Halloween is just around the corner. With that comes a slew of new, enthralling screams and scares. These spine-tingling movies will give you nail-biting scares and leave you wanting more. These 10 must-watch horror movies are to die for.
Some films are not suitable for young audiences. Viewer discretion is advised.
In Theatres
1. The Substance (2024)
The Substance tells the story of Elisabeth Sparkle (Demi Moore), an actress who, after her 50th birthday, is fired from her TV show. Desperate, she learns of an illegal injection known as The Substance. With it, she makes a younger, hotter version of herself named Sue (Margaret Qualley). Everything is not as it seems and things take an ugly turn.
The viral film addresses society’s absurd beauty standards, especially towards women.
Across social media, there have been many visceral reactions to the film. Many women have begun expressing how much they resonated with the film’s messaging. The film’s two leads captivate audiences. Elisabeth and Sue’s declining mental state is devastating to witness. This film is perfect for fans of the grotesque and monstrous.
This film is rated M18 for nudity and violence.
2. Smile 2 (2024)
Smile 2 is about Skye Riley (Naomi Scott), a renowned musician about to embark on a massive tour. For a while, she struggled with substance abuse and the car crash that took her boyfriend Paul’s (Ray Nicholson) life. Things begin to take a turn when she witnesses the death of her high school friend, Lewis (Lukas Gage).
The first film grossed a whopping USD$217.4 million worldwide. Its marketing campaign of scattering smiling actors at big events drew audiences to its concept. Inevitably, there was bound to be a sequel.
The franchise takes advantage of the film’s concept by focusing on a celebrity. Musicians deal with large crowds every day and have to put on a smile. The film creates a meta-commentary on “the show must go on” — a concept that has pushed many artists to burnout. Smile 2 promises to be a wild ride with many jump scares.
This film is rated M18 for violence and gore.
3. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is the sequel to Tim Burton’s 1988 film “Beetlejuice”. The name of the film plays on the method of summoning the titular demon by saying his name 3 times. The sequel follows Lydia Deetz (Winona Ryder) who is forced back into the shenanigans in the afterlife when her daughter, Astrid (Jenna Ortega) opens a portal to the other side.
The film marks the return of Michael Keaton reprising his role as the titular character. Newcomer and Wednesday star Ortega blends effortlessly into the world of Beetlejuice. The sequel boasts a 77% score on Rotten Tomatoes, officially being certified Fresh.
Similar to the first film, it maintains a whacky horror-comedy style. Tim Burton continues to dazzle with his signature film style; the film boasts out-of-this-world sets and distinct costuming choices. For a more light-hearted flavour, catch Beetlejuice Beetlejuice in cinemas with your family.
This film is rated PG13 for some frightening scenes and coarse language.
4. Pusaka (2024)
Pusaka is an Indonesian supernatural horror film. Antiques collector Risang Wisangko (Bukie B. Mansyur) leaves behind his estate to be converted into a museum. Sandra (Ully Trianti), Hanna (Susan Sameh) and David (Ajil Ditto) are put to the task. They enter the house and begin taking note of all of the antiques in a database.
Along with them are Prof Dirga (Joseph Kara) and Mayang (Sahila Hisyam) who are responsible for the antiques themselves. After tampering with a cursed keris (an asymmetrical dagger), they accidentally unleash a dark spirit keen on taking them out, one by one.
Fans of classic Southeast Asian horror, this one’s for you. The film depicts traditional Asian folklore and black magic. Director Rizal Mantovani released two other horror films this year: Jurnal Risa by Risa Saraswati (2024) and The Train of Death (2024).
The film also stars UK-born Indonesian starlet Shareefa Daanish as Nina, the contractor who assigns Sandra, Hanna and David to the project. Her previous appearances in Rumah Kaliurang (2022), Macabre (2009), and Dara (2007) have made her a must-see in Indonesian horror cinema.
With disturbing scares and gruesome deaths, Pusaka will keep you up at night.
This film is rated M18 for gore and violence.
5. Alien: Romulus (2024)
Alien: Romulus is a science fiction horror about a six-person crew setting off to investigate the abandoned USCSS Nostromo. Set two years after Alien (1979), the film shows the crew discovering the horrors that wiped out almost the entire Nostromo crew.
Initially, the film was meant to be a standalone. This has since changed. According to director Fede Álvarez, the film takes place between the events of the first film and Aliens (1986). His approach is much closer to the original film but with added twists.
The crew comprises protagonist Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and her android surrogate brother Rook (David Jonsson). The rest of the team are Tyler (Archie Renaux), his pregnant sister Kay (Isabela Merced), Tyler and Kay’s cousin Bjorn (Spike Fearn), and Bjorn’s adopted sister Navarro (Aileen Wu).
The close relationships between the characters add emotional stakes to the story. It also brings about a return of the iconic Nostromo space station. Knowing what is to come, watchers will feel anxious from the start.
This film is rated NC16 for gore and violence.
