Chock-full of chilling cinema, from classics to the au courant, check out this comprehensive Halloween playlist guaranteed to satisfy your Halloween cravings — whether they be trick or treat.
Compiled by staff from the Media and Design Center.
28 Days Later
An infirmary patient wakes up from a coma to an empty room … in a vacant hospital … in a deserted city. A powerful virus, which locks victims into a permanent state of murderous rage, has transformed the world around him into a seemingly desolate wasteland. Now a handful of survivors must fight to stay alive, unaware that the worst is yet to come. Directed by Danny Boyle.
28 Weeks Later
The terror and devastation unleashed in 28 Days Later picks up six months after the Rage virus has decimated London in this heart-stopping horror sequel that “surpasses the original.” With order restored and the war against the infection won, the U.S. Army steps in to help repatriate Mainland Britain. But one of the returning refugees carries a terrible secret that threatens to reignite the deadly explosion of bloodlust, carnage and chaos. Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo.
The Addams Family
The eccentrically macabre family moves to a bland suburb where Wednesday Addams’ friendship with the daughter of a hostile and conformist local reality show host exacerbates conflict between the families. Directed by Conrad Vernon & Greg Tiernan.
Beetlejuice
A couple of likable ghosts contact the afterlife’s bio-exorcist to rid their home of a trendy New York family that moves in. Directed by Tim Burton.
Candyman (1992)
A children’s ghost story comes to terrifying life in this gut-wrenching thriller about a graduate student whose research into modern folklore summons the spirit of the dead. Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) scoffs at superstition. But when she hears about Candyman (Tony Todd), a slave spirit with a hook hand said to haunt a notorious housing project, she has a new twist for her thesis. To prove Candyman doesn’t exist, Helen heads to the site of the brutal murder to call for him by saying his name five times. To her horror, he appears, igniting a string of gruesome slayings. But the police don’t believe in monsters, and Helen is charged with the grisly crimes. Only one person can set her free: Candyman. Directed by Bernard Rose.
Casper
Determined to get her hands on her father’s hidden fortune, Carrigan is forced to hire an afterlife therapist to exorcise the ghosts that keep frightening her away. Dr. Harvey and his daughter, Kat, move in and soon Kat meets Casper, the friendliest ghost. But Casper’s uncles are still determined to drive all the “fleshies” away. Directed by Brad Silberling.
Clue
Six guests are invited to a strange house and must cooperate with the staff to solve a murder mystery. Directed by Jonathan Lynn.
The Dead Don’t Die
In the sleepy small town of Centerville, something is not quite right. The moon hangs large and low in the sky, the hours of daylight are becoming unpredictable, and animals are beginning to exhibit unusual behaviors. No one quite knows why, and no one foresees the strangest and most dangerous repercussion that will soon start plaguing the town. The dead rise from their graves and savagely attack and feast on the living, and the citizens of the town must battle for their survival. Written and directed by Jim Jarmusch.
Death Proof
A deranged stuntman stalks his victims from the safety of his killer car, but when he picks on the wrong group of babes, all bets are off. He becomes involved in an automotive duel of epic proportions. Directed by Quentin Tarantino.
Evil Dead
The evil dead lie in wait for the one ancient incantation that will give them license to attack the living. Five vacationing college students unwittingly resurrect these demons. One by one, the students are transformed into monsters whose own thirst for revenge becomes insatiable. Written and directed by Sam Raimi.
Final Destination collection
Final Destination: After Alex acts on a premonition that the Paris-bound plane on which he and classmates are about to take off is going to explode, he and the others saved by his actions find themselves stalked by Death.
Final Destination 2: A year after the explosion of a Paris-bound plane, Kimberly prevents the deaths of some people who would otherwise have died in a highway accident, but the survivors mysteriously begin dying.
Final Destination 3: Wendy’s premonition of a deadly roller coaster ride saves her a temporarily lucky few, but not from death itself.
The Final Destination: Death sets out to collect the few who evaded a deadly race track crash.
Friday the 13th
Camp Crystal Lake has been closed for over 20 years due to several vicious and unsolved murders. New owners reopen the camp, only to have each counselor stalked by a violent killer. This 24-hour nightmare of blood unfolds into a film which is widely acclaimed for its horrifying and creative murder sequences. Directed by Sean Cunningham.
Fright Night
Senior Charley Brewster finally has it all. He’s running with the cool kids and dating the hottest girl in high school. But all hell breaks loose when charming Jerry Dandrige moves in next door. Charley thinks there’s something odd about him, although no one, including his mom, seems to notice. But after too many of his classmates vanish under bizarre circumstances, Charley comes to an unmistakable conclusion: Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood! Directed by Craig Gillespie.
