1. Sinister

This might be my favorite horror movie! It's super creepy, unique, and the ending is totally unexpected!

2. Insidious

The best part of this film has to be the sound effects and score. From the jarring, retro-inspired music to the horrifying creaking sounds that follow the red demon, each sound you hear really amps up the horror!

3. The Conjuring series

As movies, these are terrifying stories, but they become even scarier when you're aware of the true stories behind them!
(And the really scary stuff that happened on set.)

4. The Shining

An incredible, necessary classic!

5. The Orphanage

Yes, this is a Spanish horror movie, so you do have to watch it with subtitles, but it's SO worth it!

 6. The Fourth Kind

Plot-wise, this isn't the greatest movie, but it makes up for that with convincing, horrifying "found footage" elements.

7. The Ring

Most of the time, American remakes don't hold up to the brilliance of the original, but this modern classic is pretty close to being as good as the original Japanese Ringu.

8. The Purge series

Normally, I'm not a fan of horror movies where the villain is just a normal person - it's just too real! However, there are a few exceptions, and this franchise is one of them! Sociologically, this series is a fascinating look at government, race, and class - my kind of movie!

9. The Forest

Starring Natalie Dormer. Need I say more?

10. The Amityville Horror (1979)

While this classic gets a few facts* wrong, it's still horrifying to watch knowing it's "based on a true story!"

*"Facts" depends, of course, on whether or not you believe Ed and Lorraine Warren's stories.

11. Paranormal Activity

I know, I know, everyone is sick of this series (and found footage) because they dragged it out way too long. But! The first one was actually really good! And legitimately scary!

12. Halloween

With a new film in the series coming out this month (!!!!!), it's definitely a good idea to rewatch this slasher classic!

13. Poltergeist (1982)

This one is pretty campy and cheesy now, but knowing the skeletons used in the film are actually real human bones definitely adds a new layer of horror to the film!

14. Alien

This sci-fi classic features one of the scariest movie monsters ever! You won't be able to sleep for months after seeing H.R Giger's horrifying alien design! And that tagline - "In space, no one can hear you scream" - will haunt you for days!

15. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Okay, yes, this isn't actually a horror movie, but you can't have October without the Pumpkin King!