Fall is my favorite time of year! I love the leaves changing, football season, pumpkin patches, bonfires and especially Halloween. I have always loved all things scary since I was little, and the more gore the better! Since it is finally October I thought I would create a list of the top ten scary movies to watch this fall (they're in no particular order).
1. The Exorcist (1973)
This movie is a cult classic, and a must watch during the Halloween season. The movie is about a girl who is possessed by the devil, so her mother enlists two priests to help save her daughter. The priests have to perform an exorcism on the young girl, which ends in a showdown between the elder priest and the young girl. Originally this movie scared audiences to the point of having to have ambulances on standby. If you haven't seen this movie yet you need to watch it this fall.
2. Babadook (2014)
The Babadook is a modern film that follows the life of a woman, Amelia, who recently lost her husband. Amelia's life does not become easier when her son starts acting out of control because of an imaginary monster named the Babadook. When mysterious incidents start happening around the house, Amelia is pushed over the edge. The movie is credited for giving viewers real horror instead of setting up jump-scares and will scare you without having to truly show the Babadook.
3. Friday the 13th (1980)
Jason Voorhees is the machete wielding, hockey mask wearing, supernatural serial killer we all know and love. In the original movie, a group of teenagers head to Camp Crystal Lake to become counselors, despite its murderous past. As soon as the teenagers arrive back the murders start again, taking each of them as victims. If you haven't seen the original movie then you're in for a twist that you never saw coming!
4. Halloween (1978)
Halloween is one of my favorite horror movies and is the father of slasher films. The story starts with a young Michael Myers, dressed as a clown, stabbing his sister to death. Fast forward 15 years, Michael escapes to come back and continue murdering the people in his town on Halloween, wearing his infamous white mask (fun fact: his mask is a Captain Kirk mask sprayed white). This movie paved the way for the slasher flick genre and is a must watch for anyone who is horror movie fanatic.
5. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
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What happens when you can't escape your own nightmare? This cult classic follows Freddy Krueger's killing spree, and how no one is safe even in their own dreams. Although we have come a long way in terms of makeup and special effects, the original will leave you feeling uneasy as you get ready to fall asleep.
Just remember:
"One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, better lock your door. Five, six, grab a crucifix. Seven, eight, better stay up late. Nine, ten, never sleep again."
*fun fact: Johnny Depp is in the movie and when he went to see it in a regular movie theater no one knew it was him in the movie*
6. The Shining (1980)
No list would be complete without The Shining. This movie, based on a Stephen King novel, is about the Torrance family who becomes caretakers for a hotel over the winter. Jack and his wife, Wendy, start to suffer the psychological impacts of cabin fever, while their son's psychic visions grow more intense. There is no way you'll be able to resist the invitation to come play with the residents after you're done watching this film.
7. The Ring (2002)
The Ring is a psychological horror movie which is based on a Japanese horror film from the 90s. The story follows Rachel, a journalist who, after the death of her niece, starts an investigation into four deaths. Rachel ends up watching a movie in which the viewer receives a phone call telling them they have seven days to live. You are able to follow her quest to save her own life. I also recommend watching the original movie as well.
8. The Grudge (2004)
This Japanese based horror movie will make you feel uneasy as you take a shower. The movie is about a man who murders his wife and son, only to hide them in the attic and closet. He is then murdered by his dead wife, and the house ends up cursed. Years later a new family moves into the house only to discover the curse that lies within after it already starts to torment people. The movie is directed by the original director of the Japanese films and will leave you feeling uneasy as you wander the house alone.
9. The Conjuring (2013)
10. It (1990)
In light of recent events, clowns have been given a worse reputation than they have ever had before. Generations after generations have been horrified by clowns ever since John Wayne Gacy in the 70s and IT in the 90s. IT, based on a Stephen King novel, was a miniseries about a murderous clown that kills children every 30 years. A group of six friends made a pact when they were younger to return 30 years later to try and stop Pennywise's reign of terror. IT has been remade and is set to release next year with an even more terrifying clown to bring terror into the lives of children. If clowns did not already freak you out, then they certainly will now!
Narrowing a list of horror movies down to ten was a tough job because of all of the amazing movies that are out there, so if I left any of your favorites out let me know in the comments! Several of the movies on this list have been remade or created into a franchise. However, none of these remakes live up to the greatness of the originals despite the advancement in special effects. This fall, try to experiment with different genres to see what really scares you!
