It’s Halloween once again and I’m sure that most of the parents out there are busy looking for the spookiest and funniest Halloween parties in the metro. However, some are traditional (like us) and prefer staying at home, savoring the vacation, and gathering scary movies for a creepy marathon!
I’ve always wanted to know why Halloween is associated with scary, spooky, and paranormal activities. So, I did a quick research online about its history. According to my research, Halloween is a time of celebration and superstitions. It was also believed that it originated with the ancient Celtic festival – a festivity where people would light a bonfire and wear costumes to drive away roaming ghosts.
The creepiest Halloween party I’ve attended so far was at View Park Hotel in Tagaytay! Makes me wonder: what is their theme this year?
On the other hand, Pope Gregory III assigned November 1st as a holiday and a time to pay tribute to all the saints and martyrs. Significantly, the evening before (October 31) was known as All Hallow’s Eve and later called as “Halloween.” Over time, Halloween is no longer a day to ward off bad spirits, but it became a fun and a great time for attending exciting parties for our children!
However, if you’re just chillin’ like a villain this weekend, know that I got your back! I know we like getting chills up and down our spine, so, in no particular order, here are my 13 scary movies you can watch and might haunt you even after Halloween!
Let’s start, shall we?
13. Drag Me To Hell
I swear this movie haunted me for a while. Until now, I still get the chills! This movie, directed by Sam Raimi, has received a lot of positive reviews. Rotten Tomatoes – a respected movie rating system – gave this a whopping 92% while IMDb (another renowned movie rating system) gave it a 6.6. The story revolves about a young girl, portrayed by Alison Lohman, who works as a bank loan officer and gypsy woman, Lorna Raver. The story began when Alison declined Lorna’s plead for her house loan. She gave a sob story about not being able to pay the bills and asked for another extension. Alison, on the other hand, was eager to be promoted and thought of being tough on making decisions would accelerate her promotion. Instead, it dragged her down when Lorna cursed her by ripping off a button on Alison’s coat. The altercation scene was intense and scary! To see is to believe, guys!
12. Silent Night, Bloody Night
If you want to watch a classic and intense horror film, Silent Night, Bloody Night is no stranger. The story revolves a man who inherited a mansion (played by Patrick O’ Neal) that was once a mental place. The movie is all about a mysterious guy who murders and makes mysterious calls to anyone coming near the house.
11. The Exorcism of Emily Rose
The list isn’t complete without the movie, The Exorcism of Emily Rose. This movie received critical reviews both for Jennifer Carpenter (acting) and how the movie was executed. Rumors say, that due to disturbing images and clips, the movie was banned from some theaters.
10. A Nightmare in Elm Street
Remember, Freddy Krueger?! I bet you do! One of the best movies, directed by horror filmmaker guru himself, Wes Craven (RIP). He had a significant impact on the horror genre, creating a franchise consisting of a line of sequels, series, and more! This movie received positive reviews and earned a 7.4 rating at IMDb.
9. The Ring
If this movie didn’t haunt you for a while, you already! This Japanese mind-boggling horror film was about a video that whoever watches it will die after seven days. Apparently, the tape (or video) must be passed on to others to ensure the life of the other viewers.
8. The Others
This movie isn’t your ordinary slashing, murdering, or bloody horror film, but is good enough to haunt you for a minute! As the title implies, Nichole Kidman thought there were “others” living with them aside from her, children, and the servants. Nicole later found out that because of her grief for her missing husband, she killed her two kids and shot herself after.
7. Sixth Sense
“I see dead people,” was the remarkable phrase in this movie. I’m not sure about you, but this movie was a hit and earned critical reviews! Sixth Sense was the 2nd highest grossing film of 1999 and won 6 Academy awards, including the Best Picture. This movie never fails to startle me every time I watch this, especially the part when he was in the restroom and someone passed through! That scene haunted me for a bit and couldn’t go to the restroom alone!
6. The Omen
It was a story about an adopted child, was believed not human, as he wouldn’t want to enter a church. The Omen – or a 666 birthmark on the scalp – was a phenomenon during 1976.
5. The Exorcist
Another supernatural horror film that depicts demonic possession. This movie was so scary that the trailer was banned by several theaters because of the terrifying images. One interesting fact about this movie was the urban legend, which says that whoever was involved in the movie will be cursed for life. Apparently, there were two characters in this movie who died even before the movie was released. C-R-E-E-P-Y!
4. Friday the 13th (1980)
Another slasher film that will haunt you a bit! The story revolves when a kid (Jason) was drowned in a lake due to negligence. However, no body was found and was set to believe the reason behind gruesome killings in their area.
Personally, every time I’m near water, I feel like someone’s going to grab my leg or drown me!
3. Paranormal Activity
This film was about paranormal activities inside a couple’s newly bought home in San Diego, California. Some parts of the movie got stuck in my head because I go to the restroom or write during 1 AM and 3 AM, which we all believe is the unholy hour.
2. The Sinister
This really gave me the chills! The story is about a true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke) who found a box of movies in his home. This discovery eventually put his family in danger. What happens next? You gotta watch it!
1. The Shining
“Here’s Johnny!!”
I never imagined Jack Nicholson playing a psycho or doing a horror film. But boy, you nailed it! He played the role of a writer, who was having writer’s block and became a winter caretaker of Overlook Hotel in Colorado. He settled with his wife (Shelley Duvall), and his son, Danny (Danny Lloyd), who can see premonitions. Scored 8.4 in IMDb, only means, this is one hell of a horror film!
On a lighter note, I suffer from writer’s block too, but I don’t think I’d be like him!
How about you, do you have a movie that really scared the hell out of you? Share your answers in the comment section below!