31 Days of Halloween Movies

October is getting closer by the hour, by the minute – damn, I’m obsessed with fall & Halloween. I can’t help it! Something that I’ve always liked to do during the month of October, (and, from what I can tell, other people like doing too), is watching a different horror movie every month of October.

I try to mix it up every year, but unless something incredible comes out, I usually venture back to the classics. To get into the spirit of Halloween and welcome the fall, here are 31 horror movies – 1 for every single day in October. I’ll have a list of “alternates” at the bottom also, if you feel like throwing a few more onto your 31 days of horror movies 🙂

1. Hocus Pocus (1993)

This movie will always be a classic to me and although it isn’t a horror movie, it really embodies Halloween and all it’s awesomeness. The Sanderson sisters are iconic symbols of Halloween and this movie, like a fine wine, only seems to get better with age. I like to keep it light on the 1st, before I go full-blown Hallo-nuts.

2. Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Again, keeping it a bit light for the 2nd with this one. I can’t help it – I love it. The book was fantastic and unlike many book-to-movie pieces, this one lived up to my expectations. Great use of mythology, excellent cast and a unique play on horror movies that we don’t get to see all too often.

3. Halloween (2018)

I know I’ll get some hate for throwing down with the remake instead of the original and I totally accept that. When Rob Zombie is good, he’s f*cking gooood. This version of Halloween shows a much deeper, darker side of Michael Myers, ranging from his childhood years until, well – you know. I love the build up, the music and of course, the gore. (It’s truly a shame he dropped the ball on Halloween 2.)

Throw any other “Halloween” movie in its place though & it’s still a terrific movie for 31 days of horror 🙂

4. Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

I like both the original & the remake, so choose either one. Freddy Krugar will always be one of the most iconic horror movie monsters out there.

5. The Conjuring (2013)

Ed & Lorraine Warren were renowned “ghost hunters” and demonologists. Whether or not you believe their accounts of the paranormal – their stories are freaking terrifying. This movie is great for some jump scares and some downright disturbing scenes. The stories of Ed & Lorraine Warren have made their way into a ton of horror movies. Others include: Annabelle, The Nun and The Conjuring 2.

6. The Nightmare Before Christmas (2003)

I’m taking it way back with this one and added some humor into the horror mix. No matter how old I get, I’ll always adore this movie. It’s not horror but it does build on the Halloween theme and has one of the best Halloween soundtracks ever!

7. The Evil Dead (2013)

It isn’t that the original isn’t fantastic – it is! It’s just that the 31 days of Halloween needs some gore horror. This is at the top of the chart in that regard.

8. The Shining (1980)

All work and no play…need I say more? This is a classic Stephen King novel and a great horror flick. Watch a writer slowly lose his mind at the Overlook Hotel. Maybe you have a little “shine”? This movie is available on Netflix right now! 

9. Insidious (2010)

Take a horrifying trip into “the further”, if you dare. I was pleasantly surprised by this movie. It’s definitely a jump scare horror lovers’ delight. Patrick Wilson certainly has a knack for being in horror movies.

10. House on Haunted Hill (1999)

This was one of the many older horror movies that made me really fall in love with the genre. I especially love movies where the characters think “everything is a prank” and slowly but surely, they realize it’s not. This is a great “haunting horror” movie that has to be part of anyone’s 31 days of horror.

11. 30 Days of Night (2007)

A vampire movie is a must! This is by far the best, (non-sparkling) vampire horror movie. The vampires aren’t there for love – they’re there to feed.

12. Saw (2004)

Jigsaw became an iconic horror villain over the years of countless remakes. Take it back to the beginning with this low-budget horror movie that both disgusted and intrigued an audience of horror fans into watching loads of sequels.

13. IT (2017)

Clowns…eek! Pennywise is the most horrifying clown out there, by far. The remake was incredible and I love the new look of Pennywise and the rest of the cast. Some clown horror is another must for Scare-tober.

14. Scream (1996)

“What’s your favorite scary movie?” – a line that became iconic after the release of this slasher horror movie in 96′. Still, it’s one the best slasher franchises out there. Ghost face, Sydney and Dewey all make this movie grade-A horror from the 90’s.

15. Paranormal Activity (2009)

I was never a huge fan of “found footage horror” but this movie truly changed not only my mind, but the minds’ of other horror fans who weren’t interested. It also spawned a number of sequels. It’s a great ghost story and found footage horror flick to add to this 31 days of horror.

