Welcome, ghoulish classmates, to your newest review column. I am The Anonymous Critic, and my passion is cinema. I will be your cinematic guide this school year. During October, we are surrounded by the creepy and mysterious, and I will be your guide to all things horror. Horror is subjective in many ways: taste, sensitivity to fear, your age, and tolerance of gore. Because of this, I have broken up these horror films into three categories: beginner scary, medium scary, and truly terrifying.
Whether you’re a horror fan looking for a new favorite, a newcomer looking to get into horror, or someone who gets spooked by their own shadow, I hope you’ll find your next Halloween favorite on this list. Now, read ahead – if you dare! Also, please note: Some of these films are rated R and may include inappropriate content, so please check with your parents before watching.
Easily Spooked? For those who just want a spooky vibe, choose among these films:
Practical Magic (1998, Dir. Griffin Dunne. PG-13)
Scare Factor: 2 out of 10 (10 is the scariest)
A magical, sexy romantic comedy about two witch sisters who get into some hot water with dark magic. Practical Magic is absolutely wonderful. Romantic, mystical, corny, and dark, with a slight feminist touch, Practical Magic appeals to the witch in all of us.
Watch if you love a good sisterly bond story with magic and romance.
Don’t watch if you roll your eyes at sappy romance.
The Sixth Sense (1999, Dir. M. Night Shyamalan. PG-13)
Scare Factor: 4 out of 10
A captivating, slightly creepy ghost yarn about a child psychologist whose patient hides a dark secret. The Sixth Sense is utterly stunning. Gut-wrenching, smart, and held together by three amazing leading performances, The Sixth Sense will blow your mind.
Watch if you’re a fan of a well-made movie with great performances and a creepy atmosphere.
Don’t watch if you hate bizarre pop-outs.
Get Out (2017, Dir. Jordon Peele. R)
Scare Factor: 6 out of 10
Combining brilliant social commentary, bleak satire, and unsettling twists to tell the tale of a Black man who realizes that his White girlfriend’s family is not what they seem. Get Out is a thriller masterpiece. Witty, upsetting, and mind-bending, Get Out is a film of immense power.
Watch if you love political dramas disguised as horror, hate horror movies, or love Key & Peele sketches.
Don’t watch if you just want straight-up horror, are looking for something more lighthearted, or hate suspense.
Something for everyone?
For those brave enough to venture deeper, consider these movies:
Poltergeist (1983, Dir. Tobe Hooper. PG)
Scare Factor: 6.5 out of 10
An entertaining, creepy, and delightfully 80s ghost tale about a family whose youngest daughter is taken by mysterious forces. Poltergeist is a metaphysical adventure. Scary, funny, and brilliantly acted, Poltergeist is guaranteed to thrill you.
Watch if you love 80s films, adore being spooked, or delight in a Ghostbusters-style scare fest.
Don’t watch if you hate clowns and pop-outs, or is you have a fear of the unknown.
Ready or Not (2019, Dirs. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. R)
Scare Factor: 5 out of 10 (Gore factor 9/10)
A gross-out, laugh-out-loud, horror-comedy about a young bride who finds herself in a life-or-death situation on her wedding night. Ready or Not is not for the faint of heart. Gory, tasteless, and bonkers-entertaining, Ready or Not will leave you gasping.
Watch if you’re a fan of dark comedy at its very darkest or you don’t mind violence.
Don’t watch if you get squeamish easily, hate jump scares, or are sensitive to gore.
The Others (2000, Dir. Alejandro Amenábar. PG-13)
Scare Factor: 6.5 out of 10
Lush, gothic, and effortlessly creepy, The Others tells the story of a devoutly religious woman and her two photosensitive children who begin to realize they are not alone. Eerie, somber, and beautifully told, The Others will surely send a shiver up your spine.
Watch if you’re a fan of anything gothic, love a good twist ending, or into ghost stories with a touch of sorrow.
Don’t watch if you hate feeling creeped out for 2 ½ hours or aren’t into slower-paced films.
Nothing scares you?
Then, for the bravest of the brave, watch these films at your own risk.
Weapons (2025, Dir. Zach Cregger, R)
Scare Factor: 8 out of 10
Disturbing, wildly scary, and uncommonly smart, Weapons recounts the story of 17 children who vanish from one classroom and how the townsfolk must find them. Witty, vicious, and brilliantly written, Weapons is a future horror classic.
Watch if you love jump scares, love dark (very, very dark) comedy, or don’t mind being scared.
Don’t watch if you get squeamish easily and have a hard time handling gore, or you hate jump scares.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991, Dir. Jonathan Demme. R )
Scare Factor: 7 out of 10
Unflinching, brilliant, and disturbing, The Silence of the Lambs tells the story of an FBI agent who recruits an incarcerated cannibal to help catch a killer. Phenomenally acted, beautifully directed, and a tour-de-force in suspense, The Silence of the Lambs is one of the greatest films of all time.
Watch if you appreciate a well-made movie, love a good mystery, and listen to true crime podcasts.
Don’t watch if you hate the idea of serial killers, hate too much tension, or have a fear of vans.
The Exorcist (1973, Dir. William Friedkin. R)
Scare Factor: 8.5 out of 10
Unsettling, notorious, and twisted, The Exorcist tells the story of a young girl possessed by the devil and the lengths her mother goes to save her. Top-tier performances, eerie storytelling, and disturbing violence make The Exorcist an indelible classic.
Watch if you can handle disturbing content, you are a horror buff, or you love classic cinema.
Don’t watch if you hate horror, the sight of vomit, and violence involving children. Note: While the film’s graphic blasphemy and violence initially shocked and offended some religious people, many others, including Catholic leaders, viewed the movie as a deeply pro-faith story that affirms the reality of God and spiritual warfare.
(Photos Credit: Letterboxd)