Looking for a scary movie? A Denton film critic reveals his top Halloween movie picks

Halloween is a week away, but the spooky spirit is alive and thriving in Denton, which will get you in the mood to watch scary movies. Maybe you caught a few of them playing at Quakertown Park or on the East Side bar patio as part of the 31 Days of Denton Halloween.

But if you’re not a fan of open-air screenings or just want something comfortable on your own couch, there’s no need to worry. There are plenty of spooky movies available to stream or purchase, making it easy to enjoy them at your own pace.

Below are eight movies that will get you even closer to the Halloween spirit. These games offer a wide variety of scares and thrills that appeal to different tastes. Six of these movies are more suitable for mature audiences, while the last two are perfect for family movie night.

A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)

While it may seem easy to recommend the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, the horror classic turns 40 this year and remains a masterclass in horror filmmaking. Right out of the gate, it’s clear why A Nightmare on Elm Street is on the Mount Rushmore of slashers. It expertly shapes the suspense value of a candy bowl and provides a chilling introduction to the iconic villain Freddy Krueger (wonderfully played by Robert Englund).

The film consistently delivers scares and imaginative surprises, from a spooky high school scene filled with a body bag to surreal staircases covered in goo and the disturbing transformation of a car roof into Freddy’s signature sweater pattern. This film showcases not only Wes Craven’s extraordinary filmmaking skills, but also his talent as a writer. “Welcome to prime time…”

Where to Watch: All Nightmare on Elm Street movies can be watched on Max. However, the theatrical cut and uncut version of the original film can be purchased on the newly released 4K Ultra HD disc or Digital UHD. The excitement here is that the picture, color and sound (unlike the original Halloween in 4K) have been significantly improved, providing a more immersive and exciting experience. Therefore, consider purchasing the new disk. If you’re lucky enough to find the 4K steelbook, you’ll find a retro Warner Bros. copybook that’s perfect for collectors. It has the VHS aesthetic.

ALIENS (2008)

Lionsgate released The Strangers: Chapter 1 earlier this year, and if the next two installments of this new trilogy are anything like what we’ve seen this year, you’d better direct your attention back to the original 2008 film.

Starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, The Strangers captures a universal fear: What if three masked attackers tried to kill you “just for being home”? No thank you, but the film is a tense and incredibly gripping horror story that breaks the subgenre down to its essential elements, emphasizing the sincere, visceral fear of its concept.

Where to Watch: The Strangers can be watched on Max. But if you want to purchase the film in physical format, a new 4K collector’s disc was released by Scream Factory last month. This disc includes a sharp 4K presentation of the superior unrated version of the film, as well as two handfuls of well-crafted making-of featurettes and a still gallery.

MAXXXINE (2024)

MaXXXine is the third installment of Ti West’s X trilogy, which includes 2022’s X and Pearl. Each of these films explores a different era and atmosphere of horror, whether it’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre or The Wizard of Oz, filtered through the antics of The Shining. Now West takes us to 1980s Hollywood; While the titular character (an incredible Mia Goth) pursues fame, a mysterious killer stalks Tinseltown’s starlets.

MaXXXine isn’t just a horror thriller; A complete visual feast. A stylish and intriguing place of terror with spectacular colors and stylish camera movement. But it’s Kevin Bacon’s bad run as a private investigator that really pushes him over the finish line.

Where to Watch: MaXXXine can be streamed on Max or purchased on 4K or Blu-ray disc, which includes making-of and behind-the-scenes information.

BLACK CHRISTMAS (1974)

Terrifier 3 demonstrated its fondness for Christmas horror, making the original Black Christmas a perfect choice for those looking for a darker take on the holiday season. For those looking for more “slaughter” than “sleigh”, Black Christmas offers a chilling experience. Starring Olivia Hussey and Margot Kidder, this well-crafted slasher follows a group of sorority girls who become the targets of threatening phone calls and are then stalked and killed by a psychopath.

