The Substance (2024, 18)

As if the stress of ageing and saggy skin wasn’t scary enough, filmmaker Coralie Fargeat has propelled those fears onto the big screen in feminist body horror movie, The Substance. Demi Moore plays a blinder as Elisabeth Sparkle, an aerobics superstar who is fired on her 50th birthday because, well, she’s 50. Desperate to cling to her youth, Sparkle uses a black market, cell-replicating drug which temporarily creates a younger, better version of her (Margaret Qualley) little realising the horrific side effects. Dennis Quaid, Joseph Balderrama and Oscar Lesage also star in this unnerving noir, which scooped up the gongs at Cannes earlier this year.

Smile 2, (2024, 18)

Where are the horror lovers at? Smile 2 lands in cinemas just in time for spooky season and it will not disappoint – if you can watch from behind your popcorn that is. That’s right the smiling, trauma curse returns to inhabit more unwitting victims, this time deeply disturbing a global pop sensation, Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), ahead of her world tour. Kyle Gallner reprises his role as Joel from the first film (think we found our patient zero) and is joined by Lukas Gage and Rosemarie DeWitt.

Talk To Me (2023, 18)

Considered 2023’s scariest movie, Talk To Me is the debut feature from YouTube twins Danny and Michael Philippou and has been dubbed the Evil Dead for the Snapchat generation. It’s made a stack of money at the box office, so to say this acclaimed Aussie movie has been a huge hit is an understatement. What’s it about? A group of teens (obvs) discover they are able to contact spirits using a mysterious embalmed hand, only for things to go waaaaaay too far. Available to watch on Netflix, just in time for Halloween.

Trap (2024, 15)

A doting Dad (Josh Hartnett) takes his teen daughter to a sell-out pop concert only to find something sinister is a foot. The FBI are on the hunt for the Butcher, a serial killer they believe to be in the audience, gasp! Cue a classic M. Night Shyamalan twist, the doting Dad is actually the killer and you’re about to embark upon a tenser than tense escapade of him trying to evade capture. Featuring music by Saleka Shyamalan (yep, M. Knight’s daughter) this twisty-turny chiller. thriller will keep you on your toes until the very end, we’re particularly loving Hartnett as a baddie.

M3GAN (2023, 18)

Not a fly-on-the-wall documentary starring Meghan Markle, but a fright night flick that plays on our fears of deadly dolls and turns up the terror dial to 12. From horror geniuses James Wan (Saw, Insidious) and Blumhouse (producer of the Halloween films), M3GAN is a life-like AI doll programmed to be a child’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. Designed by toy-company roboticist Gemma (Get Out’s Allison Williams), she pairs M3GAN with her orphaned eight-year-old niece with unimaginable consequences.

Influencer (2023, 18)

If Instagrammers in the wild give you nightmares, then Influencer is going to take that horror show to a new level – and is a solid horror-thriller. We follow Madison (Emily Tennant, Riverdale) and her selfie stick to Thailand – a lonely and uneventful trip – despite what she tells her followers on Instagram. She meets fearless traveller CW (Cassandra Naud, See) whotakes her to see the most Instagram-worthy locations. But it’s now all holiday inspo and Love Island swimwear when CW takes them off grid to a deserted island. It’s not just the lack of wifi that’ll freak you out.

Halloween Ends (2022, 18)

He’s baaaaaack! Michael Myers returns to terrorise the people of Haddonfield one last time. Halloween Ends ia the final installment of David Gordon Green’s recent reboots of the slasher classics. Jamie Lee Curtis is back as Laurie Strode and it’s a very different film to the sequel Halloween Kills, so it remains to be seen if horror fanatics will love it.

Nope (2022, 15)

Director Jordan Peele (Get Out, Us) is re-writing the horror genre rulebook – and his latest flick Nope will freak you out in the best possible way. It’s eerie, otherworldly and looks like a promising watch. It’s being described as a reimagining of “the summer movie with a new pop nightmare”. *Gulp*.

Alien: Romulus (2024, 15)

Pass the popcorn… and hide behind it for this one! We’ve stuck with the Ridley Scott/James Cameron’s Aliens franchise this far, so what’s another jump-out-of-your-skin fright between friends? Set between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), Romulus sees a group of space colonists – Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Isabela Merced, Archie Renaux – come face to face (literally) with a terrifying life form. Eek!

