HORROR / HALLOWEEN MOVIE RECOMMENDATIONS

I do enjoy horror / spooky movies but I do get scared by them! I am not impervious to jumpscares! So here are some of my recommendations with notes along with them~

SCI-FI HORROR
The Thing (1982): Probably the most impressive practical effects I have ever seen, especially gore / body horror practical effects. I was so impressed throughout the entirety of this film and locking in so hard to try and figure out everything that was going on. Survival horror, gory, gruesome, and fantastically done.
Alien (1979): Most likely my favorite sci-fi horror, the aesthetic and themeing in this is unparalleled. Immense tension, no matter how many times I watch it the tension and scares always get to me. Love the practical effects, love the actors, loooove the aesthetic. Fav fav.
Alien: Romulus (2024): Such a good follow-up to Alien, watched this in theaters and thought I was going to have a heart attack. Shittin' my pants from stress and fear. So scary and tense and just overall feelings of EUGH AGH HELP NO OMFG. Very well done, continues the great retro sci-fi aesthetic I love.
The Substance (2024): Saw this by myself in theaters and had a great time. What a vibe. The ending was not what I expected and I loved it. Whole film is good ol' body horror, so if that's really not your thing then you should avoid. Actors were phenomenal. So slay.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954): Of course I had to put a classic movie monster here. I was really impressed with this film, I thought Ricou Browning's performance as the gill man, especially in the water, was so impressive to watch. Some great lines about science and discovery, also love that they had to throw in a line from Genesis at the start before we got into all the science and evolution stuff, LMAO! Impressive filmmaking and effects. Really not scary at all, great all-around watch.

SLASHER HORROR
A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985): My favorite of the ANOES movies. I loved Jesse and Lisa as characters and that the Freddy lore was expanded upon. More possession focused than dream focused which I thought was super interesting. Also love how influential this film has been on the queer film community, it is such a classic. I HIGHLY recommend watching Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street after watching this film, as it focuses on Mark Patton (the actor who plays Jesse) and his personal story as it relates to the film and the fall-out from it. The film was very controversial at the time, and essentially ended Mark's career. Required viewing if you are a horror fan.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997): Looove the 90s vibes in this. The fact it starts with a grungy, slow-rock version of Summer Breeze, are you KIDDING me? Iconic. Loved the actors, loved how things escalated. I did not expect the twist and I enjoyed it.
Scream (1996): It's iconic! The setting, the effects, the escalation, the humor, tis a classic! Love Sidney Prescott, love the satire, what else can I say?
Prom Night (1980): I! Like! Prom Night! I think it's fun! Kim's character is a badass, and I liked how we spent time with the characters, loved Alex and Kim's sibling dynamic. I really thought the killer was someone else! The dance scene is iconic, and I loved how the killer was presented, it truly makes sense once you find out who it is.

VAMPIRE HORROR
Sinners (2025): Saw on 70mm film in theaters which was sooo tasty. *slaps roof of car* you can fit so many metaphors into this bad boy. What a stunningly well done film. Had some very classic vampire elements but also felt sooo different. Framed here less of a personal monster and more of a social evil, and it was so well done. Great effects and gore, very impressive and fantastic overall. I was not expecting the jumpscares in the intro flashback sequence and I was literally jumping out of my seat and spilled my popcorn EVERYWHERE LMAOO!
Nosferatu (2024): Atmosphere off the charts - so tense and forboding and tastyyyy. Mesmerized by the lighting and framing, the movements of the characters, just so drawn in to the amazing performances of the actors. Definitely has some moments that made me jump out of my seat or I looked away cuz it was gross! Very well done.

PSYCHOLOGICAL HORROR
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992): One of my favorite films of all time. I am a huge Twin Peaks fan, and this is just an absolute masterpiece from David Lynch. It is so important and impactful. You are confronting the horrors that Laura Palmer had to go through, as well as a few other realities along the way. Rocked me to my core, some very heavy emotional stuff present. You should watch Twin Peaks seasons 1 and 2 before watching this. Rest in peace Laura Palmer, and thank you David Lynch. Feel so fortunate to own the Criterion Collection version of this film.
The Shining (1980): Shelley Duvall my beloved. Love the cinematography so much, the colors, costuming, and framing choces are all splendid. Stephen King is an obvious idiot in many ways, but also because he didn't like this adaptation. Well I do!

OTHER HORROR I DON'T FEEL LIKE CATEGORIZING
The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020): This was a random pick that turned out to be an absolute gem for me. Funny, tragic, relatable - these characters were so well written and well acted. The werewolf is genuinely freaky to me, they did a really good job with it. Thriller, murder mystery, suspenseful, grief horror, and some good gore.
House on Haunted Hill (1959): So endearing to me, I love it. The humor is great, the goddamn skeleton is iconic. Vincent Price and Carol Ohmart are fantastic in this. Not scary at all, it has great spooky vibes and some great twists.