30 local and international horror films that will haunt your Halloween

Director: Steven Spielberg

Runtime: 2 hours and 4 minutes

Your list won’t be complete without at least one creature feature. A thrilling classic that reshaped the summer blockbuster, Jaws follows the small beach town of Amity Island as it is terrorised by a great white shark. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film centres on police chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider), marine biologist Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) and shark hunter Quint (Robert Shaw) as they team up to hunt the deadly predator before it strikes again.

With its masterful suspense and iconic score, Jaws combines action, horror and drama to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. The film’s blend of real danger and human courage has made it a timeless favourite that continues to captivate audiences decades after its release. The film definitely instilled the fear of sharks when it was released and still does today, because of how real it is and how it could happen to anyone who just so happens to be at the beach.

Director: John Carpenter

Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes

A seminal slasher film that set the standard for the genre, Halloween follows the chilling story of Michael Myers, a masked killer who escapes a psychiatric hospital and returns to his hometown of Haddonfield to stalk teenage babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). The film masterfully builds suspense through its eerie score, minimalist style and tense atmosphere.

Halloween introduced one of horror’s most iconic villains and helped popularise the slasher formula that many films would follow. Its blend of psychological terror and relentless pursuit has made it a timeless classic that continues to influence the genre decades later. Many people today even film themselves being chased by a fake Myers just to see if they can escape him. The goal of the trend is to run away from the killer and unlock the door to their home.

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Runtime: 2 hours and 26 minutes

A landmark in psychological horror, The Shining is a chilling descent into madness set against the haunted backdrop of an isolated hotel. Directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on Stephen King's novel, the film stars Jack Nicholson in one of his most iconic roles as Jack Torrance, a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic who takes a job as the hotel's winter caretaker. Alongside him are his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their young son Danny (Danny Lloyd), who possesses a mysterious psychic ability known as “the shining.”

For audiences new to Kubrick or horror, The Shining is essential viewing—a masterclass in suspenseful storytelling that has left an indelible mark on cinema. This one’s a classic, so it’s a good start to your horror movie marathon.

Directors: Peque Gallaga, Ishmael Bernal, Emmanuel Borlaza

Runtime: 2 hours and 4 minutes

An influential entry in Filipino horror cinema, Shake, Rattle & Roll is an anthology film that weaves together three chilling tales steeped in local folklore and supernatural terror. Featuring stories of vengeful spirits, demonic possession and otherworldly creatures, it highlights the fears and superstitions deeply rooted in Philippine culture.

As the film that launched one of the country’s longest-running horror franchises, Shake, Rattle & Roll remains essential viewing—both as a cultural touchstone and a thrilling introduction to homegrown horror. Remember the LRT scene from Shake, Rattle & Roll 8? Yeah, it still haunts many to this day.

Director: Jonathan Demme

Runtime: 1 hour and 58 minutes

Widely regarded as one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made, The Silence of the Lambs is a gripping exploration of fear, manipulation and the dark recesses of the human mind. The film follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she seeks the help of imprisoned cannibalistic serial killer Dr Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) to catch another murderer known as Buffalo Bill.

Tense, intelligent and masterfully crafted, The Silence of the Lambs is a haunting study in suspense that continues to influence the genre decades after its release. This one’s a bit of a slow burn but stay with it and you’ll see that it’s worth the watch.

Director: Brad Silberling

Runtime: 1 hour and 40 minutes

A family-friendly supernatural comedy, Casper tells the story of a friendly ghost named Casper who befriends a young girl, Kat (Christina Ricci), after she and her father move into a haunted mansion. The film blends heartwarming moments with light scares as Casper tries to overcome his spooky reputation and help his new friends. 

With a charming mix of live action and early CGI effects, Casper offers a fun and touching tale about friendship, forgiveness and acceptance. Its gentle humour and heartfelt performances make it a beloved classic for audiences of all ages. It’s a fluff of a horror film but we simply can’t complete the list without Casper. The film just adds so much nostalgia to horror movie night, especially if you saw it when you were younger.

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Director: Wes Craven

Runtime: 1 hour and 51 minutes

A clever reinvention of the slasher genre, Scream is both a chilling horror film and a sharp commentary on horror movie clichés. The film follows high school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) as she becomes the target of a masked killer known as Ghostface, who begins terrorising her small town with a series of brutal murders. As the body count rises, Sidney and her friends must navigate a deadly game where everyone is a suspect and horror rules are turned on their head.

What sets Scream apart is its self-awareness—it’s a horror film that knows it’s a horror film. Blending suspense, dark humour and pop culture references, it revitalised the genre for a new generation. With memorable performances from Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, Scream remains a classic that’s as fun as it is frightening. You can’t have horror movie night without watching Scream. Ghostface is one of the most prominent faces in the horror universe alongside Myers, Pennywise and many more.

