Spooky Season Watchlist 2023

It’s that season again, the only time of year that’s good. To celebrate, I’ve made a list of 31 movies you should watch. Here’s a link to last year’s list if you’re looking for even more spooky fun [I tried to duplicate it as little as possible in order to bring you all sorts of new shrieks!]. Check below the image for brief summaries, thoughts, and links to any full reviews I’ve written. Stay spooky!

Newish Ghost On The Block

Bones and All [2022]
When a girl who’s never really understood who [or what] she is discovers her own history, she will be led on a journey of self discovery, monstrous realizations, and deeper fears than she’d ever thought possible.

While making my categories, I had considered one for great horror/ dramas called “You Got Blood on my Feelings”, but [obviously] settled on some other things and scrapped it. 2022’s Bones and All would have led that pack, however. This is a film that I absolutely fell in love with immediately but also has very strong horror elements and theming.

Deadstream [2022]
Influencer, Shawn Ruddy, will do whatever it takes to keep his fans happy and viewership up. Anything, including setting up his cameras and livestreaming his stay inside a deadly haunted house.

Deadstream is simply a raw good time. Playing with the early 00’s tropes of shaky-cam, modern influencer shenanigans, and the old “spend a night in a haunted house” bit, Deadstream is way smarter than it has any right to be in several technical aspects. Plenty of classic scares and lots of intelligent construction, this is an easy choice to get the night heading in the right [spooky] direction.

Moloch [2022]
Disappearances, attacks, and an ancient mummy dug out of the bog. What secrets does this small, countryside town hide within its speckeled past?

This is a great Dutch, folk horror film I watched earlier this year that’s really left a lasting impression. Most of it won’t be new in terms of narrative or consequences, but the journey is particularly well constructed and the ending is unique. A classic ghost story through and through, Moloch is sure to both fright and delight.

Evil Dead Rise [2023]
An evil book, a spooky record, and a reunion that gets a little bloodier than anyone bargained for. Sure would be a shame if demons possessed someone once the power went out…

Evil Dead Rise is a viciously good time if you just want some mindless gore and plenty of screams. It’s pretty camp, it’s pretty obvious, but it’s also absolutely perfect for what it’s trying to be. A lot of films [horror especially] go really wrong when they try to expand themselves past their nature, but this one knows what it is, and knows how to do it well. If you’ve never seen an Evil Dead movie, this is probably the most different of them, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t any less a part of the universe.

Talk to Me [2023]
Ouija boards are old hat. What all the kids are into now is shaking hands with spirits in “controlled” possessions. What would happen if someone didn’t [or couldn’t] let go?

2023’s A24 horror darling Talk to Me is the perfect watch when what you want is an extremely well made and acted classic horror film. Similar to Evil Dead Rise, there isn’t a whole lot to this movie but, what there is has been executed to absolute perfection. While Talk to Me does lose itself a little at times as it tries to establish deeper themes and moments, it’s an overall stunning achievement for the first-timer crew that worked on it.

Back In My Haunt

Night of the Living Dead [1968]
When the dead start coming back to life, an abandoned farmhouse is all that stands between Ben, Barbara, and the voracious appetites of the newly arisen.

George Romero’s Night of the Living Dead is, to be totally honest, an unreasonably good film. Something about it just holds up in a way that most things of this era, genre, or type don’t. Even in 2023, showing it to someone who’s never seen it before, the film is entertaining, gripping, and poignant. Really, really love this one.

Rosemary’s Baby [1968]
A new apartment, some new neighbors, and a new lease on life; things are looking good for Rosemary Woodhouse. Unfortunately, things are about to head south for her; deeply south.

While the overarching plot of Rosemary’s Baby is a little silly in 2023, the film itself remains a great experience with an excellent ending. Especially if you can put yourself in the shoe’s of a 1968 audience, this is one dance with the devil that you’ll wish you’d attended sooner. If film isn’t your thing [while I’m a little confused that you’ve landed here], the book this is based on is also absolutely excellent and nearly word-for-word the same.

