Last year, we gave you a list of 31 spooky flicks to watch every day of October. Back by popular request, we have 31 more for your viewing pleasure. But wait, there’s more! Over on our Instagram, we’ll be putting out a bracket to vote for the best haunted character — some of whom will be from this list, but others will be included too. So use this article as a checklist for your horror-filled nights this month, and be sure to vote on Instagram to see if your favorite makes it to the top.
Note that we are accepting guesses for the bracket winner until Monday, October 4th, when the first poll goes live! By putting in a guess, you are automatically entered to win a prize from KJHK!
- Nosferatu (1922) — We begin October with a silent film made in German expressionist style. Count Orlok the vampire vs. family man Thomas Hutter.
- Se7en (1995) — This classic is packed with big names: Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
- Carrie (1976) — Brian De Palma has made several knockout films, but Carrie takes the cake with this Stephen King adaptation.
- Jeepers Creepers (2001) — Here’s a life lesson for all you college kids out there: don’t go exploring abandoned basements.
- The Nanny (2017) — This remake of the 1965 short film has a chilling edge similar to the Hansel & Gretel story.
- Vampyres (1974) — Just two bisexual gals drinking unsuspected victims’ blood together, no biggie.
- The Legend of Hell House (1973) — Though there is no lack of haunted house movies, this one is pretty darn good.
- Child’s Play (1988) — Listen, boys can play with dolls. It’s fine. Just preferably not the ones that are possessed by serial killers.
- The Flesh and the Fiends (1960) — I think this is the most metal film on this list. A doctor needs cadavers for research, but he’s only allowed to use the bodies of criminals. He enlists grave robbers to help get him more dead bodies, and eventually, they decide to just start killing people. Epic.
- The Exorcist (1973) — The creepiest part about this film is that it’s based (sort of) on true events.
- Scream of Fear (1961) — If you like Hammer films, this one is for you.
- The Plague of the Zombies (1966) — And if you want another Hammer film, this one is also for you. It’s not as good as Scream of Fear, but it’s still a zombie movie and I quite like it.
- Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (1971) — A wonderful twist on the classic, this 70’s movie is one of the best gothic reimaginations I’ve ever seen. Definitely worth the watch!
- Silence of the Lambs (1991) — Anthony Hopkins is brilliant in this, but keep in mind how trans people are depicted in film as you watch this masterpiece.
- The Enfield Haunting (2015) — This is a more recent, short, 3-part series based on true events that transpired in 1977. It will have you on the edge of your seat.
- Saw (2004) — One of the best examples of suspense in horror, Saw is just the kind of crazy psychopathic killer film you need for mid-October.
- The Swarm (2020) — while the 1978 film was a box office failure, the new French version on Netflix is fascinating and horrifying.
- Scream, Pretty Peggy (1973) — as made-for-TV goes, this one isn’t too bad.
- Blair Witch Project (1999) — Found footage films may not be my forte, but I will still include it because it is an excellent pioneer of the genre.
- Frankenstein (1931) — Mary Shelley was the first and only goth to this day, and the films that came out of this glorious gothic are nothing short of epic.
- Dracula — There are countless renditions of this story, but I prefer Francis Ford Coppola’s Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
- The Thing (1982) — I’ll be honest — I’ve never seen this one. But a friend told me it was his favorite movie ever, so I felt like I had to include it.
- King Kong (1933) — King Kong has several problems, beginning with the way native people are portrayed (as monsters who sacrifice visitors). But the movies have gotten better if this is your thing.
- Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956 and 1978) — Both the original and the remake of this movie are actually quite good. It’s not as well known, but it’s on my list of favorites.
- The Shining (1980) — Heeeeeeeeeeeeeere’s Johnny!
- Scream (1996) — Be sure to get your fix of meta slashers. A fifth has been announced, but I’m a first-movie kind of person.
- Halloween (1978) — The horror film lover’s prime rib.
- Hereditary (2018) — There are mixed reviews about this one, but I don’t mind giving it a watch now and then.
- A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) — A young Johnny Depp, Wes Craven, and dream sequences. What could be better than this?
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) — I’m under the opinion that the original version is a comedy, not a horror film. But the other version… not so much. Watch at your own risk.
- Friday the 13th (1980) — I couldn’t think of a better movie to round out the spookiest month of the year.