5 Spooky Netflix Movies To Stream This Halloween

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With Halloween here, everyone’s searching for the perfect movie to watch. Netflix is a great place to start, as they have a huge selection of films ideal for getting into the spooky spirit – whether you’re looking for something truly frightening or just a movie that captures the Halloween vibe.

Here are some great Halloween movie recommendations available on Netflix! We’ve picked a nostalgic favorite from the 80s, a scary zombie movie, a Netflix film inspired by classic horror, the original movie that launched a popular horror series, and a sequel to a well-loved Halloween classic.

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)

Halloween is often linked to scary movies, but it’s really about a cozy autumn feeling – think comfy hoodies, kids enjoying themselves, and a sense of fun. Few films capture that spirit better than E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

This classic film centers around Elliott Taylor, a young boy whose initials match those of an alien he unexpectedly meets. While the premise could have easily become a scary thriller, director Steven Spielberg crafted a touching story that remains beloved today.

E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial was a massive commercial success, earning almost $800 million despite only costing $10.5 million to make. It’s considered one of Steven Spielberg’s best films—and that’s saying a lot considering his incredible body of work. The movie is set on Halloween, which helps Elliott keep his alien friend a secret.

Beyond its Halloween setting, the movie E.T. inspired a popular costume choice for years to come. With kids trick-or-treating in the dark and a playfully spooky atmosphere, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial has become a classic Halloween favorite.

Train To Busan (2016)

Let’s fast forward a few decades and switch to a standout modern horror film. We’re heading to South Korea, a country known for producing incredible movies like Train to Busan in recent years. While the story is straightforward, it quickly builds into something truly gripping.

The movie Train to Busan centers around a father and his daughter as they journey by train from Seoul to Busan. Their trip quickly turns into a fight for survival when a zombie outbreak begins. Because the action is confined to the train, every moment is incredibly intense and frightening.

While the zombie action in Train to Busan is thrilling, the movie really shines because of its characters. You quickly become invested in the main character and his daughter, but the supporting characters are even more compelling. The film delivers genuinely emotional moments, making it truly stand out.

Even though Train to Busan isn’t a Halloween-themed movie, it’s still a fantastic horror choice as October ends. You really shouldn’t miss it – it’s one of the best out there!

Fear Street: 1994 (2021)

In 2021, Netflix successfully launched its first original horror franchise with the Fear Street trilogy. Based on the popular books by R.L. Stine, the series began with Fear Street: 1994, a movie about a string of murders in a small town.

At first glance, Fear Street: 1994 seems like many other slasher films. That’s intentional! This movie deliberately captures the feel of 90s slasher flicks with its shocking kills, relatable characters, and a captivating mystery.

What really sets the Fear Street trilogy apart is its unique combination of slasher and witchcraft elements. The source of the terror in town begins to be uncovered in this installment, and it’s a story that continues in Fear Street: 1978 and Fear Street: 1666.

The two sequels add depth to the story, exploring a tragic event at a summer camp in the 1970s and then revealing the origins of the haunting, dating back to the 1600s. These films build to a satisfying conclusion. Watching all three movies over Halloween weekend would be ideal.

Smile (2022)

Several exciting new directors are making waves in the horror genre, and Parker Finn is one of them. He burst onto the scene in 2022 with his first feature film, Smile, which surprisingly became a big success in theaters, largely thanks to a brilliant marketing campaign.

The marketing for the movie Smile was clever and went beyond typical advertising. Instead of just relying on posters and trailers, they hired people to appear as extras and actors in public places – like a baseball game – and stare directly at cameras with unsettling smiles. This unusual tactic grabbed people’s attention, and those who then went to see Smile found it lived up to the hype.

Okay, so I just saw Smile, and it’s seriously messed up. It follows this therapist who has a really traumatic experience – a patient dies by suicide right in front of her, but with this disturbing smile. Turns out, that smile is like a curse, and she starts seeing it everywhere. It’s super unsettling and slowly drives her completely crazy. It’s a really creepy movie, honestly!

Okay, so I just finished watching Smile, and honestly, it really delivers. It wasn’t just popular with audiences – critics loved it too, giving it a solid 79% on Rotten Tomatoes. What really stood out was how genuinely creepy it was, building a seriously unsettling atmosphere, and the actors all did a fantastic job. If you’re looking for something to get you in the mood for Halloween, this is a great pick! And good news, if you enjoy it, there’s a sequel coming, though you won’t find it streaming on Netflix just yet.

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

Like the classic film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which remains a Halloween favorite, Beetlejuice is a beloved movie from the ’80s. For decades, fans thought a sequel would never happen, but in 2024, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice surprised everyone with its release.

More than 25 years after the first movie, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice brought back the original director and most of the cast. The film was a box office success, earning over $450 million and receiving positive reviews. Its popularity was also boosted by the addition of Jenna Ortega to the cast.

Jenna Ortega is well-known for her roles in spooky projects like Scream VI and Wednesday, but no movie captures the spirit of Halloween quite like Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Though more comedic than scary, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is set on Halloween night, making it a great choice to watch as the month comes to an end.

With strong performances from supporting actors like Ortega, a fantastic return by Winona Ryder, and Michael Keaton’s hilariously wild portrayal of Beetlejuice, the new movie is simply a lot of fun. It’s perfect for families too – everyone can enjoy this spooky Halloween treat together.

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2025-10-30 02:02