Director: Luis Llosa

Runtime: 1 hour and 29 minutes

Another film with a terrifying creature as its villain is Anaconda. It follows a documentary film crew navigating the Amazon rainforest who find themselves hunted by a massive, deadly anaconda, pretty straightforward. The film stars Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube and Jon Voight as the team battles the monstrous serpent in a desperate fight for survival.

With its mix of suspense, action and horror, Anaconda delivers plenty of heart-pounding moments and impressive practical effects. The film embraces the thrills and dangers of the jungle, making it a memorable entry in the Nineties creature horror genre.

Directors: Eduardo Sánchez, Daniel Myrick

Runtime: 1 hour and 21 minutes

A groundbreaking found-footage horror, The Blair Witch Project follows three student filmmakers who venture into the woods of Maryland to investigate a local legend known as the Blair Witch. As they lose their way and strange events begin to unfold, panic and paranoia set in—captured entirely through their recovered footage.

The film’s raw, documentary-style approach and minimalist storytelling created a new standard for psychological horror. Its eerie realism and clever marketing helped it become a cultural phenomenon, proving that what you don’t see can be just as terrifying as what you do. The film is terrifying, given that this could happen in real life, especially now that vlogging continues to be a norm in society.

Director: James Wong

Runtime: 1 hour and 38 minutes

A clever twist on supernatural horror, Final Destination follows a group of teenagers who cheat death after one of them, Alex (Devon Sawa), has a premonition of a deadly plane crash. When the vision comes true and they escape unharmed, the survivors soon discover that death is coming for them one by one—in the exact order they were meant to die.

Blending suspense, shock and a chilling sense of inevitability, the film became a crowd favourite and sparked a long-running series of sequels, each with its own inventive and unforgettable set pieces. Final Destination turns fate itself into the villain, making the ordinary feel terrifying. For those who easily get scared after watching horror or thriller films, this will stay with you, especially when you face a similar normal situation as seen in any of the Final Destination films. The most famous one: the truck of logs on a highway.

Director: Rob Schmidt

Runtime: 1 hour and 24 minutes

A brutal backwoods survival horror, Wrong Turn delivers relentless tension as a group of strangers find themselves hunted in the remote forests of West Virginia. When medical student Chris (Desmond Harrington) crashes into a stranded vehicle on a rural road, he and the other travellers search for help—only to stumble upon a family of inbred cannibals with a taste for human flesh. What follows is a desperate fight for survival as the group is picked off one by one in the dense, unforgiving wilderness.

With its fast-paced action and gruesome kills, Wrong Turn leans into the classic tropes of slasher and survival horror while maintaining a raw, intense edge. It doesn’t shy away from gore, but it also builds suspense through isolation and the primal fear of being hunted.

A favourite among early 2000s horror fans, Wrong Turn is a gritty and unrelenting ride into rural terror that sparked a long-running franchise. This one leaves watchers terrified of road trips and forests, never hoping to encounter such monsters in real life.

Director: Chito S Roño

Runtime: 1 hour and 57 minutes

A modern classic in Philippine horror, Feng Shui follows Joy, a young mother who comes into possession of a cursed Bagua mirror that brings both fortune and fatal consequences. As those around her meet mysterious deaths tied to their Chinese zodiac signs, Joy races to uncover the mirror’s dark origins before it claims more lives, including her own.

Blending supernatural terror with themes of fate and cultural superstition, Feng Shui delivers a uniquely Filipino take on the haunted object trope. It’s a must-watch for fans of atmospheric horror with a local twist.

Director: Takashi Shimizu

Runtime: 1 hour and 39 minutes

A chilling entry in the J-horror wave of the early 2000s, The Grudge centres on an American nurse, Karen (Sarah Michelle Gellar), who encounters a deadly curse in a Tokyo house marked by rage and tragedy. The curse, born from the violent death of a woman named Kayako, dooms anyone who enters the home to a terrifying fate, unleashing a cycle of supernatural horror that’s impossible to escape.

Known for its odd atmosphere, unsettling visuals and the iconic, vengeful spirit of Kayako, The Grudge delivers slow-burning tension and lingering dread. The film became a box office hit and led to several sequels and spin-offs, solidifying its place as a standout in modern horror. While Kayako also has disturbingly long hair in her face, she’s not Sadako. Sadako is an entirely different terror in the horror universe.

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Director: James Wan

Runtime: 1 hour and 43 minutes

Another groundbreaking thriller that redefined horror for the 2000s, Saw introduces viewers to the twisted mind of the Jigsaw killer, who traps his victims in deadly games designed to test their will to live. When two men wake up chained in a grimy bathroom with no memory of how they got there, they must follow a series of brutal rules if they want to survive.

