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Halloween is just around the corner! The streets will soon be filled with monsters on the prowl, knocking doors, and buckets will overflow with treats—and a few surprise tricks that might just knock your soul out of you. Are you into this spooky tradition? If you’re a kid or still in touch with your inner child, chances are you are. But if not, that’s okay—we don’t judge. Maybe going out for treats just isn’t your thing, especially if you’re more of an introvert.
So, how do introverts celebrate Halloween? No worries—we’ve got a treat for you! Here’s a curated list of the best movies to binge-watch for a cozy Halloween night in. Whether you’re after spine-chilling horrors, family-friendly spooks, or dark comedies with a supernatural twist, there’s something on this list for every kind of viewer.
These films that we are about to share with you captures the eerie atmosphere and playful spirit of the season. So, grab some candy, dim the lights, and get ready for a night of thrills, chills, and maybe even a few laughs.
HAPPY DEATH DAY
This 2017 movie is a blend of two genres—dark comedy and slasher—directed by Christopher Landon and written by Scott Lobdell. A slasher film usually involves a killer chasing and murdering victims, but here, the twist is that it’s also funny and self-aware, giving the horror a humorous edge. The movie follows a college student named Tree Gelbman. On her birthday, she’s murdered by an unknown person—but instead of staying dead, she wakes up and begins reliving the same day, over and over. This sets her on a mission to find her killer and stop the time loop.
While it has the typical scares you’d expect from a horror film, there’s also comedy mixed in, which keeps things light and entertaining. The description suggests that this combination of horror and humor makes the movie stand out—giving the audience a chance to laugh even while being scared.
The movie received 70% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. The critics praises the film for its creative mix of dark humor and horror conventions, with sci-fi elements adding a fresh twist. Essentially, Happy Death Day combines the thrills of a slasher movie with humor and some clever sci-fi elements, making it a unique and enjoyable experience for many viewers.
Happy Death Day is available to watch on AppleTV. You can also buy or rent it on Google Play Movies.
FREAKY
You want another horror-comedy slasher film? Here’s one with the same director of Happy Death Day. The plot centers on Millie Kessler, a 17-year-old high schooler, who accidentally switched bodies with the town’s notorious serial killer, known as “The Butcher,” after being attacked with a mystical dagger. Millie has only 24 hours to reverse the switch, or she’ll remain stuck in the body of the middle-aged killer permanently.
The film cleverly blends slasher horror and comedy, with the body-swap concept adding humor and tension. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a strong approval rating of 83% from 246 critics. The critics’ consensus praises Freaky for successfully combining slasher tropes with a fun twist inspired by the classic body-swap genre (like Freaky Friday).
Freaky is available to watch on AppleTV. You can also buy or rent it on Google Play Movies.
IT (2017)
Enough comedy—let’s dive straight into pure horror with jump scares and nightmarish faces. Brace yourself, because this one will take your Coulrophobia to new heights. IT might just be the scariest clown horror ever made. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the film is set in Derry, Maine, where seven young outcasts confront their worst nightmare: an ancient, shape-shifting evil that resurfaces from the sewers every 27 years to prey on the town’s children. Over one terrifying summer, these friends must face their deepest fears to defeat the murderous, bloodthirsty clown known as Pennywise.
We can all agree that the 1990 adaptation didn’t quite live up to its potential. But the 2017 version raises the stakes—at times, it’s almost unbearable to watch, which is exactly what makes a horror film truly entertaining.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 86% approval rating based on 388 reviews. The critical consensus praises IT for being well-acted and terrifying, with an emotionally resonant story at its core. It amplifies the horror in Stephen King’s classic without losing touch with its heart.
IT is available to watch on Netflix and AppleTV. You can also buy or rent it on Google Play Movies.
THE CONJURING
How about a horror film based on a true story to raise your goosebumps? The Conjuring draws inspiration from the real-life experiences of Ed and Lorraine Warren—paranormal investigators and demonologists known for their involvement in high-profile haunting cases. This film focuses on one of their cases.
Set in 1970, the story follows the Warrens as they are called to assist Carolyn and Roger Perron, who, along with their five daughters, have recently moved into a secluded farmhouse. At first, the supernatural presence in the home seems mild, but things quickly take a terrifying turn. As the Warrens uncover the house’s dark and sinister past, the situation spirals into a series of horrifying events. With every twist, the tension builds, leaving viewers bracing for what comes next. Expect spine-chilling scenes that will haunt your dreams long after the credits roll.
Critically acclaimed, The Conjuring holds an 86% approval rating from 228 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 7.2/10. The site’s consensus praises it to be well-crafted and gleefully creepy. The Conjuring ratchets up dread through a series of effective old-school scares.
The Conjuring is available to watch on Netflix and AppleTV. You can also buy or rent it on Google Play Movies.
MALIGNANT
A word of caution: This film contains intensely graphic scenes that are both terrifying and deeply unsettling, guaranteed to leave you on edge and nauseated.
Malignant, directed by James Wan (the filmmaker behind The Conjuring), follows Madison, a woman plagued by visions and dreams of brutal murders—only to discover that these events are unfolding in real life. The film’s shocking twist will leave you stunned, making it a must-watch for fans of unpredictable storytelling.
On Rotten Tomatoes, Malignant holds a 76% approval rating from 172 reviews, with an average score of 6.3/10. The critics’ consensus notes that while the film isn’t particularly scary, Wan’s return to horror delivers plenty of gory thrills—and an unforgettable, over-the-top twist.
Malignant is available to watch on Netflix and AppleTV. You can also buy or rent it on Google Play Movies.
SMILE
This psychological horror film follows Dr. Rose Cotter, a psychiatric ward nurse who begins experiencing terrifying and inexplicable events after witnessing a patient’s bizarre, traumatic death. As an overwhelming sense of dread consumes her life, Rose must confront her deeply buried past to survive and escape this terrifying new reality.
The film relies heavily on jump scares—fairly predictable, but effective nonetheless. Even when you anticipate them, they still leave you on edge. However, Smile adds another unsettling layer by weaponizing the unnerving imagery of a creepy smile, a motif that recurs throughout the story and never fails to send chills down your spine. The narrative also distorts reality, keeping you guessing what’s real and what isn’t.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an 80% approval rating based on 197 reviews, with an average score of 6.6/10. The consensus highlights its deeply creepy visuals and praises Sosie Bacon’s standout performance, noting that the film’s exploration of trauma successfully builds on its short film origins.
Smile is available to watch on Netflix and AppleTV. You can also buy or rent it on Google Play Movies.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY FILM SERIES
Paranormal Activity is an American supernatural horror franchise comprising seven films and additional media. The original film debuted in 2007 and saw a wide release in 2009.
The films follow various families haunted by an evil demon called “Tobi,” who stalks, terrorizes, and eventually kills family members and bystanders. The franchise is known for its “found footage” style, using production cameras disguised as security or handheld devices to create a sense of realism.
It makes you wonder if these occurrences happened in reality or not, that’s what makes it scary to watch during Halloween and in the dead of night.
You can watch the film collection on either Netflix or AppleTV. Some film episodes might be missing on either of these streaming services, so the best option would be buying or renting it on Google Play Movies.
With so many thrilling choices, there’s no better time than Halloween to dim the lights, grab some popcorn, and dive into a night of cinematic chills. Whether you’re a fan of psychological terrors, supernatural horrors, or classic slasher flicks, this list has something to raise the hairs on the back of your neck. So, pick your favorites, gather your bravest friends, and get ready to scream — because Halloween only comes once a year, and the scares are waiting!
