Hey y'all- it's been a minute since I've done a blog post. I've been really struggling creatively and with mental illness. This week, I'm ~finally~ beginning to feel a little better, especially since Spooky Season, my favorite time of the year, is in full swing. I feel like I'm finally doing Halloween like an adult this year- I've got an acceptable amount of decorations up for a married lady with no kids, and I've began to marathon my favorite halloween movies. My husband and I are both very into horror movies so we watch these films year-round, but it just feels so right to have the fall weather setting in and curling up on the couch with a scary movie.

I do not like gore-filled horror movies so you will not find these on my list, but you will find some movies I've watched this month and plan on watching, each within their own categories that I've created. This list can be for people who have not seen these movies and want to get into the Halloween spirit, but it can also serve as a checklist to make sure that you're getting the best of the season!




The Classics

The Exorcist (1973)
One of my favorite horror movies. The soundtrack is iconic and it is one of the few older horror movies that scares the wits out of me to this day. I do not recommend watching this alone, and if you do, you'll probably need to sleep with the lights on.

Carrie (1976)
A film about a high school outcast who suffers abuse from her overly religious mother discovers she has telekinetic abilities. The most iconic high school prom scene- while they original is definitely very 1970's, I do not like any of the remakes.

The Shining (1980) 
Another Stephan King novel turned film, this movie has so many classic moments and Jack Nicholson's performance of a man's slow descent into madness is unparalleled. Heeeeere's Johnny!

The Omen (1976)
A man discovers that his son is not actually his- he is something much worse. Reasons why I generally avoid children named Damien.

The Hills Have Eyes (1977)
A family camps out in the desert and discovers they are not alone. I'm a sucker for classics and love the original Wes Craven version.


The Bad Guys

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
1,2 Freddy's coming for you... Freddy Krueger is one of the baddest, not just because of the fact that he kills teenagers by invading their dreams, but because he has a sharp tongue and certain cleverness to him. Robert Englund's performance in the franchise is unparalleled.

Friday the 13th (1980)
A masked killer is loose at Camp Silverlake. Jason Voorhees is one of the most iconic horror movie villian- I have a painting of him in my home. He even crosses over with Freddy Krueger in Freddy Vs Jason (2003)

Halloween (1978)
See how long this theme gets stuck in your head. Michael Myers can't seem to be stopped by anything when it comes to getting to his victims- which is why he is so scary.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
A guy who kills people with a chainsaw, aka Leatherface, and makes masks out of their faces...yep, sounds pretty terrifying.

Hellraiser (1987)
A door to an alternative dimension is opened and horror is unleashed. The Cenobites scare. the. living. CRAP. out of me.

It (1990)
The movie that made me HATE clowns. A group of children in a New England Town discover a terrifying force in the form of a circus clown named Pennywise. Tim Curry is brilliant in this role.


The Good Guys

Evil Dead (1981)
Ash Williams's introduction to the world- he wields a chainsaw for a hand and fights off supernatural forces. He also appears in Army of Darkness (1992), which continues his mission to defeat the evil that was set upon the world by an ancient spell book.

The Last House on the Left (1972)
Two teenage girls are kidnapped and tortured- but they are avenged. Parents of the year award (well, kind of).


Most Visually Compelling

Suspiria (1977)
A young woman at a ballet academy discovers the school is run by a coven of witches. Visually incredible and an amazing soundtrack by prog rock band Goblin.

Mandy (2018)
A man's girlfriend is kidnapped by a cult that delves in psychedelic drugs, supplied by a demonic biker gang. One of Nicholas Cage's best roles.


Best Reboots

Suspiria (2018)
Less focused on the artistic visuals, this movie takes the original story in a different direction and is very well done.

Halloween (2018)
Starring Jaime Lee Curis's character as an adult, she once again faces Michael Myers.

It (2018)
Just when I didn't think Pennywise could get any scarier...


Dumbest

The Greasy Strangler (2016)
Just straight up crude, dumb, and not particularly scary. Funny if you're very drunk.

Leprechaun (1993)
A Leprechaun does not want his gold taken, and will do whatever it takes to keep it. Warwick Davis is hilarious in these movies, but it's a so-bad-it's-good type of situation.

The Toxic Avenger (1984)
More of a sci-fi movie, but still stupid. A nerd falls into toxic waste and becomes a friendly monster/superhero.


Personal Favorite

The Devil's Rejects (2005)
A follow up to House of 1000 Corpses (2003), a trio of murderous outcasts on the run from the law. These characters have become cult favorites and I will forever treasure meeting Sid Hadig and Bill Moseley in person. (RIP Sid)