More than just gore and traps, Saw explores themes of morality, justice and survival under extreme pressure. Director James Wan’s tightly woven narrative and clever plot twists keep viewers guessing until the very end. With its blend of psychological suspense and shocking horror, Saw launched a hugely successful franchise and remains a touchstone for modern horror fans. Yes, the Jigsaw killer is among the many iconic faces in the world of horror.

Director: Chito S Roño

Runtime: 1 hour and 50 minutes

A box-office hit and staple of Filipino horror, Sukob centres on two women whose lives unravel after unknowingly breaking a deadly wedding taboo. As a series of violent deaths follow, they uncover a shared past and a chilling curse rooted in family secrets and cultural beliefs.

With its blend of psychological tension and supernatural dread, Sukob taps into the fear of fate and the unseen consequences of tradition. It's one of local cinema’s most memorable horror films and a strong pick for those drawn to emotionally charged scares.

Director: Gil Kenan

Runtime: 1 hour and 31 minutes

A spooky animated adventure, Monster House follows three kids who discover that a creepy house in their neighbourhood is actually alive, and hungry. As Halloween approaches, DJ (Mitchel Musso), Chowder (Sam Lerner) and Jenny (Spencer Locke) must uncover the house’s dark secret and stop it before it consumes anyone else who comes too close.

Blending horror, humour and a surprising emotional core, Monster House offers a thrilling ride for younger audiences without losing its scary and suspenseful edge. With its unique animation style and imaginative storytelling, it has become a modern Halloween favourite and a great gateway into the world of scary movies. While the film is animated, it’s also quite scary, especially if you still remember seeing it as a kid.

Director: Topel Lee

Runtime: 2 hours and 17 minutes

Ouija follows a group of cousins who reunite to lay a loved one to rest but accidentally awaken a restless spirit after using a spirit board. What begins as a seemingly harmless ritual spirals into a haunting, as the group becomes targeted by a vengeful ghost tied to a long-buried family tragedy.

Mixing classic spirit-board horror with a distinctly Filipino sensibility, Ouija delivers atmospheric scares and unsettling twists. It’s a solid choice for fans of supernatural horror and stories where the past refuses to stay buried.

Director: Oren Peli

Runtime: 1 hour and 26 minutes

A raw, minimalist found-footage horror, Paranormal Activity centres on a young couple, Katie (Katie Featherston) and Micah (Micah Sloat), who set up cameras in their home to capture evidence of a supernatural presence that’s been terrorising them. As unsettling disturbances escalate, the line between reality and nightmare blurs, leading to chilling and increasingly dangerous encounters.

Known for its simple yet effective scares and building tension through everyday settings, Paranormal Activity sparked a successful franchise and helped revive interest in the found-footage genre. Its haunting atmosphere and psychological horror continue to influence films in the genre. The terrifying part about watching all the franchise’s films is that they will leave you scared even in your own home.

Director: Joyce Bernal

Runtime: 1 hour and 50 minutes

Segunda Mano is a Filipino supernatural horror film that delves into the chilling consequences of acquiring second-hand items. The story follows Mabel, an antique shop owner who unknowingly purchases a cursed red bag that brings her face-to-face with the vengeful spirit of Mariella, a woman murdered by her fiancé. As Mariella's ghost wreaks havoc, Mabel must uncover the truth behind the curse and find a way to appease the restless spirit.

The film explores themes of guilt, revenge and the lasting effect of past actions. While some critics have noted its melodramatic tone and occasional lapses in pacing, Segunda Mano offers a unique take on the haunted object subgenre, blending elements of suspense and supernatural horror.

Director: James DeMonaco

Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes

A dystopian thriller with a chilling premise, The Purge imagines a near-future America where, for one night each year, all crime is legal—including murder. The story follows James Sandin (Ethan Hawke), a wealthy security system salesman, and his wife Mary (Lena Headey), as their home becomes a target during the annual purge, forcing them to fight for survival when a stranger disrupts their carefully planned night.

Blending social commentary with tense home invasion horror, The Purge explores themes of class, violence and morality under extreme circumstances. The film’s success launched a major franchise of sequels and a television series, expanding on its disturbing vision of society. The alarm in the films signalling the beginning of the Purge continues to haunt many today.

Director: Frasco Mortiz

Runtime: 1 hour and 45 minutes

After attending a funeral, a group of friends breaks a sacred superstition by failing to properly cleanse themselves from the ritual called pagpag, which is believed to ward off restless spirits. In Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay, they soon find themselves hunted by vengeful entities determined to claim nine lives.

Combining traditional Filipino beliefs with intense supernatural horror, the film delivers relentless scares and a chilling reminder of the consequences of disrespecting the dead. It’s perfect for fans of fast-paced thrillers rooted in local folklore.

