It is absolutely never too early to start getting in the Halloween spirit. Pumpkin spice has officially arrived, there’s a pumpkin patch on every corner, and the debate over whether candy corn is actually good is raging once again. The #1 way to get in the spooky spirit is still with a good movie, whether it’s a seasonal classic, a new horror gem, or a family favorite that just screams fall vibes.
At the moment, Netflix doesn’t have much in the way of actual Halloween-themed movies. But no worries, the streaming service still has plenty of horror-tinged films from spooky to terrifying, and we’ve narrowed down the list to the best, scariest, and downright fun movies in the bunch. So grab the candy corn (if that’s your thing), fire up some apple cider, and settle in for the best Halloween movies on Netflix right now.
Nightbooks (2021)
Somewhere between spooky and downright scary, Nightbooks is a wonderful new entry in the “gateway horror” canon that’s delightful for (not too young) kids and adults alike. The Sam Raimi-produced YA adventure stars Krysten Ritter as a glamorous but very wicked witch who traps children to do her bidding. Following two kids (played by Winslow Fegley and Lidya Jewett) attempting to escape her grasp, Nightbooks builds a fantastical world of magic and monsters that steers clear of gruesome gore while still delivering plenty of ooey-goeey scares. It’s one of the best Netflix originals of the year and the perfect pick for folks looking for something new to add to their Halloween watchlist. – Haleigh Foutch
The Conjuring 2 (2016)
As scary as James Wan’s original The Conjuringwas, this spooky sequel might be even more terrifying. The Warrens pick up a new case that takes them overseas to England, and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) begins to suspect that Ed (Patrick Wilson) will die during the investigation. They both struggle to care for a family in crisis as they consider becoming parents themselves. Between a demonic child and a spooky nun (which inspired the 2018 prequel of the same name), The Conjuring 2 is filled with haunting images. Patrick Wilson singing a little Elvis is just the icing on the cake. -Liam Gaughan
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)
While the original Ouijawas a cheap gimmick of a horror film that was more laughable than scary, Mike Flanagan’s surprisingly excellent prequel proved that the concept wasn’t entirely misconceived. By relying less on jump scares and more on grounding the characters, Flanagan was able to explore the ways trauma can inspire our deepest nightmares. The film follows the widow Alice Zander (Elizabeth Reaser) as she falsely claims to be a spiritual medium; Zander and her daughters are forced to shed their personas when an actual demon appears. It’s an essential watch for fans of The Haunting of Hill House and the The Haunting of Bly Manor. -Liam Gaughan
Blair Witch (2016)
While 1999’s The Blair Witch Project was easily one of the most influential films of its era, it struggles to hold up given all the advances in technology that have occurred over the past two decades. If you’re looking for a slick modern version of the classic found footage story, Adam Wingard’s 2016 sequel uses drones, cell phone cameras, and YouTube cameras to update the genre. While the film has some cool tie-ins to the original film, it’s also a perfect starting place for those that are new to the franchise. An absolutely bonkers third act makes Blair Witch a scare-fest you’re unlikely to forget anytime soon. -Liam Gaughan
Labyrinth (1986)
Labyrinth isn’t scary, heck it’s not even spooky all that often, but if your favorite part of Halloween is the pageantry, oh baby, does Labyrinth have pageantry. And with stunning work from the Jim Henson Company, it also has all kinds of curious creatures, exquisite world-building, and the fantastical sense of otherworldly oddity we all love about the holiday that celebrates the thinning of the veil. Oh, and David Bowie rocked the socks off a whole dang generation as the Goblin King. Jennifer Connelly stars as Sarah, a teenage girl who has to journey through a magical maze after her baby brother is taken by the Goblin King, encountering all kinds of curious creatures, surreal settings, and ultimately, a magical masquerade. It might not be an outright “Halloween movie,” but it’s got all the right spirit where it counts, and a soundtrack full of classics that make a regular appearance on plenty of seasonal playlists. – Haleigh Foutch
Hubie Halloween (2020)
Okay so Hubie Halloween may not be “high art,” but if you’re looking for a silly comedy with all the Halloween trappings, this might be a good pick for you. The Adam Sandler film follows a deli employee in Salem, Massachusetts who fancies himself a “Halloween Monitor” on Halloween. The role becomes much more serious when news arrives about an escaped convict. This movie is silly and frankly not great, but it’s a valid choice if you’re looking to watch something that’s very Halloween-themed. – Adam Chitwood