The Exorcist [1973]
When young Regan suddenly begins behaving strangely and dangerously, her mother calls upon two priests to try and bring her daughter back to her old self. Now if only she can stop darning those socks in heck…

Similar to Rosemary above, The Exorcist is a film who’s plot has been done a billion times here in 2023 but, boy-howdy, does this one still stand up. It would be safe to say that this is one of my all-time favorites… even if I can never remember the beginning. It’s also, interestingly, a fantastic adaption, even if the source material does still edge it out slightly by offering more character to Father Karras and giving more insight into his personal plights.

The Wicker Man [1973]
When investigating a woman’s disappearance, Sergeant Howie finds himself increasingly perturbed as local pagan rituals become more and more plain… and witnesses insist that she never existed at all.

This is probably the entry with the most caveats on this list because it is very much a product of its time; it’s very obviously a 70’s film. That said, once you get past some of its temporal idiosyncrasies, it’s really a fantastic story, told in a very interesting way. Additionally, for fans of Ari Aster’s Midsommar, there are some very, very clear links and influences here. Additionally, if you want something entirely bonkers and unintentionally funny, the 2006 Nicolas Cage film of the same title is absolutely out of control.

Evil Dead 2 [1987]
Demons, a misty forest, and a handy chainsaw make for an unforgettable night of survival and violence. [Don’t read from the book.]

Evil Dead 2 is only describable as “unhinged”. Sam Raimi at his absolute best, this is a timeless classic with a great story behind it and a great sequel [of sorts] after it. A longtime favorite of mine, Evil Dead 2 is a total joy every time it comes across my watchlist and I cannot recommend it enough when you want something less scary, more fun, and very memorable.

Good Buds Gone Bad

Tremors [1990]
The small town of Perfection, Nevada is turned upside down when the ground itself spawns something that wants to eat its citizens alive. Can you fly, sucker?

This is a movie I grew up watching and still love to this day. Tremors is silly, it’s fun, and it’s absolutely perfect for the season. Watch your step!

Anaconda [1997]
While questing for a forgotten tribe in the Amazon, Terri Flores and her research team happen across a man stranded along the river. When he offers to help them on their journey, he withholds that he has one of his very own…

Another film that I grew up watching, this is an absolute trip to return to as an adult because the cast is bonkers. Not only that, but the quality of the effects is absolutely outstanding for some reason. This one may have something to do with my aversion to water-based activities. No wasps for me, thank you very much.

Deep Blue Sea [1999]
Altering shark DNA cures Alzheimer’s. Who knew? Unfortunately, the only way to harvest it is through their brains… Which they’re pretty attached to.

Deep Blue Sea is a pretty bonkers movie and one of the few times that I remember being genuinely too scared to finish something as a kid. This, The Ring, and Silent Hill 1 really hit me right in the fear-feels as a lil-child and have all stuck with me ever since. This is probably the only thing on the list I, myself, am not too keen on watching because it gives me “the big stress”, as they say.

Dog Soldiers [2002]
A special forces training mission goes awry when, instead of the team they were expecting to meet, they find the sole survivor of a horrific massacre. Werewolves? In my forest? It’s more common than you might think.

If I remember correctly, the first time I watched this was after seeing it on a shelf at my local Blockbuster and loving it’s cover. That would have been… 2007, 2008 maybe, and this film has been one of my go-to horror/ thrillers ever since. The costumes are great, the story is super fun, and the whole vibe is just excellent. Truly love this film.

Crawl [2019]
When a hurricane hits and everyone is told to evacuate, Haley ignores the warnings in order to search for her missing father. As the waters rise, however, it’s more than wind and rain she’ll have to worry about.

