31 Days of Carson’s Exclusively Curated Spooky Movies
Welcome to the 2nd annual 31 Days of HallowANDERSON! I am Carson Schilling, ANDERSON’s resident video editor, motion graphics designer, and cinephile, and I’m here to recommend 31 of my favorite horror movies—one for each day of October. This list of movies will not only help educate you on some of the most underseen and underrated horror movies but will also definitely help you get into the spooky season mood! So grab your popcorn and prepare to get terrified by these 31 fantastic movies!
Day #1:
Haunt (2019) directed by Scott Beck, Bryan Woods
– Streaming on Starz, AMC+, or rental
Kicking off this year’s spooky movie month is Haunt, an incredibly simple yet fun horror movie. If you’ve ever been to a cheesy haunted house and felt like the horrors you see might actually be real, then this movie is definitely (or definitely NOT) for you.
Day #2:
The Strangers (2008) directed by Bryan Bertino
– Streaming on Netflix or rental
Probably the scariest and most realistic type of horror movie is the home-invasion subgenre, and The Strangers does it the best of all. This movie is an iconic, low-budget, one-location film that will stick with you for a LONG time. The 2018 sequel also rocks, but don’t waste your time with the newest trilogy (in my humble opinion).r.
Day #3:
Paranormal Activity (2007) directed by Oren Peli
– Streaming on Paramount+ or rental
Paranormal Activity is one of the most iconic horror franchises EVER, and this original entry still holds up exceptionally well (even though the second one is by far the best). Not only is it STILL the most profitable movie ever made (only $15K budget with ~$200M gross), but it is a genuinely fun and creepy time in my favorite subgenre of horror.
Day #4:
They Live (1988) directed by John Carpenter
– Streaming on AMC+ or rental
This might be one of the most underrated John Carpenter movies ever made: not only does it feature some of the sweetest effects for an ’80s movie, but it also does a great job of showing how scary and mundane the corporate, capitalist world can be. And of COURSE, Keith David steals the show, so what else could you ask for?
Day #5:
Get Out (2017) directed by Jordan Peele
– Streaming on HBO Max or rental
There’s nothing that I can say about this movie that hasn’t already been said, but this is truly one of the most generation-defining horror films of our time. Jordan Peele’s entry into horror filmmaking won him an Oscar, and he continues to EXCLUSIVELY make bangers. So if you haven’t already witnessed a master filmmaker at work, now is your chance!
Day #6:
Donnie Darko (2001) directed by Richard Kelly
– Streaming on Netflix, Peacock, or Hulu
Donnie Darko is one of the most truly bizarre horror thrillers of the early 2000s and remains one of the most iconic of its time. This movie has an INSANE cast and plenty of theories surrounding the ending, but it is absolutely worth your time because of how beautifully dark and eerie it is.
Day #7:
Barbarian (2022) directed by Zach Cregger
– Streaming on Hulu or rental
One of the most underrated horror films of the last few years is Zach Cregger’s Barbarian, because it takes twists and turns you will NEVER guess. This film is such a banger, and if you are a fan of this year’s Weapons, you will absolutely enjoy this completely wild and unpredictable story
Day #8:
The Exorcist (1973) directed by William Friedkin
– Streaming on HBO Max or rental
William Friedkin was already a master filmmaker, but when he directed The Exorcist, it truly cemented him as one of the all-time greats. This film is an absolute classic because it truly holds up as one of the scariest movies of its time. Go in for the iconic line readings and leave thinking about the gorgeous cinematography and practical effects.
Day #9:
The Substance (2024) directed by Coralie Fargeat
– Streaming on HBO Max, Mubi, or rental
I could say a million great things about how absolutely insane this Oscar-winning movie is, but the best way to experience it is to just watch it! The Substance features some of the best performances of Demi Moore’s and Margaret Qualley’s careers, and while it’s not the “scariest” of this month per se, the rating is purely based on gross factor. If you’re even a tiny bit squeamish, then this one DEFINITELY isn’t for you.
Day #10:
X (2022) directed by Ti West
– Streaming on HBO Max or rental
There hadn’t been a new, original slasher movie in YEARS until Ti West released X. This film is a fun and wild take on the slasher genre, with a crazy cast for how low-budget the film is. You may also know the other films in this trilogy, called Pearl and MaXXXine, but those pale in comparison to how fun this first film is.
