My 2025 Halloween Season Movie Watching list (Part 2)
Halloween season is in full swing, and my wife and I are deep into our October tradition of revisiting our favorite horror and scary films. In Part 1 of this series, I kicked things off with some Carpenter classics, the Conjuring universe, slashers, spooky comedies, and even a brand-new release we loved.
But of course, that was only the beginning. I knew right away this list would be way too long for a single post, so I’ve split it into multiple parts. Here in Part 2, I’m continuing the journey with even more films worth checking out if you’ve never seen them before — or revisiting if it’s been a while.
Stay tuned, because this is far from the last installment. Part 3 (and probably Part 4) will be following soon.
Table of Contents
Poltergeist (1982)
For Part 2, I’m starting with one of the most iconic horror films ever made: Poltergeist.
Released on June 4, 1982, this classic blends suburban family life with supernatural terror in a way that hadn’t really been done before. And yes, I saw it within a week or two of its release — I was 12 years old, sitting in that dark theater not knowing what to expect. Holy crap, did it have an effect on me.
I walked out of the theater completely shook. For several nights afterward, I had a hard time sleeping — constantly bending over and checking under my bed. And if you’ve seen the movie, you know exactly why. It was the scariest film I’d seen since The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and it cemented itself as a lifelong favorite.
I also have a very special memory tied to this one with my wife. When we were dating, we lived far apart, so we would routinely get on calls and watch movies together — syncing up our DVDs or Netflix copies with “ok pause,” “backup to 33 minutes,” or “1, 2, 3, go.”
I’ll never forget her reaction to Poltergeist. Early in the movie, she said, “Uh… that clown is super creepy… um, does that clown move?” To which I nervously replied, “Umm, I don’t remember…” Hehehe. And when that moment happened — if you’ve seen the film, you know the one — it was only the second time in 13 years I’ve ever heard her scream. She’s a HUGE horror fan, and almost nothing rattles her, but in that moment she shrieked and yelled: “I hate you, but I love you. GD you!” One of my favorite movie memories ever.
And yes — when I found out it just came out in 4K, I immediately ordered it. This one deserves to be in my permanent collection.
Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀 out of 5 Skulls
The Babadook (2014)
“If it’s in a word, or if it’s in a book, you can’t get rid of the Babadook.”
The Babadook is a 2014 Australian psychological horror film written and directed by Jennifer Kent in her feature debut. The movie received critical acclaim, holding a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and being ranked among the best-reviewed horror films of its decade. Critics praised it for relying on real psychological horror rather than cheap jump scares, and for weaving in a heartfelt, genuinely moving story about grief and motherhood.
Oh man, do I love this movie. I remember seeing the trailer, instantly tracking down a way to watch it, and being hooked. The concept — a children’s pop-up book that manifests into something far darker — was unlike anything I’d seen.
And speaking of the book… shortly after the film’s wider release, a crowdfund campaign was launched to produce an actual Babadook book for fans. You better believe I jumped on that! I paid $80 and waited what felt like forever (nearly 3 years!) for it to be produced and shipped. When it finally arrived, it became one of my prized items in my collection. In fact, I just saw a copy pop up on eBay going for around $1,000 — and mine is in prime condition, only removed from its container once or twice. I really should have it officially appraised.
Back to the film itself: The Babadook is a bit of a slow, surreal burner — and I love films like that. The tension creeps in quietly, blending the supernatural with raw psychological themes. It’s disturbing, emotional, and absolutely one of the best supernatural thrillers I’ve ever seen.
Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀 out of 5 Skulls
It Follows (2014)
It Follows is a 2014 American psychological horror film written and directed by David Robert Mitchell. It stars Maika Monroe as a young woman pursued by a seemingly unstoppable supernatural entity — one that passes from victim to victim through intimacy, like a curse you can never truly escape. The film premiered at the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, gained buzz on the indie circuit, and after a small limited release went wide on March 27, 2015.
My wife was the one who spotted this film as it was coming out and told me about it. From the first 5–10 minutes, we were both completely hooked. For her, it was the filmmaking style — slow, deliberate, and drenched in atmosphere. For me, it was absolutely the music. The score by Rich Vreeland (better known as Disasterpeace) is hypnotic, unsettling, and instantly iconic. It’s easily one of my favorite modern horror scores.
One thing my wife and I always do is compare our ratings after we watch a film. Sometimes we differ wildly. But for It Follows, we were completely in sync — both of us consider it one of our all-time favorites.
I also love how this film proves that low budgets can deliver big results. Just like the original Halloween did in 1978, It Follows was made for only $1.3 million — and it grossed over $23 million worldwide. That kind of return only happens when you have a strong concept, confident direction, and excellent storytelling. The stripped-back aesthetic, the lingering dread, the minimal but effective visuals — all of it works.
This is one my wife has rewatched many times, and it only gets better on repeat viewings. And the best part? A sequel is officially on the way. In October 2023 it was announced that They Follow is in pre-production, with David Robert Mitchell returning as writer/director and Maika Monroe reprising her role. Filming is expected to begin in early 2025, with the story set ten years after the original. We absolutely can’t wait.
Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀 out of 5 Skulls
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Young Frankenstein is a 1974 American comedy horror film directed by Mel Brooks, with a screenplay co-written by Brooks and Gene Wilder. Wilder also starred as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of Victor Frankenstein, determined to distance himself from the family legacy — until he inevitably embraces it. Peter Boyle plays the monster, with a supporting cast stacked with comedy legends: Teri Garr, Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars, Richard Haydn, and even Gene Hackman in a surprise cameo.
My father took us to see this one, and I went in thinking it was going to be a terrifying, serious horror movie. I wasn’t versed enough in the Mel Brooks universe yet to know what to expect. But what I got was something completely different — and I loved it. It quickly became one of my favorite movies, not just for Halloween but in general.
It’s also one of my wife’s favorites, as she’s a huge Gene Wilder fan. We even watched it together remotely during our dating years, syncing up scenes and laughing at the same moments over the phone. Sharing a comedy horror classic like this only deepened our connection — and to this day, quoting it together still brings us joy.
And speaking of quotes, this is easily one of the most quotable films of all time. Lines like “Put the candle back!” and “It’s pronounced Fronkensteen!” are part of pop culture history. Brooks and Wilder crafted something timeless — a film that manages to honor the Gothic look and feel of the old Universal monster movies while satirizing them brilliantly.
What makes Young Frankenstein so special is that it works on two levels. If you love classic horror, it’s a gorgeous homage shot in black and white with all the atmosphere of a 1930s monster flick. But if you’re here for laughs, it’s one of the funniest comedies ever written. Few films manage to strike that balance, and even fewer hold up nearly 50 years later.
For me and my wife, Young Frankenstein isn’t just a movie — it’s part of our shared story, a film that connects childhood memories, family, dating, and now our Halloween traditions.
Rating: 💀💀💀💀💀 out of 5 Skulls
The Howling (1981)
The Howling is a 1981 American horror film directed and edited by Joe Dante, written by John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless, and based on the novel by Gary Brandner. The story follows a TV news anchor, traumatized after an encounter with a serial killer, who retreats to a secluded resort for recovery — only to discover it’s secretly inhabited by werewolves. The cast is stacked with cult-favorite actors, including Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens, Elisabeth Brooks — and a very young Robert Picardo as Eddie Quist.
I first watched The Howling at my father’s house one weekend. He was an avid film collector, and this was one of the horror gems in his collection. For me, this film became linked with An American Werewolf in London, which released the same year. Both pushed the envelope on practical effects and transformation sequences, but where American Werewolf became a critical darling, The Howling didn’t fare quite as well. It wasn’t a huge box office success, and reviews at the time were mixed. But to me, that didn’t matter. It was part of my childhood, and it stuck.
Looking back now, The Howling definitely has flaws. The pacing can be uneven, the script a bit clunky, and some of the acting wavers between camp and seriousness. If I were watching it for the very first time today, I might honestly give it a 3 out of 5. But nostalgia, atmosphere, and the sheer boldness of its werewolf effects earn it more in my book. For me, it’s a 4 out of 5 Skulls.
One of my favorite “ah-ha” realizations came much later in life: it was long after Star Trek: Voyager ended that I put together that the holographic doctor, Robert Picardo, was none other than Eddie Quist — the creepy serial killer who kicks off the entire story. That kind of discovery only adds to the fun of revisiting this movie.
While The Howling isn’t a masterpiece, it’s absolutely worth a watch if you’ve never seen it. The practical effects are still impressive, the tone is unsettling yet playful (a Joe Dante hallmark), and it remains one of the most influential werewolf films of its era. For Halloween season, it makes a great companion piece to American Werewolf in London — two sides of the same coin, one leaning satirical, the other more straight-faced.
Rating: 💀💀💀💀 out of 5 Skulls
To Be Continued…
That wraps up Part 2 of my 2025 Halloween Season Movie Watching List. This time we covered the supernatural classic Poltergeist, the slow-burn brilliance of The Babadook, the atmospheric indie hit It Follows, the comedy-horror genius of Young Frankenstein, and the werewolf cult favorite The Howling.
But trust me — I’m just scratching the surface. I’m limiting these lists to 5 movies per post, and I still have SO many great films to recommend as October unfolds. Look out for Part 3 in just a few days (if not sooner) as I keep building this month-long celebration of horror, thrills, and Halloween tradition.
👉 Would you like for me to share more? Let me know in the comments or on social media — I’d love to hear if you want me to keep adding to this series throughout the month.
And before I go, a quick plug I’m especially proud of: my Dead Love (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) released on October 3rd. I had the honor of composing the score for this short film, and I’d love for you to check it out — listen to the soundtrack and, of course, watch the film itself.
🎶 Listen here: http://owtt.lnk.to/deadloveWE
Until next time — grab some popcorn, dim the lights, and keep your Halloween marathons rolling. 👻
– Keith