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Halloween is a festival of sweets, treats, and — most importantly — spooks. People spend this popular holiday trick or treating, staying with their family, or hosting parties, but the one thing that remains common in all scenarios is Halloween movies. There are multiple options, from scary ghost-related films to something adventurous that leaves you thrilled and gobsmacked in the end. This can leave you scrambling in an attempt to find the 'perfect' film.
To help you make the right decision, we’ve shortlisted and reviewed our favorite Halloween movies of 2024 that can give a thrilling finish to this scary season. We have also assembled some helpful information in our detailed buying guide that’ll steer you in the right direction when picking a movie. Ready to start the scares? Here we go!
Comparing the Top Halloween Movies of 2024
Halloween (2018) — Best Overall
If you are a fan of all things spooky, “Halloween” is the ultimate choice. It is a thrilling Halloween movie that keeps you hooked to the screen for as long as it plays. A sequel to the classic 80’s slasher, this pick lets you relive the spirit of the original with new energy. Boasting the return of the iconic Jamie Lee Curtis to the franchise, this film is sure to delight old fans and win over new ones.
Even better, this movie has bonus content featuring deleted and extended scenes, so you can have the complete fanboy/girl experience. It’s also available in multiple formats, allowing you to pick something that matches the setup you have at home. We chose this Halloween movie as the best overall because of its scares, engaging story, and bonus content.
Pros
- Available in different formats
- A sequel to a beloved classic
- Scary and action-packed
- Features bonus content
Cons
- Not suitable for children
The Addams Family/Addams Family Values — Most Family-friendly
This two-movie collection of “The Addams Family” and “Addams Family Values” is perfect for people who want to enjoy a great Halloween movie with their family. Revolving around the quintessential quirky family, the Addams family, this film offers the ultimate mix of excitement, fun, and occasional scares. But, most importantly, it is a family movie that helps you bond with your own during Halloween.
This Halloween movie is available on DVD and Blu-ray, allowing compatibility with devices like laptops, PlayStations, and more. Meanwhile, the widescreen display enables you to have a complete cinematic experience in the convenience of your home. If you’re a fan of “The Addams Family” or simply want a good film to watch this Halloween, this is an excellent option.
Pros
- A spooky, funny Halloween movie for families
- Comes with two movies
- Compatible with multiple devices
Cons
- Not accessible to viewers in the UK
Classic Monsters 30-Film Collection — Top Complete Collection
The Classic Monsters 30-Film Collection is ideal for those who want to see the most iconic scary characters show their magic on-screen. It covers a complete collection of 30 movies, including classics like “Dracula” and “Frankenstein”, providing you with enough content to last throughout the holidays. Plus, the bonus content makes it even more enjoyable. You might even come out with a fright-gasm!
Since this collection of Halloween movies is available in DVD and Blu-ray format, you can play it on laptops, computers, and even gaming consoles like the PlayStation and Xbox. Best of all, the striking, classic black and white visuals and superb bonus features deliver a truly spooky experience from the comfort of your home.
Pros
- A set of 30 classic horror movies
- Compatible with various devices
- Comes with a collectible book
Cons
- Packaging is not of great quality
Hotel Transylvania in 3D — Most Child-friendly
How can we forget this masterpiece of a Halloween movie? “Hotel Transylvania in 3D” is an all-time classic and a favorite among children around the globe. It is an animated rom-com revolving around the titular hotel and those who are a bit 'different' than normal human beings — meaning that they’re monsters! A perfect combination of love, humor, and frights, this movie is sure to complete anyone's Halloween. It is available in different formats, so you can pick one to match your home setup.
Pros
- Available in both English and Spanish
- Spooky, yet fun and child-friendly
- Beautifully animated artwork
Cons
- May not be as enjoyable for adults
Nightmare on Elm Street 1 - 7 (Blu-ray) — Best Blu-ray Option
The “Nightmare On Elm Street” 1 - 7 Blu-ray is a complete collection that makes a fantastic binge-watching fest. The story revolves around the iconic slasher villain, Freddy, and the teenagers whose dreams he haunts. As a thrilling horror movie series that offers intense, graphic content, it’s the perfect Halloween movie to spend a terrifying night watching. Best of all, this collection features each movie as a stunning Blu-ray, which provides a high-resolution cinematic experience.
Pros
- Comes with the complete series
- Excellent audio and visuals
- Comes with subtitles in different languages
Cons
- Isn’t entirely region-free
Buying Guide: Halloween Movies
Halloween is a holiday where people enjoy tapping into their spooky side and watching scary stuff, and Halloween movies are the perfect way to do just that. Before buying a movie, some people look at the poster, while others look at the age rating. They are important considerations, but you need to know more to ensure you enjoy the time you spend on any film. This is why, in this buying guide, we have covered everything you need to know to buy a Halloween movie successfully.
How To Choose a Halloween Movie
Genre
Halloween movies are usually spooky and scary, but can have a romantic, humorous, or dramatic touch. The genre you choose depends on the age of the watchers as well as personal interests. Movies entirely based on horror can be a bit too much, especially if watched regularly. Find something that keeps you engaged without spiking your anxiety.
Format
Movies are available online and in physical forms like DVDs and Blu-Rays. You can use an online copy to watch it for as long as you want, while also saving time and getting top-quality results.
Movies that come in a physical copy, like DVDs or Blu-rays, should be handled with care. If not taken care of properly, they can get damaged easily. Also, make sure you are purchasing from highly-rated sellers to ensure you get good quality products.
Viewers
Are you watching a Halloween movie with your friends, family, or all alone? You can pick anything you want when watching alone. Contrarily, looking for a movie based on age requirements and other peoples’ interests is mandatory when others are involved in the film viewing session.
Ratings and reviews
Before watching, check the Halloween movie’s ratings, reviews, and backstory. The final decision whether you liked the movie or not is yours, but the rating and reviews give you an idea of what to expect.
Suggested Age Range of the Halloween Movie’s Target Audience
To watch a movie, it is essential to consider the suggested age range of its viewers. The movie rating system describes who is the suitable audience for a specific film.
G-rated
Movies rated G are made for the general audience and generally have no content like foul language, nudity, violence, and sexual content that may offend parents. A G-rated movie doesn't mean that it's necessarily safe for kids, so you must read the theme or check out the trailer beforehand.
PG-rated
A PG (Parental Guidance) movie means that parents are advised to accompany any kids who may want to watch the film. There might be brief partial nudity or some kind of language you might disagree with as a parent. Many Halloween movies have a PG rating, which is unsuitable for kids under a specific age.
PG-13
These movies are safe to watch for children over the age of 13. With this rating, you might find movies with stronger language, violence, and drug use. Remember that the intensity depends on the movie, so if your little one is having a friends night, you might consider reviewing the trailer before letting them watch it.
R-rated
An R-rated movie is created specifically for adults. It can contain harsh language, graphic violence, drugs, alcohol, and sometimes even nudity. These movies are meant to be sold to (and viewed by) adults only. Adult Halloween movies are usually quite intense and rated R for an adult audience.
