Top five horror flicks to get you through Halloween this year

Lois King on 27 October 2020
cinema box office

Stuck on what to watch this Halloween? Look no further than our ultimate guide on all things spooky.

Welcome all horror movie fiends!

So, you won’t going out for Halloween this year as pubs close at 10pm and night-clubs are no-go zones right now… sigh. But, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy Halloween and all the ghoulishness of the night. Grab your popcorn and settle down for a night of viewing pleasure, horror style, and gorge on all the halloween treats yourself. More chocolate for me? Yes please. And don’t worry; we’ve got one for those of you less into clowns, zombies and psychological thrillers. Keep reading to find out what you should watch this Halloween.

Best retro horror movie: The Thing (1982)

Grab your closest friends or partner for this one, as your popcorn might end up flying. This science horror film from the 80’s is a classic that will get you wondering about the people around you - who, or what, is the thing? Don’t believe us that it’s a must-watch? Check out the 8.1/10 rating on IMDB.

Spook factor: 4/5

Plot and tension: 5/5

Watch the trailer here.

Best horror/comedy movie: Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Nick Frost and Simon Pegg, a University of Bristol alumni, star in this zom-comedy.

With infection growing in Crouch End, London, Shaun (Pegg) is oblivious to his neighbours’ zombification. Perfect time for a Cornetto. Alongside his friend Ed (Frost), he comes up with an elaborate plan to rescue his girlfriend and parents and take them to the safest place he knows - the pub. With endless cut-shots, the show is comedic in both style and content, and, although gorey, it’s laced with laugh out loud funny moments, making it perfect for those who’d rather not have nightmares for the next 2 weeks.

Spook factor: 4/5

Plot and tension: 5/5

Watch the trailer here.

Best horror tv series: The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

As the sequel to the popular ‘The Haunting of Hill House’, it’s no surprise that this series is spook-tacular, but bloody terrifying too. Be aware: this is not for the faint-hearted, as many viewers claim not being able to sleep for weeks after watching this binge-worthy series. So terrifying, it’s hard to even tear your eyes away. 

Spook factor: 5/5 

Plot and tension: 5/5

Watch the trailer here.

Best real life horror: Extinction: The Facts (2020)

Now, if you’re looking for something truly terrifying, then look no further than the world around you. In this documentary, sir David Attenborough highlights the perils of human activity on the natural world, and how biodiversity is threatened by our actions. Scream with anger or cry as you watch a walrus jump off cliffs and plunge to their death, or melting ice caps and animals going hungry because their habitats are changing as a result of climate change. The shocking nature of the documentary will make you want to avert your eyes, but it’s clear that we need to understand the consequences of our actions to make real change. 

Spook factor: 1/5

Plot and tension: 4/5 

Watch the trailer here.

Best sinister clown: It (2017)

If you’re not the biggest fan of clowns then this will petrify you. This clown is not only the most menacing clown with countless razor-sharp teeth, he is also omnipresent and will be with you wherever you go. Even walking down the street on a windy, rainy night will make you shiver as you recall the evil lure of Pennywise. Even worse if you watch the water flow into the gutter, or see someone wearing a yellow raincoat. Shudder. Not only is it riddled with jump scares that could seriously mean you might wet yourself watching the film, but the psychological element of the film will cause you to question what is it?

Although we recommend the 2017 remake of the popular 1990 film, and hit novel by Stephen King, you can skip the 2019 version named It Chapter 2. It falls short of any real plot while following the adult lives of the children Pennywise once tormented.

Spook factor: 5/5

Plot and tension: 4/5 

Watch the trailer here.

So there you have it, whether clowns or your thing, psychological thrillers or just real life phenomena that are just too scary to even imagine, we’ve got you covered this Halloween. If you liked this blog post, and are looking for other ideas to make your halloween better this year, then check out our spooky halloween treats.

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Lois King
Lois King on 27 October 2020