Streaming
6. It’s What’s Inside (Netflix)
It’s What’s Inside is a new Netflix sci-fi horror-comedy directed by Greg Jardin. Shelby (Brittany O’Grady), her boyfriend Cyrus (James Morosini) and their friends are on a getaway before their friend Reuben’s (Devon Terrell) wedding. With the appearance of an estranged friend with a mysterious device, deep truths start coming to light that threaten their friendship.
Fans of A24’s Talk To Me (2023) would notice that it shares some similarities. What first appears as an innocent curiosity leads everyone into a dangerous situation. Both films have a stylised colour palette and a dynamic cast. The device and Talk To Me’s embalmed hand make the users feel high; both films are clear allegories of substance abuse and its negative effects on users.
Where Talk To Me is more of an expression of grief, It’s What’s Inside covers betrayal and trust. Maintaining a large group of friends is always difficult. Once the lines blur, things get complicated as secrets start coming to light.
The film’s cinematography adds a modern flavour. The vibrant colours showcase the characters’ fluctuating mental state. This is the perfect film to catch with friends in the comfort of your home this Halloween.
This film is rated M18.
7. Outside (Netflix)
Outside is a zombie horror movie from The Philippines. It follows Francis (Sid Lucero), his wife Iris (Beauty Gonzalez), and their two sons Joshua (Marco Masa) and Lucas (Aiden Tyler Padtu) as they escape to Francis’ childhood home on a perilous journey, facing terrors both inside and outside their doors.
It tackles the psyche of someone caught in a tough spot, weighed down by past mistakes and heavy expectations. There is also a clear depiction of generational trauma, especially through the relationship between Francis and Joshua. Joshua, as a teenager, is trying to step up and do his best to help out his family. Francis, however, is too riddled with his protectiveness to listen to reason.
Audiences rave about the film’s unique approach to the zombie outbreak film. Rather than focusing on the survival aspect, they tackle the complicated relationship between the four core members of the family. It is a slow burn that focuses on building tension.
Outside is truly a unique take on a classic horror trope.
This film is rated M18.
8. Hold Your Breath (Disney+)
Hold Your Breath is a psychological horror-thriller on Disney+. It tells the story of Margaret Bellum (Sarah Paulson) who works at a farmland with daughters Rose (Amiah Miller) and Ollie (Alona Jane Robbins). As horrific dust storms descend upon the area, Margaret believes there is a dangerous presence that seeks to harm her family.
The supernatural presence, named the Grey Man, is a manifestation of Margaret’s mental struggles. Afraid and alone with a husband who’s left to find work, Margaret is left to her own devices to protect her family. Under the influence of villainous preacher Wallace Grady (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), Margaret descends further into darkness.
The star-studded cast also includes Broadway’s Annaleigh Ashford as Margaret’s sister Esther, a concerned but helpless person in Margaret’s life.
In this fascinating and quiet thriller, recently-minted Tony-award-winner Sarah Paulson pulls out all the stops to evoke the inner turmoil of a desperate mother. She stuns in other iconic horror roles in Ratched (2020) and American Horror Story (2011).
This film is rated NC16.
9. The First Omen (Disney+)
The First Omen is an American supernatural horror film on Disney+. It is a part of The Omen franchise and is a direct prequel to The Omen (1976). It tells of Margaret Daino (Nell Tiger Free), an American novitiate who goes to Rome to work at an orphanage. She discovers Carlita, a disturbed young girl, who seems to bring about a dark presence. She questions her faith and a dark secret slowly unravels.
The film boasts notable talent. Bill Nighy of The Underworld series plays Cardinal Lawrence, a senior member of the church with dubious intentions. Ralph Ineson, another familiar face, plays Father Brennan who reveals the dark truths to Margaret.
The film takes an artful approach to classic spiritual horror. It is a tale of faith and how religious institutions can trigger doubt in believers. It is also about hypocrisy and the darkness that faith can take you if you are led astray.
The film had a successful theatrical run, earning a worldwide box office of USD$53.9 million with a budget of USD$30 million. With an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, The First Omen is certified Fresh.
This film is rated R21.
10. Final Destination 5 (Netflix)
Final Destination 5 follows Sam Lawton (Nicholas D’Agoto) as he, his ex-girlfriend Molly Harper (Emma Bell) and his co-workers escape from a major bridge collapse after receiving a premonition. This leaves the survivors to be haunted by death at every turn.
This film will feature the return of Tony Todd as funeral director William Bludworth. William Bludworth is the wise figure who educates each set of characters about the rules of death. He also appeared in Final Destination (2000) and Final Destination 2 (2003).
The Final Destination franchise will be welcoming a sixth film in 2025. Final Destination: Bloodlines (2025) will introduce a whole slew of new characters.
Final Destination has left a mark on an entire generation. Nobody has ever seen a logging truck the same since. If not for anything else, this film is worth a rewatch for that ending alone. Catch this spine-tingling film on Netflix.
This film is rated R21 for gore and violence.
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