Spooky shows and movies to watch this October

Content 

• Introduction 
• Netflix
• Amazon Prime
• Disney+ 
• Summary 

Introduction 

I’ve seen Netflix guides, Amazon primes guides and movie guides in general, but I wanted to combine three streaming services so that you can have an ultimate movie night this October. 

This blogtober post will cover three steaming services, Disney+, Amazon Prime and Netflix. Each section will discuss what movies and TV shows you can find, and in some cases, my thoughts, without show stopping spoilers. 

Full disclosure, I haven’t watched every show/movie mentioned in this list, but there is always this year! Now, onto the ultimate October movie and TV show list for Halloween. 

Netflix 

Photo by freestocks.org from Pexels

Netflix features a ‘Halloween favourites’ section on their home page, although it did take me a while to find. They feature many different categories within the Halloween section, including teen screams, horror programmes, family Halloween treats, modern horror classics, and even Halloween comedies. 

American Horror Story 2018

This twisted drama explores different levels of horror each season and leaves you with an unsettling feeling. Each season catapults you into a seemingly new story, setting and plot, with a reoccurring cast playing new roles. 

There are still a few episodes of American Horror story I cannot watch. The acting from season to season is incredible, so much so that you forgot that the actors are the same people from the previous season. Evan Peters, Sarah Paulson, Jessica Lange, Denis O’hare and Kathy Bates are just a few famous faces that reoccur in this show. 

Even though the cast is already filled with notable stars, they still manage to have a whole host of guest appearances, such as Billy Porter, Neil Patrick Harris, Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga and more, many of whom stayed around for many episodes. 

American Horror story has a maturity rating of 18 and features sex references, violence, injury and more. 

Stonehearst Asylum 2014 

Directed by Brad Anderson and featuring actors such as Kate Beckinsale, Jim Sturgess and David Thewlis, this 2014 psychological thriller is set in 1899. This thriller follows a young doctor as he attends the asylum as an apprenticeship, but like with every thriller, not all is what it seems. 

I haven’t seen this film, but it sounds intriguing as the story could go many ways.

Stonehearst Asylum has a maturity rating of 15 and features violence and emotionally intense scenes. 

Addams Family Values 1993

Screenshot from Netflix

Our favourite family returns in Addams Family Values. This time Uncle Fester is smitten with a gold-digging guest, who has a dark past involving rich men.  

I love the relationship shown between Gomez and Morticia, as they openly show their love for one another in the film, with many jokes going over my head when I was little. 

With a PG rating, Addams Family Values can be a film the entire family gets to enjoy. 

Zombieland 2009 & Zombieland double tap 2019

These films take a humorous approach to the traditional zombie apocalypse genre. I’d class it as a dark comedy rather than a horror film as the zombies seem to take a backseat to the fun friendship between the main characters. 

Both of these films have a maturity rating of 15. 

The Boy 2016

Anything to do with a doll really creeps me out, but these films can be so intriguing. This modern horror classic follows a nanny as she cares for a child that isn’t exactly human. 

The Boy has a maturity rating of 15 and features violence and threat. 

Amazon Prime

Screenshot from Amazon Prime

Unlike Disney, there isn’t a category I have found for the spooky season.

All these movies/TV shows are located in the free to me section.  

Us 2019

I remember watching this horror thriller the first year it came out. It has so many twists and turns that you are left questioning the people around you. 

A family holiday takes a drastic turn as doppelgangers start to appear, but all isn’t what it seems. Will the Wilson family escape? Or will disaster strike again. 

Us has a maturity rating of R, with themes of violence and terror. There is plenty of jump scares, blood and gore in this film. 

Anna and the Apocalypse 2017 

The first time I watched this trailer, my thought was ‘what’. Directed by John McPhail, this horror is also a musical, strangely enough. I have never seen a musical inspired zombie horror, so this will be interesting to watch. 

The combination of a zombie apocalypse, musical numbers and Christmas, of all things, makes this 2017 movie an interesting watch.  

Anna and the Apocalypse has a maturity rating of 15 and features a lot of gore, violence, swearing and more. 

The Curse of La Llorona 2019 

Directed by Michael Chaves, this horror film follows a social worker and her own children as the legendary ghost, La Llorona, terrorises them. 

