Fright Night Essentials: Top 10 Spine-Chilling Movies You Must Watch This Halloween
Killer Dolls, Demon Skin, Pea Soup, and Bloody Showers!
[Editor’s Note: This week, to celebrate Halloween, we’re devilishly delighted to welcome filmmaker, author and horror film aficionado, Zach Shaw, who is also the creator of Coffins, Creatures, and Creeps here on Substack!
What we’re affectionately calling “The Zach Shaw Halloween Special,” this post is brought to you to revel in all things macabre and dark with the ghoulish intention of keeping you looking under your bed, checking the closet and leaving a light on in the hallway. So, hide away the kitchen knives, bolt the basement door, break out the blood-red wine and cue up these fiendish films for a hellish night of horror . . . Bwaaaaahahahahah! Take it away, Zach!]
Hello-ween everybody! I’m thrilled to be here to chill you to your core with my selection of must-watch films for the spooky season. Some are cult classics, some are sleeper hits, others are under-the-radar, what-the-hell-are-you-thinking flicks.
Let me lead you into the night!
Halloween (1978) — Directed by John Carpenter
Michael Myers, who murdered his sister when he was just six years old, escapes from a mental health institution fifteen years after said homicide on Halloween, and stalks babysitter Laurie Strode for reasons unknown. The film is a prime example of “less is more,” and that not every movie villain needs a true motive.
I would be remiss if I did not include what some argue is the first true slasher film. Though, some would challenge that claim by reminding you of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), Psycho (1960), and even Peeping Tom (1960). Made with a budget of only $300,000 and spawning numerous sequels and merchandise, Halloween is considered one of the most successful independent films of all time. It is a mandatory watch for me every Halloween. I crossed paths with original Michael actor Nick Castle in August 2022, and unlike his character, he was sweet as a lamb. Thankfully he didn’t knife me to the wall.
Clown (2014) — Directed by John Watts
Kent McCoy is a successful realtor who finds an antique clown costume in a home he is working on. He dons it for his son’s birthday party, but finds he cannot get it off, as if it has fused to his own skin. Kent later finds out from the suit’s owner that it is not a costume, but in fact, the skin of the Clöyne, an Icelandic demon that fed on children to survive the harsh mountain winters centuries ago. As Kent begins to transform into the demon and develops a craving for the blood of children, he goes to great lengths to remove it before the metamorphosis is finished.
Clown is a criminally underrated film that genuinely scared me. A hidden gem that does not get the recognition it deserves, it is a horrifying body horror that makes your skin crawl…and I’m not clowning around. Yes, I went there. This film is one that I only watch every once in a blue moon so as not to ruin the magic of its horror. Produced by “splat pack” director Eli Roth, it is relentless in its depiction of violence, and presents a chilling atmosphere that will make you check your closets and windows for the Clöyne before you drift off to sleep.
Dead Silence (2007) — Directed by James Wan
Hate dolls? Well, this movie may (or may not be) for you. Jamie Ashen receives a ventriloquist dummy in the mail from an unknown sender, and shortly thereafter, his pregnant wife Lisa is murdered in their home, her tongue ripped out of her head. Jamie returns to his hometown of Raven’s Fair to investigate the doll’s origins, when he recalls the story of a 1930s ventriloquist named Mary Shaw. Shaw was killed by the townspeople following the disappearance of Jamie’s great-uncle, a young boy who claimed he saw her lips move during a performance. The townspeople, even decades later, live in fear that she is still around, and refuse to say her name.
An effort of legendary Saw director James Wan, Dead Silence has unfortunately fallen under the radar, but still maintains a cult following. Known for his dark atmosphere and cheesy visual effects, the film still holds up for an aficionado like myself, and does contain terrifying scenes that I worry will work their way into my dreams someday. Here’s hoping I don’t end up seeing Mary Shaw…though I’ve often joked that given we share a last name I would be safe, as there could be a familial connection, I’d rather not test that theory.
Trick ‘r Treat (2007) — Directed by Michael Dougherty
Anthology films are few and far between, and not many directors can pull it off. One, however, stands high above the rest. Several interwoven stories, all taking place on Halloween night, following different characters who traverse themes of life and death, guilt, and coming-of-age. The stories are linked together by Sam, a demon-child who wears a burlap sack over his head and an orange onesie, who is always seen with an orange lollipop. Sam punishes those who dare break the traditions of Halloween, and to this day, I refuse to blow out a Jack O’ Lantern before midnight. If you know, you know.
While not receiving a wide release, this film is adored by its followers. From a seemingly kind high school principal with a secret to a school bus driver with a dark past, the film will make you come face-to-face with the urban legends of Halloween that your parents (and mine) warned you about.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) — Directed by Robert Wiene
The oldest entry on this list, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari follows a sleepwalking man named Cesare who is kept locked away by the mysterious Dr. Caligari, who uses his somnambulist assistant to commit murders within the city. The film is noted for its peculiar stage setups, which include sharp, angular, distorted buildings and landscapes, and shadows painted directly onto the set as opposed to cast by the studio lights. This creates a nightmarish effect that makes the viewer feel as if they are experiencing a fever dream of murder and insanity.
I watched this film on the big screen at the Lucas Theater in Savannah, GA while attending college. It was live-scored by local band The Marshmallow Ghosts, and it was one of the most intriguing cinematic experiences I have ever had. I always find myself coming back to it and noticing details I hadn’t before. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is not only of the of the greatest horror films of all time, but one of the greatest films overall. I was greatly influenced by German expressionism during my senior year and used this film for reference when shooting my thesis In the Dark.
