Yes, Halloween is upon us — time for costumes, dubious orange-flavoured drinks, and (of course) some excellent, spine-chilling cinema. A good horror film is like a well-aged cheese — deliciously unsettling, occasionally bizarre, and always entertaining. Here is my curated collection of Halloween favourites, from the absolutely iconic to the simply absurd. Some will have you double-checking the locks, while others are just here to make you laugh — the perfect balance for an eerie autumn evening. Grab your popcorn, and creep it real!

Nothing screams Halloween more than Tim Burton (we also have Beetlejuice on this list, but feel free to choose any other masterpiece) and a headless horseman. A young, gaunt Johnny Depp is here as Ichabod Crane, bringing his peculiar charm to a village haunted by a ghostly rider sans head. Burton's visuals are gothic perfection, and Depp plays Crane with all the quirk you could want. It is all very fog and spooky — precisely what we want for Halloween.

Ah, Jack Skellington — the man has got Halloween in his bones but cannot resist meddling in Christmas. The songs are unforgettable, the animation is delightfully uncanny, and it is absolutely appropriate to rewatch this one for both Halloween and Christmas. Is it a horror film? No. But is it Halloween? Undoubtedly.

Michael Keaton as the spectral mischief-maker Beetlejuice is Halloween gold. Equal parts charming and grotesque, Beetlejuice is a film where the scares are mild, but the style is maxed out. Expect Winona Ryder in her goth phase, a haunted house with a whimsical twist, and a darkly comic take on the afterlife. And don't forget — there is a sequel.

Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining — is it a horror classic, or is it the horror classic? The unsettling descent into madness of Jack Nicholson’s Jack Torrance has solidified its status. Between the unnerving hedge maze, haunted hallways, and those creepy twins, it is a mandatory watch for anyone looking to add a bit of artistic flair to their Halloween night. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy a madman with an axe?

Yes, I am serious. Say what you will, but Twilight has all the Halloween essentials: vampires, werewolves, and some of the most painful dialogues known to man. If you need a bit of a laugh this Halloween, watch Bella, Edward, and Jacob’s love triangle unfold — it is more horror-adjacent, but the "skin of a killer" is just too good to pass up.

Nothing says Halloween like the grotesque metamorphosis of Jeff Goldblum into a giant fly. This Cronenberg classic is as unsettling as they come, and the practical effects alone make it worth a watch. You will get some Kafkaesque vibes and some seriously icky visuals, but it is a must-see for all sci-fi horror fans.

One of the hottest horror films this year, The Substance dives into the horrors of youth, fame, and a particularly nasty drug. Watching Demi Moore turn into a monstrous version of her younger self brings body horror onto a new level. With shades of Dorian Gray, it is a fresh and thought-provoking take on the genre, just perfect for Halloween.

Gather your friends, dress up, and be ready to throw things at the screen — it is The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the cult classic that brings Halloween camp to new heights. Tim Curry as Dr. Frank-N-Furter is nothing short of iconic. The plot is nonsensical, the costumes are elaborate, and the songs are unforgettable. Whether you are new to it or a seasoned participant, Halloween wouldn’t be the same without it.

I have to admit — horror movies are usually a “no, thank you” for me, but once my friends convinced me to give Sinister a go, and well… it was terrifying. A struggling writer discovers creepy old snuff films, and things quickly spiral into supernatural chaos. Ethan Hawke is as fantastic as ever, but let us be honest — after watching this one, you will probably need to sleep with the lights on. I was.

This anthology film is a series of creepy stories all centred around Halloween night and the mysterious trick-or-treater named Sam. Trick 'r Treat plays on every Halloween fear you might have, from pumpkin smashing to things that go bump in the night. It has got a quirky, campy charm that has rightfully earned it a cult following.

Wes Craven’s Scream turned the slasher genre on its head and made it fun again. Ghostface may not be the scariest villain, but he is definitely one of the most memorable. Between the tongue-in-cheek horror tropes, clever dialogue, and a killer cast, Scream is a perfect blend of terror and humour that makes it a Halloween essential.

Jordan Peele’s directorial debut is a masterclass in psychological horror. Get Out explores themes of racism and privilege in a way that is as insightful as it is terrifying. It is socially aware horror that builds tension superbly. While not a traditional Halloween film, it is utterly captivating and eerie — which is what Halloween is all about.

Finally, we have Mandy, a psychedelic horror film starring Nicolas Cage as a vengeance-driven lumberjack. It is bizarre, gruesome, and oddly beautiful. If you are in the mood for something wildly different, with an intense performance by Cage, this is your ticket to a surreal Halloween.