October arrived at midnight with a blanket of fog cloaking the twisted path. I awoke with a rekindled primal need deep down inside my core. I want to be transported. Flooded by memories and covered by goosebumps, I realized there was only one cure: Halloween movies!
Here are 21 of my favorite spine-tingling thrillers of all time.
For many years now as my favorite holiday approaches, I enjoy getting into the haunted spirit. In past years, I’ve watched scary movies as they counted down the days on TCM and AMC. I remember sewing many Halloween costumes while watching the old classics.
I LOVE psychological thrillers and grew up with Alfred Hitchcock films. When my children had sleepovers and would rent slasher movies, they would make ME want to scream. After all, most of those movies rely on the same tension buildup over and over with the inclusion of gore and special effects. Not only were most of them terrible films, but I had to deal with their nightmares during the following school week.
When a film compels the viewer to feel compassion for the character as they become more and more vulnerable to what….evil….lurks….behind…. that…..door… NO! DON’T OPEN THE DOOR! …too late – then it’s a really great film.
This is my list of all-time favorites!
X = 1 night’s sleep lost.
Click on the title to watch the YouTube movie trailer
Vertigo – 1958 X
Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
A mysterious woman leaves a man spellbound as he struggles with the fear of heights.
The House of Usher – 1960 X
Vincent Price
Written by Edgar Allen Poe
A brother and sister are under a house’s curse. Will Madeline live to tell the tale?
Psycho – 1960 XXX
Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
The film was played at my high school and one of the parents raised the dead after seeing the shower scene!
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane – 1962 XXXX
Joan Crawford and Bette Davis
Directed by Robert Aldrich
Jealousy, guilt, and power take these sisters on a ride of filled with horror.
The Birds – 1963 XXXXX
Rod Taylor, Tippy Hedren and Suzanne Pleshette
Directed by Alfred Hitchcock
The television networks used to play this film once a year on Sunday nights, so I didn’t sleep a wink until the next weekend!
I never looked at a huge flock of birds the same way again.
Wait Until Dark – 1967 XX
Audrey Hepburn
Directed by Terence Young
Anyone can get creeped out when they live alone, but when you are blind, it adds another dimension to creepy!
Rosemary’s Baby – 1968 XXX
Mia Farrow
Directed by Roman Polanski
Most pregnancies have their ups and downs, but Rosemary is carrying the devil’s child so all Hell breaks loose!
The Omen – 1976 XXXX
Gregory Peck, Lee Remick
Directed Richard Donner
After seeing this film, I walked around with the numbers 666 in magic marker on my ankle courtesy of a boyfriend “tattoo artist.” The numbers reminded me of several subsequent night terrors knowing Damian lived!
Halloween – 1978 XXXXXXx (I finally fell asleep at 3:00 AM on the 7th night)
Jamie Lee Curtis
Directed by John Carpenter
After watching Halloween on the UW campus, my boyfriend went to the kitchen. I turned around and he wielded a huge carving knife. I screamed and he went home soon afterward.
Amityville Horror – 1979 XX
James Brolin, Margot Kidder
Directed by Stuart Rosenberg
This haunting is based on a true story. How scary is that?
The Shining – 1980 XXXX
Jack Nicholson, Shelly Duvall
Written by Stephen King
“Here’s Johnny!”
One of my favorites! I have my own story about the Stanley Hotel. I believe that Stephen King had very similar experiences while staying there!
Fatal Attraction 1987 – XXX
Michael Douglas, Glen Close
Directed by Adrian Lyne
An affair leads to a stalking to remember never to have an affair.
Pacific Heights 1990 – XX
Michael Keaton, Matthew Modine, Melanie Griffith
Directed by John Schlesinger
An unsuspecting tenant attempts to ruin the lives of a young married couple.
Misery 1990 – XX
James Caan and Kathy Bates who won an Oscar for her performance!
Written by Stephen King
Watch out for super-stalker Annie Wilkes when it’s hammer time.
Silence of the Lambs 1991 – XXXXXXXXXX!
Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins – This film swept the Oscars!
Directed by Johnathan Demme
It took me years to get a few of those scenes out of my head. This is the only somewhat slasher-esque movie on the list.
Sleeping with the Enemy – 1991 XX
Julia Roberts, Patrick Bergin
Directed by Joseph Ruben
Laura fakes her death to escape her maniacal husband, but doesn’t elude him for long.
The Hand that Rocks the Cradle – 1992 XX
Rebecca De Mornay
Directed by Curtis Hanson
Lust and longing could take a fatal turn…be careful who you trust with your babies.
The Ninth Gate – 1999 XX
Johnny Depp
Directed by Roman Polanski.
He is seduced by the ultimate power of the devil himself.
The Sixth Sense – 1999 XXXX
Bruce Willis
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan
“I see dead people……” A fantastic film on so many levels.
What Lies Beneath – 2000 XX
Harrison Ford and Michelle Pfeiffer
Directed by Robert Zemeckis
This haunting will leave you gasping for air.
Secret Window – 2004 XXX
Johnny Depp
Directed by David Koepp
A stranger comes to the door accusing Mort of plagiarizing his latest novel. This twisted tale will keep you guessing until the end.
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Feel free to print up the list and don’t forget to pop some corn!
What’s your favorite thriller? Do you like a good adrenaline rush?
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All movie poster photos are thumbnail size in compliance with copyright guidelines. Other photos are copyright-free. Top and bottom photo copyright protected by Susie Lindau
Click for more wild adventures!
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Time for Sweaters, Shivers, and All Things Ghoulish
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
