Halloween on screen: Five scary movies to give you nightmares

It's a monster mash! Here are five Halloween classics and newbies for viewers to celebrate an eerie-sistable night.

Just in time for Halloween, here are classic and new horror films to watch for the festive holiday.
Just in time for Halloween, here are classic and new horror films to watch for the festive holiday.  © IMAGO / Everett Collection

Whether it's a classic slasher or a psychological thriller – there is something for all horror fanatics when it comes to scary movies.

Now, thanks to streaming service, viewers can pick and choose whichever horror flick they'd like.

But being spoiled for choice brings its own problems. It can be hard to know where to start when it comes to the best Halloween movies to watch this festive season.

Kendall and Kylie Jenner show fans what dreams are made of with Lizzie McGuire Halloween looks!
Kendall Jenner Kendall and Kylie Jenner show fans what dreams are made of with Lizzie McGuire Halloween looks!

Have no fear, though, we've got you covered!

Here are the five best new and old spooky flicks to binge over the Halloween weekend.

Halloween (1978)

Nick Castle stars a Michael Myers in the 1978 horror film, Halloween. The actor reprised the role in various sequels, including Halloween Kills.
Nick Castle stars a Michael Myers in the 1978 horror film, Halloween. The actor reprised the role in various sequels, including Halloween Kills.  © IMAGO / Prod.DB

Go back to where it all began and watch the chilling origin of the "unkillable" Michael Myers.

The story follows the iconic character Laurie Strode, wonderfully played by Jamie Lee Curtis, who is stalked on Halloween by the masked killer.

The John Carpenter classic flick was an unexpected hit when it premiered in 1978.

Teri Garr, Oscar-nominated star of Tootsie, has died
Celebrities Teri Garr, Oscar-nominated star of Tootsie, has died

Since then, Halloween not only birthed one of the longest-running horror franchise, but it also spawned a new generation of horror fans.

Who knew one man briskly walking through neighborhoods with a creepy mask would terrorize the world.

Plus, it's titled Halloween, so it doesn't get any more topical!

Halloween is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Night Teeth (2021)

Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debby Ryan, Megan Fox, Lucy Fry, and Alexander Ludwig star in the Netflix vampire-thriller, Night Teeth.
Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debby Ryan, Megan Fox, Lucy Fry, and Alexander Ludwig star in the Netflix vampire-thriller, Night Teeth.  © Screenshot/instagram/jorgelendeborg

What's Halloween without vampires?

When a freelance driver, played by Jorge Lendeborg Jr. picks up two gorgeous women who happen to be vampires, clearly a disaster is waiting to happen.

The Netflix film may not offer a lot of scares as other vamp-flicks have in the past.

However, if fans who don't want to be up all night, this movie is the perfect blend of comedy and a few spooks here and there.

Megan Fox also makes an appearance in the brand-new flick, if anyone needs more incentive to give it a watch.

Netflix's Night Teeth is now streaming on the app.

Army of the Dead (2021)

Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, and Garret Dillahunt star in the Netflix film, Army of the Dead.
Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, and Garret Dillahunt star in the Netflix film, Army of the Dead.  © Imago/Prod.Db

Zack Synder is a director with ambition.

For viewers looking to get zombified this Halloween, look no further than his 2021 epic Army of the Dead.

This is one of the best zombie-flicks to date – which is saying something, given how packed the field is.

Dave Bautista leads the ensemble cast of mercenaries who plan a daring heist into an abandoned Las Vegas casino.

However, the group has to get past highly-intelligent zombies known as "Alphas", untrustworthy humans, and zombified tigers.

The film was the most-watched Netflix film when it debuted and will aptly quench any zombie fans appetite who want the violence but also a good story.

Army of the Dead and its prequel Army of Thieves is still streaming on Netflix.

Old (2021)

M. Night Shyamalan's film, Old follows group of strangers who on a secluded island and find themselves rapidly aging.
M. Night Shyamalan's film, Old follows group of strangers who on a secluded island and find themselves rapidly aging.  © Imago/Prod.Db

M. Night Shyamalan is known for his twisty, shocking endings.

Which makes his latest flick, Old, an incredibly tense and chilling experience.

The thriller follows a group of vacationers who visit a breathtaking resort on a secluded island.

The seemingly dreamy vacay turns into a nightmare with the beach-dwellers began to age, rapidly.

For horror fans looking for something less violent and more thoughtful, this is right up their alley.

While the movie is a good slow-burner, it has plenty of shocking moments and a surprising ending that even internet sleuths wouldn't see coming.

Old is available to rent on Amazon Prime Video.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Robert Englund plays the supernatural villain Freddy Krueger in the 1984 film, A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Robert Englund plays the supernatural villain Freddy Krueger in the 1984 film, A Nightmare on Elm Street.  © IMAGO/Allstar

One, two, Freddy's coming for you.

This supernatural-slasher may not be for the faint of heart. But Halloween isn't complete without the nightmarish villain who kills teens while they sleep.

A Nightmare on Elm Street has also spawned successful sequels and not-so successful remakes.

Still, nothing will ever compare to the original 1984 film, which was also the young and promising Johnny Depp's film debut.

The movie is more than just teens being mercilessly haunted and hacked off by the ever-terrifying Freddy Kruger.

It also toys with audiences realities – posing the question of what's real and what isn't.

All in all, viewers who chose to watch this classic flick should be aware that sleep won't come easily after it!

A Nightmare on Elm Street is now streaming on HBO Max.

Celebrate Halloween the right way with these ghoulish tales – even if you have to keep the lights on!

Cover photo: IMAGO / Everett Collection

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