Ell Ruggles

Digital art created by Ell Ruggles of Freddy Kruger (Nightmare on Elm Street), David (The Lost Boys), Ghostface (Scream), The Babadook (The Babadook), Ben (Night of the Living Dead), a Crawler (The Decent) and Ed Warren (The Conjuring).

Watching horror movies during October is a popular and long-standing tradition. With so many horror movies out there, it can take time to find the best ones. This list will be sure to make any horror movie experience a great one.

“Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) and “Scream” (1996) are classic horror films directed by the renowned and well-respected horror director, Wes Craven. One of the best things about these movies is that the killers have personalities. Another unique aspect of the films is their ability to remold the slasher formula and revive the horror genre. 

Starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson as real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, “The Conjuring” (2013) is the first of many films in The Conjuring universe. This film combines the horror of a haunting with a deep emotional connection to the characters. One of the greatest aspects of this movie, and the franchise as a whole, is its expertly executed background horror. This film guarantees to have spectators on the edge of their seats.

“Night of the Living Dead” (1968) was one of the first and greatest zombie films to exist. The director, George A. Romero, brought the movie to life with his understanding and passion for practical effects. 

This film has also left a lasting impact as it is remembered as a powerful social commentary that proved horror wasn’t just a genre full of cheap scares. This classic black-and-white film is the perfect horror film to watch in October.

One of the most chilling movies out there is “The Descent” (2005). It will give anyone who watches nightmares. The claustrophobia and excellent acting create a sense of realism. Once the inhabitants of the cave system appear, they become a relief and allow the audience to take a breath and remember it’s not real. 

“The Babadook” (2014) is a physiological horror film set in Australia. For fans of elevated horror, this movie will surely deliver. The best aspect of the film is its message. Jennifer Kent wrote and directed a ghost story that brilliantly addresses mental health issues as the Babadook symbolizes the dangers of not facing one’s grief and depression. 

“The Lost Boys” (1987) is an exceptional horror film of the ’80s. The small-town teen drama paired with vampires creates an extremely entertaining horror movie. With one of the best movie soundtracks, talented actors and gothic 80s vibe, this film is an absolute must-watch for horror and ’80s fans alike.

In a poll, 58 of the 88 students surveyed voted for watching horror movies as the Halloween tradition they are most excited about. These movies cover a wide range of horror genres with films perfect for those trying to get into scary movies and horror fanatics alike.