5 Horror Films To Give You Chills This Halloween Season

Welcome to this year’s spooky season. You cannot go wrong with a classic Halloween film–but remember, some are made for those with a brave heart; you may be the type to enjoy a horror film. So whether you love slashers, thrillers, zombies, or just plain jump scares, the Compass is here to provide you with the perfect balance of classic and obscure horror films to check out this Halloween season!

5: Scream (1996) From the mind of one of Hollywood’s premier horror directors, Wes Craven, Scream explores the cliches and “rules” horror films were meant to follow in the ’80s and breaks them into pieces. As you follow Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell, she is terrorized by mystery murderer Ghostface, the iconic rubber masked killer. With a twist ending that will have you begging for more, just in time for the fifth addition to the Scream franchise coming to theaters in January 2022.

4: The Shining (1980) Based on Stephen King’s novel “The Shining” and directed by Stanley Kubrick, this psychological thriller puts you right in the middle of the Overlook Hotel, feeling the same isolation our main characters suffer through. Starring Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall, this film brings King’s novel to life with chilling imagery you won’t be able to get out of your head. Give this flick a try the next time you have some free time away from work; after all, “All work, no play makes Jack a dull boy.”

3: Halloween (1978) Of course, we had to include the very film that shares the name of our favorite holiday. Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, is another classic must-see slasher. In her Hollywood debut, 19-year-old Jamie Lee Curtis takes her place as the “final girl” against the mask-bearing murderer, Michael Myers. Another successful franchise has thirteen films, including most recently “Halloween Kills” from this year directed by David Gordon Green and the return of Jamie Lee Curtis in her iconic role as Laurie Strode.

2: The Babadook (2014) With a mix between a psychological thriller, creature feature, and a supernatural occurrence, this film has it all. Directed by Jennifer Kent, you’ll find a disturbing story about a mother and her son struggling through their daily lives plagued by some strange being who was born from a mysterious children’s book found in their home. Another boogeyman story with haunting imagery and scenes that will leave you tucking your head undercovers at night. If you’re brave enough to find out what goes bump in the night, the Babadook is waiting for you to read his story.

1: Jeepers Creepers (2001) For our creature feature fans, you’ll love this chilling film directed by Victor Salva. A grotesque creature feeds for 23 days every 23rd spring; what does it feed on, you ask? Well, that’s for you to find out. With unique creature acting from the Creeper himself, Jonathan Breck, and special effects that will haunt your dreams, by the end of this film, you’ll be left with goosebumps at the sight of a cornfield. Need more? Check out the next three movies that will all leave you saying “Jeepers Creepers!”.

That concludes our list of horror films for now! Don’t forget to take a few palate cleanser breaks if you plan on indulging in multiple films this season; we suggest a classic Tim Burton film for the whole family to enjoy. We hope you check out a movie or two off this list, have a fun and safe season of spook, and be sure to check under the bed for monsters.