Day #11:
Scooby-Doo (2002) directed by Raja Gosnell
– Streaming on HBO Max, Prime, or rental
I mean, come on. Like seriously. If you aren’t already obsessed with Scooby-Doo on an unhealthy level, then there is something seriously wrong with you.
Day #12:
Midsommar (2019) directed by Ari Aster
– Streaming on HBO Max or rental
Ari Aster’s sophomore film, Midsommar, is one of the BEST slow-burn horror movies ever made. This film still manages to give me a panic attack because of how mesmerizing the entire story and setting are. Florence Pugh is always excellent, but this was one of her breakout roles that cemented her as a true scream queen.
Day #13:
Orphan (2009) directed by Jaume Collet-Serra
– Available for rental
Another incredibly underrated horror film of the 2000s is Orphan, which stars Vera Farmiga in a pre-Conjuring role as a mother and Isabelle Fuhrman as her adopted daughter who DEFINITELY has something going on with her. This film has one of the funniest and insane twists I have ever seen, and while it’s mostly a silly horror movie, the ending elevates it to so much more.
Day #14:
Funny Games (1997) directed by Michael Haneke
– Streaming on HBO Max or rental
A theme for this month that I was planning for is the idea of how scary a home invasion can be, and how terrifying it is to have your own safe space broken. Well, Michael Haneke’s Funny Games is the EPITOME of that idea. This film is one of the most quietly terrifying and brutal films ever made, and it became such a cult classic that he actually directed the English remake of his own movie 10 years later. The remake is also great, but truly nothing can touch the insanity of this original film.
Day #15:
The Babadook (2014), directed by Jennifer Kent
– Streaming on Paramount+, Tubi, or rental
This movie is genuinely an underrated banger, and if you’re looking for a really solid horror film that ACTUALLY tackles grief well, The Babadook is for you. Featuring one of the most iconic movie monsters of the 21st century, this film will leave you equal parts sad and terrified: the best two emotions!
Day #16:
The Evil Dead (1981) directed by Sam Raimi
– Streaming on Paramount+, Tubi, or rental
This film might have one of the most iconic posters of all time, and its legacy in the history of horror cinema is truly unmatched. The Evil Dead is one of the most influential low-budget horror films of its time and has spawned four sequels/prequels + a TV show that are all genuinely great. Bruce Campbell is one of the horror genre’s top icons, and if you can’t handle gore of any kind, then this movie is also definitely not for you.
Day #17:
Ginger Snaps (2000) directed by John Fawcett
– Streaming on AMC+, Tubi, or rental
We, as a society, have a DISAPPOINTING lack of good werewolf movies, and Ginger Snaps is honestly the best cure for that. This film is a wonderful coming-of-age horror movie about two sisters with a fun full-moon twist. It has become a cult classic, and it’s definitely one of the more underrated horror movies of the early 2000s.
Day #18:
The Descent (2005) directed by Neil Marshall
– Streaming on Amazon Prime, Tubi, or rental
If you have never felt claustrophobic in a small, tight space, then you clearly have not seen this movie. The Descent is one of my all-time favorite horror movies and will make you never want to be adventurous or travel ever again. This film is a blast from start to finish, with some of the coolest practical effects and on-location production I’ve ever seen.
Day #19:
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) directed by Scott Glosserman
– Streaming on AMC+ or rental
One of the best found-footage movies that literally NO ONE has ever heard of is Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon. This film is incredibly funny and spooky, following a wannabe psycho as he gives a documentary crew an exclusive look into his life while trying to become the next slasher icon. I find it equal parts hilarious and scary, and could not give it a stronger recommendation.
Day #20:
Cold Prey (2006) directed by Roar Uthaug
– Available for rental
Cold Prey is an incredibly fun movie following a group of friends on a snowboarding expedition who get stuck on top of a mountain during a snowstorm while getting stalked by something terrifying. This film is significant for the Norwegian horror scene because it was the first slasher movie produced in the country after they changed their ratings system in the early 2000s. The whole movie is fairly predictable, but it’s a fun time nonetheless.
Day #21:
Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person (2024) directed by Ariane Louis-Seize
– Streaming on AMC+ or rental
The title may be a mouthful, but Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person is one of the best coming-of-age movies in years (and just so happens to be about a vampire). This film follows a young vampire girl with a “disease” called empathy who can’t kill people to feed, but finds a possible solution in a close friend. This one actually premiered at our very own Phoenix Film Festival last year and ended up being my favorite movie of the year because it’s genuinely charming and sweet!
