Halloween is right around the corner and that means it is the best time to get together with a group of friends (or totally alone in the dark) and watch some classic horror movies. Here are10 great suggestions for your viewing pleasure this October 31st.

“Alien” (1979)

The classic sifi horror movie by Ridley Scott, also known for the Martian and Blade Runner, is a chilling and stressful affair. Of all the movies on the list, it has the most amount of aesthetic and attention to the environment. It tells the story of a crew on a small ship that has a murderous extra terrestrial on board. They need to survive long enough to find a way to safety while in deep space.   

“Psycho”(1960)

Psycho is one of the many thrillers done by legendary director Alfred Hitchcock, Known for North by Northwest, Rear Window and Vertigo. It is a bit older and thus the horror is slightly different to more modern horror movies. It is a bit slower and more psychological and features less jump scares. It is a good one to watch by yourself or with a smaller group in a place that you can get fully immersed.

“Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)

A bloody slasher where the victims are killed in their dreams. It was directed by Wes Craven who is mostly known for the Nightmare on Elm Street series as well as The Hills have Eyes and Scream.

“Scream” (1996)

Another slasher directed by Wes Craven but this time with a mystery. Scream delivers on bloody scares while keeping you guessing as to who the masked killer is until the very end reveal.

“The Shining” (1980)

Based on the Stephen King book of the same name and directed by Stanley Kubrick, it’s debatably the least horror filled movie on the list. There is a slow start, but it is the only movie on the list that shows you the monster from the beginning and explains his slow decent into madness, thus creating a gradual tension.

“Blair Witch Project” (1999)

Presented as a found footage movie, the Blair Witch Project is a frightening, and sometimes nauseating, experience. Because of how the movie was produced, the genuine horror that the actors give off translates to the audience very well.  

“Poltrigiest” (1982)

A supernatural horror movie from the vision of the same man who directed Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Tobe Hooper, Poltergeist tells the story of a family that has to deal with ghosts that interact with them in growing violence.

“The Evil Dead” (1981)

Sam Raimi’s cult followed horror movie is the only one in the series that takes itself seriously. In short, five friends go to a secluded cabin and accidently summon murderous demons. The other films in the Evil Dead series become increasingly comedic and begin to satire the horror genre while still having some scary moments.

“Silence of the Lambs”(1991)

Silence of the Lambs is just a disturbing movie. It is unhinged, insane and gross in some parts. As well as a tense horror movie, it is also a great detective film with an engaging mystery.

“IT” (1990/2017)

The second story on this list originally told by Stephen King, IT is a dark fantasy adventure about a group of young children that must survive attacks from a killer clown that seems to be way more than human. Both the 1990 and 2017 versions have their strengths and weaknesses and ultimately it becomes a matter of personal preference as to which is better or scarier.