Scary Movies to Watch with the Lights Off this Halloween

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 terrifying audiences in 2026, this list rounds up some of the best horror movies for a seriously scary movie night.

Whether you’re into jump scares, psychological horror movies, supernatural scares or slashers that make you think twice about turning off the lights, there’s something here for every horror fan. We’ve gathered must-see scary movies alongside newer releases, with everything from demonic possessions and masked killers to vampires, zombies and things that are much harder to explain.

So dim the lights, grab the popcorn and get ready for the darker side of Halloween.

How to Watch Halloween Movies on DIRECTV

Ready for a scary movie marathon? Throughout October, select Halloween movies are available to rent on DIRECTV for as low as $2.99, making it easy to build a horror watchlist for spooky season.

With DIRECTV via Satellite

• Go to Channel 125 to rent these and thousands of other titles.

• Find more scary favorites 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.

• Browse the Video Store for horror and Halloween movies.

• Use the Google Assistant/MIC button on your remote to search for movies and TV shows with your voice.

Looking for more ways to get your Halloween fix? Explore free horror movies and spooky TV to watch with MyFree DIRECTV, no paid DIRECTV subscription required.

28 Years Later: The Bone Temple (2026)

The nightmare continues in a world transformed by the Rage Virus. As Spike falls into the hands of Jimmy Crystal and his followers, Dr. Kelson makes a discovery that could change everything. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple expands the franchise’s post-apocalyptic horror while showing that the infected aren’t necessarily the most terrifying survivors left.

Backrooms (2026)

A strange doorway in the basement of a furniture showroom leads somewhere it definitely shouldn’t. Inspired by the unsettling internet phenomenon of endless, empty spaces, Backrooms transforms fluorescent lights, yellow walls and seemingly ordinary rooms into the stuff of nightmares. It’s a distinctly modern kind of horror where getting lost is only the beginning.

Obsession (2026)

Be careful what you wish for. After breaking a mysterious “One Wish Willow” in hopes of winning his crush’s heart, a hopeless romantic gets exactly what he wanted — and discovers that desire can come with terrifying consequences. Obsession turns infatuation into something dark, supernatural and increasingly dangerous.

Return to Silent Hill (2026)

Streaming on Screambox, Return to Silent Hill follows James as a mysterious letter draws him back to Silent Hill in search of the woman he loves. But the town he remembers has become a nightmarish place filled with darkness and terrifying creatures, bringing the unsettling world of the iconic horror franchise back to the screen.

For even more scares, learn more about Screambox on DIRECTV and explore its lineup of horror movies, cult favorites and more.

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.

Send Help (2026)

A plane crash leaves two coworkers stranded on a remote island, where surviving the wilderness is only part of the problem. Directed by Sam Raimi, Send Help mixes survival-thriller tension, horror and dark humor as an already complicated workplace relationship becomes a dangerous fight to make it home.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!