- Feel Good
- 29th Oct 2025
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- 0 minute
13 of the best scary films and series to watch this Halloween 2025
From haunted Airbnbs and ghostly calls to gothic classics reborn, this is your go-to guide for what to watch (and what to hide behind a cushion for) this Halloween.
Whether you’re heading to the cinema or staying in with Netflix, here are the horrors, thrillers and eerie releases worth your screen time.
CINEMA RELEASES
Frankenstein – out 17th October (select cinemas) and 7th November (Netflix)
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a story that has been adapted and transformed dozens of times — from Universal Studios’ iconic Frankenstein (1931) to the comedic Young Frankenstein (1974). The themes and characters continue to resonate more than 200 years later. This newest adaptation is directed by Guillermo del Toro, known for his stunning visuals and dark storytelling (The Shape of Water, Pan’s Labyrinth). Oscar Isaac stars as scientist Victor Frankenstein, with Jacob Elordi as the infamous monster created in a disastrous experiment that manipulates mortality and nature.
Bat Out of Hell: The Musical – out 30th October
Get ready for the ultimate rock experience as Bat Out of Hell roars onto the big screen this Halloween. The cast of the West End production brings Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s iconic anthems to life — including I’d Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That), Paradise by the Dashboard Light, Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad, Dead Ringer for Love and, of course, the legendary Bat Out of Hell. This spectacular production promises an electrifying, high-octane journey that will ignite your passion for rock like never before.
Shelby Oaks – out 31st October
Shelby Oaks might be the most fascinating horror movie out this month, not just for the film itself, but its backstory. Directed by Chris Stuckmann, one of YouTube’s most popular film critics, it marks his long-awaited move from reviewer to filmmaker. A lifelong horror fan, Stuckmann directs Camille Sullivan as a woman searching for her sister in a creepy, abandoned town. Mike Flanagan (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass) serves as producer, so expect atmosphere, emotion, and tension in equal measure.
STREAMING PICKS
The Descent (2005) – out 20th October – Vue Cinemas or rent on Amazon
One year after a tragic accident, six friends reunite for their annual adventure — a caving trip deep in the remote Appalachians. Disaster strikes when a rockfall traps them underground, only to discover they are not alone. Directed by Newcastle-born Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers, Doomsday), The Descent remains one of the most claustrophobic and terrifying British horrors ever made — and it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
The Conjuring 1 & 2 (2013/2016) – Netflix
Netflix is spicing up its horror section with both The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2, giving fans the chance to revisit one of the most chilling cinematic universes ever made. We follow real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga) as they help families terrorised by dark forces in their homes. Based on true cases, the films’ blend of dread and sincerity makes them modern classics. In the sequel, the Warrens head to 1970s England to assist a family haunted in their Enfield home — a case that became one of the UK’s most famous ghost stories. Directed by James Wan, these films kick-started The Conjuring Universe.
Talk to Me (2022) – Netflix
Talk to Me is a supernatural horror directed by Australian twins Danny and Michael Philippou (who also helm the upcoming Bring Her Back). When a group of teenagers discovers a severed, embalmed hand that lets them contact spirits, they become addicted to the thrill, until one séance goes too far and unleashes something truly terrifying. Smart, shocking, and deeply unsettling, it’s one of the standout horror hits of recent years.
Bring Her Back (2025) – HBO Max
From the directors of Talk to Me comes another nightmare you won’t forget. Bring Her Back follows two young siblings who witness a terrifying ritual at the secluded home of their new foster mother (Sally Hawkins). What unfolds is a soul-shaking tale of possession, grief, and rebirth. A chilling reflection on death and the things we’ll do to escape it.
Barbarian (2022) – Netflix
In town for a job interview, a young woman (Georgina Campbell) arrives at her Airbnb late at night, only to find it’s been double-booked, and a strange man is already there. Against her better judgment, she stays… but soon learns that he’s the least of her worries. From director Zach Cregger (Weapons), Barbarian is a wild, unpredictable ride. (Check your trigger warnings because this one is genuinely very scary!)
28 Years Later (2025) – Rent or buy on Amazon Prime
The long-awaited sequel in Danny Boyle’s zombie saga picks up decades after 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later – shot largely in the North East. Survivors venture beyond quarantine to find that the virus, and humanity, have both evolved. If you missed it in cinemas, now’s your chance to rent or buy. And brace yourself for the next chapter, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, coming to cinemas early next year.
Apostle (2018) – Netflix
Apostle is a gothic folk horror from Gareth Evans (The Raid, Gangs of London). Set in 1905, it follows drifter Thomas Richardson (Dan Stevens) as he infiltrates a sinister religious cult on a remote Welsh island to rescue his kidnapped sister (Lucy Boynton). Also starring Michael Sheen and Mark Lewis Jones, it’s beautifully made, but fair warning, the torture scenes are brutal.
The Woman in Cabin 10 – Netflix – 10th Oct
More psychological thriller than straight horror, but no less chilling. Based on Ruth Ware’s bestselling novel, The Woman in Cabin 10 stars Keira Knightley as a journalist aboard a luxury yacht who witnesses a woman thrown overboard, only to be told it never happened. As paranoia sets in and the danger grows, this slick mystery will have you doubting everything (and everyone) on screen.
TV TO BINGE IN THE DARK
Monster: The Ed Gein Story (2025) – Netflix
The third season of Ryan Murphy’s anthology series Monster focuses on 1950s murderer and grave robber Ed Gein, played by Charlie Hunnam. With Laurie Metcalf as his controlling mother and Tom Hollander as Alfred Hitchcock, the series explores the real crimes that inspired Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Expect eerie period detail and Murphy’s signature mix of glamour and horror.
It: Welcome to Derry (2025) – Sky – 26th October
Stephen King’s terrifying universe expands with It: Welcome to Derry – a prequel series set long before the Losers Club faced Pennywise. Exploring the cursed town’s dark origins, this new instalment promises the same spine-tingling atmosphere and creeping dread that made the It films a phenomenon. The perfect binge before Halloween.
Chris Kingston
Entertainment Writer
Chris is Laura's brother and the font of all knowledge when it comes to anything related to TV, film and books. He provides our popular round-ups on what to watch at the cinema, the TV not to miss, and new cultural releases.
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