Some people carve pumpkins — others prefer to carve out a little time for a good scare.
If you’re searching for scary movies to watch this Halloween, you’re in the right place. From classic horror movies that shaped the genre to new horror movies 2025 already haunting audiences, this list rounds up the best horror movies to make your skin crawl. Whether you’re into jump scares, psychological horror movies or found footage horror movies that feel just a little too real, these are the scariest horror movies guaranteed to keep you watching through your fingers.
There’s something timeless about a good scary movie. The eerie lighting, the mounting tension, that one character who should definitely not open the door — it’s cinematic comfort food for thrill-seekers. We’ve gathered a mix of good horror movies and brand-new releases, from supernatural chills to slasher thrills, so you can pick your perfect nightmare. Consider this your ultimate guide to horror movies 2025 and beyond; a lineup of must-see scary movies for every kind of fear-lover.
So dim the lights, grab the popcorn and get ready for the dark side of Halloween. These top horror movies aren’t for the faint of heart…but if you’re brave enough, they’re some of the best scary movies of all time.
Rent these scary Halloween flicks for as low as $2.99 each!
How to Watch Halloween Movies on DIRECTV
With DIRECTV via Satellite
- Go to Channel 125 to rent these and 1000s of other titles
- Find these movies in the Halloween Movies folder
- Use the “-” button on your remote to search for other Movies and TV shows
With DIRECTV via Internet
- Press the Home button on your remote and click left to find the Video Store on the side menu
- Find these movies in the $2.99+ Scary Halloween Movies row
- Use the Google Assistant/MIC button on your remote and use your voice to search for other Movies and TV shows
Rent the below Halloween favorites and so much more for as low as $2.99 each.
Halloween (1978)
The night he came home changed horror forever. Michael Myers’ silent, unstoppable pursuit of babysitter Laurie Strode set the standard for slasher films, with John Carpenter’s chilling score still sending shivers down spines today.
The Exorcist (1973)
When a young girl becomes possessed by a demonic force, two priests risk everything to save her soul. The Exorcist is a slow-burn masterpiece of atmosphere, faith and terror—still one of the most powerful horror films ever made.
Scream (1996)
Wes Craven reinvented the genre with this sharp, self-aware slasher that both mocks and honors horror movie tropes. With its witty script and meta twists, Scream balances scares and satire while keeping audiences guessing who’s behind the mask.
Friday the 13th (1980)
Camp Crystal Lake’s counselors learn the hard way that some legends are best left alone. A simple premise turned into an enduring franchise, Friday the 13th blends summer camp nostalgia with relentless slasher suspense.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
In this surreal, terrifying classic, teenagers are hunted in their dreams by the burned killer Freddy Krueger. With its inventive premise and nightmarish visuals, Elm Street blurs the line between dreams and reality in unforgettable fashion.
Gremlins (1984)
A young man’s cute new pet comes with three very important rules—rules that get broken with delightfully disastrous results. Equal parts comedy and chaos, Gremlins is a mischievous blend of horror and holiday fun that defined ‘80s creature features.
Insidious (2010)
A family discovers their comatose son is trapped in a dark realm called The Further, where malevolent spirits lurk. James Wan’s supernatural hit revived ghost horror for a new generation, combining jump scares with emotional storytelling.
Saw (2004)
Two men awaken in a locked room, forced to play a sadistic game set by the mysterious Jigsaw killer. Saw redefined horror with its psychological tension and moral dilemmas, launching a franchise of gruesome, mind-bending thrillers.
The Black Phone (2021)
After being abducted by a sadistic killer, a young boy finds a lifeline through ghostly phone calls from past victims. Blending supernatural chills with emotional depth, The Black Phone is a haunting, heartfelt horror standout.
Nosferatu (2024)
Robert Eggers’ atmospheric reimagining of the vampire myth brings gothic grandeur back to the big screen. With moody cinematography and timeless dread, Nosferatu resurrects one of horror’s most iconic monsters for a new generation.
Heretic (2024)
Two young missionaries enter the home of a reclusive man who challenges their faith (and sanity) in ways they never expected. Heretic builds psychological tension and philosophical unease, blurring the line between devotion and damnation.
Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025)
Death doesn’t like to be cheated. This fresh chapter in the fan-favorite series introduces new characters and inventive ways fate fights back, keeping the franchise’s thrilling formula alive and lethal.
Wolf Man (2025)
A reimagining of the classic monster tale, Wolf Man blends gothic horror with emotional tragedy as one man battles both his inner demons and a curse that won’t let him go.
Weapons (2025)
When a shocking tragedy devastates a small town, three seemingly unrelated stories of violence and fear begin to intertwine. Weapons explores how collective trauma and hidden rage connect ordinary lives in unexpected, terrifying ways.
Speak No Evil (2024)
When a Danish family accepts a weekend invitation from a seemingly friendly British couple, what begins as an innocent getaway spirals into a psychological nightmare. Subtle unease turns to outright terror as the visitors realize their hosts have far darker intentions than anyone imagined. Disturbing, tense, and brutally effective, Speak No Evil lingers long after the credits roll.
Sinners (2025)
Set in the Deep South during the 1930s, twin brothers chasing redemption discover their hometown is haunted by ancient, vampiric evil. Stylish, sultry and steeped in Southern Gothic atmosphere, Sinners blends supernatural horror with human struggle.
Watch all your favorite scary movies and discover new favorites this Halloween with DIRECTV. Don’t have DIRECTV? Let’s change that!
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