My gal pal Donna G of The More the Merrier asked me to pick a few ‘Halloween’ / horror / scary movies to share with her, and in turn, with you too.
The list below includes recommendations as well as personal favourite movies that I think are available to stream, rent online or at your local DVD shop across Canada and elsewhere.
Non-scary movies
These are movies that are not too bloody or violent; they can also include horror-comedies as well. These are what I consider ‘fun’ Halloween movies (kind of an oxymoron, I know).
House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Dir. William Castle
Stars one of my favourite actors, Vincent Price, as a millionaire who offers $10,000 to five people who agree to be locked in a large, spooky, rented house overnight with him and his wife.
This film is available to stream on Amazon Prime in Canada
I will say that most films with Vincent Price are fun to watch in October (or any time of year for me)… I also suggest The Masque of the Red Death (1964) based on one of Edgar Allan Poe’s writings & is directed by Roger Corman, who has quite the resume as director.
Crimson Peak (2015)
Dir. Guillermo del Toro
In the aftermath of a family tragedy, an aspiring author is torn between love for her childhood friend and the temptation of a mysterious outsider. Trying to escape the ghosts of her past, she is swept away to a house that breathes, bleeds – and remembers.
This film is a Gothic horror. The house is a character alongside the main characters. There are ghosts that may be bit scary for younger audiences. The whole production is so lush.
It is available to stream on Netflix Canada.
Seance on a Wet Afternoon (1964)
Dir. Bryan Forbes
A medium and her husband stage a kidnapping in order for her to pretend to solve the crime and achieve fame.
Trivia: Kim Stanley was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
This film may be available on Kanopy but please check your local library page first.
Double Feature Suggestion
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Dir. John Landis
Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.
This film is available to stream on Hollywood Suite.
An American Werewolf in Paris (1997)
Dir. Anthony Waller
An American man unwittingly gets involved with French werewolves who have developed a serum allowing them to transform at will.
Not sure if this film is available on streaming platforms. Might be worth checking with you local DVD shop. For those of you in Toronto, I recommend Bay Street Video or Eyesore Cinema.
Universal Monster films
Frankenstein (1931)
Dir. James Whale
It stars Boris Karloff, another favourite actor, as the ‘monster’. In this movie, Dr. Frankenstein dares to tamper with life and death by creating a human monster out of lifeless body parts. A classic, in my opinion.
This film is available to rent online for about $5CAD on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV.
Highly recommend reading Mary Shelley’s book of the same name, as well.
Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
Dir. Jack Arnold
A strange prehistoric beast lurks in the depths of the Amazonian jungle. A group of scientists try to capture the animal and bring it back to civilization for study.
Another personal favourite, which I rewatch regularly on DVD.
It is available to rent online for about $5CAD on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV.
Horror-Comedies
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Dir. Edgar Wright
A man’s uneventful life is disrupted by the zombie apocalypse.
This film is a riot; there are so many laught out loud moments! You will not be disappointed.
The film is available to watch on STARZ.
What we do in the shadows (2014)
Dirs. Jemaine Clement & Taika Waititi
Viago, Deacon and Vladislav are vampires who are finding that modern life has them struggling with the mundane – like paying rent, keeping up with the chore wheel, trying to get into nightclubs and overcoming flatmate conflicts.
I saw this film at TIFF in its Midnight Madness programme. I think about various scenes in the film and I chuckle. Highly recommend it.
I think the film may be available to rent online via Amazon Prime.
Foreign film
Errementari: the blacksmith of the Devil / el herrero y el diablo (2017)
Dir. Paul Urkijo Alijo
A quiet village is thrown into turmoil upon disturbing a reclusive and feared blacksmith rumored to be in league with the devil
There are minimal scares/violence, thus I think it is a decent one to watch alone or with friends.
It is available to stream on Netflix Canada.
Please note this film requires subtitles, as it is in Basque, one of the various language spoken in Spain.
‘Scary’ movies
These films are for fans or genre films, which may be violent, bloody and freak you out… I’d say that if thrillers are scary enough for you, these films are probably too much/scary.
Halloween (1978) — Classic Horror (IMHO)
Dir. John Carpenter
Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois to kill again.
This is a personal favourite as well as cult film. I like it so much, that I will go see it on a big screen if it shows up at a local cinema near me.
