The evening is dark, the wind blows, and a porch swing creaks…it's a chilly fall night. The perfect time to build a fire and put in a spooky movie.
Halloween season has long been the season for such films…here are some fun ideas and the best out there for this spooky season. I adore this genre and have chosen my all-time favorites that you can watch in the comfort of your own home.
I'm big on the classic family movie night that builds suspense slowly… never giving away what lurks down a shadowy hallway.
Planning a Halloween movie night is a great way to get into the Halloween spirit and gather your family members for a fun-filled evening. Whether you are looking for ideas to entertain younger kids or want to enjoy your favorite scary movie with friends, Halloween movie night can be a good idea for everyone.
My favorite idea is a Hocus Pocus Movie Night (Includes Bingo, Popcorn, and Printable Movie Ticket).
In this article, we will explore some other exciting Halloween movie night ideas, including themed treats, decor ideas, and spooky food that will add to the Halloween party atmosphere.
So, lock the door, grab some Halloween treats and spooky snacks… these are the great ideas for a Halloween movie night party that grip you, and don't let go. So let's see the list of great Halloween movies that you can watch on a fun night by yourself or with your party guests.
Halloween Movies, Perfect for a Halloween Movie Night
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles (Actors)
Psycho
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock… a master of suspense. I'll open with Hitchcock because he makes my list twice. It's been 45 years and still, Norman Bates is known for running the creepiest motel in town. There's a reason for the vacancies…and it's not the economy! Check in to this best Halloween movie…it's one of the very best out there.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, Jessica Tandy (Actors)
The Birds
Here, Hitchcock takes you on a drive up the California coast to Bodega Bay. Not all is well in this sleepy town. Tippy Hedren stars as a visitor making a weekend delivery of two love birds. Soon, she finds herself terrorized, and nowhere is safe.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Craig T. Nelson, JoBeth Williams, Beatrice Straight (Actors)
Poltergeist
Directed by Tobe Hopper, Poltergeist is a movie that lingers with you. The neighborhood could be a new development anywhere, the family are great neighbors. It's the idyllic, safe community but the terror lurks on the inside here…not on the nearly paved streets of this subdivision.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger (Actors)
The Amityville Horror
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg and based on the book by Jay Anson. The Amityville Horror is set on Long Island. This beautiful house holds a murderous past.
When the new buyers purchase the home, they soon realize that it's not the bargain they thought.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Roy Scheider, Robert Shaw, Richard Dreyfuss (Actors)
Jaws
It's a wonder, with movies like these, that anyone still lives on Long Island at all! Set in Amity, Long Island, and directed by Steven Spielberg. Here is the classic that has kept us all out of the water.
You can watch it again and again. This movie is for the ages and has set the benchmark for suspense. I live on Lake Erie…and I look for sharks at the beach!
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jimmy Scanlon, Don Tempesta, Tiffany Shepis (Actors)
The Orphanage
This Spanish film, directed by Juan Antonio Bayona, is also known as El Orfanato. In Spanish, with English subtitles, this is an amazing movie. A woman and her family return to a manor which previously was an orphanage.
The suspense is riveting and this movie is all about the unknown. I recommend this to anyone looking for a smart psychological thriller that will keep you spellbound.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak (Actors)
Halloween (2018)
Witness Laurie Strode's final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair (Actors)
The Exorcist
This movie was adapted from the 1971 by William Blatty. Nominated for ten Academy Awards. It does not get scarier than this. Linda Blair stars as the young girl in this film that will keep you awake at night. The Exorcist well deserves its two Oscars for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Sound.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Carol Kane, Charles Durning, Rutanya Alda (Actors)
When A Stranger Calls
Maybe it's because I earned my spending money as a babysitter in the early 1980's. This film crept into my head every time I checked the children. Every time. Directed by Fred Watson. This movie, of a babysitter who receives some creepy calls, will keep you on the end of your seat.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Julie Harris, Claire Bloom, Richard Johnson (Actors)
The Haunting
Based on the amazing book The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. This is my favorite ghoulish movie ever and it is the perfect Halloween movie night film. Directed by Robert Wise and set in an old mansion. Things go bump in the night alright… and the visitors at Hill House are less than welcome.
This movie is a classic and what scares you the very most is what you do not see. Not to be missed…this film is what makes you think you just heard a noise upstairs.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jamie Lee Curtis, Donald Pleasence, Tony Moran (Actors)
Halloween
Okay…can you do a Halloween list and leave this off? This money maker opened the door for so many horror films to follow. Directed by John Carpenter.