They don’t make ‘em like the used to, but they did make Crawl, and it’s pretty good within the space. As far as “Creature Features” go, the 80’s and 90’s were kind of the pinnacle of the craft with modern stuff either being extremely cheap or somehow simply missing the spirit of this classic genre. Crawl certainly isn’t going to wow anyone with it’s ingenious plot or moving performances but, if you want something that calls back the old film soul, this is a bitingly good time.

Speaking In Tongues

Train to Busan [2016]
Su-an is tired of her workaholic father and wants to spend her birthday with mom instead. Little does she know that this train is hardly on the rails at all.

If you haven’t heard of Train to Busan at this point, I’d be very surprised. This Korean zombie hit was an absolute revolution in the country’s popularity in terms of filmmaking and was South Korea’s highest grossing film in 2016. Sometimes things gain popularity for mysterious reasons, Train to Busan, however, earned its clout.

The Queen of Black Magic [2019]
A group of orphans return to the sanctuary that housed and raised them to visit their adoptive father before he passes. However, underneath the reveries are darker secrets they’d all sooner forget… but that could never forget them.

This little Indonesian horror film is absolutely exceptional. The plot is well written and executed, the performances are good across the board, and the special effects are believable, spooky, and [very] gross. This was one of the rare films that I watched and then immediately made time to show my family and watch again. Just don’t get confused when the credits start to role and you see images from the 80’s original rather than the film you just watched. It’s an homage, ok?

The Call [2020]
The ability to call anywhere in the world connects not only people, but time itself. When anyone can be reached, anyone can be threatened.

I was very surprised at the quality and tight storytelling of this film. There’s always some weirdness when time barriers are crossed in narratives, but this handles them very well and with some extremely cool special effects to boot. While not strictly a “horror” perse, it’s spooky enough to be included here.

Huesera: The Bone Woman [2022]
Motherhood is a powerful thing and the call can drive some to devote their lives to it. What is one to do, then, when something else answers as well and threatens the sanctity you’ve fought to procure for yourself?

Huesera: The Bone Woman is a pretty intense watch and very well made. This is another one that would have fit into my horror/ drama category quite nicely. There’s a lot more to this story than is shown on screen or exchanged via dialogue, and I highly recommend checking this one out when you have the space to really sit down and pay attention.

Virus: 32 [2022]
Iris is forced to bring her daughter to work as she makes her usual rounds providing indoor security for a local building. Unusual for her rounds, however, people outside begin fighting, screaming… and eating each other.

The zombie genre is absolutely packed here in 2023 with few titles really standing out or being even vaguely interesting. Virus: 32 certainly isn’t going to break any records with innovative storytelling, but it is a very solidly built and interesting film that separates itself from the rest of the chaff. If you’re jonesing for something akin to 28 Days Later, this might be just the thing for you.

Laugh ‘N Scream

Shaun of the Dead [2004]
When Shaun’s routine is disturbed by a breakup, some red on him, and… well, zombies… There’s only one place left to go: The Winchester.

It’s shocking to think that Shaun of the Dead is nearly 20-years old. This film is as ubiquitous in the horror/ comedy genre as Jaws or Scream in their own. Similarly to those two films, nothing has quite managed what Shaun has even after all this time.

Anna and the Apocalypse [2017]
There’s only one cure to the end of the world, and that’s a song.

Anna and the Apocalypse is a unique blend of things. It’s a horror, because it features zombies. It’s a musical, because it features music and dance numbers. And it’s a Christmas movie, because it takes place at Christmas. In short, this film is absurd and a whole measure of fun. Get some friends and settle in for an easy and very silly watch.

Extra Ordinary [2019]
After her talent leads to tragedy, Rose decides to abandon her passion and become a driving instructor. Talent, however, is impossible to ignore and, when Martin comes calling about his estranged [dead] wife who won’t leave him alone, Rose falls in a little over her head [and heels].

This movie is goddamn funny. I think is misses a couple beats in terms of being as touching or meaningful as it could have been, but it hits exactly the notes it intends with its comedy and execution thereof. Extra Ordinary is a debut work and one that sets the stage of an incredibly impressive career that I can’t wait to watch unfold.