It is available on Shudder Canada or to rent via Apple TV.
Exorcist (1973) — Classic Horror (IMHO)
Dir. William Friedkin
When a 12-year-old girl is possessed by a mysterious entity, her mother seeks the help of two priests to save her.
Another favourite and cult film, that also does not get old for me. For its time, it was quite shocking. For some of you, it may still be a bit scary. Beware.
It is available to rent online for about $5CAD on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV.
Candyman (1992)
Dir. Bernard Rose
The Candyman (Tony Todd), a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster’s myth.
This is the story of a local legend played by Tony Tood to perfection, in my opinion. Another film that rewatch every few years.
It is available to watch on STARZ.
I should also mention/remind you of the new iteration of the story directed by Nia Dacosta. I believe it is still showing at some local cinemas in Canada.
Pontypool (2008)
Dir. Bruce McDonald
A radio host interprets the possible outbreak of a deadly virus which infects the small Ontario town he is stationed in.
This is a Canadian film plus it featrues zombies; definitely works for me! I also like Stephen McHattie as an actor and I will watch most of his films. I really like him in this film.
It is available to rent via Apple TV.
Blade II (2002)
Dir. Guillermo del Toro (GDT)
Blade forms an uneasy alliance with the vampire council in order to combat the Reapers, who are feeding on vampires.
The film features plenty of vampires, lots of blood, and Wesley Snipes! It is my favourite one of the Blade series.
You can definitely tell GDT had a lot of fun making this film. It is loud, gritty, violent which is what you need since the story is from a fictional Marvel Comic ‘superhero’.
It is available to watch on STARZ.
Foreign films
The Bird with the Crystal Plumage / L’uccello dalle piume di cristallo (1970)
Dir. Dario Argento
An American expatriate in Rome witnesses an attempted murder that is connected to an ongoing killing spree in the city, and despite himself and his girlfriend being targeted by the killer, he conducts his own investigation.
This is agiallo film, sometimes called spaghetti slasher. This was Argento’s directorial debut, which I highly recommend if you are a fan of his other films.
There are some great visuals in the film. The atmosphere is creepy throughout. Argento exploits our fear of the dark to the max. Always make me cringe when I see one of the characters walking down an empty street on their own.
The film is available to rent online on Google Play.
[REC] (2007)
Dirs. Jaume Balagueró & Paco Plaza
A television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building and are quickly locked inside with something terrifying.
This is footage horror film that creeps up on you real quick. Italso features zombies, which I like as well.
In all honesty, this film scared the F out of me, when I first watched it alone in the dark. There are a lot of Catholic references since it is from Spain, where that religion is predominant.
It is available to rent online for about $5CAD on Apple TV.
Sadako vs. Kayako (2016)
Dir. Kôji Shiraishi
The vengeful spirits of the Ringu (Ring) and Ju-On (The Grudge) series face off. That is all you need to know.
I find this film super fun but I know some of my friends were quite scared when we watched it during Midnight Madness at TIFF.
If you have seen Ringu & Ju-On, this will be a nice addition to the roster. Please do not take it seriously and you will be fine and might even enjoy it. I suggest it making it a Triple Feature along with these other films.
It is available to stream on Shudder, and can also be rented online on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV.
A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Dir. Ana Lily Amirpour
In the Iranian ghost-town Bad City, a place that reeks of death and loneliness, the townspeople are unaware they are being stalked by a lonesome vampire.
This is a horror/thriller type of film and perhaps it may not be super scary for some of you. However, I picked this film because I like that it is about a female vampire who targets bad men.
It is beautifully shot in Black and White; featuring some great use of music also.
Bonus points for a woman director in her feature debut.
The film is available to stream on Shudder; it can also be rented online on Apple TV.
The Babadook (2014)
Dir. Jennifer Kent
A single mother and her child fall into a deep well of paranoia when an eerie children’s book titled “Mister Babadook” manifests in their home, after the violent death of her husband
This is a horror movie about a ‘demon’ but also much more than that. There is a lot to appreciate about this film, but it will be scary for some of you.
As it unfolds, the dread and fear creeps up on you and those feelings can linger well after the film has finished.
Bonus points for a woman director, of course.
It is available to watch on STARZ and to rent online for about $5CAD on YouTube, Google Play, Apple TV.
