Army of Darkness (1992)

First off, no list is complete without a Bruce Campbell movie. I grew up watching the evil dead movies with my dad, probably why I have a love for horror movies. This film is definitely a hate it or love it movie with its quirky jokes and overall silliness both with the plot and the effects. Still on my list of must watch because of the subtle hints of lovcraftian horror and lore. Definitely one to get stoned to!

Dead Alive (1992)
This is another classic comedic horror written by Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson. It was one of his first films and it is an absolute masterpiece. Get ready to laugh at the body horror and effects but at least they aren't cgi! It really takes a turn at the end but for me, is a must watch. Here's to hoping Peter Jackson does more horror in the future!!!

Gothic

Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
This classic is one of my favs despite having Keanu in it (not a fan). Winona Ryder is absolutely perfect and this version of Dracula is both gothic horror and exotic romance. Absolutely recommend, especially if you are a vampire lover like me!

Nosferatu (2024)

I absolutely lost my shit when this came out and had to go see it in theaters. Based off the classic, it features my husband Bill Skarsgård as the count who does an AMAZING job. The effects are great and even features Willem Dafoe (one of my fav actors). The atmosphere is almost supernatural in effect and I highly recommend you watch this version. Even the ending made me almost cry in a sympathetic way. I also love how they went with the old vampire lore of biting the heart, not the neck, of their victims.

Psychological

The Shining (1980)

I first saw the Shining when I was little but didnt't get to watch the whole thing until years later. This film is directed by one of my favs, Stanley Kubrick and based off a novel by one of my favorite authors. Jack Nicholson does an AMAZING job at playing crazy. I will say though, I didnt not like the fact him and Stanley terrorized Shelley Duvall to actually cry on set and mentally abuse her off set. It did give for an authentic reaction, but damn. Must watch on a cold night to get the full effect of being in Colorado! Also, cool fact, the lodge they show in the beginning is the same lodge from a mountain that I live by!

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
I saw this for the first time a few years ago and fell in love with Freddie. This is a fun psychological thriller as it takes place in your dreams, a very unique idea for a bad guy. I really should catch up on more classics like this... However, the fact they made it into a franchise, same with halloween, was kinda pointless.

Midsommar (2019)

Another classic from A24, this film is one of my favs for a mental mind fuck. The first time I saw this it freaked me out so bad afterwards and honestly I think thats what makes a good film, which rarely happens anymore. Also features my wifey Florence Pugh who does an incredible job with the acting and it just seems like her face was made for the type of expressions you would get if you were in her shoes. There is a heavy gore warning but if you're into that sort of thing, I highly recommend this for a cozy october halloween fest movie marathon!

Science Fiction

The Thing (1982)
One of my absolute favorites! The Thing is, again, by one of my favorite directors John Carpenter. The special effects alone are amazing and the plot is enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. Really a great film for horror fans and scifi nerds alike especially during the cold weather months. Highly recommend if you like mutant monster movies or just alien shit in general.

Dagon (2001)
Another classic folk horror from H.P. Lovecraft featuring weird monsters from the deep waters. A lot of it is in Spanish, due to the plot taking place in a small Spanish fictional town. The atmosphere is on point and if you like aquatic horror movies then this one is definitely for you. There's a small comedic aspect to it, but its still a great film and deserves a watch.

Alien (1979)
This is hands down one of my absolute favorite movies. Not just because of the horror aspects of it but who doesnt love alien creature features? Not just an amazing plot but H.R. Giger is one of my favorite artists as well and his influence on the franchise is absolutely breathtaking. Highly recommended if you haven't seen this movie already, it truly is a classic!

Color Out of Space (2019)

This relatively new horror is really a 'dont judge a book by its cover' movie. I've never been a fan of Nicolas Cage but his perfermance in this one is absolutely perfect fit and he does a really good job at portraying a guy losing his fucking shit. This movie is based on a short story by H.P. Lovecraft so its very much Lovecraftian in nature and the effects are pretty good too. Plus I fucking love the color, it seems to hypnotize you as much as Lovecraft does with his stories. Go give this one a try and you wont regret it!

Slashers

Friday the 13th (1980)
Another classic on the list, this one brings you back to childhood with the camp aspect, with a dark secret. This film is almost comedic in a gorey way but nonetheless still a must watch for halloween every year!

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

This one hits home because well, I'm from Texas and I have seen the backwoods areas around here and they are completely sketch. This classic film gets it just right because it can be quite scary out there. Always make sure you have gas when traveling across the state! Leatherface is one of my favorite horror characters because he reminds me of Ed Gein, my fav serial killer and I think this film portrays him in a way that is subtle yet obvious. Definitely worth a watch if you haven't already!

Post-Apocalyptic

Night of the Living Dead (1968)
I didn't see this one until way later in life and didn't really like it the first time I watched it. But, giving it another try, I fell in love with the first zombie movies made as they are pretty iconic and although the zombies aren't my favorite kind (slow mindless ones) this makes for a great movie and is an absolute classic. Must watch for Halloween!

Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Again, I didn't watch this until way later in life and I had actually seen the remake before the original. While both are great, I definitely prefer the original because it just has that extra cult feel as well as featuring malls when they were in their prime. Great movie and the zombies were really on par in this one. Recommended for your Halloween movie marathon!

Supernatural

The Evil Dead (1981)

The first time I saw this movie I thought it was an overrated silly movie with an annoying actor. A few years go by and I try it again, with a deeper love for horror. I then realized how great of a film this movie is and how great of an actor Bruce Campbell really is. Oh, did I mention he lives in my neighboring town and comes into the city for movies and traveling the small airport? It's weird how rewatching a movie years apart can really change the way you view them.

Hereditary (2018)
Absolute must watch! This movie left me scared for 2 days after. From A24, its one of the best horror films I have seen in the past decade or so. Really loved how they included dollhouses in it too, as I have a love for miniatures. The ending was such a twist too, but I don't want to spoil too much. Go watch for yourself!!

Thrillers

Halloween (1978)
This one is a given and should be on everyones list for a Halloween movie marathon! Classic story from one of my favorite directors, this one is a proto-slasher that gave rise to a franchise that expanded into prequels and sequels explaining the intriguing story of Michael Meyers, a psychotic killer who is determined to hunt down his sister and kill anyone who gets in his way.

The Descent (2005)

Absolutely one of my favs to watch during Halloween. Something about the mysteries of the mountains and unexplored caves appeals to me. The aspect of evolution is thrown in as well, which I really liked. And while I would never ever go caving in my life, I for some reason find it soothing to watch others go places in which I will not. This movie is by far a must watch if you like any of the above mentioned. Oh and the monster design was really awesome for a lower budget film!!

Terrifier (2016)

One of my favs for Halloween, this absolute masterpiece of a franchise features Art the clown (who I can relate to with his hilarious facial expressions). Move over Michael Myers, Art is becoming one of the most popular horror icons and I highly suggest you watch the series starting with this one. It's a tad bit slow at first but it really picks up towards the end, thank me later! Heavy gore warning!

Smile 2 (2024)

This is a newer film added to the list but I had to add it on here because I absolutely loved it. It starts out following the first one so I recommend you watch that one first but it gets right into it. I loved the atmospheric music and decor they used on set as well as the detail that goes into showbiz. I was torn weather to put this under psychological or supernatural because of the lore, but alas I felt thriller fit the best as it does leave you questioning and on the edge of your seat with the gorey scenes.