From Dusk Till Dawn
The notorious Gekko Brothers, Seth and Richard, are on the run and headed for Mexico to meet with the mysterious “Carlos.” Their simple bank robbery ended up killing multiple Texas Rangers. They hijack the mobile home of Minister Jacob Fuller and his family to ensure their safe passage. Their appointed destination is a neon-covered topless bar catering to bikers and truckers who’ve wandered off the beaten path. Everything seems fine until the bar’s staff, band, and patrons turn out to be vampires! Edited and directed by Robert Rodriguez.
Fun Size
Wren, a whip-smart high school senior, has her plans for Halloween go awry when she’s stuck babysitting her annoying little brother. When he gets lost in a crowd of trick-or-treaters, it’s up to Wren and her three friends to find him as they set off on the most unexpected and unforgettable adventure of their lives, as long as mom doesn’t find out! Directed by Josh Schwartz.
Get Out
A young Black man meets his white girlfriend’s parents at their estate, only to find out that the situation is much more sinister than it appears. Written and directed by Jordan Peele.
Ghostbusters (2016)
Following a ghost invasion of Manhattan, paranormal enthusiasts Erin Gilbert and Abby Yates, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann, and subway worker Patty Tolan band together to stop the otherworldly threat. Directed by Paul Feig.
Ghostbusters (1984)
When ghosts go on a rampage, only these men can save the world. Soon every spook in the city is loose and our heroes face the supreme challenge. If you want your spirits raised, who you gonna call? GHOSTBUSTERS. Directed by Ivan Reitman.
Halloween (1978)
On Halloween night years ago, little Michael Meyers brutally slaughtered his sister in cold blood. But for the last 15 years, town residents have rested easy, knowing that he was safely locked away in a mental hospital … until tonight. Tonight, Michael returns to the same quiet neighborhood to relive his grisly murder again … and again … and again. Tonight is Halloween! Directed by John Carpenter.
The Haunted Mansion
From the studio that brought you Pirates of The Caribbean, here’s the fright-filled comedy adventure loaded with hair-raising laughs and eye-popping special effects! Eddie Murphy stars as a real estate agent whose family comes face-to-face with 999 grim, grinning ghosts in the creepy old Gracey Manor! Now, with the help of supernatural psychic Madame Leota, they must hilariously battle to break the mansion of its age-old curse and do it before the clock strikes 13! Directed by Rob Minkoff.
Hocus Pocus
You’re in for a devil of a time when three outlandishly wild witches — Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker , and Kathy Najimy — return from 17th-century Salem after they’re accidentally conjured up by some unsuspecting pranksters! It’s a night full of zany fun and comic chaos once the tricky 300-year-old trio sets out to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth — but first they must get their act together and outwit three kids and a talking cat! Loaded with bewitching laughs, Hocus Pocus is an outrageously wild comedy that’s sure to entertain everyone! Directed by Kenny Ortega.
Hotel Transylvania
The Hotel Transylvania, run by Dracula, is a unique, high-end resort catering only to the finest monsters and their families. Dracula is preparing for an extra special weekend — his daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday — when trouble arises: a human has stumbled upon the resort for the first time ever! Even worse: the human has taken a liking to Mavis! Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown — in the Peanuts 1960s collection
Charlie Brown has been invited to a Halloween party and Linus hopes he’ll finally catch a sighting of the mysterious Great Pumpkin. Directed by Bill Melendez.
Labyrinth
A teenage girl’s baby brother is kidnapped by the King of the Goblins. In order to rescue him she must navigate a devilish labyrinth. Directed by Jim Henson.
Ma
Sue Ann, a loner in her quiet Ohio town, is asked by Maggie, a new teenager in town, to buy some booze for her and her friends. Sue Ann sees the chance to make some unsuspecting younger friends. She offers the kids the chance to avoid drinking and driving by hanging out in the basement of her home as long as they abide by the house rules. Her hospitality starts to curdle into obsession, and what began as a teenage dream turns into a terrorizing nightmare. Directed by Tate Taylor.
Meet the Blacks
The Black family is getting out of Chicago in hopes of a better life. Carl Black takes his family and leaves the hustling lifestyle behind for something better. Turns out, Carl couldn’t have picked a worst time to move. They arrive in Beverly Hills right around the time of the annual purge, when all crime is legal for twelve hours. Directed by Deon Taylor.
Night of the Living Dead (1990)
In a remake of the cult classic, seven strangers are trapped in an isolated farmhouse while cannibalistic zombies, awakened from death by the return of a radioactive space probe, wage a relentless attack, killing and eating everyone in their path. Directed by Tom Savini.
The Nightmare on Elm Street Collection
Seven installments from the film franchise that some feel remains the standard bearer for terror.
ParaNorman
From the makers of Coraline comes the story of Norman, a boy who must use his special powers to save his town from a centuries-old curse. In addition to spooky zombies, he’ll also have to take on unpredictable ghosts, wily witches, and, worst of all, clueless grown-ups. But this young ghoul whisperer will soon find his paranormal activities pushed to their otherworldly limits. Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler.
