It’s finally the time of year where we can unapologetically curl up inside, and binge-watch our favourite films and TV shows. No, not lockdown-Autumn, of course! The season of hot drinks; comforting food and snuggly jumpers. 

The climate currently (both politically and literally) is terrible, and this year, Halloween parties and events are pretty much off the menu for everyone, so what better way to enjoy the holiday than with a spooky night in, in front of a great film. 

Now, I know Halloween is a night for all things terrifying, but that’s not necessarily to everyone’s taste. With this in mind, I’ve compiled a list of great films, each catered to suit a different Halloween taste. So whether it’s kitsch or classic, there’s something hopefully here for everyone. 

Trigger warning: due to the nature of the films referenced in the article, there will be references to violence; drugs; self-harm; mental health issues; abuse; suicide and other potential triggers.  

For The Die Hard Horror Enthusiasts: Hereditary (2018)

Hereditary is the story of a family dealing with grief and loss. Annie (Toni Colette) loses her mother, and each family member (a great cast including Gabriel Byrne) finds their way to deal with this. Annie and her daughter both turn to the supernatural, but this opens the door to generational secrets; haunting experiences and other disturbing events. 

The film is cast well, and when you’re not caught up the storyline, you can appreciate how well shot it is too. It can be a complicated watch at times, and there are elements of the storyline that can be provoking, but it’s worth a watch for loyal fans of the genre. 

For The Family Viewers: Hocus Pocus (1993)

When Max Dennison is tasked with taking his younger sister Dani trick or treating, his attempts to impress his high-school crush Allison lead the trio to resurrect three of Salem’s most famous witches inadvertently. There’s a talking cat, a zombie ex-boyfriend and a pre-Sex and The City Sarah Jessica Parker. 

Let’s face it, is it Halloween until you’ve spent an evening with the Sanderson Sisters? An oldie, but a goodie, Hocus Pocus is a family favourite with something for everyone. A family-friendly viewing, with just enough suspense to make you feel like you haven’t missed out on the scare factor. Plus, you can watch Kathy Najimy ride a hoover. 

For The Love of Kitsch: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)

Brad and Janet are a newly married and very naive young couple, whose car breaks down on an isolated night during a dreadful night. There’s a house nearby where they ask to use the phone, and there ensues a night of debauchery and seduction amongst the spooky lair owned by Dr Frank-N-Furter. 

It has Susan Sarandon before Thelma and Louise, Tim Curry before Home Alone 2 and Richard O’Brien before the Crystal Maze. Oh and MeatLoaf drives a motorbike through a wall. A camp classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is either loved or hated. Either way, there’s not a person in the land who can’t recite at least the chorus of ‘Time Warp’. 

For Those Who Want A Classic: The Shining (1980)

An aspiring writer (Jack Nicholson) takes a position as caretaker during the off-peak season at an isolated hotel, moving his family there for the winter. Whilst there, his son Danny discovers he possesses psychic abilities. As he begins to learn of the hotel’s horrific past, his father’s mental state diminishes, and a horrifying chapter in the hotel’s history begins to repeat itself, played out by its new occupants. 

Empire magazine recently voted The Shining Number One in their list of top 50 best horror films, and it’s easy to see why. Quoted as inspiration for some of the best horror films and TV shows, Stanley Kubrick’s telling of Stephen King’s classic book has been referenced everywhere from American Horror Story to The Simpsons. 

For Foreign Cinema Fans: Suspiria (1977)

An American ballerina, Suzy, moves to a prestigious German ballet academy to achieve her dreams. Unfortunately, the school is a front for something far more sinister and supernatural, and Suzy is at the precipice of a dangerous and twisted journey.  The whole film has an electric quality, evoked by the use of colour and lighting to tremendous and dizzying effect. 

Recently remade with a stellar Hollywood cast, the original is still quoted as one of Argento’s masterpieces. Often cited as one of the most unsettling films ever made, Suspiria is renowned for its striking and nightmarish imagery, which was unprecedented at the time. 

For Comedy Fans: Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

Shaun, going nowhere and not sure how to change this, has a long and heavy night at the pub with friends, only to slowly discover in the morning that a zombie apocalypse has devoured London. Armed with a shovel and a cricket bat, Shaun and friend Ed set off to save his mum; prove their worth and hopefully win Shaun’s ex back. 

Part of the Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy of films, Shaun of the Dead sends up zombie horrors in a brilliant way whilst respecting what we love about them. There’s a fantastic cast of British talent including everyone from Bill Nighy to Dylan Moran to Jessica Hynes. Part action, part horror, part romantic satire; the film shows how most of us would probably react to a zombie apocalypse: with a brew and some witty one-liners.  

For The Serial Viewer: The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020)

Ok, so it’s not a film. But there’s a lot of us who just aren’t movie fans, but that doesn’t mean you can’t access a great Halloween watch. The Haunting of Bly Manor is the newest Netflix creation from the team behind The Haunting of Hill House. Don’t worry if you haven’t seen Hill House; this is not a sequel. 

The show follows the story of Bly Manor: owned by the uncle of two bright but concerning children, it is home to a host of supernatural activity and tragic events. When a new American nanny is hired to care for the children, she brings her demons to an already unsettled home and soon becomes convinced there is something evil at work in the Manor. 

Like Hill House, Bly Manor is also based on literary fiction. Loosely based on Henry James’ work The Turn of the Screw, a deliciously despicable horror novella that unfolds new meanings and understandings the more you read it, the show has all of the best horror tactics:  foggy grounds; old mansions; creepy children and menacing secrets. If you’ve finished Ratched and don’t know where to go next, here it is. 

Remember to head over to City Girl’s social media page or let us know in the comments what you’ll be watching this Halloween! 

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Written By: Jenna Tomlinson