As spooky season sets in, horror filmmakers and showrunners are exciting viewers with upcoming releases like Black Phone 2, set to be released on October 17, and the prequel TV series It: Welcome to Derry, which will air on HBO on October 26. Though there have been some recent disappointments in horror this past year, movies like The Conjuring: Last Rites are appeasing horror audiences. Modern horror movies are scrutinized a bit harshly, according to some viewers, but this is due to the incredible standards set down by the classics.
During this time of year, both die-hard horror fanatics and casual viewers have ample movies and shows to appease their need to be frightened. This includes the dozens of horror franchises, which provide hours of scares, screams, and satisfaction. For any viewer hoping to have a terrifying, spooky season marathon, there are some series that cannot be overlooked.
Child’s Play Is the Most Horrifying Possessed Doll
Chucky is holding a knife by Good Guy dolls in Child’s Play 2.Image via Universal Pictures
Child’s Play is an unconventional slasher movie series that has developed an immense cult following, becoming the most well-known possessed doll narrative in horror. In the storyline, Charles Lee Ray, an infamous serial killer, possessed a doll to find everlasting life and, despite his efforts, remained in the Good Guy doll. This storyline became a bit more fantastical as the movies went on, creating a cult around the murderous child’s toy.
In this franchise, there are eight movies and one TV show, beginning in 1988 and concluding in 2024 with the cancellation of the TV series Chucky. Though some of these installments became exceptionally ridiculous, there are more good inclusions than bad ones. Even without the Chucky series, the Child’s Play movies are freaky, bloody films perfect for those who appreciate unusual slashers.
Hannibal Lecter Is a More Realistic Serial Killer
Hannibal Lecter looks out of his cell in The Silence of the Lambs (1991)Image via Orion Pictures
The Hannibal Lecter adaptations, based on the novels by Thomas Harris, began with Manhunter in 1986, which received moderate success. However, the disturbing cannibalistic serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter became a household name in 1991 when The Silence of the Lambs was released. Though Lecter was already an incarcerated criminal in this narrative, his knowledge of murderers to solve the Buffalo Bill investigation is a chilling, unforgettable storyline.
There are five Hannibal Lecter movies, including Hannibal (2001), Red Dragon (2002), and Hannibal Rising (2007). This disturbing killer became so prominent in horror that it resulted in a Hannibal series, which only lasted three seasons but had a strong fanbase and mostly positive reviews. For viewers who like the realistic appeal of horror stories, there’s something particularly believable and unnerving about Hannibal the cannibal.
Saw Is All the Gore Viewer Will Ever Need
Image by Maddie Davis for How to Watch Saw Movies in Chronological Order.Â
 Image via CBR
In 2004, the first Saw movie was released, telling the story of two men who are trapped in a remote area and forced to do unspeakable things to stay alive. This began the controversial but popular Saw franchise, which focused on the serial killer Jigsaw, who would force his victims to complete painful and deadly tasks to prove they want to live. Though Jigsaw died in Saw III, the storyline was continued by including his disciples and incorporating a couple of prequels.
There are ten Saw movies, with the latest one, Saw X (2023), being the only one with a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the negative reviews, however, this horror series has revolutionized the way viewers appreciate fictional serial killer narratives. Viewers who appreciate ample blood and guts in their spooky season marathons, few movies are quite as disgusting.
Campy Horror Doesn’t Get Better Than Friday the 13th
Image by Ryan Rice
In the original Friday the 13th (1980), camp counselors are stalked by Pamela Voorhees, who was seeking revenge for her son’s death due to the previous counselors’ negligence. It wasn’t until the second installment that Jason Voorhees revived as an adult-sized undead slasher, picking up where his mother left off. The infamous hockey mask he is known for also didn’t come into play until Friday the 13th Part 3 (1982).
There are twelve movies in the collection, though the first one is the only positively reviewed installment. While viewers know Friday the 13th isn’t high art, there are details and storylines throughout the franchise that prove it’s more thought-provoking than some might think. When it comes to classics, this slasher series gets a bit unconventional at times, but it’s entertaining enough to keep a viewer engaged for many hours.
The Living Dead Series Defined Zombie Horror
Image via Columbia Pictures
Night of the Living Dead (1968) is a black-and-white movie that has withstood the test of time and is still considered the pinnacle of zombie horror movies. In addition to the intense storyline and violent visuals, the original film is known for its prominent social commentary, especially relating to how people treat each other in dire situations. These impactful themes have carried on throughout the zombie genre, making commentary about consumerism, social dynamics, and human morality.