Last Night in Soho (2021, 18)

Get yourself over to the cinema pronto to catch Matt Smith and The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy in full glitzy 60s glamour. Doesn’t sound too spooky, right? Wrong! New psychological thriller Last Night in Soho, directed by Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World), is a gaudy descent into madness and grabbing ghosts. Come for the 60s nostalgia and killer visuals, stay for the horror.

Scream (1996, 18)

Worship at the horror alter of director Wes Craven – he’s a master of of the genre. Scream, based on the real life case of the Gainesville Ripper, is a clever spoof slasher film packed full of big name stars from Courtney Cox to Drew Barrymore, all primed for a bloody end. The film tore up the horror rule book and satirises all the clichés that we all know and love to hate. Get a menacing phone call from a creepy man? Sure go outside and take a look.

A Quiet Place: Day One (2024, 15)

Set long before Emily Blunt and John Krasinski were surviving in silence, we are taken back to the day the world went mute in all its scary, apocalyptic, won’t-sleep-for-a-week-after-watching, glory. Gulp. Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou, Lupita Nyong’o and cat, take on the terrifying central roles trying to survive as droves of strong, super fast aliens with incredible hearing descend on Earth. Even though we already know we’ll be watching this from behind our popcorn, something just keeps pulling us back to the terror of A Quiet Place.

The Woman In Black (2012, 15)

Daniel Radcliffe in the-woman-in-black-2011

The Woman in Black is one of the most terrifying live theatre productions EVER! So Daniel Radcliffe had big, scary shoes to fill in this 2012 supernatural horror film directed by James Watkins and written by the super talented Jane Goldman. Radcliffe play a young recently widowed lawyer who travels to a remote village where he discovers a vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorising the locals. Makes a change from it being the villagers. Be warned, there are plenty of jumpy moments.

28 Days Later (2002, 18)

No, not London during lockdown, although it certainly felt like a scene from 28 Days Later. This, of course, is Danny Boyle’s big screen zombie apocalypse, starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris and Christopher Ecclestone. The plot depicts the breakdown of society following the accidental release of a highly contagious virus and focuses upon the struggle of four survivors. Eerily familiar and possibly still a little too near the knuckle for some.

Blink Twice (2024, 15)

Things go bump in the night in this psychological chiller which marks Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut. Channing Tatum plays enigmatic billionaire Slater King who invites a bunch of unwitting guests – Naomi Ackie, Adria Arjona, Alia Shawkat, Haley Joel Osment – to his private island for a vacation of dreams. But all is not what it seems when one of the guests disappears and no one can remember what happened from one day to the next. Tense, jumpy and unpredictable – Blink Twice if you don’t care about any of that and are only watching for Tatum’s abs!

Shaun Of The Dead (2004, 15)

Not all Halloween movies have to be viewed from behind a cushion, some have a heavy dose of humour. Enter stage left… Shaun Of The Dead a comedy horror written and starring Simon Pegg. Caught unaware by the zombie apocalypse Shaun (Pegg) and his mate Ed (Nick Frost) attempt to take refuge in their safe space – local pub, The Winchester. The critics loved it, we loved it, so if you need a little light relief, this is the one.

Nightmare On Elm Street (1984, 18)

A-Nightmare-on-Elm-Street-Nancy-and-Freddy

Yikes! Perhaps give the pepperoni pizza a swerve for this one – it’s resemblance to Freddy’s face is uncanny. Having watched this when it was originally released in 1984, Nightmare On Elm Street is the the stuff of nightmares. High School Musical it is not, but it’s worth a re-run to see Wes Craven’s iconic dream killer with razors for fingernails. Eyes peeled for a very young Johnny Depp and remember: ‘One, Two, Freddy’s coming for you. Three, four better lock your door…’

Lisa Frankenstien (2024, 15)

If you were to mix Freaky Friday, Heathers, Frankenstein, Night of the Living Dead and Beetlejuice with a deliciously nostalgic 80s soundtrack, you wouldn’t be far off Lisa Frankenstein. An amusingly coined coming-of-rage story brought to you by the Oscar-winning mind behind Juno, Diablo Cody, and directed by Robin Williams’ daughter Zelda. It tells the story of Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton), a misunderstood teenager with a crush on a corpse (Cole Sprouse). After he’s miraculously brought back to life, the pair go on a murderous journey to find love, happiness and a few missing body parts. Absolutely off the wall which is why we love it – well that, and the Madonna inspired lewks.

