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There’s nothing quite like getting into the spirit of Halloween by watching your favourite spooky thrillers and creepy tales. Whether you’re a fan of the grotesque and macabre or not, these are some of Team Sassy’s top picks for both gentle and intense scares.
Halloween season is officially here — and Team Sassy’s ready to scream (in the best way possible). From spine-tingling classics to modern mind-benders that’ll have you sleeping with the lights on, we’ve rounded up our all-time favourite horror flicks in ascending order of spookiness. So grab your popcorn, dim the lights and lie awake petrified. Read on…(if you dare!)
Read More: 10 Best All-Time Favourite Horror Movies To Watch
Jump To:
Level 1: Cute Coven Energy
Level 2: Spine Chills & Mind Games
Level 3: Nightmare Fuel
Cute Coven Energy — The cosy, the funny and the downright entertaining
Practical Magic (1998)
Cult-favourite film, Practical Magic, is beloved by Marketing Coordinator Megan for its autumnal vibes: “It’s cosy and entertaining with creepy elements.” Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the stunning witchy sisters, the film follows the duo overcoming a curse which threatens to prevent them from finding lasting love. With a sequel scheduled to be released in September 2026, this is one to add to your watch list in preparation!
Sassy Horror Metre: 3/10
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Gremlins (1984)
A team Sassy fave of our Editor Jess, this is a film that’s equal parts cute, nostalgic and enthralling. Following the story of a boy who adopts a ‘pet’ from a sketchy antique shop, there are three rules of pet care to follow: don’t get it wet, don’t expose it to bright lights (especially sunlight), and never, ever feed it after midnight. (Spoiler alert: all three are not followed.) Chaos ensues in this unrealistic but entertaining horror comedy, making it one that’s been beloved for many years.
Sassy Horror Metre: 3/10
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Bodies, Bodies, Bodies (2022)
Starring Amandla Stenberg and Pete Davidson, Bodies, Bodies, Bodies has quickly established itself as an A24 cult classic. Sassy’s Megan describes the film as “the perfect blend of comedy and horror!” With a great ending twist and Gen Z humour, this is the ideal film to watch with the gals leading up to Halloween season!
Sassy Horror Metre: 6/10
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The Witches Of Eastwick (1987)
If Editor Anna says this is “probably her favourite Halloween movie of all time,” you know it’s worth adding to your watchlist. The Witches of Eastwick follows three single women in a charming New England town whose wishes are mysteriously granted — but at a dangerous cost — after a flamboyant stranger blows into town. Equal parts sultry and spellbinding, it’s a masterclass in ‘80s style inspo. With horror legend Jack Nicholson at his devilish best and Cher, Susan Sarandon and Michelle Pfeiffer matching him scene for scene, it’s no wonder this one’s a long-time Sassy favourite.
Sassy Horror Metre: 4/10
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Coraline (2009)
Perhaps more creepy than scary, thankfully, with age, we’re looking at the darker themes and disturbing imagery with more appreciation and sagacity. Nonetheless, we will admit, the button eyes and the ‘other mother’ character have certainly unlocked a few memories we’ve buried deep within us, not to mention a few unsettling jump scares that only add to the film’s gloomy and dark atmosphere. With masterful filmmaking and complex themes, this makes for a great movie for those who enjoy suspense and macabre thrills!
Sassy Horror Metre: 6/10
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Spine Chills & Mind Games — For the psychological twists and sharp takes on society
The Midnight After (2014)
A surreal, darkly comic ride through an eerily deserted Hong Kong, The Midnight After blends horror and sci-fi together seamlessly. After a routine minibus trip turns apocalyptic, a crew of passengers must navigate bizarre happenings while questioning what’s real. Its fragmented storytelling and strange twists keep you on edge, while underlying themes about identity, societal pressures and the city’s cultural anxieties give it surprising depth.
Sassy Horror Metre: 5/10
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Last Night In Soho (2021)
Edgar Wright’s stylish psychological thriller is a feast for the eyes, blending neon-soaked visuals with a haunting story about obsession, ambition and the dark side of nostalgia. “It’s a great creepy storyline with a twist ending that keeps you hooked and is visually a very pretty movie set in 1960s London,” says Sassy’s Anna.
Sassy Horror Metre: 6/10
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After Hours (1985)
An underrated Scorsese thriller in Editor Anna’s eyes, After Hours‘ plot and visuals become progressively more surreal as it goes on, resulting in a viewer who is stressed and 100% invested in the outcome. Taking viewers on a nightmarish journey through New York City that’s equal parts dark comedy and thriller, Scorsese draws you deep into a world that’s chaotic, unpredictable and gripping. With a sharp, offbeat tone and Scorsese’s signature attention to detail, it’s a thrilling watch that proves tension and absurdity can coexist perfectly.
Sassy Horror Metre: 6/10
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Train to Busan (2016)
Starring the dreamy Korean actor Gong Yoo, this zombie thriller will hit you right in the feels. The diverse cast of characters ensures there’s a favourite for everyone, making this a beloved film by Editor Jess. With a run time roughly mirroring an actual KTX train ride, the film isn’t just about surviving a zombie outbreak; this is a horror film that is as much about running toward, and sometimes away from, the people around you. Fast-paced, emotional and thrilling, it’s a modern horror classic you’ll want to rewatch again and again.
