While Halloween and other classic horror flicks are perfect for the upcoming holiday, there are plenty of lesser-known Halloween-themed movies that will fright and delight, too! Here are my top picks for unsung Halloween horror.
Night of the Demons (1988)
For those who love schlock as well as scares, this is the movie for you. It may look like a standard ‘80s horror flick on paper, but it provides enough unsettling moments to make even the most seasoned gorehound cringe. Amelia Kinkade stars as Angela, a teen girl who throws a Halloween party at an abandoned funeral party that goes horribly awry. Add in one scary-ass demon and you’ll be afraid for sure!
May (2003)
May, played by Angela Bettis, wants nothing more than to be “normal.” After a traumatizing childhood that left her socially undeveloped, she sets out to find a best friend and discovers friendship is harder than it looks. This movie becomes crazy VERY quickly when she decides to take the body parts she likes and create her own friend. Watching May is like watching a car accident: As much as you know you should look away, you just can’t.
Murder Party (2007)
This movie may be hilarious, but it is by no means a walk in the park. Chris is a lonely guy who finds a mysterious invitation to a Halloween party on his way home from work. With a freshly created costume, he heads out the door and quickly discovers this “party” is really a murderous art project run by a bunch of hipsters. Filled with amazing special effects, gallons of blood and killer dialogue, Murder Party has a bit of fun for everyone!
Ginger Snaps (2001)
While hanging out with her sister Brigitte one night, Ginger is attacked by unknown bloodthirsty werewolf. That night also happens to be the same night as her first period. Throughout the week, Ginger starts behaving very strangely, but it’s not just mood swings that she’s dealing with. Ginger Snaps is a funny yet scary take on puberty that proves adolescence really IS a bitch!
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
After three years of sitting on the shelf at Warner Bros., this Halloween anthology was finally released on DVD this October. Filled with an all-star cast that includes Brian Cox, Anna Paquin and Dylan Baker, Trick ‘r Treat tells a handful of stories based on certain rules one should follow on All Hallow’s Eve. Check your candy and keep your Jack-O-Lantern lit or Samhain will get you…literally.
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2007)
Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon combines mockumentary style with full-blown horror and it’s one of the most innovative scary movies in the last 10 years. Leslie, played by Nathan Baesel, has been training to become a serial killer. With the help of a camera crew, his strategy is revealed, and all goes well until the crew finds itself in the midst of a real-life horror scenario. Witty, terrifying and beautifully crafted, this movie is amazing!