The Exorcist (1973, 18)

What an excellent day for an exorcism! Can you believe The Exorcist – one of the most iconic horror films of all time – is 51 years old? It’s a cult classic (racking up $450 million at the box office to date) and the storyline’s just as disturbing today as it was back then. If you’re unaware of the plot, or you’ve blanked it from your memory, it’s basically a story about Satanic child abuse. Let’s just say, the pea-soup industry still hasn’t recovered from its product’s memorable “cameo” in this film. The power of Christ compels you to see it again.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968, 15)

A magnificent exercise in escalating unease, Roman Polanski’s poker-faced adaptation of Ira Levin’s neo gothic bestseller follows the harrowing gestation of Manhattan mum-to-be Mia Farrow as she unwittingly carries the devil’s offspring. We’re not quite in a documentary – Polanski is too careful with his camera – but it might as well be one, set on the same wing as the Draper residence.

MaXXXine (2024, 18)

Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Lily Collins and Kevin Bacon – when the cast is this good, we will suffer through some blood splatter! Ti West’s sequel to his Texas Chainsaw Massacre-esque, X, sees Goth’s Maxine Minx trying to make it as a film star, but a murderous madman stalking Hollywood starlets threatens to kill her big break. Set in the Eighties, watch for the cast, fab fashion and cracking soundtrack.

The Lost Boys (1987, 15)

Eighties poster boys stripped to the waist and wearing spray-on leather trousers for The Lost Boys – it’s what throwback dreams are made of. Starring Jason Patric and Kiefer Sutherland, these boys were plastered over many teen girls’ walls and exercise books back in the day. New romantics meets vampires, it’s a worth at trip down memory lane.

Fright Night (1985, 18)

Blimey hon, if you need the name of a good cosmetic dentist, we can hook you up. Legendary horror director Tom Holland made his directorial debut with vampire movie Fright Night and it is considered a cult classic. If you’re more scream queen than scaredy cat, then you’ll love this film about a teenager who discovers his neighbours are literally from hell and enlists the help up TV vampire hunter Peter Vincent.

An American Werewolf in London (1981, 18)

An American Werewolf in London — Image: Universal

I too have massive hands. It’s a curse. But David Naughton also has to contend with excessive body hair and the drooling teeth as a werewolf. The transformation scene in An American Werewolf In London took a week to shoot and in one scene he had to run naked around London Zoo’s wolf cage – fortunately they had just been fed. It’s a cult classic that blends humour and horror to perfection.

Halloween (1978, 15)

Halloween man in white mask — Image: Compass/ Sony

He’s not going to win first prize with this lame effort Halloween costume, but there’s something about that dead-eyed stare and giant knife that brings out in a cold sweat. John Carpenter’s ingenious minimalist nugget, Halloween, about suburban teens and an unstoppable killer is one of the most influential horror films ever – plus it stars Jamie Lee Curtis. The film was rebooted a few years back but stick with the original.

Poltergeist (1982, PG)

Poltergeist-Movie_ — Image: MGM/ United Artists

How Poltergeist was rated PG when it was released in 1982, is beyond me. Um, hello, decomposed bodies in the pool! NOPE. We’ll state right up front this movie is NOT for little kids. However, when the time is right you can introduce it to your older kids, tweens and teens, who will rate it as an instant classic. Don’t bother with the remake from 2015. Line up the original and if you need a little reminder: “They’re he-ere.”

Beetlejuice (1987, PG)

Beetlejuice stripy suit — Image: Warner Bros

Ahhh, Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice. Yes the kids are flocking to see the sequel released earlier this year which sees Jenna Ortega, Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and Willem Dafoe join OG cast members Michale Keaton, Catherine O’Hara and Winona Ryder, but we’re here for the original.

Edward Scissorhands (1995, 12)

Edward_Scissorhands hair cut — Image: Twentieth Century Fox

Tim Burton and Johnny Depp have long been a match made in horror heaven but it all started with Edward Scissorhands – about a gothic robot with knives for fingers plonked into pastel suburbia where the bored housewives have the hots for their freakishly snippy neighbour. Plus there’s a bittersweet romance between Edward and Kim (Winona Ryder). It’s as fun as Burton’s other films but with the heart to match. Also good for hairdressing tips.

