Best Scary Movies To Kick Off The Spooky Season 2025

We're getting ready for spooky season, and these movies are perfect for anyone looking to get into the Halloween spirit. Whether you're into classic scares or light-hearted frights, there's something here to set the perfect October mood.

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There is no perfect list. People have their own likes, but we could base this off by looking at some of the highly ranked movies by critics, or just see what the most popular horror movies of all time are. These are based on Thrillist.

Best Ranked Horror Movies

1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

2. The Exorcist (1973)

3. Psycho (1960)

4. Halloween (1978)

5. Night of the Living Dead (1968)

6. The Thing (1982)

7. The Fly (1986)

8. Nosferatu (1922)

9. Jaws (1975)

10. Alien (1979)

Most of these aren't really family movies. Almost all are what you most likely expected. I personally like to start with the funny, light Halloween movies to kick off my spooky season. I also enjoy any of the classics. These are great for the family this year!

The less scary ones

Hocus Pocus (1993)

The Addams Family (1991) & Addams Family Values (1993)

Scooby Doo & The Ghoul School

Mean Girls

The Haunted Mansion

Halloweentown (1998)

See more from Rotten Tomatoes rankings here. Now you've got stuff for you, and stuff for the kids!

Wishing you a fun, spooky, and safe movie-watching experience this Halloween season! Whether you're watching horror classics, family-friendly favorites, or trying something new, may your Halloween be filled with great films, good company, and just the right amount of fright.