The countdown to Halloween is on all our minds– what to wear, what to buy, what to do. Obviously, this year’s Halloween will be unlike any other; parties and trick-or-treating aren’t exactly the safest things to do right now. What better way to stay safe but still have fun than cuddling up on your couch with a couple of loved ones (or maybe even throwing a virtual movie party using Netflix Party or Scener)? If you’re wondering where to begin, look no further: here’s a list of 8 movies on Netflix that are perfect for the season.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) [MPAA Rating: R]
This classic psychological horror follows Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster), an FBI trainee who is instructed to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), in an effort to better understand the mind of a killer. However, there’s one problem with the plan: in addition to being a cannibalistic psychopath, Dr. Lecter is also a brilliant psychiatrist who knows just how to get into Clarice’s head. Full of iconic images and lines, it’s no wonder why this movie won five Academy Awards, bringing home the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director in 1992.
The Addams Family (1991) [MPAA Rating: PG-13]
A cult classic, The Addams Family, is a whimsical, supernatural black comedy based on the cartoon and 1964 television series of the same name. It introduces us to, well, the Addams family—an eccentric group of strong personalities drawn together by their love of black clothing and of each other. When a man comes to the family home claiming to be Gomez’s brother, Uncle Fester, his wife Morticia, is immediately suspicious. The family soon discovers that they are the victims of a pair of con artists’ scheme to swindle them out of their family fortune. Gomez attempts to fight the con artists in court, and, as expected, madness ensues.
Zodiac (2007) [MPAA Rating: R]
True crime is everyone’s new favorite genre, and what better topic than the infamous– and frustratingly unidentified– Zodiac killer. Zodiac follows the investigators and reporters obsessed with bringing the serial killer to justice as he terrorizes San Francisco in the 1960s and 1970s, taunting the press with cryptic letters and phone calls. This mystery thriller is brought to life by its star-studded cast—Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey, Jr., and Jake Gyllenhaal, to name a few—as well as David Fincher’s iconic direction. It’ll have viewers on the edge of their seats until the movie ends.
Poltergeist (1982) [MPAA Rating: PG]
This supernatural horror tells the story of a family in suburban California whose home is descended on by ghosts. Strange occurrences keep happening in the house as the spirits communicate via television static. Though the ghosts are initially playful and good-natured, things soon turn sinister as they cling to the family’s youngest daughter, Carol Anne. When she suddenly goes missing, the parents must turn to supernatural experts to bring their daughter back to the real world. While the film earned itself two sequels and a remake, none of the new properties can really hold a candle to this spooky classic.
Verónica (2017) [Rating: TV-MA]
A newcomer to the genre, Verónica is a Spanish supernatural horror that will have you peeking through your fingers and clutching your pearls. During a solar eclipse, teenage Verónica and her friends try to summon her father’s spirit using an Ouija board. Things quickly go awry as Verónica loses consciousness and evil, violent spirits enter the home. The scariest part? Verónica is actually based on a true story– the still-unexplained death of a girl in 1992 Madrid after playing with a Ouija board. Fair warning: don’t watch this one alone.
The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016) [MPAA Rating: R]
The Autopsy of Jane Doe chronicles the story of a father-and-son coroner duo investigating an unidentified woman’s body. The two begin to experience unsettling, supernatural occurrences while examining the corpse. Tensions rise as the autopsy reveals more and more bizarre and unbelievable clues that only serve to complicate the mystery. This low-budget, supernatural, and psychological horror will have you holding your breath until its claustrophobic conclusion.
Scooby Doo on Zombie Island (1998) [Rating: G]
Who wouldn’t love spending an evening with Mystery, Inc? Scooby Doo on Zombie Island follows everyone’s favorite ghost hunters as they return from a year-long hiatus from mystery-solving to investigate mysterious occurrences on an island. Fed up with the same-old same-old, the gang reunites to look into a bayou island said to be haunted by the ghost of a pirate. This film has a bit of a darker tone than previous Scooby Doo properties and includes real supernatural creatures rather than elaborate ruses by costumed evildoers. If you’re looking for fun nostalgia instead of genuine terror, this is the movie for you.
The Babysitter (2017) [Rating: TV-MA]
Shy pre-teen Cole has a crush on his hot babysitter, Bee, and decides to stay up and see what she gets up to after he goes to sleep. When Cole accidentally discovers that she and her friends belong to a satanic cult, Bee and her partners in crime will stop at nothing to silence him. In something of a bloody coming of age story, Cole learns to stand up for himself as he fights for his life against a group of satanic teenagers. The Babysitter is a fun slasher that doesn’t take itself too seriously; this teen comedy-horror feels like My Babysitter’s A Vampire with a demonic twist.