If you are looking for some spooky inspiration for what to watch as we head towards Halloween, look no further! This is a list of our favourite movies and a few that may give you the ick!
South Africa (23 October 2025) – Whether you are looking for a night of zombies, a witchy-watch or sudden scares are your thing, a night of horror and terror is yours for the devouring… As the unevenly timed popping of the popcorn starts, you feel the thrill of what’s about to come. It’s almost Halloween, and time for a scary movie night!
Halloween is still a fairly novel concept in South Africa, and where many love the idea of dressing up, snacking on some sinfully delicious treats or cosying up at home to feel scared to your bones by some of the latest thrillers and horror movies; it is also a frowned-upon celebration. We get it! So, for those who do love a good spook, this one’s for you!
We have been consuming all the spooky content (new and oh-so classic!) and have come up with a good list of what to watch. So, if you don’t care for scrolling for the perfect watch, we have all the options you might like for your spooky night in. Or if you are extra brave, a night out at the movies (because being scared with a group of strangers really is better).
The New Generation
This one can be a bit of a hit and miss. If you can think of a classic you love, you will probably find a cringeworthy sequel (or five) to catch up on. I watched all the trailers for the new gen of scary movies, but I am not sure everything is screaming scary at me. If I am wrong, let us know in the comments which new movie made you jump!
We brought in our Horror expert, Mr Brent Lindeque, for some personal insights, and he shared his top picks and misses. First, the new IT series, which is coming to South Africa. Brent, a highly critical horror fan, was hooked within the first 10 minutes, calling it “intense”, and also loved the story progression and character building. It’s coming to Showmax on Halloween, the 31st of October 2025.
He didn’t love The Monkey, which we have included on the list as a 2025 new movie, nor did he love the sequel to The Hand that Rocks the Cradle. Brent says the ’90s classic was a masterpiece, so there is a recommendation if you want one.
I threw in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, because it’s been particularly disturbing – and I did not miss the jab by creators who draw parallels to how consumers have become desensitised by the horrors we watch on TV today versus when audiences were first introduced to the genre in 1960. It is a disturbing story, but it’s also the inspiration behind some of the most iconic scary movies (listed on the classics list).
- Monster – The Ed Gein Story
- The Monkey
- Final Destination – Blood Lines
- IT is being turned into a series, and it looks good! Out on the 31st of October
- Frankinstein
- Vicious
- The Coungering – Last Rites
- The Hand that Rocks the Cradle
- Weapons
- Together
- 28 Years Later
- The Toxic Avenger
The Classics!
- The Addams Family and Addams Family Values
- All the Scream movies
- Halloween
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- IT
- The Blair Witch Project
- A Nightmare on Elm Street
- Stephen King’s Children of the Corn
- Chucky
- The Silence of the Lambs
- Final Destination
- Psycho
Family Fun
- Ghost Busters
- Addams Family and Addams Family Values (animation)
- Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children
- Toy Story of Terror
- Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas
- The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
- Monster House
- Hocus Pocus
- Casper
- We Have a Ghost
- Scooby Doo!
- Goosebumps
- Hotel Transylvania
- Spellbound
- Hube Halloween
There are hundreds of options available to stream and watch online, so be sure to type in “Halloween” when searching, and each platform will give you a full list of what they have available.
P.S. Our annual Christmas Movie list is in the works, too, and there are loads of new movies to look forward to this year! Stay tuned.
by 