Carrie (1976, 18)

Corsages, the battle for prom queen and king, all those ruffles – prom sounds like a nightmare. Carrie won’t change your mind – it’s one of the creepiest teen films EVER. Carrie White, a shy, friendless girl, who is sheltered by her mega religious mum, unleashes her woo woo powers after being humiliated by her classmates at her senior prom. It’s based on Stephen King’s novel adaptation which should tell you everything you need to know.

IT (2017, 18)

Clowns! Need I say more? Preying on everyone’s aversion to ruffles and grease paint, IT – based on Stephen King’s novel – is the highest grossing horror movie in history having racked up $700 million in ticket sales. Combined with It: Chapter Two‘s $437 million box office tally, the It saga is one of only a few horror franchises to cross the coveted billion-dollar mark. Kerching!

Child’s Play (1988, 15)

childs-play 1988 chucky doll — Image: United Artists/ MGM

Loved playing with dolls as a child? Well, Chucky’s about to ruin that for you. He’s a doll possessed by a serial killer and sent on a murder spree. As implausible as it might sound, Child’s Play was a huge hit and spawned a whole franchise – despite accusations it made kids turn into violent lunatics. Perhaps one to watch without the kids. If you love it, there’s seven more to sink your teeth into.

The Blair Witch Project (1999, 15)

The Blair Witch Project debuted on the cusp of the millennium when, if you wanted to find stuff out, you couldn’t just Google it. Based on a true story, it follows three student filmmakers into the Black Hills in Maryland as they make a documentary about the local legend of the Blair Witch. The film is shot with wobbly camera reality and there’s a high risk of motion sickness (speaking from experience here). The mystery is: why is the camera equipment found and not the students’ bodies? If your nerves aren’t shredded, it forms part of a trilogy.

The Sixth Sense (1999, 15)

The Sixth Sense — Image: Buena Vista Pictures

Whisper it: ‘I see dead people‘… Most chats my kids are about what’s for tea and that they got a sticker for not calling out. But fortunately, my life’s not a psychological thriller. The Sixth Sense is a classic supernatural horror starring Bruce Willis, Toni Collette and Haley Joel Osment as the young boy. Bruce tries to save the day but uncovers some some hard truths about his own life. It’s genuinely creepy.

The Witches of Eastwick (1987, 18)

Fright night feminism, anyone? The Witches of Eastwick is stylish dark comedy never disappoints. What’s not to love about a screen shared by Cher, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Pfeiffer and Jack Nicholson? These three frustrated women laughingly try to conjure a man to fulfil all their desires. Soon enough, Daryl Van Horne (Nicholson) moves into town, but has strange effect on each of them. You’ll never look at a bowl of cherries the same way.

Sleepy Hollow (2017, 15)

Gothic puppet master Tim Burton teams up with Johnny Depp for another dance on the dark side. Sleepy Hollow is a period, gothic drama about a police constable, played by Depp, sent to investigate the Headless Horseman murders in small town. Beautifully shot, creepy as hell. It’s perfect for Halloween.

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992, 18)

When horror meets fashion – the massive lacy collar is to die for in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. This Francis Ford Coppola-directed gothic horror, starring Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves and Winona Ryder, puts an artistic spin on an age-old classic. This iteration takes place in late 19th century London, as Dracula ruthlessly pursues a woman who looks like his late wife.

The Shining (1980, 15)

You could say, all of Stanley Kubrick’s movies are horror films: 2001’s terrifying cosmic loneliness, Dr. Strangelove’s cheery annihilation, the death duels from Barry Lyndon. Which is all a way of saying that when the director finally got around to making a proper thriller inThe Shining, he paradoxically produced the ultimate comic satire on the American family. With blood in elevators and terrifying kids.

The Ring (2002, 15)

If you could watch this from start to finish, I salute you. This film had a cult following in the early noughties and a multitude of teens were convinced they would die within seven days of watching it. The classic elements of a horror film amass in the form of a possessed and bedraggled young girl, a mysterious hut in the woods, a creepy cursed videotape and a relative of a dead girl committed to unearthing the truth. This film will have you gripping the edge of your seat and the psychological thrill remains a week later. Consider yourself warned!

Friday the 13th (1980, 18)

Once a goofy superstition, now a chilling reminder that men in hockey masts are best avoided. Friday The 13th might have been a one-off, had it not been made on a teeny tiny budget only for it to blow up at the box office. Hockey loving Jason Voorhees, the killer at the centre of the story, became a bizarre pop-culture icon and camping nosedived in popularity. If you need a get out for your next night under the stars, this is it.

39 scary movies to watch during Fright Night season

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