The best Halloween movies to watch in 2025 include classics like Halloween and Beetlejuice, modern hits like The Substance, and cult favorites such as The Witch and Terrifier.
Spooky season has officially arrived — the air is crisp, pumpkins are on display, and candy aisles are overflowing. But no Halloween celebration is complete without the perfect scary movie marathon. Whether you’re in the mood for bone-chilling horror, supernatural comedy, or psychological thrills, this year’s lineup of Halloween films offers something for every kind of fright fan.
Halloween (1978)
A foundational slasher, the film sees babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) hunted by escaped killer Michael Myers on Halloween night. With its minimalist tension and John Carpenter’s chilling score, it still defines the genre.
Stream on AMC+.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Equal parts spooky and absurd, this Tim Burton classic stars Michael Keaton as the obnoxious bio-exorcist Beetlejuice who helps a deceased couple haunt their homebuyers. A perfect blend of comedy and fright.
Stream on HBO Max.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
This beloved Disney film features three witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) rising on Halloween and causing chaos. It leans lighter on terror and heavier on fun, making it ideal for family viewing.
Stream on Disney+.
Trick ’r Treat (2008)
A smart horror anthology that weaves multiple Halloween-night stories together with dark humor and style. It’s grown into a modern cult favourite thanks to its clever structure and well-crafted scares.
Stream on HBO Max.
The Witch (2015)
A slow-burn folk horror set in 1630s New England, this film follows a Puritan family torn apart by supernatural forces in the woods. Its atmosphere, dread and period authenticity make it one of the most unsettling picks.
Stream on HBO Max.
Hereditary (2018)
Toni Collette anchors this devastating, emotionally intense story about grief and generational trauma. The supernatural horror elements are layered beneath the character drama and will stick with you long after the credits.
Stream on HBO Max.
Scream (1996)
Wes Craven’s meta-slasher revived the genre with wit and self-awareness. A masked killer terrorizes high-schoolers, and the film both honours and pokes fun at horror tropes. One of the must-see classic October watches.
Stream on Peacock.
It (2017)
This adaptation of Stephen King’s novel brings Pennywise the clown (Bill Skarsgård) into a small Maine town where kids are terrorised by a shape-shifting entity. An effective mix of nostalgia, fear and spectacle.
Stream on HBO Max.
Ghostbusters (1984)
For a lighter but still Halloween-appropriate pick, this ghost-hunting comedy is perfect. A trio of scientists start a supernatural cleanup business in New York, and you’ll find both laughs and spooky fun.
Stream on Peacock.
The Black Phone (2021)
Set in the late 1970s, this thriller follows a boy abducted by a serial killer, who communicates with previous victims via a mysterious phone. It blends psychological terror with supernatural elements and offers a modern scare.
Stream with Peacock.