Sassy Horror Metre: 6/10
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Jennifer’s Body (2009)
We like to call this category Hot Girl Horror. Jennifer’s Body is a darkly funny and sexy horror that’s smarter than it looks, blending gore with biting social commentary. Megan Fox and Amanda Seinfeld shine in their roles, but the film’s real power lies in its themes of female friendship, jealousy and the ways women are confined by societal expectations. It’s a sharp, subversive take on teen horror that’s both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Sassy Horror Metre: 6.5/10
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Bird Box (2020)
Despite the pandemic virality of this movie, Bird Box still ranks highly as one of Sassy’s Top Watches. Starring the wonderful Sandra Bullock, the film explores the loss of one of the most important senses, sight, in this survival film. Plus, if you enjoyed this film, the sequel, Bird Box Barcelona, offers a deeper exploration into the origins of the disease.
Sassy Horror Metre: 7/10
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Frankenhooker (1990)
Frankenhooker might be more of a bizarre dark comedy than classic horror, but that just makes it the perfect Halloween movie to watch with friends. Editor Anna loves the “pre-CGI visuals and kitschy aesthetic” and recommends it as a body horror that delivers the shock factor, that isn’t human centipede levels of disgusting.
Sassy Horror Metre: 7.5/10
Get Out (2021)
Sassy fave, Get Out, isn’t just one of Jordan Peele’s best-written works — it brings the hidden fears and anxieties of modern society to life, redefining what horror can truly look like. An important film for its exploration of the psychological terror of navigating racial identity within white spaces, the loss of autonomy and the everyday trauma resulting from racism. Peele masterfully uses horror tropes to expose how prejudice often hides behind liberal or ‘colorblind’ rhetoric, making it as thought-provoking as it is terrifying.
Sassy Horror Metre: 8/10
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Helter Skelter (2012)
If you liked The Substance, this indie Japanese film serves as a precursor to the body horror hit. With extremely striking body horror, social commentary on beauty standards and the obsession with perfection, this psychological horror makes for a strange but visually stunning film.
Sassy Horror Metre: 8/10
Weapons (2025)
Weapons has been the talk of 2025 horror films! Written by Zach Cregger (yes, of Barbarian acclaim), the film delves into the mystery of 17 children who mysteriously vanish from their homes in a suburban town at 2:17 a.m. Leaning heavily on psychological horror and unravelling the mystery of the children’s disappearance, Sassy’s Megan was audibly gasping and screaming at jump scares with the entire theatre! She adds, “I loved it because not only was it creepy, but it had a captivating plot line that was actually interesting compared to other horror films. I had to cover my eyes for some of it, too!”
Sassy Tip: Julia Garner’s portrayal of Anna Sorokin in the Netflix miniseries Inventing Anna is equally brilliant and captivating!
Sassy Horror Metre: 8.5/10
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Nightmare Fuel — The films that won’t let you sleep peacefully
Together (2025)
For some, Together might hit a little too close to home. A slow-burning psychological horror, it delves into the relationship of a young couple (Alison Brie and Dave Franco) exploring themes of co-dependency and the potential loss of the self and drive in a relationship through the use of body horror. How attached should you be to your partner, and when is it too much? It’s a great film for sparking conversations and thoughts about what a healthy relationship can look like, plus the building tension and realistic horror effects make it a truly unique, scary watch.
Sassy Horror Metre: 7.5/10
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Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)
A chilling blend of courtroom drama and supernatural horror, this film balances scares with a thought-provoking story about faith, doubt and the unknown. It’s a film where the tension builds steadily, making you question what’s real and what’s supernatural. Managing Editor Stef adds, “I just recall being traumatised by the graphic scenes when I watched it many years ago. There’s a chance it might be laughable now, but at the time, I was horrified!”
Sassy Horror Metre: 8/10
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Barbarian (2022)
This was a wild ride from start to finish. With jump scares, scary visual effects and a realistic storyline, the pacing and unexpected twists will keep you on edge and guessing. It’s a horrific movie with themes of misogyny and the cyclical nature of abuse explored, but a tale that will make you both angry and sympathetic. Editor Jess adds, “Once you understand the film’s message, the first obvious ‘layer’ of horror fades away, and it’s not such a scary film after all. It makes you examine the male gaze and how it skews our viewpoints, sometimes without realising — even as the viewer, we’re meant to be frightened and disgusted by the monstrous character, but really, that’s not the real horror here.”
Sassy Horror Metre: 9/10
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The Substance (2024)
A certified Team Sassy fave, The Substance has lingered in our minds ever since its debut. Blending body horror with biting social commentary, the film dives deep into themes of ageism, the male gaze and impossible beauty standards fuelled by the entertainment and beauty industries. Through its visceral portrayal of the female body, it unpacks internalised misogyny and the inevitable resulting self-loathing.
Editor Anna notes, “It’s not marketed as a dark comedy, but I think it’s best viewed that way!” while Editor Jess adds, “It’s some of the most gruesome body horror I’ve ever seen, but it captures the female experience so succinctly — it’s a true must-watch film in my eyes. Plus, the film’s amazing soundtrack, crazy special effects and long-tracking shots make it difficult to take your eyes off the screen!”
Sassy Horror Metre: 10/10
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Hero image courtesy of Pinterest. Image 1 courtesy of Fortis Films, image 2 courtesy of Warner Bros/Amblin Entertainment, image 3 courtesy of A24, image 4 courtesy of Warner Bros, image 5 courtesy of Focus Features/Universal, image 6 courtesy of Golden Scene, image 7 courtesy of Focus Features/Universal, image 8 courtesy of The Geffen Company/Warner Bros, image 9 courtesy of Next Entertainment World, image 10 courtesy of 20th Century Fox, image 11 courtesy of Netflix, image 12 courtesy of Shapiro-Glickenhaus Entertainment, image 13 courtesy of Universal Pictures, image 14 courtesy of Wowow, image 15 courtesy of Warner Bros, image 16 courtesy of Neon, image 17 courtesy of Sony Pictures, image 18 courtesy of 20th Century Studios, image 19 courtesy of Mubi.
