There’s no better time to watch a scary movie than on Halloween. After all, it’s supposedly when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest and all sorts of supernatural shenanigans could happen. But the horror genre is not the only one in the spirit of the holiday! We have included magical, spooky, and light-hearted films to our list to set the mood for a great All Hallows’ Eve. These are the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime Video this October 31.
The best Amazon Prime Halloween movies
Editor’s note: The list only features movies available with an Amazon Prime subscription without additional rental fees. We will update it regularly as films are added or removed from the platform.
1. The Monster Squad (1987)
Before the fearless gang from Stranger Things and the foul-mouthed kids from It Part 1, there was The Monster Squad. This 80s monster mash sees a group of pre-teen boys obsessed with the supernatural form the titular club. They hold regular meetings in club leader Sean’s tree house, admiring the classic Universal monsters. Before long, however, they stumble onto Van Helsing’s diary and they have to face the real Dracula and his monster pals in a fight to save the world from evil.
The movie is a fun romp full of 80s clichés and tropes, but they actually work in the film’s favor. If there is one movie we can call a modern Halloween classic, it’s The Monster Squad. If you are feeling nostalgic this Halloween, check it out on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Nosferatu (1922)
The vampire is a classic monster and one of the mainstays of gothic horror. And what better way to honor it on Halloween night than watching the first, although unofficial, Dracula adaptation. Nosferatu is a film from the silent era — one of the few movies of that age that survives to this day. But don’t expect any of the silliness of some early movies here. Nosferatu is strange, surreal, and unnerving.
Unlike other adaptations of Bram Stoker’s famous novel, here Count Orlok (Dracula) is not a gentleman with sleek hair, but a terrifying monster with long claws who slowly creeps up on his victims. The cinematography is excellent, and the juxtaposition and use of shadows and light was groundbreaking for its time. It’s a classic film you should see at least once and it’s definitely one of our top picks for best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime.
3. Hereditary (2018)
Hereditary is one of the most critically acclaimed horror films of recent years and one of the best Amazon Prime movies to watch on Halloween. Its story begins with the death of Ellen — a reserved and secretive woman. As daughter Annie and her family try their best to cope with their grief, they are struck with another tragedy. Sinister secrets begin to unravel themselves and nightmares become reality for the Grahams.
Hereditary is perfectly paced, with stunning cinematography. Best of all, it can be deeply unsettling without relying on cheap jump scares or gore. If you haven’t watch it yet, there’s no better time than Halloween.
4. A Quiet Place (2018)
In a post-apocalyptic world, one family needs to stay quiet to survive. This is the premise of A Quiet Place – a suspense horror film that will keep on you the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Wife Evelyn and husband Lee, played by Emily Blunt and John Krasinski, have three young children. The family communicates in ASL (American Sign Language) as they scavenge whatever food and resources they can find in an abandoned town. But how long can they stay silent?
A Quiet Place is a showcase of executing an interesting premise masterfully. The excellent acting and beautiful cinematography convey the constant sense of dread and terror the characters are in without the need to utter a word. It is without a doubt one of the best horror movies you can watch this Halloween on Amazon Prime.
5. Night of the Living Dead (1968)
It’s the movie that single-handedly spawned a thousand zombie flicks. George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is one of the best Halloween movies for any fan of the subgenre. The story begins when Barbra and her brother Johnny visit their father’s grave and are suddenly attacked by a strange ghoulish man. Johnny dies, while Barbra barely escapes with her life. She is saved by a stranger and they are forced to barricade themselves in a house as the undead hordes surround them.
Night of the Living Dead has been emulated and parodied repeatedly in the decades since its release, but nothing beats the original. At the time, it was a first of its kind apocalyptic horror, ushering in a new age for the genre and setting the standards for horror films for decades to come. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch it this Halloween.
6. Corpse Bride (2005)
Whimsical, spooky, and one of the best movies to watch on Halloween night is Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride. This stop-motion animated film has all the hallmarks of a Burton classic. Starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the roles of Victor and Emily, the movie is set in a small Victorian village surrounded by a dark, mystical forest. When Victor wonders into it, trying to practice his wedding vows, he places a wedding band on what looks like a tree branch. But he quickly discovers that he has unknowingly married the corpse bride Emily and must now join her in the Land of the Dead.
