A Horror Fan's Guide to Halloween's Next Cult Classics
Spooky movies aren't just limited to October. For those who crave fear and adrenaline on a daily basis, year-round viewing is the norm. But for others, Halloween remains a highlight of the year, a time to indulge in some old favorites while introducing themselves to new fright flicks.
For those looking to explore beyond the usual suspects like Halloween, The Exorcist, Trick 'r Treat, and Hocus Pocus, there are several unsettling movies waiting to be discovered. Here are a few modern horror classics that have carved out their own niche in the genre and will likely become future cult favorites.
Set against the eerie backdrop of weeks leading up to Halloween, The Guest tells the story of David Collins (Dan Stevens), a veteran who arrives at his deceased best friend's family home with an unsettling presence. As he builds relationships with Caleb's sister and brother, the entire family starts to unravel the sinister truth behind David's intentions. Blending elements of action and horror, this stylish thriller is perfect for showing to friends looking for a thrilling experience.
Another spine-tingling classic that still holds up today is The Descent. This claustrophobic cave adventure follows a group of women on a spelunking trip that quickly turns into a nightmare as they confront an unknown threat in the depths of a massive cave system. Intense and frightening, this film will leave you on edge for days to come.
For fans of cannibal films, The Devil's Backbone is a must-watch. Set during the Mexican-American War, this military outpost thriller follows a group of soldiers as they follow a disturbed man into the heart of evil. What makes this film stand out is its unique blend of humor, scares, and excitement, with an all-time classic score to boot.
The Empty Man, despite being released without the director's approval due to studio changes, has proven to be a modern horror classic in its own right. This folk-horror detective thriller keeps viewers on their toes as it morphs into something sinister by the end of its 137-minute runtime. Best enjoyed alone with headphones.
Lastly, there are other hidden gems waiting to be discovered like The Substance, Weapons, and Hereditary. For those looking for a spooky experience this Halloween season, here's a few recommendations that go beyond the usual suspects.
Spooky movies aren't just limited to October. For those who crave fear and adrenaline on a daily basis, year-round viewing is the norm. But for others, Halloween remains a highlight of the year, a time to indulge in some old favorites while introducing themselves to new fright flicks.
For those looking to explore beyond the usual suspects like Halloween, The Exorcist, Trick 'r Treat, and Hocus Pocus, there are several unsettling movies waiting to be discovered. Here are a few modern horror classics that have carved out their own niche in the genre and will likely become future cult favorites.
Set against the eerie backdrop of weeks leading up to Halloween, The Guest tells the story of David Collins (Dan Stevens), a veteran who arrives at his deceased best friend's family home with an unsettling presence. As he builds relationships with Caleb's sister and brother, the entire family starts to unravel the sinister truth behind David's intentions. Blending elements of action and horror, this stylish thriller is perfect for showing to friends looking for a thrilling experience.
Another spine-tingling classic that still holds up today is The Descent. This claustrophobic cave adventure follows a group of women on a spelunking trip that quickly turns into a nightmare as they confront an unknown threat in the depths of a massive cave system. Intense and frightening, this film will leave you on edge for days to come.
For fans of cannibal films, The Devil's Backbone is a must-watch. Set during the Mexican-American War, this military outpost thriller follows a group of soldiers as they follow a disturbed man into the heart of evil. What makes this film stand out is its unique blend of humor, scares, and excitement, with an all-time classic score to boot.
The Empty Man, despite being released without the director's approval due to studio changes, has proven to be a modern horror classic in its own right. This folk-horror detective thriller keeps viewers on their toes as it morphs into something sinister by the end of its 137-minute runtime. Best enjoyed alone with headphones.
Lastly, there are other hidden gems waiting to be discovered like The Substance, Weapons, and Hereditary. For those looking for a spooky experience this Halloween season, here's a few recommendations that go beyond the usual suspects.
it's so dark and twisty 
️ dan stevens is just soooo good as david collins 
his character is like, so creepy 
and the way the movie builds up to that final scene is just masterful 
those scenes where they're crawling through the cave are literally my worst nightmare 
has anyone else seen that one? what did you think of it? 
I need to watch it again ASAP but this time alone with no distractions or sleep 
I recently rewatched The Guest and was blown away by how stylish and suspenseful it is. Dan Stevens is so creepy as the main character David - gives me chills every time he's on screen 
. What about you guys, what are some of your favorite modern horror classics? 
. Still, it sounds like there are some hidden gems in here that could be worth checking out... The Substance and Hereditary sound intriguing enough to pique my interest 
.
That film still sends shivers down my spine after all these years. And can we talk about The Devil's Backbone? 
That one always gives me chills. What are some of your favorite horror movies that aren't necessarily the classic ones like Halloween or The Exorcist? Let's get a conversation started and maybe discover some new thrillers to binge-watch together 
. Those films are straight fire 
.
. I mean, I get it, they're trying to appeal to a wider audience and all that jazz 
. And don't even get me started on The Descent - it's just a bunch of women screaming in the dark 
). And The Descent? That's just pure adrenaline junkie heaven 
his style is like something out of a slow-burning thriller . also The Descent is on my top 5 list now it's like, what even is going on down there?! 
anyone else seen these movies? 
. Can't wait to binge-watch them with some friends and get scared out of our wits 
️ The Guest sounds like such a thrilling ride, and The Descent? Forget about it 
. Don't get me wrong, it's got its moments, but I'd rather watch something fresh and scary, you know?
.