13+ Underrated Spooky Movies for the Halloween Season!
Words by Max Finney (our new FIlm/TV writer!)
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It’s officially our favorite time of year! The season of pumpkin carving and scary masks has finally arrived, and with that comes the time to rewatch your favorite spooky classics. We all know familiar favorites like Halloween, Hocus Pocus, and The Nightmare Before Christmas, but what about those that fly a little more under the radar? Here are 13 movie picks for the Halloween season that deserve a bit more recognition. From slashers to claymation to even romance, there’s something for everyone here! Be sure to read all the way to the end for some bonus picks, too ;)
1. ParaNorman (2012)
COMEDY, ANIMATION, FANTASY, ADVENTURE – PG
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OUR RATING: 5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
IT’S ALL FUN AND GAMES UNTIL SOMEONE RAISES THE DEAD​
From Laika Animation, the brains behind the stop-motion triumph Coraline, comes the story of Norman Babcock: a boy who can see and speak to the dead! A ritual gone wrong results in an exciting misadventure with the undead, including countless references to classic scary movies, hilariously relevant jokes, and incredibly sweet connections. A perfect introduction to the horror genre that is still suitable for young audiences, this visually stunning adventure-comedy deserves to be considered an all time classic. And just in time for Halloween, this underrated masterpiece will be getting new life with a theatrical rerelease beginning October 23rd! In remastered 3D and paired with a brand new short film, ParaNorman: The Thrifting, you won’t want to miss it!
2. Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
COMEDY, ROMANCE, HORROR – PG-13
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OUR RATING: 5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
SHE’S SLAYING. HE’S DECAYING.​
This refreshingly colorful period-piece from screenwriter Diablo Cody (Jennifer’s Body, Juno) perfectly embodies the feel of a 1980s teen comedy! The film centers around misfit teen Lisa Swallows (Kathryn Newton) as she attempts to navigate countless changes in her life including a new family, new high school, and her new zombie boyfriend?! After a lightning strike brings him back from the grave, the handsome corpse (Cole Sprouse) takes Lisa on a romantic journey involving murder, electrocution, and the recovery of a few missing body parts… This hilariously horrific rom-com hones an electric soundtrack featuring bands such as the Pixies, Echo & The Bunnymen, and The Zombies (pun absolutely intended!).
3. The Invisible Man (1933)
SCIENCE FICTION, HORROR – NOT RATED
OUR RATING: 5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
CATCH ME IF YOU CAN!
​When self-inflicted science experiments turn him invisible, Dr. Jack Griffin – played by the one and only Claude Rains – becomes increasingly demented while attempting to reverse the effects, causing a reign of terror, rampage, and murder across Sussex. This hysterically unhinged adaptation of the H. G. Wells novel utilizes some seriously impressive 1930s movie magic to turn Rains invisible! If you enjoyed other Universal Monster classics such as Frankenstein (1931) and Dracula (1931), you’ll certainly have a blast with this underappreciated flick that may just be the best of them all!
4. The Fly (1986)
HORROR, SCIENCE FICTION – R
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OUR RATING: 5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
BE AFRAID. BE VERY AFRAID.​
Scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) has figured out the secret to teleportation… almost. Unbeknownst to Brundle while testing his own invention on himself, something else was teleporting with him. Some of the greatest practical effects in film history gruesomely showcase the horrific process of man slowly merging with insect. Deservingly winning the Oscar for Best Makeup in 1987, this nauseating and immersive body-horror tragedy co-starring the wonderful Geena Davis may very well be the greatest horror remake of all time; and it should most certainly be more widely talked about!
5. Killer Klowns From Outer Space (1988)
COMEDY, HORROR, SCIENCE FICTION – PG-13
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OUR RATING: 5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
IT’S CRAAZZY!​
Aliens have come down from outer space in the form of killer clowns! Cotton candy cocoons and exploding red noses make this comically campy horror comedy a must-watch with friends! Sure to be a blast with its boldly colorful costuming and set design, exaggerated acting, and extremely silly writing, this cult classic also features a bangin’ theme song performed by The Dickies.
6. Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2023)
ROMANCE, HORROR, COMEDY, FANTASY – NOT RATED​
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OUR RATING: 5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
SASHA IS A YOUNG VAMPIRE WITH A SERIOUS PROBLEM: SHE’S TOO SENSITIVE TO KILL.
​Much to the dismay of her family, vampire Sasha refuses to kill. But things change when her parents finally cut off her blood supply and she meets suicidal teen Paul. As we follow the two outcasts on their quest to fulfill Paul’s dying wishes before sunrise, we are accompanied by a beautiful classical score, deliciously colored visuals, and a rollercoaster of emotions. Delightfully funny while simultaneously a tearjerker, Sara Monpetit and Félix-Antoine Bénard deliver unforgettable performances that offer a new perspective on vampires in this tale of
unusual love.
