10 MUST WATCH Films This Spooktober
By Xander Townsend | Misfit Media Editor
(Spoiler Free)
Spooktober is finally here !!! There are many classic films that everyone likes to watch as we get closer to Halloween such as Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm St, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Scream, Halloween, The Exorcist, and many more. I decided to write a list of not as obvious films that I tend to watch every Spooktober, I highly recommend adding them to your lists.
House of 1000 corpses
House of 1000 corpses is a Rob Zombie cult classic that I highly recommend. If you love the gorier films that push the boundaries of what should and shouldn't be shown on film, this is definitely the film for you. The 2003 horror/slasher showcases all this disturbing and bizarre, and if you like it there are a lot more Rob Zombie films to watch.
Hocus Pocus (Family Friendly)
Hocus Pocus is one of my favourite feel good Halloween movies. If you need a break for the ooky spooky, and want something a little more kooky, this 1993 family friendly film is a great pick.
Donnie Darko
The 2001 classic Donnie Darko with the amazing Jake Gyllenhaal is mind-bending yet sometimes comedic film which spices up for Halloween film collection with something a little more unusual. The psychological thriller is a must watch but make sure you don’t go down the rabbit hole.
The Babadook
The 2014 Indie Australian classic The Babadook is probably one of my favourite Horror films, not because it is the best or highest quality, but more that it is genuinely unsettling and completely unique. I love movies that challenge film and do something completely different especially with a smaller budget. Make sure to turn the lights off and bring some friends over for this one.
Army of Darkness
The 3rd film in the Evil Dead Franchise, Army of Darkness is a hilarious hallmark of how Horror films can evolve and jump from genre to genre. The 1992 film is a complete showcase of classic special effects shows that this is a film you want to add to your Halloween watch party, if not for the extreme bizarreness, for the absolute hilarity.
Don’t Breathe
The more modern pick of the bunch, Don’t Breath (released in 2021) is a genuinely terrifying film playing on everyone's fears. The interesting premise and the phonological rollercoaster is matched with a compelling and intriguing mystery. This one is not for the faint of heart.
Hellraiser
I couldn't leave this one off the list even though it is one of the more obvious picks. You certainly cannot go wrong with Hellraiser (1987). Now the rest of the franchise (especially from the 4th onwards) is a little less to be desired but is certainly a lot of fun to laugh at and has an intriguing backstory (previously covered on Misfit Media) if you are interested in doing some research. It’s a classic and it deserves to be.
Velvet Buzzsaw
With Jake Gyllenhaal making the list a second time, Velvet Buzzsaw is a little bit more horrifically conceptual. With the representation and commentary on the high society art scene, this one is a great film to pair with a cheese platter and a glass of wine. It's not the hardest horror film you have ever seen, but it certainly is a fun one.
The Gallows
Now this film surprised me. The 2015 American found footage horror film is a great showcase of how well executed horror can be done on a budget. Created for only $100 000 yet racking in 43 million at box office, this is one of the better indie horror films that have been released in the past 10 years.
Wolf Creek
This one is certainly not for everyone. Wolf Creek, released in 2005, pushes the boundaries of what horror films can be with the completely insane conceptual showcase. The Australian classic definitely plays on the very real horrors us Aussie’s face have when road tripping around the country or living in rural areas. The second one is also another solid film which I really appreciate.
Special Mentions
Event Horizon
Event Horizon, released in 1997, is one of the more genuine horror science fiction films. The iconic film not only has an amazing set, but also challenges you to think about the theoretical horrors of the universe. Make sure you get a Disney movie ready to play after this one (I recommended Nightmare before Christmas).
Addams Family (Family Friendly)
If you are wanting to watch something a little more wholesome (but not to wholesome) that showcases the alluring nature of oddities and those who are different, the 1991 The Addams Family is a great film to add to the list.
Ghostbusters (Family Friendly)
Another more obvious pick, the 1984 Ghostbusters (the original) is a much watch classic showing Bill Murray at his best. I would also be a great time to catch up before the 2021 Ghostbusters: Afterlife is released.
A Quiet Place
Again, a very popular pick, but for a reason. The incredible 2018 survival horror is a must watch during the spooky season, and if you want more, the second film just released !