Now that October is upon us, so is the anticipation for the holiday made famous for fright. 

With Halloween just around the corner, many people will be looking for some new horror films to keep them from sleeping too easily or some spooky classics to revisit. 

Here are some modern and classic horror movies to enjoy as the 31st approaches move towards the 31st.

“Freaky” (2020)

Millie Kessler is a high school outcast who swaps bodies with serial killer the Blissfield Butcher, forcing her and her friends to stop the possessed Millie. “Freaky” takes key influence from both “Freaky Friday” and “Friday the 13th,” so much so that the original title of the movie was “Freaky Friday the 13th.”  

Director Christopher Landon brings both concepts together in a slasher comedy that has the staying power of a modern classic. Landon brought much of his style from his “Happy Death Day” duology, and that style earned the movie positive reception from both critics and audiences.

“Freaky” can be watched on Peacock for free or rented on most digital movie retailers. 

“The Evil Dead” (1981)

“The Evil Dead” was the first movie by acclaimed director Sam Raimi who would go on to direct the original “Spider-Man” trilogy and “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.” 

The movie features Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) and his friends who go to a cabin in the woods where they find a mysterious book in the basement. 

Despite being a micro-budget indie horror film by a first-time director, “The Evil Dead” found large success upon its release. Through this movie, Raimi inspired generations of horror fans and filmmakers with his unique and unpolished style. The legacy of Raimi’s first feature has extended to this day with plans for a sixth movie announced earlier this year.

“The Evil Dead” can be watched on AMC+ with a subscription or rented from most digital movie retailers. 

“The Strangers” (2008)

“The Strangers” is a psychological horror film starring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman. Harkening back to home invasion classics from the 1970s, “The Strangers” finds a couple in the midst of a fight for the future of their relationship that turns into a fight for their lives. 

The movie has spawned a sequel and reboot that is fresh out of the theaters. It is an eerie and frightening sendup to a beloved era of horror films.

“The Strangers” can be watched on Max with a subscription or rented from most digital movie retailers.

“Cabin in the Woods” (2011)

Written and directed by Drew Goddard, “Cabin in the Woods” is a loving homage to horror classics like “The Evil Dead,” “The Thing,” “Night of the Living Dead” and many others. 

The movie follows a group of college students going to a cabin in the woods, leading to one of the most inventive horror comedies ever made. The movie stars a young Chris Hemsworth and was written by “Avengers” director Joss Whedon and is a terrific collage of humor and horror that sends up the genre’s long and storied history. 

“Cabin in the Woods” can be watched on Peacock with a subscription or rented from most digital movie retailers.

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” (1974)

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is the feature-length debut of Poltergeist director Tobe Hooper and inspired countless horror films. 

Hooper’s horror classic follows a group of teenagers in 1970s Texas who find themselves in the hunting ground of a family of cannibals. 

Despite its name, TCM is not a gore-fest. Instead, the movie is more of an art-house psychological horror that focuses on the human fears of the protagonist.

“The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” can be watched with a Prime Video subscription, on Tubi for free, or rented from most digital movie retailers.

“Barbarian” (2022)

“Barbarian” was released in 2022 to both critical and commercial success and focuses on Tess arriving at her Airbnb to find a stranger named Keith. To avoid spoilers, I won’t talk much more about “Barbarian’s” plot because the movie is best watched without knowing much. 

Helmed by comedian Zach Cregger, the movie fuses the styles of David Fincher and Sam Raimi to create a truly unique film. 

You can watch “Barbarian” with a Prime Video subscription or it can be rented from most digital movie retailers.

“Scream” (1996)

“Scream” is a tried and true classic that I recommend to everyone. The whole movie is a send-up to the horror genre, specifically the golden age of 80s slashers. 

“Scream” follows Woodsboro teen Sydney as she and her friends are tormented by a serial killer wearing a ghostly mask. “Scream” is filled to the brim with good scares, creative kills, funny jokes that don’t feel out of place, a terrific cast and terrific direction from Wes Craven.

If you haven’t watched it, you absolutely should. If you have, you should watch it again. “Scream” deserves all the hype it’s been given as one of the best horror films of all time.

“Scream” can be watched on Max with a subscription or rented from most digital movie retailers.

“Hush” (2016)

Mike Flanagan, director of “Doctor Sleep” and “Haunting of Hill House,” brings his A game with this movie. 

“Hush” follows deaf writer Maddie as she faces off against a sadistic serial killer who tries to get into her house. Flanagan succeeds on every front with “Hush.”  He brings suspense, likable characters, visually engaging chase scenes and well-earned scares. 

There isn’t much else to say about “Hush” besides how highly I recommend it.

“Hush” can be rented from most digital movie retailers.

“Nope” (2022)

Most people know who Jordan Peele is, whether it be from his successful comedy career or his Oscar-winning directorial debut, “Get Out.” While “Get Out” is an amazing movie, I would argue that “Nope” is even better. 

“Nope” is a fusion of blockbuster and horror that results in a movie that goes between impressive and beautifully shot setpieces and genuinely eerie horror. 

The movie follows OJ and his sister Emerald who try to take a picture of the alien living above their farm. It boasts amazing performances from Steven Yuen, Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer. This is a movie that truly anyone can enjoy, so you shouldn’t stop yourself from doing so.

“Nope” can be watched on Starz with a subscription or rented from most digital movie retailers. 

“Halloween” (1978)

Directed by WKU alumn John Carpenter, this classic film ignited the popularity of slashers. 

Though it is not the first slasher, that honor arguably goes to “Black Christmas,” “Halloween” brought the subgenre to prominence and critical success. 

Laurie Strode is the victim of escaped serial killer, Michael Meyers, on Halloween night of 1978. 

This movie is a classic for a reason, and it would be borderline sacrilegious to not include it on this list. So my recommendation is to enjoy October 31st watching John Carpenter’s “Halloween.”

“Halloween” can be found on AMC+ and Philo with a subscription, on Crackle and Plex for free or rented from most digital movie retailers. 

News Reporter Malone Farmer can be reached at [email protected].