16. The Descent (2006)

This survival horror movie centers around a group of chicks who are seriously badass. For fun, they like to go into caves. Seems cool until they encounter some cave beasts they weren’t expecting. This is gore horror EXTREME.

17. Dawn of The Dead (2004)

ZOMBIES! There has to be at least one good zombie movie in the 31 days of horror and this one is awesome. I love the cast, the story and the soundtrack.

18. The Blair Witch Project (2016)

This sequel was awesome and had my heart beating the entire time. You could watch the original, if you want. But, if you haven’t seen this one – I highly recommend it. It’s fantastic for found footage horror.

19. The Exorcist (1973)

Even though this movie was released before I was born, it is still crazy chilling. The spider crawl scene will always get me! Plus, there had to be some “demon horror” on the list. It’s scare-tober!

20. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

Leatherface is another classic horror movie monster and couldn’t be left off of the list. Some vulnerable teens, a wrong turn and a chainsaw – what could possibly go wrong?

21. Drag me to Hell (2009)

This movie is a classic tale of, “don’t be an asshole.” The main character makes the mistake of denying a creepy old woman an extension on her mortgage and, let’s just say there’s literal hell to pay.

22. Zombieland (2009)

Yes, another funny movie had to make the 31 days of horror list. Zombieland is not only hilarious – it has a great cast and one-liners that I still quote to this day.

23. The Devil’s Rejects (2005)

I’ll always defend Rob Zombie’s lesser works due to this movie. It’s epic and I’ll always love it. There’s gore, some seriously twisted scenes and even a little bit of comedy. It’s a different spin on the whole “good guys versus bad guys” theme that is so popular in most movies, regardless of the genre. The cast is awesome and it’s so brutal! Plus, it has a pretty awesome soundtrack too.

24. The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Another Ed & Lorraine Warren story, but, in this one, we get a glimpse of “the nun.” It’s a great ghost horror movie/demon horror movie.

25. The Sixth Sense (1999)

A great ghost story with a twist! “I see dead people”: an iconic line from the film.

26. You’re Next (2011)

I had to add a home invasion type horror movie and this one fits perfectly. Let’s just say some people are a lot better prepared than others to be attacked by psychopaths.

27. Final Destination (2000)

It’s a classic, in my mind anyhow. There are some very unique ways to die, not just in the first movie, but in all the sequels. I would classify this one as a survival horror movie but…just watch and you’ll see.

28. Oculus (2018) / Friday the 13th 

Okay, so after I made this list, I realized, (to my horror), that I had ACTUALLY forgotten to add Friday the 13th to this list! (Cue the “fail” music). Either way, Oculus is a great movie. If you’re feeling like an extra dose  – watch it. If not, make it a “Friday the 13th” kind of night 🙂

29. Hostel (2005)

Hostel is both survival and gore horror. It’s one of my favorites and I also LOVE the sequel: Hostel Part 2. Being in a foreign country can be pretty scary – even more so when you find out a group of rich people want to torture you to death.

30. The Ring (2002)

I mean, I don’t know who would watch a VHS that would kill you in 7 days – but hey, you never know. Either way, this movie is pretty freaking scary.

31. Halloween (1976)

Yes – the classic Halloween movie is the perfect ending to the 31 days of horror. Michael Myers versus his sister, played by Jaime Lee Curtis. A classic never dies. 🙂

Some Alternates:

If you didn’t like some of those picks, simply mix these ones in. If you haven’t seen some of them – add them into your 31 days of horror :). Or, if you’re feeling like having a horror movie night – throw some extras in this Scare-tober 🙂

• Wrong Turn (2003)
• Get Out (2017)
• Sinister (2012)
• The Strangers (2008)
• 28 Days Later (2002)
• Poltergeist (1982)
• Carrie (1976)
• American Psycho (2000)
• The Amityville Horror (2005)
• Anaconda (1997)
• Annabelle (2014)
• Cabin Fever (2003)
• Candyman (1992)
• The Craft (1996)
• The Cell (2000)
• The Crazies (2010)
• Child’s Play (1988)
• The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
• Gothika (2003)     (Fun fact: This movie was my fiance & I’s first date)
• The Hills have Eyes (2006)
• House of Wax (2005)
• I know what you did last Summer (1997)
• Jeepers Creepers (2001)
• The Mist (2007)

Have a wonderfully fun Scare-tober everyone! 

All GIFS used were found via GIPHY.