A Quiet Place
A powerful and evil force threatens to attack a family whenever they make a noise, causing them to plunge into lives of silence. Any move they make, they live with the terrifying threat of being ambushed at any moment. With their existence on the line, they will need to develop a plan to escape their perilous circumstances. The question is whether or not time has already run out on their aspirations to lead normal lives. Directed by John Krasinski.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
A mad mix of classic horror/sci-fi, super-charged sensuality, and outrageous fantasy. It’s the story of an “ordinary” couple and one unforgettable night at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a mad scientist from the planet Transexual. Brad and Janet have arrived on a special night, the night Dr. Furter’s beautiful creature, Rocky, the adonis humanoid created for the release of Frank’s tension, was to be born. Includes the songs: “Time Warp,” “Dammit Janet,” and “Wild and Untamed Thing.” Directed by Jim Sharman.
Scary Movie 1, 2, 3.5, & 4
The film franchise that kicks off with a parody of all the scary movies you’ve ever seen.
The Sixth Sense
A noted child psychologist attempts to help a frightened eight-year-old boy who is experiencing terrifying visions of the dead. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan.
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride carries on in the dark, romantic tradition of his classic Edward Scissorhands and Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. Set in a 19th-century European village, this stop-motion animated feature follows the story of Victor (voiced by Johnny Depp), a young man whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride (voiced by Helena Bonham Carter), while his real bride, Victoria (voiced by Emily Watson), waits bereft in the land of the living. Though life in the Land of the Dead proves to be a lot more colorful than his strict upbringing, Victor learns that there is nothing in this world — or the next — that can keep him away from his one true love. It’s a tale of optimism, romance, and a very lively afterlife, told in classic Burton style. Directed by Tim Burton and Mike Johnson.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
Jack Skellington is the King of Halloween. He becomes bored with the same routine every year. He decides to take a walk in the woods. There, he discovers a door leading to Christmastown and decides to spread Christmas joy to the world. When he is back in Halloweentown he shows his friends what Christmas is like, and he suggests doing Christmas this year instead. But things do not go as planned when Oogie Boogie, an evil gambling boogey man, plots to play a game with Santa Claus’ life and creates a nightmare for all the good little boys and girls everywhere. Although Sally attempts to stop him, Jack embarks into the sky on a coffin-like sled pulled by skeletal reindeer. Directed by Henry Selick.
Trick ‘r Treat
It is said that Halloween is the night when the dead rise to walk among us and other unspeakable things roam free. The rituals of All Hallows Eve were devised to protect us from their evil mischief, and one small town is about to be taught a terrifying lesson that some traditions are best not forgotten. Nothing is what it seems when a suburban couple learns the dangers of blowing out a Jack-o’-lantern before midnight; four women cross paths with a costumed stalker at a local festival; a group of pranksters goes too far and discovers the horrifying truth buried in a local legend; and a cantankerous old hermit is visited by a strange trick-or-treater with a few bones to pick. Costumes and candy, ghouls and goblins, monsters and mayhem…the tricks and treats of Halloween turn deadly as strange creatures of every variety human and otherwise — try to survive the scariest night of the year. Written and directed by Michael Dougherty.
Twitches
Twin girls, separated at birth, find each other on their 21st birthday. They must learn to use their magical powers to fight the evil force of Darkness and save Coventry — the magical world where they were born. Directed by Stuart Gillard.
Tyler Perry’s Boo 2!: a Madea Halloween
Madea, Bam, and Hattie venture to a haunted campground and the group must run for their lives when monsters, goblins, and the boogeyman are unleashed.
Us
“Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide … grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family. After spending a tense beach day with their friends …, Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home. When darkness falls, the Wilsons discover the silhouette of four figures holding hands as they stand in the driveway. ‘Us’ pits an endearing American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgangers of themselves” — Universal Pictures website
Written, produced, and directed by Jordan Peele.
Warm Bodies
After a zombie epidemic, R (a zombie) rescues Julie (a human survivor) from a zombie attack. The two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human, setting off a chain of events that begins to transform the other zombies and maybe even the whole lifeless world. Written and directed by Jonathan Levine.
Zombieland
Columbus (Jesse Eisenberg) has made a habit of running from what scares him. Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) doesn’t have fears. If he did, he’d kick their ever-living ass. In a world overrun by zombies, these two are perfectly evolved survivors. But now, they’re about to stare down the most terrifying prospect of all: each other. Directed by Ruben Fleischer.
Zombieland: Double Tap
Through comic mayhem that stretches from the White House and through the heartland, Columbus, Tallahassee, Wichita, and Little Rock must face off against the many new kinds of zombies that have evolved in the past decade, as well as some new human survivors. But most of all, they have to face the growing pains of their own snarky, makeshift family. Directed by Ruben Fleischer.
