Halloween season is here, and it’s time to embrace all things spooky! Pumpkin spice is taking over, pumpkin patches are popping up everywhere, and the age-old candy corn debate is back in full swing. Diving into a good movie is one of the best ways to get into the Halloween spirit.
Whether you’re into timeless classics, the latest horror flicks, or family-friendly films that radiate fall vibes, Netflix has a treasure trove of options for you.
Here’s a list of top Halloween movies to watch on Netflix right now:
10. The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)
For the ultimate Halloween movie marathon, you can’t go wrong with the Fear Street trilogy. These three movies were released this past summer, and offer up a buffet of slasher and horror movie goodness, tracking one story across three different timelines. It begins with Fear Street: 1994, where teens in the town of Shadyside are chased by unkillable slashers who they believe are tied to a curse on the town.
Fear Street: 1978 is a full-on summer camp slasher as more is revealed about the curse and town’s backstory, and the final installment Fear Street: 1666 tells the full origin story of the Shadyside witch. All three movies are a blast.
9. Hubie Halloween (2020)
Okay so Hubie Halloween may not be “high art,” but if you’re looking for a silly comedy with all the Halloween trappings, this might be a good pick for you. The Adam Sandler film follows a deli employee in Salem, Massachusetts who fancies himself a “Halloween Monitor” on Halloween.
The role becomes much more serious when news arrives about an escaped convict. This movie is silly and frankly not great, but it’s a valid choice if you’re looking to watch something that’s very Halloween-themed.
8. The Munsters (2022)
Inspired by the American sitcom of the same name, Rob Zombie’s The Munsters is a prequel-esque reboot of the beloved 1960s television program. Building on the foundation of the basic premise, which follows a Transylvanian family of monsters as they move into an American suburb.
The Munster film begins before Mockingbird Lane, with a love story revealing how the 150-year-old vampire Lily (Sheri Moon Zombie) met the green experiment with a heart of gold named Herman (Jeff Daniel Phillips). Varying greatly from Zombie’s gory and frightful reputation, The Munsters is goofy, silly, and wildly campy above all else.
7. Day Shift (2022)
Jamie Foxx kicks undead ass in Day Shift, a fast-paced, action-heavy vampire hunter movie directed by J.J. Perry. Perry’s history in stunt work is undeniable, with the intricate and inventive fight choreography, as well as the use of props within an action sequence. Infused with snappy and vulgar dialogue written by Tyler Tice and Shay Hatten, Day Shift doesn’t shy away from opportunities to solidify its R rating.
Foxx’s performance is expectedly fantastic and highlighted by the gore, weaponry, and his unique supporting cast, which includes Dave Franco and Snoop Dogg. Day Shift is a thrilling ride from the first kill to the last.
6. The Curse of Bridge Hollow (2022)
The Curse of Bridge Hollow is a delightfully playful Halloween comedy bursting with hilarious talent and family-friendly adventure. The Curse of Bridge Hollow follows teen Sydney (Priah Ferguson) as she’s forced to team with her skeptical science teacher father (Marlon Wayans) to stop the mischievous spirit she accidentally released from causing chaos all over town.
The Curse of Bridge Hollow evokes the spirit of Hocus Pocus with the physical comedy style of the Scary Movie franchise, albeit toned down for a much younger audience. The Curse of Bridge Hollow allows Ferguson to shine, and it is supported by comedy greats like Wayans, Lauren Lapkus, John Michael Higgins, and Rob Riggle. Destined to be a Halloween classic, The Curse of Bridge Hollow deserves to be added to the annual rotation.
5. We Have a Ghost (2023)
Written and directed by veteran horror screenwriter Christopher Landon, We Have a Ghost follows Kevin (Jahi Di’Allo Winston) and his family’s journey from regular nobodies to overnight social media sensations following the discovery of a ghost, Ernest (David Harbour), in their new house. Together, Kevin and Ernest form the unlikeliest of duos as they try and uncover the truth behind Ernest’s past.
Likened to the Casper film of 1995, We Have a Ghost finds true charm in the juxtaposition of its story and tone, with the discovery of a spooky ghost nicely matched by cute humor and a family-friendly plot. We Have a Ghost relishes its own genre, using long-standing techniques audiences have come to expect from such a film to its own advantage.
A tale with a child-like wonder at its heart, We Have a Ghost is only elevated by its great supporting cast that includes the likes of Jennifer Coolidge and Anthony Mackie.
4. Nightbooks (2021)
Somewhere between spooky and downright scary, Nightbooks is a wonderful new entry in the “gateway horror” canon that’s delightful for (not too young) kids and adults alike. The Sam Raimi-produced YA adventure stars Krysten Ritter as a glamorous but very wicked witch who traps children to do her bidding.
Following two kids attempting to escape her grasp, Nightbooks builds a fantastical world of magic and monsters that steers clear of gruesome gore while still delivering plenty of ooey-goeey scares. It’s one of the best Netflix originals of the year and the perfect pick for folks looking for something new to add to their Halloween watchlist.
3. Scream (2022)
The fifth movie in the iconic franchise, 2022’s Scream is a legacy sequel slasher film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett and written by James Vanderbilt and Guy Busick. Featuring a mix of new and familiar faces, the movie is set 25 years after the original 1996 film and follows a pair of estranged sisters who become the targets of a new Ghostface.
Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, and more reprise their franchise roles, with new characters played by Melissa Barrera, Jenna Ortega, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jack Quaid, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar.
Scream received generally positive reviews at the time of its release, with critics and fans praising the direction, meta-comedy, and stellar performances. The film has even been hailed as the best Scream movie since the original. The film also performed well at the box office, and a sequel, Scream VI, was released in 2023.
2. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire premiered in March 2024 to somewhat mixed reviews from critics. However, the movie was fairly successful at the box office, especially in its opening week, and grossed over $200 million worldwide.
The film stumbles on storytelling, with an overstuffed narrative that ultimately has little to add to the franchise’s plot, but it does provide just enough fun moments and nostalgia to appeal to fans of the series. Unsurprisingly, a sequel to Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is currently in the works.
1. It’s What’s Inside (2024)
It’s What’s Inside had its world premiere at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight section. The movie has received largely positive reviews from critics, with praise for its stylish visuals and clever story.
While the movie’s premise is a fairly familiar one, It’s What’s Inside is an entertaining and thrilling film with great performances by its talented cast and a narrative that puts a contemporary spin on body-swap horror.