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7. Idle Hands (1999)
COMEDY, HORROR - R​
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OUR RATING: 5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
THE TOUCHING STORY OF A BOY AND HIS RIGHT HAND
​Stoner comedy mixed with horror? Sign me up! In this comedically genius genre crossover, 17-year-old slacker Anton (Devon Sawa) is in for a shock when his right hand becomes possessed by the devil and begins killing on his behalf. With a stellar soundtrack, unforgettably funny line deliveries, and a superstar cast including Seth Green, Jessica Alba, Elden Hanson, and Vivica A. Fox, this criminally underseen gem is one of the funniest stoner comedies of its time.
8. An American Werewolf in London (1981)
HORROR, COMEDY - R​
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OUR RATING: 4.5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ANIMAL HOUSE… A DIFFERENT KIND OF ANIMAL.
Beware the moon. After being viciously attacked by a mysterious creature on a hike, David Kessler (David Naughton) begins to experience frightening changes whilst being haunted by his decomposing best friend, Jack (Griffin Dunne). This hysterical yet gloomy supernatural comedy contains a fantastic soundtrack featuring titles such as “Blue Moon”, “Bad Moon Rising”, and “Moondance” (sense a pattern here?), and also took home the Oscar for Best Makeup in 1982.
9. All About Evil (2010)
HORROR, COMEDY - R​​
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OUR RATING: 4.5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
PEOPLE ARE DYING TO GET INTO THIS MOVIE!​
By far the most unheard of pick on this list, this gory ode to trashy horror flicks stars legend Natasha Lyonne as Deborah Tennis, a mousy librarian who inherits her father’s old movie house and begins to create short snuff films to attract audiences (and victims!) to the dying business. Directed by drag queen Peaches Christ and delivering an exaggeratedly deranged performance from Lyonne, joined by Cassandra Peterson, Mink Stole, and Thomas Dekker, this independent film certainly gives us camp with a capital C-A-M-P!
10. Re-Animator (1985)
SCI-FI, HORROR, COMEDY - NOT RATED​
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OUR RATING: 4.5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
HERBERT WEST HAS A GOOD HEAD ON HIS SHOULDERS… AND ANOTHER ONE ON HIS DESK.
Obsessively conducting experiments within the morgue of his medical school, Herbert West (Jeffrey Combs) is determined to uncover the secret to the re-animation of dead tissue; and he drags roommate and fellow medical student Dan Cain (Bruce Abbott) along for the ride! Oozing with blood and neon green, this campy science-fiction absurdity boasts impressive practical horror effects mixed with hilarious humor.
11. Dracula's Daughter (1936)
​HORROR, DRAMA- NOT RATED
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OUR RATING: 4.5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
SHE GIVES YOU THAT WEIRD FEELING
Gloria Holden gives an absolutely enchanting performance as Countess Marya Zaleska in this direct sequel to the 1931 Universal classic Dracula. Professor Von Helsing is in danger of prosecution for the murder of vampires Count Dracula and Renfield, until Dracula’s body is mysteriously stolen and burned by his daughter, the Countess. Marya begins to seek psychiatric help to cure her vampiric cravings, desperate to fit into normal society. Holden’s eyes alone can tell stories of their own in this tragically queer-coded tale.
12. Ginger Snaps (2000)
HORROR, THRILLER- R
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OUR RATING: 4.5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
THEY DON’T CALL IT THE CURSE FOR NOTHING
This morbid, queer-coded “tail” of girlhood and puberty follows outcast suburban sisters Ginger (Katherine Isabelle) and Brigitte (Emily Perkins); on the night of Ginger’s first period, she is viciously attacked by a wild beast. After miraculously healing, Ginger begins to experience terrifying changes and Brigitte must figure out how to save her sister and herself. An edgy score, wonderfully autumnal wardrobe, and wicked lead performances immerse you in the moodiness of this tragically gory thriller.
13. Monster Squad (1987)
COMEDY, HORROR, ACTION- PG-13
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OUR RATING: 4.5 / 5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ½
YOU KNOW WHO TO CALL WHEN YOU HAVE GHOSTS. BUT WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN YOU HAVE MONSTERS? Ever wondered what would happen if five of Universal’s most well-known monsters joined forces in a 1980s action-comedy? Look no further! On this silly adventure, we follow a Goonies-esque group of misfit kids as they attempt to stop Count Dracula from taking over the world; also joined by Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolfman, the Mummy, and Gillman, this action-packed, goofy monster extravaganza is spooky fun for the whole family!
Honorable Mentions:
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Christine (1983)
House (1977)
My Boyfriend’s Back (1993)
The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
The Slumber Party Massacre (1982)
Braindead (1992)
Frankenhooker (1990)
Freaked (1993)
Return To Oz (1985)
Elvira Mistress of the Dark (1988)
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If you enjoyed these picks, find all plus 20 more on our Letterboxd list!