if I’ve missed any of your faves. Happy watching; choose wisely. And perhaps leave a light on.
Love,
Lisa xx