Who will save them? Will they survive? 

The Curse of La Llorona has a maturity rating of R but features many scary scenes, jump scares and death. 

The Remains 2020

Described as not for the faint-hearted, this horror movie follows a young family looking for a fresh start, because you know, thats how all horrors start before creepy things start to happen. 

This horror film seems to follow the traditional haunted house, spooky genre. 

The Remains has a maturity rating of 15 with themes of violence. 

Disney+

Screenshot from Disney Plus

On Disney+, there is an entire Halloween collection where you can find your favourite horror movie, series, shorts or specials. I like this, as you don’t need to spend time typing out the name of a Halloween movie or browsing through different categories to find a movie you like the sound of. 

They have also already picked out the Halloween episode/s from different TV shows, such as the Treehouse of Horror features on the Simpsons. There is even a Halloween section for kids featuring Disney Junior Halloween episodes and a section for Halloween crafts and costumes. 

I love that they have picked out the episodes for you, so you don’t have to remember yourself. Plus, Disney+ also features a lot of Tim Burton films, which I love. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993 

I am starting with one of my favourite films ever, The Nightmare Before Christmas. The classic Tim Burton film was the first film I watched by Burton, which brought me into the spooky and gothic world. 

This fantasy animation features musical numbers to get you into the spirit of Halloween, along with an interesting plot the whole family can enjoy. 

Jack Skellington appears to be having a bit of a mid-death crisis, so he tries his hand at a new job. Unfortunately, he has his eyes on the big man in reds festive position. That’s right; he wants to be Santa Clause. 

Hocus Pocus 1993 

Screenshot from Disney Plus

You can’t have a spooky shows to watch this October blog post without mentioning the classic Hocus Pocus firm. 

This comedy, Halloween movie follows three evil, 17th-century Salem witches who are accidentally released by three teenagers. 

The witches only have one thing in mind – revenge. Can the children stop them before the witches cause havoc? 

Frankenweenie 2012

Another Tim Burton film for the list, and spoiler, this won’t be the last. You’ve all heard of Frankenstein’s monster; now it’s time for Frankenweenie. 

This slow-motion animation showcases Victor’s love for his deceased pooch and how far he’d go to bring him back. This black and white film is a fun family movie everyone can enjoy. 

The only question to ask is, do you think Sparky is Zero? 

Twitches one and two 2005 and 2007

Twitches was the movie to watch when I was younger, as it was fun, witty, and magical. 

This movie is based on the Twitches books. The movie follows Alex and Camryn, who were separated at birth only to be reunited on their 21st birthday. The first movie revolves around the standard saving the world plot while overcoming personal struggles, while the second film sees a new evil rear its ugly head. 

We all love a good Halloween classic, so this could be your cup of tea. 

Edward Scissorhands 1990 

I remember feeling heartbroken at the end of this film, the first time I watched it. 

This timeless classic has Frankensteins Monster vibes, however, with a different creation. This story follows a synthetic man with scissors for hands, as Peg gives him a home after his inventor dies. While happy for a while, it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows as things take a dark turn for Edward. 

I haven’t watched this film in years, but now looking back at it, I do have a few questions. Like why did the inventor give Edward scissors for hands? 

Dark Water 2005 

Moving onto a supernatural horror film now. Dark water was directed by Walter Salles and follows the fresh-start approach that many horrors have. 

Dahlia wants to have a fresh start with her daughter. Their new life begins at a run-down apartment where eerie noises and sounds start to fill the air. Is it all in Dahlia’s head, or are the noises real? 

Hide and Seek 2005

Screenshot from Disney Plus

The final horror movie on my list is another 2005 film, a psychological thriller that stars Robert De Niro, Dakota Fanning, and Famke Janssen. 

An innocent game of hide and seek isn’t all that it seems. When David moves to New York with Emily, his daughter, nightmarish events start to take place, and it might involve Emily’s imaginary friend Charlie. 

Summary 

I researched this blog post by checking out my streaming services. I really wish Amazon Prime wouldn’t play the movie when you are just reading the synopsis – I need to prepare myself before watching a horror. 

All of these films and shows were available on the different streaming services when writing this blog post. 

What is your favourite Halloween/horror film?