The three original films, Night of the Living Dead, Dawn of the Dead (1978), and Day of the Dead (1985) received remakes in 1990, 2004, and 2008. The film collection also has three other films released between 2005 and 2009. Though they have all had different levels of success and reviews from critics and viewers, audiences remain impressed with the eerie, intense zombie stories that shaped the vast genre.
The Conjuring Universe Is the Biggest Modern Paranormal Hits
Vera Farmiga as Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring Universe.
The Conjuring series began with a family trying to find help to combat the spirit terrorizing them in their sleepy New England farmhouse. However, the series has expanded to include many paranormal stories, most of which are based on the real-life experiences of Ed and Lorraine Warren. These creepy hauntings with demons and possessed dolls have had an immense impact on pop culture.
These movies include The Conjuring movies, The Nun movies, the Annabelle movies, and the standalone film, The Curse of La Llorona. These supernatural movies are loved by horror fans, even the most recent installment, The Conjuring: Last Rites (20205), which has had mixed reviews from critics but a more positive viewer reception. These spooky films are ideal for any horror movie marathon, especially around Halloween.
The Ghostface killer from the Scream franchiseImage via Dimension Films
Scream has been an icon in slasher movies since its release in 1996, captivating viewers with a terrifying and violent slasher hunting teenagers in an L.A. town. The movie series has been praised for many things, including the performances, storyline, and unique twists. However, its best inclusion is the meta quality, featuring the film reflecting on the slasher genre despite being the most prominent in the category.
There have been six Scream movies, including the original four and two reboots, that have performed exceptionally well for the modern audience. There is another film in development, though it has received some controversy after Melissa Barrera was fired, and Jenna Ortega left the franchise. Still, the first six films are fast-paced, thought-provoking slashers that blend well together during a movie marathon.
A Nightmare on Elm Street Has an Unforgettable Villain
Image via CBR
Freddy Krueger haunts the dreams of teenagers on Elm Street in A Nightmare on Elm Street, hunting them with his glove of knives until he has enough power to harm them in the real world. This series has an eerie backstory that is revealed in the original film, explaining that Freddy is hellbent on revenge due to the teens’ parents burning him alive for harming and killing children. The burned flesh and deadly weapon of this villain are some of the most horrific visuals in horror.
There are nine films in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, including a remake in 2010, which did not impress viewers, especially due to the changes they made to Freddy’s appearance and backstory. Despite only having a couple of high-rated films, this series is still one of the most popular horror collections of all time. Nightmares coming alive is perhaps the most unsettling concept, but it works to frighten the audience.
Demons Don’t Get Any More Terrifying Than in Evil Dead
There’s a demon in the cellar in The Evil Dead.Image via New Line Cinema
Evil Dead (1981) is about a group of young adults who are just out in a cabin in the woods to have a fun weekend, but end up making a grave mistake when they discover a demonic book that unleashes a horrifying evil entity. The original trilogy by Sam Raimi is perhaps only surpassed by The Exorcist (1973) when it comes to demonic representation. These movies are visually horrifying and increasingly dreadful, successfully terrifying generations of horror viewers.
The Evil Dead isn’t just one of the scariest demon horror movies, but one of the few horror collections in which every single installment has been positively received. This series includes five films, the ’80s trilogy, and a couple of modern additions, and has a spin-off show, Ash vs Evil Dead, which has exceptional reviews despite the early cancellation. Any viewer who is terrified of pure evil villains can’t do any better than this franchise.
Halloween Is a Must-Watch Seasonal Marathon
Michael Myers holds a knife and looks over the bannister of a staircase in Halloween (1978).Image via Compass International PicturesÂ
Halloween is one of the most expansive horror series ever, including eight films in the main collection, two remakes developed by Rob Zombie, and a modern trilogy that reimagined the storyline following the initial 1978 film. There is some controversy surrounding the sequels and remakes, but the first film remains a Halloween classic. In this original plot, Michael Myers escapes from a mental health facility to go back to his hometown and stalk teenagers.
There’s something particularly unnerving about a masked man who kills without mercy or remorse for unknown and unexplainable reasons. Fans of this franchise are captivated by Michael’s psychologist, who simply believes that this man is pure evil, giving them an uncomfortable, blatant reason for the killer to do what he does. All the films in this series have something viewers can enjoy, but John Carpenter’s 1978 Halloween is a film every horror fan should watch during the spooky season.