SMILE
Creepy adverts for this horror movie have been emblazoned on buses for weeks now. When a psychiatrist played by Sosie Bacon witnesses a patient’s appalling suicide, a series of horrific supernatural events is triggered. The Guardian says: ‘The combination of a committed central performance from the increasingly gaunt and haunted Bacon, and a jarring, tortured score, makes for an enjoyably nasty brush with the smiling face of evil.’ In cinemas now.
THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
Based on the real-life experiences of a group of student filmmakers, this movie scared the pants off students across the globe when it came out in 1999. Considered one of the most successful independent movies ever, The Blair Witch Project consists of spliced together scenes of amateur home video footage, which is what makes it feel so authentic and quite so terrifying. Do not watch this alone.
PREY FOR THE DEVIL
As a young nun – played wonderfully by the little-known Jacqueline Byers – prepares to perform an exorcism, she comes face to face with a demon that has ties to her traumatic past. This is a proper, old-school horror movie. In cinemas now.
SEE HOW THEY RUN
You may not actually feel frightened by this new Agatha Christie adaptation, which stars Saoirse Ronan, but it is perfect Halloween fare nevertheless. The Guardian calls it: “A likably silly and relentlessly camp whodunnit spoof.” In cinemas now.
BRAM STOKER’S DRACULA
This year is the 30th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film, which is the only Dracula adaptation ever to win an Oscar. Starring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins and Keanu Reeves, this elegant masterpiece is worth watching any time and is perfect for those who sit on the fence about Halloween.
HALLOWEEN ENDS
This good, old-fashioned slasher film is this year’s offering from the Halloween franchise, which first hit the big screen in 1978. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis, it is one for die-hard fans of the spookiest night of the year. In cinemas now.
And a few to watch with the children…
HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA
This is the first movie in what became a mega franchise – and it is much the best. Run by Dracula, Hotel Transylvania is a luxury retreat to which monsters can escape to relax and avoid persecution by hateful humans. Just imagine the caper that ensues when a human arrives and falls in love with Dracula’s beloved daughter… The cartoon’s big-name voices include Steve Buscemi, Selena Gomez and Adam Sandler. Fun for all the family.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
The title of this gem, from the kooky hands of Tim Burton, is misleading. It is most definitely a movie to watch at Halloween. The darkly funny animation – which was nominated for an Oscar for Best Visual Affects – follows the king of Halloween Town as he is growing tired of leading the annual Halloween celebrations, stumbles through a portal to Christmas Town and becomes obsessed by the festive period. Critics like it very much. Writing in Rolling Stone, Peter Travers said: “This dazzling mix of fun and fright…explodes the notion that animation is kid stuff. It’s 74 minutes of timeless movie magic.”
HOCUS POCUS
Hocus Pocus shows its age (it was made in 1993) but the wacky comedy is all the cosier for it. When three 17th century witches are summoned by a prankster to the present day, the trio sets out to cast a spell on the town and reclaim their youth. Along the way they must vanquish three modern kids and a talking cat. Treats include Bette Midler and an early sighting of Sarah Jessica Parker.
By Becky Ladenburg
Updated October 2023
