25 Halloween Movies to Get You Ready to Party

Get your costume ready and the popcorn popping with our curated list of essential Halloween films.

Movie list · 25 titles

Our own summary of the original — the full post and photos live at thebash.com.

About this

A roundup of 25 Halloween movies spanning thrillers, comedies, and feel-good cult classics meant to get viewers into the spooky spirit. Each entry pairs a short plot summary with where to stream or rent it and themed party decor or food ideas tied to the film. It also suggests playing several films back-to-back (muted) as party ambiance and using them for costume inspiration.

The list

The Babysitter

Boy learns his cool babysitter leads a satanic cult and must outsmart her.

Hocus Pocus

Three 17th-century witches return; witch hats and broomsticks make good decor.

Mom's Got a Date With a Vampire

Disney Channel movie; kids unknowingly set mom up with a vampire.

Under Wraps

Kids race to return a mummy to its resting place; family-friendly graveyard decor.

Haunted Mansion

Eddie Murphy horror-comedy; turn the home into a haunted house.

Hocus Pocus 2

Long-awaited sequel; hints the Sanderson Sisters could return again.

SCREAM

Serial killer quizzes victims before killing them; suspenseful horror.

Scary Movie

Slasher-film parody; dim lights, candles and popcorn recommended.

Harry Potter

Wizard magic and mischief; decorate like Hogwarts with robes and wands.

Halloweentown

Beloved Disney film; marathon it with its three sequel movies.

Edward Scissorhands

Man with scissor hands; all-black decor with chains and scissors.

Goosebumps

R.L. Stine monsters unleashed; family-friendly thrills and laughs.

Ghostbusters (2016) 2016

Female-led reboot with comedy from McCarthy, Wiig, McKinnon and Jones.

Ghostbusters (1984) 1984

Original '80s film; neon green decor and ghost-free-zone signs.

Practical Magic

Witch sisters face a curse; serve mini hotdog fingers and pretzel broomsticks.

What We Do In The Shadows

Vampire mockumentary; blood-red juice, lip cookies, blood-stained candles.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Peanuts classic; nostalgic watch with pumpkins everywhere as decor.

Carrie

Stephen King novel-turned-film; terrifying teen horror, original or remake.

The Nightmare Before Christmas

Halloween-Christmas mashup; debated which holiday it belongs to.

Sleepy Hollow

Johnny Depp investigates murders tied to the Headless Horseman legend.

Hubie Halloween

Adam Sandler keeps Salem safe; apples, candy and jack-o-lanterns fit the theme.

It Chapters One and Two

Stephen King story; friends battle a killer clown in their town.

Hush

Deaf and mute writer evades a masked killer in her isolated woods home.

The Boy

Nanny cares for a life-size doll; disturbing events breed paranoia.

Ready or Not

New bride must survive her in-laws' deadly midnight family tradition.

Where to watch: Netflix · Disney+ · HBO Max · Amazon Prime · Hulu · AppleTV · YouTube TV