Halloween Watchlist 2024
A list of frightfully great movies, choose for some perfectly scary viewing.
1. The Exorcist (1973)
A true classic to the horror genre, it tells the story of young Regan (Linda Blair) who has been possessed by a mysterious entity. Her mother Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) seeks the help of two catholic priests, Father Lankester Merrin (Max von Sydow) & Father/Dr Damien Karras (Jason Miller), to save Regan from the demon. The Exorcist was truly groundbreaking for the horror genre and was nominated for ten Academy awards, cementing it's place on our must watch list.
Is The Exorcist based on a true story?
The film is based on screenwriter William Peter Blatty novel of the same name. It was inspired by the 1949 exorcism of a young boy from Cottage City in Maryland, as well as the 1634 Loudun exorcisms.
Where can I watch The Exorcist?
Find out where you can watch The Exorcist here.
2. The Shining (1980)
Next on our list is a Stephen King adaptation, directed by acclaimed filmmaker, Stanley Kubrick. The Shining is a psychological horror film, set in a haunted hotel in a remote part of the Rocky Mountains. Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) takes a job as the hotel caretaker, bringing his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) & his son Danny (Danny Lloyd) with him, the latter of whom is experiencing psychic premonitions. Danny’s visions become increasingly disturbing whilst Jack starts unravelling into a homicidal maniac.
Where was The Shining filmed?
The Shining was filmed in multiple locations including Elstree Studios in England for many of the interior shots. The Glacier National Park, Montana provided the aerial shots for the opening scene.
What hotel was The Shining filmed in?
The Timberline Lodge in Oregan.
3. Poltergeist (1982)
Another classic horror film which had awards buzz, thanks to three academy award nominations. Steven (Craig T. Nelson) and Diane Freeling (JoBeth Williams) live in the planned community of Cuesta Verde, California. They live with their three children, 16-year-old Dana (Dominique Dunne), 8-year-old Robbie (Oliver Robins) and 5-year-old Carol Anne (Heather O’Rourke). Bizarre & sinister events start to happen, and revelations about the planned community location emerge. Parapsychologist Martha Lesh and her team members Ryan (Richard Lawson) and Marty (Martin Casella) determine there is a poltergeist. Can the family escape these horrors? Watch to find out.
Where was the Poltergeist filmed?
Simi Valley, California
4. Gremlins (1984)
Randall Peltzer (Hoyt Axton) is looking for a last-minute Christmas gift for his son Billy (Zach Galligan) from a Chinese antique store. Randall chooses a small furry creature called a mogwai and is told three important rules:
1) Do not expose the creature to light (especially sunlight)
2) Do not let it encounter water
3) And lastly, the most important rule, NEVER feed it after midnight
Billy names the friendly and sweet natured creature Gizmo, but when water is accidentally spilt onto him chaos ensues across the town of Kingston falls...
How many Gremlins movies are there?
There are two Gremlins movies: Gremlins and Gremlins 2: The New Batch.
There is also an animated prequel movie Gremlins: Secrets of Mogwai
Is Gremlins a Christmas movie?
Gremlins is a horror-comedy but because it takes place during the festive season it's a great, alternative Christmas movie!
5. The Lost Boys (1987)
In this iconic '80s flick Michael (Jason Patric) and Sam Emerson (Corey Haim) move with their recently divorced mother Lucy (Dianne West) to California, where they soon discover there is more to the quiet seaside town and its inhabitants. The brothers soon become embroiled in a fight against the local vampire gang...
Where was The Lost Boys movie filmed?
Santa Cruz, California
Is Kiefer Sutherland in The Lost Boys?
Yes! One of Keifer Sutherland's early roles is David, the leader of a bike gang and local trouble makers.
6. Beetlejuice (1988) and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
From the mind of Tim Burton comes the cult classic Beetlejuice, a much watch this Halloween. Barbara (Geena Davis) & Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) have just moved to their dream house, but suddenly find themselves in the afterlife following a car accident. Now stuck as ghosts and with only the ‘Handbook for the Recently Deceased’ for guidance, they're at a loss to see their beloved home taken over by the new owners, the Deetz family. Whilst trying to scare the new inhabitants out of their home, the Maitlands discover the existence of Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton), a freelance bio-exorcist who they're warned against summoning, but desperate times call for desperate measures...
Fast forward two decades and Beetlejuice is back in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, directed by Tim Burton and with a returning cast of Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara. Starring alongside them are new but familiar faces, including:
- Jenna Ortega as Astrid Deetz, Lydia’s daughter
- Justin Theroux as Rory, Lydia’s boyfriend and television producer
- William Dafoe as Wolf Jackson a ghost detective who was a B-list movie action star when alive.
- Monica Bellucci as Delores, Beetlejuice’s ex-wife
Find out where to watch the '80s original film here.
When was Beetlejuice Beetlejuice released in cinemas?
September 6, 2024, but you can now watch it at home!
7. Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (2005)
Another Tim Burton offering is the stunning stop-motion animated film Corpse Bride. Set in a Victorian town, Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp) and Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson) prepare for their arranged marriage. After a disastrous wedding rehearsal, Victor seeks solace in the forest where he accidentally raises Emily (Helena Bonham Carter) from her grave. This leads to an unexpected journey for Victor, and a charming alternative option to watch this Halloween.
Where can I watch the movie?
Find out where to watch it here.
8. IT (2017) and IT Chapter 2 (2019)
The two-part adaptation of Stephen Kings novel ‘It’, written in 1986. The story begins with the infamous paper boat scene, trickling down the road to a storm drain, followed by little Georgie. This leads to the first terrifying appearance of Pennywise (Bill Skarsgard). Following Georgie’s disappearance, ‘The Loser Club’ is created to take on Pennywise, comprising of:
- Bill Denbrough - older brother of Georgie and the leader of the group, played by Jaedon Lieberher (IT) & James McAvoy (IT Chapter 2)
- Ben Hanscom - a shy boy with a crush on fellow member Beverly. Ben reveals to the rest of the group the previous incidents that happened in Derry. Played by Jeremy Ray Taylor (IT) & Jay Ryan (IT Chapter 2)
- Beverly Marsh - a tomboy fending off her abusive father and creating a strong bond with Ben. She becomes pivotal in the battle against Pennywise. Played by Sophia Lillis (IT) & Jessica Chastain (IT Chapter 2)
- Richie Tozer - the loudest of the group and best friend to Bill. Played by Finn Wolfhard (IT) & Bill Hader (IT Chapter 2)
- Eddie Kaspbrak - the youngest member of the group. Played by Jack Dylan Grazer (IT) & James Ransone (IT Chapter 2)
- Stan Uris - son of a rabbi whose favourite hobby is birdwatching. Played by Wyatt Oleff (IT) & Andy Bean (IT Chapter 2)
- Mike Hanlon - a soft-spoken boy living in the outskirts of Derry on his grandfather’s farm. Played by Chosen Jacobs (IT) & Isiah Mustafa (IT Chapter 2)
9. Unwelcome (2022)
Young couple Jamie (Douglas Booth) and Maya (Hannah John-Kamen) find out they are expecting a baby and decide to escape the urban life for the tranquillity of rural Ireland. Unbeknownst to them murderous goblins reside in the depths of their new garden. Mysteries begin to unravel, and they must find a way to protect their newborn against the horrors surrounding them...
Where was Unwelcome filmed?
The exterior shots filmed in picturesque town of Cong, Ireland. The interior shots were filmed in Bovingdon Airfield Studios in the United Kingdom.
There's nothing left for us to do now except say happy viewing this Halloween! For more inspiration, check out our collections page.