For those who love horror, suspense, and camp, this is the absolute best time of year to indulge in all things Halloween. No matter what you’re doing to celebrate this spooky season, you know that when you get home you’re sure to find something ghoulish on late-night TV. So, we’re giving you a leg up on your search with the 15 best Halloween movies you can stream.
Whether you prefer full-on horror, can’t get enough of a good old-fashioned ghost story, or just want to enjoy a bit of ambient gothic style, we’ve got you covered. Now’s the time to curl up under a blanket, light a few candles, and snuggle up to your sweetheart (or pup!) and give yourself a few scares. There’s no time like the present for a creepy movie night.
We’ve rounded up 15 of our favorite haunted hits, from old familiar favorites to scary new shows to keep you on the edge of your seat this year. Our criteria? Suspense. Humor. Creepiness. And, of course, style.
Practical Magic
Why we love it: Critics undoubtedly cringe at this 1998 film (starring the odd pair of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as witch sisters) but we know what this movie’s really all about: an amazing shabby chic house we want to live in and an intensely girly 90’s soundtrack that we still love.
Iconic quote: “Since when is being a slut a crime in this family?”
Where to stream: HBO Max
The Addams Family
Why we love it: We love this movie for its constant stream of timeless one-liners delivered by master actors Raul Julia and Angelica Huston. But with their gorgeous decaying manor, velvet smoking jackets, and floor-sweeping black gowns, the Addams are bringing major style, too. Now, if we could only talk our favorite freaky family into doing a complete Home Tour…
Iconic quote: “I’m a homicidal maniac, they look just like everyone else.”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
Ed Wood
Why we love it: This little Tim Burton flick about the famously untalented Hollywood director is delightfully quirky. With characters like Bela Lugosi and Vampira, we think this one counts for “Halloween”. And come on. It’s in black-and-white, and stars a young Johnny Depp. What more do you want?
Iconic quote: “Visions are worth fighting for. Why spend your life making someone else’s dreams?”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
The Shining
Why we love it: Still the hands-down, absolute scariest movie of all time. Period. Seriously, even the carpet is disturbing. And no matter how many times we’ve watched Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece, it’s absolutely mesmerizing to experience.
Iconic quote: “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime and HBO Max
Room 237
Why we love it: Because if there’s anything that might be scarier than The Shining, it’s a documentary about people who are obsessed with The Shining.
Where to stream: Amazon Prime and AMC+
Twin Peaks
Why we love it: Before there was Trey McDougal, there was Agent Dale Cooper. David Lynch’s dreamy cult classic about murder in a pacific northwest town is the original binge tv show, all 24 viewing hours of it. We clearly want to be like Audrey Horne, with her classic red lips and cool confidence. Best pour yourself a damn fine cup of coffee before digging into this series.
Iconic quote: “Damn good coffee!”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime and Paramount+
American Horror Story
Why we love it: Okay, this is also a series, but come on. I have two words for you: Jessica Lange. Whether she’s the murderous matriarch of a witch sorority, a fame-hungry circus performer, or a nun with a habit for booze, we simply can’t get enough of the baddest b____ on TV. The insanely elaborate sets and costumes created for our favorite FX series don’t hurt, either. Oh, and the Grace Coddington-inspired character from Coven? We totally picked up on that.
Iconic quote: “In the absence of the council, as reigning Supreme of this coven, I hereby decree… for the murders of our sister witch, Cecily Pembroke, and our collegue, Quentin Fleming… you… Myrtle Snow, are hereby sentenced to death by fire.”
“Delia, my sweet daughter, I have never been more proud.”
“Any last words?”
“Only one. BALENCIAGA!”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime and FX
Donnie Darko
Why we love it: We adore this little movie featuring Jake and Maggie Gyllenhaal as on-screen siblings in waspy Middlesex, Virginia. A mystery that unravels into a full-on mind-bending warp of reality, this film (and its incredible New Wave soundtrack) will have every hair on your neck standing up.
Iconic quote: “Okay. But you’re not listening to me. There are other things that need to be taken into account here, like the whole spectrum of human emotion. You can’t just lump everything into these two categories and then just deny everything else.”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
The Birds
Why we love it: We love this classic so much that two years ago we created an entire party around it. No one does suspense with more style than Mr. Hitchcock. But new viewers beware: don’t think that an “old” movie can’t scare you.
Iconic quote: “I have never known birds of different species to flock together. The very concept is unimaginable. Why, if that happened, we wouldn’t stand a chance! How could we possibly hope to fight them?”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime and Showtime
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Why we love it: Love it or hate it, Halloween just wouldn’t be Halloween without catching at least a few scenes from this absurd musical ever created. Or, better yet, attending a cult live viewing of the biggest “midnight movie” of all time. Sing to me, lips!
Iconic quote: “It’s not easy having a good time! Even smiling makes my face ache!”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
Beetlejuice
Why we love it: Despite a harrowing childhood fear of the titular character, I can’t get enough of this spooky film. Tim Burton’s classic about a dead couple who hire a malicious spirit to drive the annoying family out of their home is as funny as it is wacky, eccentric, and creepy. It’s also excellent costume inspiration. (One year I chopped my bangs short to rock Winona Ryder’s look for Halloween.)
Iconic quote: “I myself am strange and unusual.”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
The Sixth Sense
Why we love it: Who can forget adorable little Haley Joel Osment in this spine-tinglingly creepy film? Even if you’re already aware of the twist ending, it’s worth a rewatch.
Iconic quote: “I see dead people.”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
Little Shop of Horrors
Why we love it: Add a bit of camp to your Halloween movie night with this classic movie musical. It’s funny, weird, and utterly delightful. And if you haven’t added a few of these tunes to your karaoke repertoire then you need to get on it ASAP. Rick Moranis is adorable as the nerdy florist hoping to woe his love away from a wicked Steve Martin, with the shelf of a man-eating plant.
Iconic quote: “Feed me!”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime, BravoTV, HBO Max
Get Out
Why we love it: In his directorial debut, Jordan Peele has completely reimagined the horror genre through the lens of the experience of Black Americans, to incredible effect. It’s a wholly original take on classic film tropes, executed brilliantly. Get ready to be scared and horrified with this pitch-perfect scary movie that features an all-star, perfect cast.
Iconic quote: “You know I can’t give you the keys, right, babe?”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
Ghostbusters
Why we love it: It doesn’t get much better than this iconic film. It’s a hilarious battle against the paranormal featuring the most stacked cast you could possibly imagine. Delightful doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Iconic quote: “We came, we saw, we kicked its ass!”
Where to stream: Amazon Prime
