I can’t be the only one who turns to the spooky movie selection in October. But horror movies are so hit or miss, and I prefer a really particular ghost-y, suspenseful genre within the genre.

In no particular order.

The Others
This is one of my favorites. Underrated by the rest of the world.

Shutter Island
Not great for rewatching, but so well done and keeps my attention every time.

Smile
Disturbing, disturbing, disturbing. Only watch this one if you don’t need to sleep that night. I will not be seeing the sequel. This one maybe doesn’t count as a favorite because it’s too scary for me, but I am also very impressed by it.

The Shining
Did not fully appreciate this one until I watched it alone at the cabin one night and got totally freaked out.

The Conjuring and The Conjuring 2
Great movies with exactly the level of ghost-y suspense that I need.

Annabelle: Creation and Annabelle Comes Home
Nearly perfect.

Crimson Peak
The first time I saw this it was because my sister put this on and I didn’t understand what I was watching. I have rewatched it twice now and still don’t quite understand it, but it’s very good and very creepy. Great setting.

The Haunting (1999)
A favorite of teenaged Casey!

Poltergeist
Totally freaked me out when I was a kid.

The Exorcist
I saw this for the first time only last year; I can see why it caused such a sensation when it was released fifty years ago.

Scream
I dislike stabbings and gore–and Scream has plenty of that–but nostalgia wins out on this one. I rewatched it recently and can still remember so many lines!

The Haunting of Hill House (2018 series)
Technically not a movie, but great setting, great themes, great characters. Cannot recommend this one enough.

The Haunting in Connecticut
I don’t remember when I first saw this one, but this hits all my sweet spots for a good scary movie.

Paranormal Activity
Scary enough to freak me out, but not too scary that I couldn’t rewatch it.