With Halloween upon us again, I would be remiss to not offer up a great selection of films to watch at your Halloween parties this weekend.  If you can make it to your local theater, I definitely recommend checking out Paranormal Activity. It seems to be splitting people- some hate it, some love it- but as it rockets up the box office charts, you have to admire the creativity behind the film and the moxie of the filmmakers.  If you’re going to see it, go see it while it is still out at the theaters, because part of the fun is to see it with an audience.  Yes, it’s boring in spots, and at times made me grow impatient, but it delivers in the end.  I’m not easily scared, but I know that I didn’t want to be home alone for a few days.

Paranormal Activity

But it’s Halloween, who wants to sit at the movies?  While you’re handing out candy or throwing a party, nothing makes a better backdrop than a great scary movie.  Here is my list of recommendations, but what are your favorites?  Feel free to add to the list and let everyone know what you think are the best movies to watch this Halloween.  I’ve added twenty of my favorites in alphabetical order, and while not a complete list of the great horror films of all time, I think it will give you a good selection to pick from.  The link on each title will take you to the film’s original theatrical trailer. Happy Haunting!

An American Werewolf in London (1981) – Both funny and scary, John Landis brings the mentality of his great comedies like Animal House and The Blues Brothers to the horror genre in this journey into werewolf territory.  With breakthroughs in special effects and makeup for its time, you’ll have both great fun and great frights.

The Bride of Frankenstein (1935) – James Whale’s sequel to Frankenstein is even better than the original.  Moody, interesting, and culturally significant, the film added depth and character to the monster movie genre.  And who can resist the Bride’s hair?

The Bride of Frankenstein

Carrie (1976) – Have you ever been so happy to see so many people get their just due?  The great trick of the film is to have the audience completely on Carrie’s side when she finally loses it.  And what a great series of scenes are contained in the film’s final act as Carrie unleashes her powers.  As good as Sissy Spacek is as Carrie, Piper Laurie tops her as Carrie’s religious fanatic, crazed mother in a tour-de-force performance.

Cat People (1942)- Jacques Tourneur’s treatment of black and white photography is so aesthetically pleasing that one barely cares about the story.  Ancient Serbian curses, prowling panthers, and Tourneur’s camera come together to turn in one of the early greats of horror films.

Dawn of the Dead (1978) – Both disgusting and really fantastic, George Romero’s second entry in his zombie franchise contains his wittiest social commentary as zombies infest a suburban mall.  Oh, and did I mention that its really disgusting- get excited gore fans!

Dead Alive (1992) – For you Lord of the Rings fans, you have to see Peter Jackson’s comedic entry into the horror genre.  This one is probably the goriest film I’ve ever seen, but it’s so ridiculous and so over-the-top, that you’ll be howling at the fun.  It’s worth seeing just for the showdown between the hero and the hordes of zombies coming after him.  It involves a lawnmower, enough said.

The Exorcist

The Exorcist­ (1973) – Holy Hell, this movie is unstoppably relentless.  As explicit in its actions as possible and leaving little to the imagination, the film does it all with powerful acting and cinematic aplomb.  Director William Friedken succeeds at using the elements of both melodrama and horror to create horror artistry. It’s a cliché anymore to call it the best horror film ever made, but give it a try again and just watch it live up to its praise.

Halloween (1978) – Still the best slasher movie out there- all the sequels and all the imitators can’t come close to John Carpenter’s truly terrifying and seminal horror film.  The music alone still scares the hell out of me.  And how about Jamie Lee Curtis fighting off Michael Myers while trapped in the closet- are you kidding me? This is great and scary stuff.

I Walked With a Zombie (1943) ­- Tourneur turns in another beautifully photographed film about a nurse in the West Indies.  Seriously some of the best black and white photography you’ll ever see on film.

Night of the Living Dead (1968) – Zombies!  The Granddaddy of the zombie genre, Romero, offered the public this first entry into his zombie infested world in the late 60s and it still is scaring the pants off of people.  “They’re coming to get you, Barbara!”

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – Produced by Tim Burton, this exceedingly delightful stop-action animated movie is a complete joy to watch and exists firmly in Burton’s world.  The opening song “This is Halloween” sends me into complete Halloween happiness.  And here’s an added bonus- it works great for a Christmas viewing too.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

The Orphanage (2007) – This Spanish film is one of the better haunting movies to come out in some years.  Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona and produced by Guiellrmo Del Toro, the film has the creepiest looking ghost kid I’ve ever seen.

Psycho (1960) – Hitchcock is in top form in the movie that many consider to have given birth to the slasher genre.  I don’t know about you, but I’ve locked the bathroom door when I take a shower ever since.

Repulsion (1965) – Roman Polanski’s first English language film stars Catherine Deneuve as a woman who spirals deep into her own paranoia and repulsion of men.  Being trapped with Deneuve and her insanity for the length of the movie is almost enough to make me go insane myself, but the film is extremely effective in its use of self-imposed psychological terror.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968) – Polanski turns in one of the best psychological horror thrillers ever made in this strange and disturbing adaptation of Ira Levin’s best-selling novel.  Poor Rosemary- has her pregnancy just made her go crazy or are the charming and friendly old people next door the masterminds of a plot against her?  In an Oscar-winning performance, Ruth Gordon as next door neighbor Minnie creates one of the most memorable screen characters in horror history.  The payoff of the final scene is jaw droppingly bizarre, and remains one of my favorite horror moments.

Scream

Scream (1996) – The Scream franchise reinvigorated the slasher genre by infusing it with humor and wit and plenty of scary moments. Wes Craven is at his best sticking to his guns while still parodying the genre that he helped make famous. The opening scene with Drew Barrymore is enough to push this movie into horror history.  The entire trilogy is worthy of a viewing and a fourth film is currently in pre-production.

The Shining (1980) – Stanley Kubrick’s careful and patient adaptation of Stephen King’s novel slowly builds Jack Nicholson’s insanity into a horror frenzy that is chilling.

Sleepy Hollow (1999) – Watching heads being chopped off has never been so much fun.  Tim Burton’s adaptation of the classic short story by Washington Irving takes liberties with the original, and while at times the screenplay lacks some punch, the film still completely delivers.  Burton is a true artist, each frame in this film is a joy for the eyes and is exciting to watch from start to finish.

Suspiria (1977) – Italian horror master Dario Argento offers up one of the most beautifully artistic horror films ever made.  About a dance academy enlivened by a distinct evil, the film’s death scenes, while graphic, offer up some of the most imaginative and purely cinematic moments in the horror genre.

Young Frankenstein (1974) – Looking to laugh instead of be scared this Halloween?  Look no further than this classic Mel Brooks comedy.  With a stellar cast and brilliantly funny performances, I promise that you will be laughing all night long.  The “Puttin’ on the Ritz” scene with a tap dancing and singing Frankenstein is enough to push me completely over the edge.

Happy Halloween!