The Strangers (2008) — Directed by Bryan Bertino
James and his girlfriend, Kristen, go to a remote country home for a romantic getaway. However, on arrival, they are stalked and tormented by three masked assailants in one of the first critically successful home invasion horror films of the 2000s. As the night drags on, they fight for their lives as the masked killers try to make their way inside the house, reveling in the chase rather than the catch. Inspired by the Manson Family murders (and, according to some sources, the unsolved Keddie murders), The Strangers uses five characters and one location to create a chilling and atmospheric film that even scared the master of horror, Stephen King.
When this film came out, I was living with my parents in the middle of nowhere in the New Hampshire countryside (where I still reside, actually), and when the trailer aired on television, it scared me to death. In fact, it is the earliest horror trailer I remember seeing that had such an effect on me. A one-off video rental store in the next town over that I frequented as a child had the theatrical poster on their wall. I’m surprised it didn’t give me nightmares. Yet, there was a morbid curiosity brewing inside of me, even though as a kid I was a scaredy cat and wanted nothing to do with anything remotely scary. I’d say the trailer helped me find the “dark spot” in my mind.
Damn you, Bryan Bertino!
The Exorcist (1973) — Directed by William Friedkin
A classic that delivers the screams, The Exorcist has earned its reputation as one of the scariest films ever made. When Regan, played by the legendary Linda Blair, is possessed by a demonic force, two Catholic priests come to perform an exorcism as the MacNeil family comes undone by the supernatural presence they have unleashed. Based on William Peter Blatty’s terrifying novel, The Exorcist traumatized an entire generation, back when many Americans thought demonic possession and the absence of God were to be feared more than anything else, even as it came off the heels of monster movies and creature features.
My friends and family know that I have a life-sized animatronic replica of possessed Regan in my living room (and sometimes my office, as she migrates in the night). When you plug her in she speaks in her raspy, demonic voice before spinning her head around. Needless to say, this film has influenced me more than most, and I refuse to watch anything other than the director’s cut.
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) — Directed by Tobe Hooper
A masterpiece which immediately preceded the slasher genre (but that’s a debate for another day), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre cut its way through America, and soon, the world, being banned in numerous countries upon release. Inspired by the crimes of Ed Gein, the film follows a group of friends who fall victim to a family of cannibals in rural Texas, most notably the chainsaw-wielding Leatherface. (Though most of his kills in the film are done with a sledgehammer. I suppose The Texas Hammer Massacre doesn’t have as good of a ring to it.) The film itself makes the audience feel as if they are the victims, falling into a situation that could happen to anyone else. The final girl, Sally, laughs in disbelief as she rides away from danger in the back of a truck, leaving Leatherface swinging his chainsaw wildly in anger as the film cuts to black. It leaves you thinking...this could happen anywhere. He’s still out there. Will he be stopped?
The primitive cinematography and grain of the filmstrip gives it an almost “at-home” vibe, and while numerous directors have tried, none have recreated the raw grittiness of this film.
Psycho (1960) — Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
A motel. A serial killer. A shocking twist. What more could you ask for? Perhaps the most popular of all of Hitchcock’s films and one of my personal favorites, Psycho etched itself into history as one of the first gruesome and controversial horror films. A woman being killed in the shower, a transvestite serial killer, and showing a toilet on screen were barrier-breakers in this bone-chilling cinematic experience. When Marion Crane flees her job with $40,000, she stops off at Bates Motel, where she encounters our antagonist (or victim, depending on who you ask), Norman Bates, the mild-mannered and charming proprietor. He tries to keep up a modest appearance despite the war going on within his own head…and with his own mother. To this day, I still meet people who have never seen it, nor have had the twist spoiled. Surprising.
“She wouldn’t even harm a fly…”
Fun Fact: I have a Psycho poster signed to me by Vera Miles, the last surviving cast member, which is one of my prized possessions.
Sinister (2012) — Directed by Scott Derrickson
The first great horror film of the 2010s (and one of the last great ones made), this Ethan Hawke film follows Ellison Oswalt, a true crime author who moves into a house where an entire family was hung from a tree in their own backyard. This serves as the basis for his next book, which he hopes will revive his career. When he discovers a box of Super 8 film reels in the attic depicting other homicides, he finds himself in the midst of something far more sinister (yes, I did it again) than he bargains for. A malevolent entity appears in the films, and the portal that Ellison opens refuses to close itself until more victims are added to its body count.
As a filmmaker and author, I found myself relating to Ellison, and as someone who also has had numerous paranormal experiences, I can see this very plot happening to me in my everyday life. Would be one hell of a ride, wouldn’t it?
So, there you have it: ten must-see films for Halloween! Though, the list could go on forever. I spent much time debating what to include, but opted for a more cinematic experience, as opposed to some of the ones you’ll find in the list below, which I also highly recommend adding to your “Zach Shaw Halloween Special” watchlist.
Honorable Mentions:
Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988) — The Chiodo Brothers
Jeepers Creepers (2001) — Victor Salva
Sleepaway Camp (1983) — Robert Hiltzik
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984) — Joseph Zito
Terrifier (2016) — Damien Leone
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This Zach Shaw is so well-spoken and intelligent. You can tell he really knows what he’s talking about.
This is so fun! Thanks for sharing! I love a good horror film, and those that I've seen on this list are top-notch. Seeing The Strangers on here reminded me of two other films that had the hair standing up on my neck--David Moreau and Xavier Palud's Them and Michael Hanake's Funny Games--the 1997 version (and actually Benny's Video, too--yikes!). I watched Funny Games alone late one night while I was staying with my folks...not only did I not sleep that night, I don't think I opened my front door to a stranger for at least 5 years after that. Eek!