Black Christmas predates the iconic thrills of Halloween and Friday the 13th and stands as a smartly written film that actively engages the audience in the unfolding mystery. Its disturbing ending lingers long after it’s over. One standout moment involves the characters’ intense efforts to trace a chilling phone call, adding to the film’s gripping atmosphere.

Where to Watch: You can stream Black Christmas on Peacock, Tubi, or Roku Channel. Scream Factory has released an excellent 4K disc version that includes prep featurettes, archival and retrospective interviews, and a 4K transfer with a perfect balance of grain and vibrancy.

GINGER PAIRS (2000)

Ginger Snaps has gained a loyal following over the years, cementing its status as a cult classic. In Canada’s supernatural film, Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle give captivating performances as sisters trying to navigate the dangerous environment of high school. It seamlessly weaves metaphors into the horror narrative, effectively combining the themes of transformation and bodily functions. With impressive practical effects on a low budget, Ginger Snaps delivers a refreshingly unique watch that’s worth revisiting every Halloween. It offers a more grounded and relatable take on the teenage wolf archetype.

Where to Watch: You can stream Ginger Snaps on Shudder and AMC+, or purchase the collector’s edition of the film from Scream Factory. The disc includes extras such as audio commentaries with filmmakers, retrospective interviews with artists and storytellers, and deleted scenes, among other features.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

With the recent release of the Rosemary’s Baby prequel called Apartment 7A on Paramount+, it’s a perfect time to dive into the 1968 original. Rosemary’s Baby is renowned for its masterful depiction of slow-burning horror, deftly intertwining terror with thought-provoking social commentary.

In the film, Mia Farrow plays Rosemary, a young woman who is unwittingly ensnared in a Satanic cult by her intrusive neighbors and subsequently becomes pregnant with the Devil’s child. The fear stems not only from the Satanic cult, but also from the betrayal of Rosemary’s husband, the manipulation and usurpation to which he subjects her, and the erosion of Rosemary’s bodily autonomy in their relationship. These subtleties add deep layers to the narrative, making Rosemary’s Baby a timeless classic with much more within its framework than you know.

Where to Watch: You can watch Rosemary’s Baby live on Paramount+, AMC+, Criterion Channel and MGM+. The Criterion Collection has a well-put together (and sadly out-of-print) Blu-ray edition packed with bonus content if you’re willing to spend over $50 via a secondary market. Otherwise, the standard 4K UHD disc and digital edition are pretty great.

MONSTER HOUSE (2006)

Looking for a spooky movie suitable for more members of your family? Monster House should be strongly considered. This coming-of-age film tackles a variety of universal themes, including the complexities of love, the inevitability of death, and the challenges of moving forward, with such sensitivity and grace. Although the film contains some scary moments and jokes about peeing in bottles, these elements are not too challenging for children, making the film enjoyable for ages 7+. Read Netflix’s descriptions or watch the movie’s trailer to better appreciate how scary the movie is for your little ones.

THE ADDAMS FAMILY (2019)

I love the live action Addams Family movies of the 1990s. But any parent watching them today can recognize areas that might be too much for young children. Fortunately, the 2019 animated film does a great job capturing the quirky spirit of the original films and TV series from the 1960s and 1990s (or 2022’s Wednesday series on Netflix). There’s something about the animated form that allows more room for creepy events to occur without being too realistic to be traumatizing.

The Addams Family is a hilarious and spooky Halloween debut that not only brings back old fans of the iconic family, but also introduces a new generation to a highly enjoyable experience. A great way to share your childhood memories with your children.

Where to Watch: You can stream the movie for free on Tubi or rent the movie on your favorite digital platforms like Fandango at Home or Prime Video for $3.99-$5.99.

PRESTON is a member of BARTA Critics’ Choice Association and the Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association. Read his work here and RottenTomatoes.com. Follow him on Instagram: @bluraydad.