This is my second time doing a list like this; and while you might recognize some titles that are simply too good to be replaced, my real goal with this one is to hopefully show you a film you haven't seen yet. From restored classics to international releases, horror has so much to offer. So, here are 31 scary movies to watch this month!
31. Infinity Pool (2023)
- Brandon Cronenberg’s first film since POSSESSOR, this psychedelic body horror follows a privileged tourist discovering the bloody secret at the heart of the resort he’s staying at. Class, gender and the self clash to great effect. Catch it on Hulu! Trailer
30. Possession (1981)
- I still can’t tell whether I love or hate Andrzej Žuławski’s psychological horror drama about a couple’s dissolving marriage. It’s an exhausting, brutal, complex movie that’s sure to stick with you long after credits have rolled. Available on Prime Video! Trailer
29. The Host (2006)
- Bong Joon-ho’s take on the monster movie is one of the best things you can hope to see this month. Available on Prime Video, it’s centered on a man trying to rescue his daughter from a lizard deformed by pollution from a US military base. It’s a fun yet thoughtful meditation on colonialism, family and more. Trailer
28. The Testament of Dr. Mabuse (1933)
- A recent crime wave leads back to the infamous Dr. Mabuse, but there’s one problem: he’s been locked up for years. Part psychological thriller, part detective mystery, this unforgettable piece of German expressionism is bound to leave an impact. Watch it on Max! Trailer
27. Siembamba (2017)
- Engaging with the very real history of his native South Africa, Darrell James Roodt’s violent, bone chilling movie about a young woman struggling to adjust to motherhood is one of the most off-putting things I’ve ever seen. Trailer
26. The Exorcist (1973)
- I can’t imagine seeing this movie in 1973. From the editing to the acting and visuals, it’s easily one of the scariest films on this list; and it continues to age well—especially now that it’s been restored in 4K! Trailer
25. Uzumaki (2002)
- Based on Juni Ito’s iconic horror manga of the same name, this movie follows a village slowly descending into madness after many of its citizens become obsessed with spiral patterns. Now on Prime Video! Trailer
24. The Babadook (2014)
- Following a mother and son caught in the crosshairs of an entity that feeds off trauma, this tone-heavy modern classic is critically lauded for good reason! Watch it on Tubi, Hulu or Prime Video. Trailer
23. Pearl (2022)
- Ti West’s sequel to X (2022) was one of the happiest surprises of last year. As we follow Pearl’s ever-increasing desperation to escape farm life drudgery, viewers are guided by the hand into a downward spiral of madness, jealousy and murder. Available on Hulu or Prime Video! Trailer
22. My Animal (2023)
- Part paranormal romance, part monster movie, this movie seems to have it all; great acting, synth-heavy music and luscious visuals. Rent it on Prime Video! Trailer
21. A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
- Ana Lily Amirpour’s directorial debut produced this jaw dropping Iranian vampire western that touches on themes of addiction, family and violence. One of the most original viewings you can hope to experience this October, watch it on Prime Video today! Trailer
20. Zombie (1979)
- Also known as Zombie Flesh Eaters, or Zombi 2, Lucio Fulci’s response to Romero’s Dawn of the Dead (1978) is a fun throwback to a time when horror films weren’t afraid to swing big. The (illegally shot) image of zombies crossing the Manhattan bridge still blows my mind. While it is available on Prime Video, I highly recommend the 4K restoration! Trailer
19. Crimson Peak (2015)
- Guillermo del Toro’s gothic horror romance didn’t get the love it deserved in theaters, so placing it on this list was a given. Playing on classic tropes (girl marries mysterious man and moves into his haunted mansion), it’s a fun, smart testament to how versatile the horror genre really is. Now on Netflix! Trailer
18. I Saw the Devil (2010)
- Kim Jee-woon’s wildly violent tale of murder and revenge follows a retired police chief hunting the man who killed his daughter. Exquisitely crafted with a script that’ll make your skin crawl, this isn’t one to miss! Available to rent on Prime Video. Trailer
17. The Fly (1986)
