Thinking of snuggling up, popcorn and big cushion in hand, to watch a scary film this Halloween? Here are our Top 10 Halloween films.
Let the Right One In [Låt den rätte komma in] (2008) The Swedish original of the new UK/US remake 'Let Me In!' A bullied misfit boy finds an unlikely friend and soul mate when he meets a mysterious girl who has moved into his dreary apartment complex: a twelve-year-old girl vampire. A near-perfect film thanks to Tomas Alfredson's simple, disciplined yet powerful direction, wonderful use of sound and outstanding performances. An excellent film.
Read our TEN review here.
Watch a trailer here
Dracula (1958)
There is a special Halloween night presentation of the British Film Institute's (BFI) National Archive restoration of the 1958 Hammer Film classic, 'Dracula', in the Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield, Dublin.
Based on the novel by Bram Stoker, the film is directed by Terence Fisher and stars Christopher Lee in the title role, in his first outing as the infamous vampire. Produced by the notorious Hammer Horror Films, this is their most celebrated film and the first 'Dracula' film to be shot in colour. In Lee's hands Dracula morphed from a blood sucking, cold killer into a more cunning, debonair seductive vampire. Watch the trailer for the BFI restored film
Nosferatu, A Symphony Of Horror (1922)
This Halloween masterpiece, and Max Shrek's performance as the legendary vampire, set the terrifying standard for the film genre. German silent film master F.W. Murnau's adaptation of Bram Stoker's Dracula set the standard for all vampire flicks to come... maybe not 'Vampires Suck' but you get the drift. Watch a trailer for the film
Halloween (1978)
The original and the best 'Halloween', directed by John Carpenter spawned a spooky franchise starring Jamie Lee Curtis as Laurie whose life is made hell by the return home of psychopath Michael Myers. The suspence, the screams, the chases, the theme tune...the classic Halloween.
Read our TEN review of the Halloween remake
Alien (1979)
The film broke the mould by mixing a fighting-fit feem fatale, Sigourney Weaver, with the horror of the Alien monster and the result ticked all the boxes for millions of sci-fi horror fans. Appealing to both men and women, with Weaver in the lead role, 'Alien' was not only a scare-fest but also a psychological thriller with plenty of gorey scenes too.
The Omen (1976)
Despite ruining the name Damien for a generation of film fans, the original 1976 horror directed by Richard Donner has style, pace and Gregory Peck. The film follows a family who slowly begin to realise that their son is the spawn of the Devil. Make sure to rent the original, as you'll read in our review here, the remake is not worth your cash.
Read our TEN review here of the 2006 remake
Psycho (1960)
Alfred Hitchcock approached horror from a completely different angle than any other director and his films always stand out due to his original style. Here a woman meets a grisly end when, fleeing a robbery, she decides to stay in the wrong hotel with the wrong proprietor, the infamous Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins).
The only thing more famous than Bernard Herrmann's theme tune is the shower scene which will stands the test of time. Watch a trailer
Carrie (1976)
When Brian de Palma does scary, there are no shades of grey. Sissy Spacek was Oscar nominated for the privilege of terrifying audiences across the globe in this unforgettable adaptation of Stephen King's novel. She plays an abused girl with telekenetic powers who gets revenge on Prom night. Watch her in action in this trailer
Trivia: John Travolta makes his film debut in the film.
Dawn Of The Dead (1978)
Credited with inventing the Zombie horror genre, George A Romero's sequel to 'Night of the Living Dead', packed an even gorier punch for horror lovers. In 'Dawn of the Dead' four survivors escape zombie-land and struggle to survive. The film was banned in numerous countries at the time of release...quelle surprise! Not to be confused with 2004's 'Zach Snyder's Dawn of the Dead' reviewed here
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
If you like a little Rom Com to go with your Zom drama then Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are here to deliver.
Read our TEN review.
The Shining (1980)
Any time is a good time to watch this psycho-horror but the thirtieth anniversary is a special time to dig out the Stanley Kubrick gem. Based on another book by Stephen King - this time about an evil spirit lurking in a remote hotel, where the psychic son sees the horrors that lie ahead and which eventually leads to the the father, (Jack Nickolson) going insane. Here's Johnny! Watch the classic clip here
Other favourites include:
'Silence of the Lambs', 'Frankenstein', 'Blair Witch', 'The Body Snatchers', 'The Exorcist', 'Paranormal Activity 1 & 2', 'Frankenstein', 'Cujo', 'Friday the 13th' (1980, the original), 'The Bride of Frankenstein' and for kicks 'Young Frankenstein'.
Taragh Loughrey-Grant