Corpse Bride is delightfully macabre. It has a touching story, combined with excellent stop motion animation and voice acting. It is both dark and enchanting, making it one of the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime Video to enjoy with the whole family.
7. Children of the Corn (1984)
Stephen King and Halloween go together like salt and pepper. The author’s name is pretty much synonymous with the horror genre, which is why we couldn’t exclude a King film from our Halloween list. The Children of the Corn is an adaptation of a short story by the same name, set in the eerie cornfields of Nebraska. The plot has been referenced and parodied so much in pop culture, you might already be familiar with it — a couple is stranded in a small town where the only inhabitants seem to be children. As they try to find a phone to call for help, they are attacked.
John Franklin is excellent as cult leader Isaac and although the film has some shoddy effects and silly moments, it’s both a Stephen King and a Halloween classic that you won’t regret watching.
8. All Hallow’s Eve (2013)
All Hallow’s Eve is an anthology horror movie. The overarching story focuses on Sarah, as she’s babysitting two kids on Halloween night. After returning from trick or treating, they discover an unmarked VHS tape in Timmy’s goody bag. A reluctant Sarah shoves it into the VCR and all three watch the first “movie.” To Sarah’s horror, they witness an evil clown kidnapping a girl and serving her up to Satan in a subway tunnel. Sarah quickly bans the kids from watching the tape and sends them to bed.
Naturally, curiosity gets the better of her and she continues watching the VHS clips. However, we get a sense of something evil unfolding, tying everything together in a thrilling way. It’s one of the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime, but if you have a phobia of clowns, our other entries might be a better fit.
9. Gravy (2015)
It’s Halloween night. Six employees of Raoul’s — a local cantina and bar — all gather together after closing to celebrate Kerry’s new job as a paramedic. But they soon discover the doors are sealed shut with no means of escape. They’re held captive by a trio of cannibals with the intent to eat them before morning. But this won’t be just a straight-up meal: captors Anson, Stef, and Mimi would rather play with their food first.
If you love dark humor, this twisted Halloween-themed hackfest will take a bite out of your funny bone. It’s one of the best Halloween movies you can stream with your Amazon Prime subscription.
10. The Woman in Black (2012)
If you are tired of modern horror tropes, The Woman in Black might be the right Halloween movie for you. Based on a 1983 Susan Hill novel of the same name, the film is a true gothic horror story in every sense of the word. It begins when Arthur Kipps, played by Daniel Radcliffe, is forced to visit the strange and unwelcoming town of Crythin Gifford. He needs to retrieve documents from Eel Marsh House — a foreboding abandoned manor surrounded by foggy marshland. When he’s forced to stay there overnight, he sees and hears strange things, but the villagers dismiss his concerns and urge him to go back home.
The Woman in Black can be quite predictable at times, but if you love the atmosphere of gothic horror and classic ghost stories, you will enjoy every minute of The Woman in Black.
Honorable mentions
Looking for films suitable for younger viewers other than Corpse Bride? If you don’t mind spending a little extra, these are some of the best children’s Halloween movies you can rent on Amazon Prime Video:
Hocus Pocus — a Disney Halloween comedy. Three witches are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night 300 years after their death. Now Max and his friends have to figure out how to use their stolen spell book against them before they become immortal.
Hotel Transylvania — a monster mash animated comedy, in which Dracula’s famous castle is turned into a hotel. But what happens when a mortal stumbles upon it and falls in love with Dracula’s daughter?
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas — a whimsical and spooky musical. The pumpkin king of Halloweentown Jack Skellington is tired of the same old Halloween traditions when he accidentally stumbles upon Christmas town and makes it his mission to spread Christmas joy and wonder.
That wraps up our list of the best Halloween movies on Amazon Prime subscribers can stream right now. For additional movie roundups, check out these lists:
- The best horror movies on Amazon Prime
- The best classic movies on Amazon Prime right now
- The best movies you can watch on Amazon Prime this October
- The best Amazon Prime shows you can stream right now