Day #22:
You’re Next (2011) directed by Adam Wingard
– Streaming on Tubi, Roku, The CW, or rental
Continuing this year’s trend of home-invasion movies, You’re Next is a wonderful little horror film about a family that gets attacked by creepy animal assailants during an anniversary getaway. This film is spiritually on the same level as last year’s Ready or Not, and a double feature of those two would go really hard.
Day #23:
Misery (1990) directed by Rob Reiner
– Streaming on HBO Max or rental
I’m sure everyone knows Stephen King as the master of horror writing, but I truly think one of the best things he’s ever written is Misery. It’s not the most insane or psychologically complex story he has ever concocted, but this film is a masterclass in tension and claustrophobia. Featuring two INCREDIBLE performances from James Caan and Kathy Bates (who won an Oscar for her performance), this movie is definitely a classic that should not be missed.
Day #24:
The Ugly Stepsister (2025) directed by Emilie Kristine Blichfeldt
– Streaming on Shudder, AMC+, or rental
The Ugly Stepsister is the most recent release of all my recommendations and one that you will definitely never forget. This is an alternate, horrific take on the classic Cinderella story, but with some incredibly dark and gory turns. This movie does not have the most jump scares of any scary movie, but what it lacks in traditional horror tactics, it makes up for in truly grotesque imagery.d.
Day #25:
As Above, So Below (2014) directed by John Erick Dowdle
– Available for rental
One of my favorite and most underrated found-footage horror movies is As Above, So Below, which has one of the most fun and unique premises in the subgenre. This film is another entry into this month’s claustrophobic theme and features some incredibly tense and terrifying scenes you won’t expect. But the scariest thing about this movie? It takes place in France.
Day #26:
Skinamarink (2022) directed by Kyle Edward Ball
– Streaming on Shudder, AMC+, or rental
The setup: two kids wake up in their house to find their father is gone, and all of the doors and windows are missing. That’s already scary and truly all you need to know about this movie. (For the record, this might be the most outright strange movie on my list, but what else could you ask for?) I don’t know where to begin discussing Skinamarink, but I do know that your enjoyment/fear of this movie will directly correlate with your level of patience. This film is one of the most painful horror movies I have ever seen and is practically the epitome of “slow-burn horror.” You will either get through 15 minutes and immediately turn it off, or you will let the utter fear wash over you for the entire runtime. The choice is yours (but I prefer the latter).
Day #27:
Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005) directed by Steve Box, Nick Park
– Available for rental
If you have never experienced the pure joy and slapstick comedy of a Wallace & Gromit short or feature, this movie is for you! These two are among the most iconic animated characters of all time, and their first full-length movie is a beautifully animated, hilarious Halloween adventure that was a defining moment in my childhood cinematic history.
Day #28:
28 Days Later (2002) directed by Danny Boyle
– Streaming on Netflix or rental
One of the most iconic and genre-breaking zombie films of all time is 28 Days Later, the start to the phenomenal series from the incredibly avant-garde filmmaker Danny Boyle. This movie is equally terrifying and sad as one man wakes up in a hospital to learn that the UK has been hit by an incurable “rage virus.” This movie is an absolute must-watch and has one of Cillian Murphy’s best performances of his entire career.
Day #29:
The First Omen (2024) directed by Arkasha Stevenson
– Streaming on Prime or rental
While I have not actually seen any of the original films from this underseen franchise, The First Omen is a prequel film that stands on its own as one of the most brutal and gorgeously crafted horror movies of recent years. The standout performance from Nell Tiger Free is just mesmerizing, and in short, this movie has no business being as good as it is.
Day #30:
Eden Lake (2008) directed by James Watkins
– Streaming on Tubi, Roku, or rental
I tend to love movies that make you terrified of ever going outside again, and Eden Lake is one of the leading causes for that. This film follows a young couple on a romantic weekend getaway who get stalked and terrorized by complete strangers. Honestly, this is an incredibly hard watch, with some of the most insane plot choices in a horror movie ever, leaving you screaming and crying along with these main characters. Basically, my perfect movie!
Day #31:
Ghostwatch (1992) directed by Lesley Manning
– Streaming on Shudder, AMC+, or rental
It’s the final day of 31 Days of HallowANDERSON, and what better way to close out the month than with one of my recent obsessions! Ghostwatch is such a unique and fun found-footage horror movie that was actually broadcast live in the UK in the early ’90s, featuring real newscasters under the guise of a “real broadcast.” The history behind this movie is absurdly fun, and there is no better movie to watch on Halloween night than one that actually takes place on this spooky day!
