With Halloween just right around the corner, horror movies are once again the rage for home movie sessions. But if you want to get the most scare during your movie marathons, you should watch the right film. Here are some of the scariest movies you would want to get ready for.
Horror movie no. 1: Insidious (2010)
In this James Wan film, Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne play a married couple moving into a new home with their children. The family soon encounters mysterious supernatural phenomena after Wilson checks the attic and finds something that horrifies him. To help solve the mystery, the family hires several paranormal investigators.
Insidious is considered as one of the scariest movies in the last few years. While the premise itself is standard horror fare, the movie takes it into a unique direction to provide some great scares. Its jump scares are well-timed and will get you screaming more that you would like.
On the other hand, the film’s overall ambiance enhances those scares. Worth mentioning is the sound design which lends well to the overall feel. The film spawned three more sequels that are also worth watching.
Horror movie no. 2: It (2017)
While Hollywood has an obsession with remaking horror movies from previous decades, not all the results are great. Luckily, the 2017 remake of the Stephen King classic It isn’t one of those and delivers all the scare you would expect from the horror writer’s works.
The film follows a group of adolescent kids, known as The Losers Club, as they try to discover the mystery surrounding the disappearance of one member’s younger brother. They soon find themselves confronting a malevolent entity known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown.
One thing that will surely scare your wits out while watching the movie is Bill Skarsgard’s portrayal of Pennywise. There is just something unsettling about the way he smirks at the kids in the movie. Skarsgard also pulls off well the different maniacal gestures the monster clown does when terrorizing the kids.
It’s not only Pennywise which makes the movie frightening. It also masterfully weaves in the psychological trauma the young characters endure as they face their worst fears. This blends in well with the coming of age story the movie highlights. The Chapter Two sequel has been released in September, giving you more doses of Pennywise.
Horror movie no. 3: A Quiet Place (2018)
Many horror movies are often a loud affair, with all the scares and screaming. A Quiet Place goes the other way and focuses on silence instead. This makes for a rather unsettling viewing experience.
The film follows a family as they try to escape from invading extraterrestrial creatures. These creatures don’t have sight and instead relies on a hypersensitive sense of hearing. Since they would attack anything that makes noise, the Abbotts (led by John Krasinski and Emily Blunt) must traverse a deserted town without making the slightest sound.
A Quiet Place executes this premise very well. Its soundtrack is rather subdued, highlighting the ambient sounds. The move is further accentuated by the fact that the characters have very little spoken dialogue, instead relying on sign language. This makes the jump scares more frightening since a sudden break in the silence will get you anticipating what comes next.
The way the movie presents its monster is also effective. Much like the classic horror film Alien, it is initially shown only in glimpses, which creates a sense of dread for the audience. Once the creature is shown in full view, its design is terrifying. After watching this horror movie, you will want to check out the sequel to be released next year.
Horror movie no. 4: Marianne (2019)
Marianne isn’t exactly a movie but a web series. But this Netflix original is worthy of being included in the list of scariest movies for its great story. The French production is about horror writer Emma Larimson (Victoire Du Bois), who gets inspired to write a story based on the witch that appears in her nightmares. When she returns to her hometown, she discovers that the titular witch might be more than just a figment of her imagination.
One thing that makes the movie stand out is its great use of expressions and makeup to set up its scares. Each time Marianne appears on screen, her face has a disturbing look that will creep out many viewers. The series doesn’t even rely that much on CGI to pull these off, giving that authentic vibe.
Horror legend Stephen King himself expressed approval for the series. King notes that it has many similarities to his works but takes on the themes in a unique direction. That recommendation alone is a good signal for you to binge-watch the show.
Get your Halloween fix with the scariest movies
The above horror movies are perfect for any Halloween marathon you are planning with family and friends. Check them out and you will have a great time screaming at every scary scene. Look out for other titles for an even more exciting scarefest.