This 1978 movie featuring psychopath killer Michael Myers is a classic. I have spawned many sequels and remakes over the years as well.
I honestly cannot think of anything scarier than a big hulking man in a white mask that kills everyone. This is a must but not best suited for little kids for your Halloween viewing.
It's scary, and gruesome and makes you yell at the characters as if they are in your living room. It's just a great film.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy (Actors)
Hocus Pocus
Hocus Pocus was one of my all-time favorite Halloween movies. It is about a young guy who lives in Salem and on Halloween night brings 3 of the worst witches back to life. If they don't stop these unruly broads then all the children will die and the Sanderson sisters will be back for good.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter (Actors)
Saw
Halloween wouldn't be Halloween if it wasn't for Saw. For the past years, we have seen the devastation that Jigsaw and his minions have caused. Out of all the movies in this series, the original is by far the best and well deserving of a spot on this Halloween-themed movie nights list.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jessica Biel, Jonathan Tucker, Erica Leerhsen (Actors)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre
I'm sure the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre was a good movie, but I'm talking about the remake that was released in 2003. This movie was so scary that when I watched it with my mom it took us over 3 hours because we had to stop so many times (because she was so scared).
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jim Varney (Actor)
Ernest Scared Stupid
While this movie may not have very high rankings it was always one of my favorites as a kid. Ernest was a fun-loving idiot and this Halloween movie was great. On Halloween night Ernest releases an evil troll and must stop him before it is too late.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Aaron Stanford, Kathleen Quinlan, Vinessa Shaw (Actors)
The Hills Have Eyes
This 2006 remake of Wes Craven's original fun movie is a great Halloween choice for the whole family. When a suburban family gets stranded in the desert there is no hope for them when a bunch of inbred, hillbillies get their sites on them. I love this movie and if you are looking for another great one then check out the sequel.
- Factory sealed DVD
- Eliza Dushku, Jeremy Sisto, Emmanuelle Chriqui (Actors)
Wrong Turn
Here is another pretty good horror movie that will make you not want to go on a road trip. Wrong Turn is about a group of people who get stranded on the back roads of West Virginia and are being stalked by some inbred hicks. Did I mention that these wackos are cannibals? Here is just another reason I won't go road-trippin'.
Hosting a Halloween movie night is a perfect way to celebrate the Halloween spirit with your loved ones. From themed treats to spooky decor ideas, there are endless possibilities to make your movie night memorable, and enjoyable and take it to the next level.
Remember to choose movies suitable for your audience, prepare delicious spooky food, movie snacks, and favorite treats like gummy worms, and consider adding extra Halloween party activities to make the night even more fun. Embrace the festive spirit and create a Halloween-themed movie night that will leave lasting memories of this family tradition for years to come.
Click here to download this printable.
More Halloween Activities:
- Halloween Popcorn Boxes
- 21 Halloween Movies (Checklist) & DIY Popcorn Box
- Family-Friendly Halloween Movies Bucket List & Bingo
- 25 Things You Might See in a Halloween Movie
People Also Ask:
What to do at a Halloween movie night?
At a Halloween movie night, choose a mix of spooky films for various preferences. Set up a cozy viewing area with dim lighting and Halloween decorations. Prepare themed snacks like popcorn “eyeballs” and “witches' fingers” hotdogs.
Encourage guests to wear costumes and offer a small prize for the best one. Consider interactive elements like a horror movie trivia game during intermissions. Most importantly, create a chilling ambiance for a memorable movie night experience.
How do you host a scary movie night?
To host a scary movie night, curate a lineup of chilling films. Set the mood with dim lighting, eerie decor, and spooky music. Arrange cozy seating with cushions and blankets. Offer popcorn, themed snacks, and drinks.
Encourage guests to dress in costume for added fun. Incorporate interactive elements like horror trivia and a costume contest. Respect everyone's comfort levels by selecting films that aren't excessively frightening. Conclude with a lighter movie to ease tension.
Above all, create an atmosphere of spooky enjoyment for a memorable and thrilling movie night.
What is a fun Halloween movie?
A fun Halloween movie is “Hocus Pocus.” This family-friendly film follows three comical witches who return to modern-day Salem, creating hilarious chaos. Their magical escapades, combined with a spooky atmosphere and witty humor, make it an enjoyable choice for Halloween entertainment.
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