Halloween: Films that won’t let you sleep

Halloween is just around the corner: time for pumpkins, witches, monsters… and horror films! Whether it’s a subtle chill or a nerve-wracking moment of shock – these films give you goosebumps.

From “Nosferatu” to Netflix horror: What began more than 100 years ago with a few scary film tricks has now become an integral part of pop culture. Classics, iconic monsters, psychological thrillers and slashers – the genre is constantly reinventing itself.

Today there are more horror films than ever: everything from subtle goosebumps to moments of shock. The horror reaches its peak, especially at Halloween. Here are some films with guaranteed thrills.

„Psycho“ von Alfred Hitchcock (1960)

Three minutes of horror that still have an impact today: Janet Leigh in the shower, a shadowy murderer, a butcher knife – the water turns red. Knife stabs in a fast rhythm, plus Bernard Herrmann’s shrill string music, which intensifies the shocking moments. “Psycho” laid the foundation for the slasher genre – psychological horror combined with brutal murder sequences.

„Rosemaries Baby“ von Roman Polanski (1968)

New York, apartment building, dark neighbors: Rosemary becomes pregnant and suspects that her unborn child is the target of a satanic cult. Polanski relies on paranoia and subtle hints – psychological horror par excellence.

“The Exorcist” by William Friedkin (1973)

A young girl is possessed by a demon and two priests fight for her soul. “The Exorcist” combines psychological horror with occult horror to create an intense nightmare that has become a timeless classic.

“Blood Court in Texas” by Tobe Hopper (1974)

A group of unsuspecting young people travel to Texas and encounter a cannibalistic family – and the infamous Leatherface with a human skin mask and a chainsaw. Brutal, raw and merciless, Hooper’s “Blood Court in Texas” shaped the slasher genre. The film was partly banned, including in Germany, and inspired countless sequels, prequels and remakes – most recently on Netflix in 2022.

“Halloween: Night of Horrors” by John Carpenter (1978)

Haddonfield, 1963: Michael Myers murders his sister at the age of six and comes to Dr. Loomis. Fifteen years later he escapes and returns. Myers’ white mask reflects the emptiness of a perpetrator, while empty streets and long takes draw tension through each scene like an invisible thread.

„Shining“ von Stanley Kubrick (1980)

Isolation, madness, supernatural elements: Jack Torrance moves to the remote Overlook Hotel. He slowly loses his mind while his son Danny has dark visions. Kubrick’s camera work, the eerie hotel corridors and the iconic performance by Jack Nicholson make the film a psychological horror milestone.

“The Conjuring” by James Wan (2013)

The Perron family moves into an old farmhouse in Rhode Island – and are terrorized by eerie apparitions: doors slam, objects move by themselves. Paranormal investigators arrive – and get caught up in the spiral of the uncanny themselves. The film combines classic haunted house horror with modern, psychological suspense. There are also sequels to “The Conjuring”.

„The Witch“ von Robert Eggers (2015)

New England, 1630: A Puritan family dares to make a new start – and ends up in a nightmare. The baby disappears, the crops spoil and mistrust spreads through the family. Eggers does not stage a fireworks display of shock, but rather a slowly building calamity. Archaic language and oppressive atmosphere make the film a modern horror masterpiece.

“It” by Andy Muschietti (2017)

Derry, a seemingly quiet small town – until children disappear without a trace. As Georgie follows a balloon into the sewers, he encounters Pennywise, the demonic clown. A gripping mix of childhood fears, coming-of-age drama and monster horror. Stephen King’s bestseller became a cinema hit in 2017: Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård) finally made clowns scary again.

“Hereditary – The Legacy” by Ari Aster (2018)

Grief, secrets and a dark legacy: After her mother’s death, Annie (Toni Collette) discovers her family’s dark secrets. Aster unfolds a horror film that not only relies on shock effects, but also penetrates deeply into the psyche of the characters. Collette delivers one of the most intense horror performances in recent years.

„The Host“ von Rob Savage (2020)

Six friends meet in lockdown for a séance via Zoom – harmless fun that turns sour when they conjure up a malevolent spirit. Shot under pandemic conditions, the film became a surprise hit: horror happens directly on the characters’ screens – exciting, close and eerily contemporary.

„Nosferatu“ von Robert Eggers (2024)

The American resurrects Count Orlok in his new edition of the classic by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau (1922). Bill Skarsgård brings captivating intensity to the vampire. Historical detail, eerie atmosphere and psychological depth combine film history with modern horror.

“Bring her back” by Danny and Michael Philippou (2025)

A manic Sally Hawkins, creepy tape recordings, brutal violence: After the death of their father, Piper and her brother Andy end up with the enigmatic foster mother Laura, whose dark ritual spirals out of control. Between manipulative care, nightmarish visions and escalating violence, a horror trip unfolds – not for the faint of heart.