As a huge fan of the Halloween season, I have seen my fair share of horror and scary Halloween movies. Here are my top 13 horror movies to watch this October.

“The Conjuring” (2013) – Before the more recent movies in this series, such as “Annabelle” and “The Nun,” “The Conjuring” was the original. This movie was directed by James Wan, who also directed the first movie in the “Saw” franchise and is responsible for the many “Insidious” movies. “The Conjuring” takes place in 1970 and surrounds paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren, played by Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson. Lorraine and Ed are asked to look at a house owned by the Perron family. They had recently moved in when strange things started to happen with an uneasy presence. After the evil history of the house is revealed, the worst of it all comes to the home.

“A Haunting in Connecticut” (2009) – This psychological thriller, directed by Peter Cornwell, only has a rating of 16 percent on Rotten Tomatoes but still had scared many people when it was in theatres. The storyline starts when a teenager named Matt Campbell is diagnosed with cancer. Matt, along with his family, moves to a new home in Connecticut to be closer to his doctors. When he starts to be affected by an unknown paranormal experience, his family doesn’t believe it. As it slowly spreads, the family starts to do research on their new home and realize it used to be a funeral home. In the basement, Matt’s room, was the mortuary where evil tests were being done on the bodies of the dead. Supernatural activity ensues, and they call for a priest.

“The Shining” (1980) – This famous film, with equally famous actor Jack Nicholson, has been known to terrify millions of its viewers with its twisted story. Based off of Stephen King’s novel “The Shining,” the plot begins with the lead character, Jack Torrance, played by Nicholson, becoming the owner of the Overlook Hotel in Colorado with the hopes of curing his writer’s block. Throughout the movie, Jack slowly begins to go insane when a sinister energy possesses him. His son Danny, played by Danny Lloyd, starts to get overwhelmed with psychic visions. With iconic scenes such as the rivers of blood scene in one of the hotels lobbies, “here’s Johnny” axe scene and the terrifying twins at the end of the long hallway, this movie is one you will never forget.

“It” (2017) – This modern remake of the classic ‘90s movie slammed the box office in 2017 ending with 700.4 million dollars worldwide. It’s cast of breakout actors consisted of Finn Wolfhard, known for his breaking role in the Netflix original series “Stranger Things,” Bill Skarsgard who plays the role of IT and many other stars. This drama/mystery thriller had a high rating on Rotten Tomatoes, coming out at 85 percent. The story follows a group of children who get together to face their fears. It is an ancient shapeshifter who turns into any of the children’s nightmares. They all must face It together in this spine chilling modern rendition of Stephen King’s masterpiece novel, IT.

“Halloween” (2018) – Although this new chapter in the “Halloween” series does not hit the theatres until October 19, many old time horror movie fans are crossing their fingers for the potential of this new movie. Many have waited since the last installment came out in 2002 for the what comes next with the notorious killer Michael Myers. The story continues after lead character Laurie Strode, played by Jamie Lee Curtis, recovers from the vicious attacks she and her friends experienced 40 years ago. After Myers breaks out of prison, Strode plans to get her revenge and finally put an end to Myers and his reign of terror and bloodshed.

“As Above So Below” (2014) – With this more recent thriller, we are brought into a different point of view. This “found footage” style reminisced on the popular movie “The Blair Witch Project .” The plot develops as an archeologist and her friends go to discover the hidden catacombs of Paris only to find their worst nightmares. With cults, deaths, never ending circles and plenty of bones and skulls, this movie is sure to make the viewer sick. The camera log point of view (POV) lets the viewer become a part of the adventure that this group of explorers goes through. Full of gut wrenching and personal triumphs to keep the audience glued to their seats, this movie never fails to serve its purpose.

“Silence of the Lambs” (1991) – Some may argue that this movie is only a drama/mystery, but many have agreed that this Stephen King film has been known to scare audiences everywhere. The movie revolves around Clarice Starling, played by Jodie Foster, who interviews the deranged and psychotic murderer and cannibal Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins. This movie won multiple Oscars and has a rating of 95 percent on Rotten Tomatoes. This horror film classic brought many people to fear of how real the story truly is and can be.

“Misery” (1990) – With Academy Award winning actress Kathy Bates as the lead psychotic antagonist, this movie was sure to gather a crowd ready to face their fears. This story by Stephen King follows the trials of novelist  Paul Sheldon, played by James Caan, after being rescued by a so called fan who turns out to be obsessed and controlling, keeping him in her home. This movie makes the audience think twice about how we see people all around us.

“Pet Sematary” (1998) – While being a highly underappreciated film, “Pet Sematary” is one sure to make the viewer appreciate the quality of the older classic horror genre. Another Stephen King masterpiece, the plot unravels after the family cat dies and is buried only to return back to life completely different. After the son of Louis Creed, Dale Midkiff, passes away, he is buried in the same spot only to return with the same fate as the cat but catastrophically worse.

“The Langoliers” (1995) – Although this is not a movie, but a mini-series, it is still high on the recommended list. The stories revolve around the fates of 10 plane passengers who have woken up to find that their fellow passengers have all disappeared. Again, another Stephen King inspired story that is sure to leave the viewer wanting more but also being filled with bone chilling fear for their own fate.

“Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984) – One of the original horror films of the ‘80s, “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” is a classic that is not to be forgotten. The midnight wandering terror Freddy Kreuger, played by Robert England, attacks his victims in their most vulnerable state, their dreams, only for them to wake up and find it to be reality. After this movie, many will find it hard for them to sleep without the image of him in the back of their minds.

“The Exorcist” (1973) – The horror movie that truly started them all, “The Exorcist,” is a film that has audiences on the edge of their seat. The story, based slightly on true events, is of a girl who becomes possessed and has an exorcism performed on her to try and rid of the demon inside. 

“The Omen” (1976) – “The Omen,” directed by Richard Donner, is another classic that was rated high in the industry. The plot unfolds following the story of little boy Damien, played by Harvey Stephens, and his path of death. Soon after being adopted into a new family, death seems to follow him as the adoptive mother has a miscarriage, the biological father and the nanny die. The adoptive father soon begins to suspect that Damian is the Antichrist. This movie will leave the audience with nightmares for days to come.