- An experiment gone wrong leads a scientist to accidentally mix his DNA with a fly, and the results are horrific. To me, this was David Cronenberg at his peak! Amazing practical effects, bold writing, and a helluva score. Is it really spooky season without 80s Cronenberg? Now streaming on Max! Trailer
16. The Lighthouse (2019)
- Robert Eggers’ second film about two lighthouse keepers slowly going mad is one of the most gorgeous looking explorations of masculinity one can hope to find. Nominated for an Academy Award, this movie continues to confound, delight and terrify. Available on Showtime, Hulu, Paramount+ and Prime Video! Trailer
15. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligiri (1921)
- Recently restored in gorgeous 4K, this movie’s been called the first true horror film with good reason. Mad scientists, murder mysteries, and wildly beautiful set design, it’s a must-watch! Trailer
14. Terrified (2017)
- Following a suburban neighborhood in Argentina being plunged into a world of tragedy and nightmares, this movie’s bound to not only scare you, but also make you think. Now streaming on Prime Video. Trailer
13. The Invisible Man (1933)
- Of all the classic horror films recently restored in 4K, this is one of my favorites for its innovative effects; a real gem of the mad scientist canon! Trailer
12. His House (2020)
- As two African asylum seekers struggle adjusting to life in a small English town, they’re forced to face the terrifying presence in their new home. Watch this smart commentary on race, class and the immigrant experience on Netflix! Trailer
11. Huesera: The Bone Woman (2022)
- I actually reviewed Michelle Garza Cervera’s film about a young mother struggling to meet the expectations put on her for Blood Knife magazine, which you can read here. Part commentary on gender roles in Mexico, part supernatural horror, this isn’t one to miss! Stream it on Shudder. Trailer
10. La Llorona (2019)
- Jayro Bustamante’s fresh take on the classic Latin American ghost story finds an aging dictator being faced with the ghosts of those he’s murdered. This Shudder original is bound to terrify, and is beautifully crafted; stream it today! Trailer
9. Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
- Francis Ford Coppola’s adaptation of a horror classic is one to watch, especially in the new 4K restoration! All effects are practical, and that makes a huge difference. Trailer
8. Thirst (2009)
- Park Chan-wook’s vampire story is a gorgeously made exercise in tone. With expressive camera work, nice lighting and a great script, it’s simply a must-watch. Trailer
7. Dawn of the Dead (1978)
- George Romero’s classic zombie movie can be hard to find, especially if you want to get a copy of the new 4K restoration. Luckily, it’s free on YouTube!
6. Suspiria (1977)
-The only version of this film I’m willing to recognize, Dario Argento’s movie about a ballet dancer caught in the crosshairs of a witch cult is one of the most visually stunning horror films I’ve ever seen, with a score that’s just as well done. Available on Tubi! Trailer
5. Frankenstein (1931)
- One of my favorite movies of all time, this adaptation of Mary Shelly’s classic novel beautifully captures the magic of her story. Trailer
4. Train to Busan (2016)
- Yeon Sang-ho’s take on the zombie movie also proves to be a great metaphor for capitalism. As we follow a group of people trying to survive a zombie apocalypse, we get tons of commentary on community, individualism and class. Available on Prime, Hulu, Paramount+ and Prime Video! Trailer
3. No One Will Save You (2023)
-Part alien flick, part home invasion movie, Brian Duffield’s latest offering almost broke the internet when it released last week. If it’s good enough for Guillermo del Toro to write two Twitter threads on it, it’s good enough to be on my list! Now on Hulu. Trailer
2. It Follows (2014)
- Now on Hulu, Prime Video and Parmaount+, this modern classic is based around a group of teens trying to survive as a mysterious entity haunts their waking lives. Trailer
1. Scream (1996)
- I say it every time, but Wes Craven’s meta-whodunnit-slasher literally changed the course of an entire film genre. Showing the heart of the suburbs not as something that should be protected, but as something that’s violent and murderous, it continues to be my favorite horror movie of all time. Now streaming on Prime Video and Hulu—but, really, there’s no reason you shouldn’t own a 4K disc of this! Trailer
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