Director: Jennifer Kent

Runtime: 1 hour and 34 minutes

A haunting psychological horror, The Babadook follows Amelia (Essie Davis), a widowed mother struggling to care for her troubled young son Samuel (Noah Wiseman), who becomes convinced that a sinister creature from a mysterious pop-up book is stalking them. As strange occurrences grow more intense, Amelia begins to question whether the Babadook is real or a manifestation of her own grief and trauma. It really makes you think twice about what the Babadook might represent.

Known for its atmospheric tension and emotional depth, the film blends supernatural horror with a powerful exploration of mental health and motherhood. The Babadook received critical acclaim and has become a modern genre favourite for its originality and psychological impact.

Director: Wenn V Deramas

Runtime: 1 hour and 43 minutes

Maria Leonora Teresa explores the grief of three parents coping with the loss of their daughters in a tragic accident. They are given life-sized dolls resembling their children, which soon reveal sinister and supernatural behaviours.

Blending emotional drama with chilling horror, the film delves into themes of loss, obsession and the blurred lines between reality and the supernatural. It offers a unique take on haunted doll stories within a distinctly Filipino cultural setting.

Director: Damien Leone

Runtime: 1 hour and 25 minutes

This next one is a bit intense. Actually, not just a bit, but a lot. Fans of gore and hardcore slasher films will absolutely love this. A brutal and unapologetic slasher, Terrifier introduces Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), a silent and sadistic killer who stalks and tortures his victims on Halloween night. The story follows two women who cross paths with Art and find themselves trapped in a night of escalating violence and gore.

Known for its extreme practical effects, relentless brutality and disturbing atmosphere, Terrifier quickly developed a devoted following among horror fans. Its success led to sequels and cemented Art the Clown as a modern horror icon. This film is definitely not made for those who easily get disturbed or disgusted, so you better take that into account before adding this to your horror movie marathon.

Director: Erik Matti

Runtime: 1 hour and 30 minutes

During a secluded retreat, a group of troubled seminarians face terrifying supernatural forces that challenge their faith and sanity. In Seklusyon, the line between spiritual trial and dark evil blurs as they confront secrets that threaten their very souls.

With its atmospheric tension and deep exploration of religious fear, the film offers a haunting look at faith under siege. It’s an intense experience for viewers drawn to horror that questions belief and the nature of good and evil.

Director: Jordan Peele

Runtime: 2 hours and 1 minute

A chilling and thought-provoking horror, Us follows Adelaide Wilson (Lupita Nyong’o) and her family as their beachside holiday turns to terror when they are confronted by a group of mysterious doppelgängers. As the night unfolds, the family must fight for survival against these twisted versions of themselves, uncovering a dark secret that links Adelaide to the horrifying events.

Us explores themes of identity, trauma and the hidden self. With a powerful performance from Nyong’o and a gripping, original premise, the film became a critical and commercial success, solidifying its place in modern horror. Us will give you goosebumps and chills, as it should. If you’re all for something new and unique, the storyline and concept of this film will surely wow you.

Director: Ti West

Runtime: 1 hour and 42 minutes

Another chilling psychological horror and slasher is Pearl. The film explores the origins of the titular character, a young woman (Mia Goth) whose dreams of a better life spiral into darkness as her violent tendencies emerge. Set in 1918, the film delves into Pearl’s complex psyche, revealing the twisted motivations behind her descent into madness. The film could’ve been all fluff and no gore if they just let Pearl become the star that she is.

With striking visuals and a compelling performance from Goth, Pearl serves as a haunting prequel that enriches the story of its predecessor while standing strong on its own. The film offers a gripping exploration of ambition, isolation and the darkness within.

Director: Roderick Cabrido

Runtime: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Mallari stars Piolo Pascual in a gripping horror that spans three generations of the Mallari family. Portraying a 19th-century priest and serial killer, his post-war descendant and a modern-day doctor, the film weaves together their dark legacies and supernatural horrors.

Blending historical drama with chilling suspense, Mallari explores the haunting effects of violence and family curses across time. It’s a must-watch for those who appreciate layered storytelling and psychological horror.

Directors: Michael Philippou, Danny Philippou

Runtime: 1 hour and 39 minutes

Bring Her Back centres on siblings Andy and Piper, who, after losing their father, are placed under the care of a grieving woman named Laura. As they settle into her isolated home, they uncover a dark ritual Laura believes will bring her daughter back—setting off a chilling chain of supernatural events.

Combining emotional depth with intense horror, the film explores themes of grief, loss and the desperate lengths people go to for closure. It’s a powerful, atmospheric story that will resonate with fans of psychologically driven horror.

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