In terms of horror movies, I’ve been around the block a few times; from The Substance to Manos: The Hands of Fate, from The Mummy to The Mummy (not to be confused with The Mummy, The Mummy, or The Mummy); I’ve seen more than my fair share, so here’s just a few recommendations—from all across the genre—for your viewing pleasure.
Halloween (1978) (R), 91 Min
You know it, you’ve seen it, I won’t waste any more of your time talking about it; it isn’t even John Carpenter’s best work, but it’s still iconic for a reason.
In a word: Classic
Candyman (1992) (R), 98 Min
Despite getting a sequel pretty recently, I don’t hear nearly enough people talk about this one. Based on Clive Barker’s The Forbidden, Candyman is (with some hyperbole) one of the most beautifully tragic movies I have ever seen, and I think everyone should try it at least once.
It’s incredibly well written and directed, but what really steals the show are the brilliant Virginia Madsen and the now late Tony Todd; it might not be for everyone (it does take a minute to get going), but it makes me tear up every time—thanks especially to Philip Glass’s ethereal score.
In a word: Tragic
Sinners (2025) (R), 137 Min
Another one you’ve probably seen, as it cleaned house at the box office back in April—so again, I won’t spend too much time on it. It’s so well paced that you don’t even notice it’s almost 2 and a half hours long—a real modern masterpiece, I’m excited to see what Ryan Coogler does next.
In a word: Exciting
Phantasm (1979) (R), 89 Min
I have only met 2 people on Earth that have seen Phantasm—which is understandable, it’s more than a little weird. It’s a little bit of a coming-of-age story, it’s kind of a zombie movie at points, there’s a dash of sci-fi in there—but really, it just sets such an interesting mood. The vibe that Phantasm has is something I’ve never seen replicated (least of all in the Phantasm sequels)—just put it on and let it wash over you.
In a word: Atmospheric
Hellraiser (1987) (R), 94 Min / Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988) (R), 99 Min
I’m combining these into one entry because they’re kind of inseparable—truth be told, I thought about only recommending Hellraiser II (it’s my favorite), but you really need to see the first to understand the second—and both are worth watching.
Despite the main villain, Pinhead, being decently iconic, I don’t see many people in Gen Z going to bat for Hellraiser—which is fair; sex demons from another dimension are pretty out there—but if you can get past that, you’ll be rewarded. While Part 1 is admittedly somewhat basic, I really love Part 2 for its stellar world-building—and both movies have insane practical effects, as well as tremendous soundtracks by Christopher Young (and don’t bother with any of the other sequels, they are not worth your time).
In a word: Fantastical
The Mummy (1999) (PG-13), 125 Min
This is admittedly more of an adventure movie than anything else, but it’s still pretty spooky (even if a lot of the CGI on the titular Mummy has aged horribly)—and even then, it’s still a great adventure movie. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are both delightful, and it’s just so much fun—to quote the late, great Roger Ebert’s review of it, “there is hardly a thing I can say in its favor, except that I was cheered by nearly every minute of it.”
In a word: Swashbuckling
The Invisible Man (1933) (NR), 71 Min
I love all the classic Universal Monsters from the 30’s and 40’s, but The Invisible Man is probably my favorite because of how different it is while still maintaining the same style; the other movies take themselves pretty seriously, while this one is just an hour straight of an insane man doing all kinds of invisible shenanigans. While some of the jokes fall flat now (it’s 92 years old, that’s to be expected), Claude Rains gives such an electric performance as the title character that it doesn’t even matter. The 2020 remake isn’t bad, but you just can’t beat the classics.
In a word: Gothic
Godzilla Minus One (2023) (PG-13), 125 Min
Some would say Godzilla movies don’t count as horror movies—and 90% of the time, they’d be correct; but not here. Minus One does a great job at making you fear Godzilla’s next appearance, but at the same time, the human story is just that: it’s very human. This isn’t just great for a Godzilla movie; it’s a great movie—period. I’ve never felt more alive than opening night almost 2 years ago—and I ended up seeing it in theaters 9 more times (and even as someone who loves movies, that’s very abnormal); it’s undoubtedly one of my favorite films of all time.
In a word: Uplifting
Island of Terror (1966) (NR), 89 Min
Full transparency: this one’s very personal to me. I remember seeing this on TV as a small child and being absolutely terrified—I had nightmares for weeks; and in my adult years, I’ve realized that it’s one of the dumbest movies ever made—and I honestly love it for that.
The monsters (the Silicates) are conceptually silly and even worse in execution—they aren’t threatening in the slightest, and the way they kill is downright comedic. While Peter Cushing puts in a charming performance (as he’s known to do) and the backdrop of 1960’s Ireland is an aesthetic I enjoy a lot, Island of Terror is pure shlock; 1/10, I love it.
In a word: Cheesy
Honorable Mentions: Horror of Dracula (1958), Suspiria (1977), Fright Night (2011), Overlord (2018), Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
