Halloween engenders so many different feelings for people: sweet treats to last a few weeks or hours for some; the arrival of the holiday season; donning that unique costume or the one everyone seems to be wearing; and watching those Halloween movies. For some, that means sitting down to watch a scary movie, perhaps your favorite or a new favorite. For others, it might be a comedy or family take on Halloween. There are so many great Halloween movies to choose from. The best part, if they aren’t on normal broadcast television, you can find them on streaming services. So, here is our list of 8 of the best Halloween movies you can stream now.
The Exorcist (Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime)
In 1973, The Exorcist was unleashed upon the movie-going public with much anticipation. Based on the bestselling book by William Peter Blatty, The Exorcist had plenty of pre-build up to the release with most of the set burning down and actresses Ellyn Burstyn and Linda Blair both suffering injuries during the filming. When the film did open, there were reports of viewers fainting and vomiting during the film. All of the accidents and viewing incidents just led to more fascination with the film and let to sell out showings.
If you haven’t seen The Exorcist before, get ready for one of the scariest movies you’ll ever see as the daughter of a visiting actress to a home in Washington, D.C. changes both behaviorally and physically as she is possessed by a demonic entity. Hold onto your seat, or cross, as a priest specializing in exorcisms is called to the house to expel the entity. If you’re squeamish, fast forward through much of the exorcism. But then you’ll miss all of the fun and what would be the point of watching the film.
Zombieland (Netflix) – Halloween Movies To Stream Now
Released in 2009, Zombieland is a comedy horror film starring an ensemble cast of Jesse Eisenberg, Woody Harrelson, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin. It tells the story of a dystopian American infected by a virus proliferated by the nomadic undead. The film’s central protagonist, Columbus, is keen on returning to his parents’ home in Columbus, Ohio, where he hopes his hermetic parents have survived. Columbus is armed with an incisive set of survival skills, which he enumerates throughout the film.
Along the way, Columbus encounters a resourceful loner who calls himself Tallahassee, whose destination is predictably Tallahassee, Florida. Tallahassee reluctantly agrees to provide further transport to Columbus, until his “patience runs out.” During their meanderings, the two discourse over Tallahassee’s obsession with Twinkies, Columbus’ first encounter with someone infected by the virus, as well as essential survival skills for co-existing with zombies. Eventually, fate intervenes in additional meeting with two young women, Wichita and her younger sister, Little Rock. After some haggling, the four begrudgingly decide to reverse course and instead travel to a theme park called Pacific Playland, which is rumored to be zombie-free.
In a post-apocalyptic world, the quarter develop a queer and humorous chemistry amongst one another. Though Pacific Playland, the speculated safe haven, proves a farce; the four nevertheless develop a new familial bond with one another. Zombieland illustrates that even in a world disrupted by tragedy, the necessity for human connection remains. It’s a rare feel-good Halloween movie to watch.
Psycho (Netflix)
The godfather of psychological thrillers, Psycho was conceived by directorial legend Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1960. Loosely based on the real-life murders of Wisconsin serial killer Ed Geins, it follows the story of Marion Crane, who embezzles $40,000 from her employer and summarily flees. During her escape, Marion fatefully checks in to the Bates Motel, administered by a man named Norman Bates and his ailing mother. In one of the most iconic scenes in film history, Marion is later murdered by a shadowy figure while taking a shower in her room.
The remainder of the film explores the dual investigations surrounding both the stolen money and the disappearance of Marion. A private detective, Arbogast, questions Norman, who arouses his suspicion with inconsistent and conflicting responses. After inquiring about further questioning Norman’s mother, Norman becomes recalcitrant, barring any additional access to his property. Later, Arbogast too is disposed of by a shadowy figure. The now defunct investigation then proceeds to Al Chambers, a local sheriff, who eventually is able to identify the culprit behind the crime.
Psycho remains a lasting inspiration for filmmakers interested in psychological drama. It doesn’t really rely on horror to unsettle viewing audiences so much as the vagaries and extremes of certain human pathologies. It paved the way for the serialization of more extreme “slasher” flicks, resulting in the dissemination of other popular franchises and films like Nightmare on Elm’s Street, Halloween, and Friday the 13th.
Casper (Peacock, Amazon Prime, Hulu) – Halloween Movies
Released in 1995, Casper is based on the popular cartoon character “Casper The Friendly Ghost” conceptualized by Harvey Comics. In the film, Carrigan Crittendon, the heiress of Whipstaff Manor, hears of a great treasure lurking somewhere in the manor. Knowing that the house is inhabited by ghosts, she hires a “ghost therapist” to excise the supernatural residents of her home, upon which she can comfortably search its environs for riches.
