It’s that time again! I know it isn’t specifically video game related (though, in one case it is), but it’s time for my second annual October/Halloween horror movie playlist.

I created a playlist for last October/Halloween, and I’ve recently been thinking about all the horror movies I’m in the mood to watch this month; I thought I’d share them here.

At various times of year (typically when there is a holiday of some sort, constellating), I end up making horror movie playlists. Around the Fourth of July I like to watch the Jaws films as well as the I Know What You Did Last Summer movies. Around the onset of autumn I like to watch various school-based horror movies (e.g.: Cry_Wolf, Urban Legend), and usually make a playlist for that time, too.

So, without further nonsense, here is my October/Halloween 2016 horror movie playlist of 13 films, because, you know, scary!

(In alphabetical order)

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006)

The more time that goes by, the more I like this film. It’s still funny, unexpected (ironically, since I’ve seen it so many times), and well done. It doesn’t hurt that it was filmed near where I grew up and some of the locations remind me of the autumn atmosphere from my childhood.

Black Christmas (1974)

I love that this horror movie is a relatively slow burn and that it takes place at Christmas. I love the atmosphere (I’m big on atmosphere, can you tell?). I love the weirdly creepy Christmas tree (it looks like there are thick spider webs all over it). This is generally one of my favorite holiday-themed horror films. If you haven’t seen it and like horror, it’s definitely worth the watch.

Halloween (series) (1978-2002)

This is a staple of horror for a reason. I love watching this series once a year, and I love the third movie, which is delightfully bizarre.

I may not sit down and watch each movie in the series back to back, but over the course of the month, I will definitely get to all of them. Even 6, which is my least favorite (though it does feature a creepy Paul Rudd in a super early film role), will get a viewing.

The Houses October Built (2014)

I actually really like this movie. The first time I saw it, I found it unsettling, turning the tables on what entertainment is and how we obtain it. Now I will probably watch it to get my seasonal haunt fix, as I doubt I will be getting to any actual haunts this year. Perhaps next year.

It Follows (2014)

This is one of my favorite horror films to emerge in recent years. The pace is measured and the film ramps up in intensity in a way I couldn’t imagine working as well as it does. The soundtrack (reminiscent of John Carpenter) certainly doesn’t hurt.

Also, the cinematography is beautiful. It looks like your hometown, only better than you remember it.

Jeepers Creepers (series) (2001-2003)

This is one of the only monster movies (from the last couple of decades) I can think of that really works. The reveal of the creature’s lair from the first film still makes me shiver. I haven’t watched either of these movies in years and I’m wondering how they will fare against my memories.

Pumpkinhead (1988)

This is such an intriguing movie to me. I liked it even more after I watched the making-of included on the DVD copy I have. I’ve always been impressed by Stan Winston, and for his first attempt at directing, I think he did a fantastic job.

Reincarnation (2005)

This is a film I’ve only seen once before (and years ago) and that I recently found myself thinking of. I’m a huge fan of Japanese horror films, and this was one of the more unique I’ve seen. The premise is that a film is being made of a series of murders in a Tokyo hotel back in 1970. As the film progresses, strange events run rampant and things get more and more bizarre.

I’m also curious to see how this holds up to my memories.

Ringu 0 (2000)

I thought Gore Verbinski did a stellar job directing the US version of The Ring. Later, when I went back to watch the Japanese films, I didn’t like them nearly as much. When I got to Ringu 0 I ended up liking it better than any of the other Japanese films. I don’t recall much about it now, other than an acting troupe is haunted by something, but I’m anxious to see it again.

Silent Hill (2006)

As I’ve talked about before, I saw this film before I knew it was based on a video game (I know, I know!). I liked it even then, as it oozes with atmosphere and the acting is excellent (and Sean Bean actually doesn’t die!). I thought the transformations of the town were some of the most effective transitions in any film I’ve seen. It was also horrifyingly beautiful. I haven’t watched it in a while, so I’m looking forward to seeing it again.

Sinister (2012)

I had no expectations when I first saw this movie. Allow me to say I’ve seen a lot of horror films and it takes a lot to unnerve me.

Parts of this film unnerved me.

Without spoiling anything (because I think it’s worth watching), the lead character, a writer, finds old film reels in the house he and his family have just moved in to. The house has a bit of an unseemly history. What he finds on each of the film reels is some of the most effectively unnerving (there’s that word again) footage of families meeting their demise. I sat there watching thinking, “I’m not supposed to be seeing this.”

I also didn’t see the ending coming.

Texas Chainsaw (2013)

I’ve never been a huge fan of the Texas Chainsaw movies (though I did like the remake back in 2003), but I thought this one was pretty good. It definitely had more of a back story present, and I thought that helped the film.

Yes, it was gross, but I tried to look past that (I’m not a fan of gore; I prefer the psychological aspects of horror movies), and I liked the movie overall.

Trick ‘r Treat (2007)

No October/Halloween playlist would be complete without this movie. I think it is everything I want from a horror movie: atmospheric, well acted, well directed (that timeline!), and the stories are interwoven in such a way that it still impresses me. I’m not sure any movie epitomizes Halloween as much as this film.

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Well friends, there you have it, my 2016 playlist!

Are there any horror films you watch each October? What are you favorite horror movies? What do you like best about them?

With that I wish you a safe and happy weekend. Cheers, friends!