The ”ghost therapist” is a man named Dr. Harvey, who hypothesizes that ghosts are merely souls who have unfinished business in the mortal world. Unexpectedly, Casper befriends the doctor’s daughter, Kat. The movie explores their ensuing friendship, as they dabble in various both in and outside the haunted manor.
Beetlejuice (Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime)
Directed by Tim Burton, Michael Keaton really steals the show in this movie that flips the script on the haunted house genre in so many ways. Let’s start with the deceased young couple that inhabit the house – played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis. A new family, played by Jeffrey Jones, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, is moving into the house they literally died decorating. As the new family starts to redecorate the house, Baldwin and Davis are abhorred with the idea and the actual transformation. So, like any ghost who lack the expertise to conduct a traditional haunting, they hire bio-exorcist, Beetlejuice, to get rid of the family.
Keaton is hilarious as the bio-exorcist Beetlejuice as he sells himself on his services and then proceeds to expel the new family. However, an obstacle presents itself as the daughter (Winona Ryder), can communicate with Baldwin and Davis. They become friends and with the daughter and decide not to proceed forward with the plan to get rid of the new family. The dinner scene at the end is brilliant as the family conducts a séance that backfires horribly as Beetlejuice works his magic dispel the family and their friends.
Coco (Disney Plus) – Halloween Movies To Stream Now
Coco, released in 2017 and produced by Pixar Studios, is actually a homage to Dia De Los Muertos, not Halloween. It follows the story of a young boy named Miguel who is accidentally transported to the Land of Dead. To accomplish this, Miguel must earn the blessing of a family member to pursue his musical aspirations, which has been forbade by his living family members. In a picture Miguel absconded with of his great-great-grandmother, Miguel notices that the guitar placed in the hands of his great-great grandfather – whose face has been removed from the photo – is that of Ernesto de la Cruz, his musical idol. Miguel naturally concludes that he is descended from de la Cruz and may earn his blessing if he is able to find him in the Land of the Dead.
During his ventures, Miguel meets Hector, a man whom fate has not favored. Hector confesses to Miguel he met an untimely death in life, ultimately bested by a chorizo burrito. Nonetheless, he admits that he once played with Ernesto. Hector agrees to take Miguel to Ernesto in exchange for Miguel placing a picture of him on an ofrenda, an altar commemorating the deceased; so that he is able to cross the flower bridge and find his family and home. Miguel agrees, and after consulting Frida Kahlo, peregrinate to a musical competition hosted by Ernesto.
Though not strictly associated with Halloween, Coco is still Halloween adjacent, mooring closely to the pagan origins of the holiday. It’s a supernatural tale that contemplates deeply the depth and significance of familial bonds, enriched further by a powerful soundtrack of original songs that give the film a distinct and enduring melody.
Scream (Netflix)
Scream, directed by Wes Craven, is one of the most popular Halloween movies for audiences seeking a more satirical take on the slasher genre. The story, which is based on the real-life case of the Gainesville Ripper, follows a serial killer decked out in a Halloween costume consisting of a black robe and white scary mask. The killer, nicknamed Ghostface, calls his victims asking them what their favorite scary movie happens to be.
The bulk of the movies focuses on Ghostface’s pursuit of Sidney Prescott, played by Neve Campbell. As the investigation starts as to whom Ghostface is, Campbell and the rest of the characters discuss who the killer might be, and the clichés associated with real-world horror films, which are a focus of the threatening calls.
Made in 1996, Scream was unique at the time and was a critical as well as a financial success, leading to a sequel and other spin-offs.
Hocus Pocus (Disney Plus) – Halloween Movies
The best word to describe this movie is “fun.” It is one of the perfect Halloween movies specifically for the family. Get all the kiddies together to enjoy this comedy about three Salem witches who are accidently resurrected on Halloween night by Max Dennison (Omri Katz). The three Sanderson sisters are played perfectly by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as they pursue Max, his sister, Dani, and Max’s friend, Allison (Thora Birch). The witches must drain Dani’s life essence and youth so they can retain their youth and remain alive.
Set against that plot, the story unfolds with the witches encounter costumed kids and adults celebrating Halloween, mistaking a candy giver as the devil and his wife, cameos by Gary Marshall and Penny Marshall. The movie is absolutely delightful with an immortal cat named Binx, a zombie that is resurrected to help capture Max, Dani and Allison, and the perfect ending to this very engaging Halloween movie.