Little Monsters [2019]
A school fieldtrip, an excellent teacher, a not excellent father, and a zombie outbreak. Don’t forget to sign your child’s permission slip.

As I mentioned earlier, there are so many zombie movies [4 in this section alone] but, maybe that’s why they lend themselves so well to comedy. They’re tired, they’re tried, and they’re falling apart [literally]. Little Monsters does a good job of taking a lot of the things we’ve seen before and making them funny all over again. Though it isn’t all slam dunks, the majority of this comedy is raucous at worst, and drop dead hilarious in general featuring a strong performance from Lupita Nyong'o and a very funny Alexander England. Also, Josh Gad is in it, if that’s your thing.

Zombie For Sale [2020]
A pharmaceutical company’s plans end up creating something… dangerous. Though, when it shambles into their town, the ever shrewd Park family see not the end of civilization, but an opportunity for profit.

This little Korean zombie-comedy has absolutely no right to be this fun, this sweet, or this suave. Zombie For Sale will almost certainly make it into my top 100 for this year, and is likely to end up in the top 50. It has a clear sense of style that it sticks to with such a great level of commitment that this isn’t a movie I’ll soon forget. One that I picked purely because of it’s goofy title and great cover-art, this was a totally random chance I took on something I’d never even heard of… and I’m so glad that I did.

Cacciatoreviews’ Favorites

The Thing [1982]
An Antarctic research base is turned upside down when some… thing is awakened from a centuries long slumber and now nobody trusts anybody anymore.

This movie is 41 years old but, by the quality of its effects, the refinement of its script, and the pacing of its narrative, you’d never know it. I’m not always onboard with John Carpenter and his various forays into the uncanny, but this 1982 classic stands up as one of the greatest horror films ever made and possibly the movie I’ve watched the most in general. If you’re only going to watch a single movie on this list, this is a pretty good one to choose.

Over the Garden Wall [2014]
Greg and Wirt don’t exactly get along but, when the pair find themselves lost within the Unknown, they’ll learn more about themselves and their oddball companions than they could ever imagine.

This little, 90-minute miniseries unhyperbolically changed my life. The music, the performances, the story, the adventures; everything about this show is so charming and sweet and whimsical while remaining [strangely] grounded, meaningful, and complex. Over the Garden Wall truly transcends its medium and becomes so much more than “just a cartoon”. Its a show — an experience — that never leaves my head and that I carry with me all the time. Though I try to refrain from tapping into it until fall rolls around, it usually manages to sneak its way into my regular viewing from time to time. There’s simply a magic in this little show that’s never been captured elsewhere.

Hereditary [2018]
Family secrets can have long fingers and the Graham family is about to find out exactly how deeply they reach.

This not-so-little film also changed my life in a way [I need therapy now]; I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie where the theater was shocked into such a heavy silence. I’ll never forget my first encounter with this and I think that Hereditary stands as one of the great opening acts of the modern horror renaissance; the film is a highwater mark in terms of overall quality, cinematography, and general design/ creativity. Not only that, but it brought Ari Aster to us as one of the most important and interesting creators within the space. While I do think the story flubs its ending a little, the piece stands head and shoulders over most anything else within the genre when it comes to execution and commitment.

Vivarium [2019]
A brand new model home that’s both “near enough and far enough” in a cozy neighborhood? What’s not to love? Now, Martin needs you to sign on the dotted line for your package that’s just arrived.

Vivarium [similar to 2020’s Underwater] is a movie that gets unfairly panned by critics. It certainly isn’t perfect, but it’s a whole load of fun and a great long-form Twilight Zone experience… even if it could be cut down a bit. This was one I almost passed on because of its online review scores, and I am so glad that I did not. A very easy recommend to anyone wanting something with a scifi/ horror vibe that isn’t too intense, but will definitely unsettle you. Another good contender for this spot is the indie film Coherence from 2013, though that one is less refined and very clearly made by early filmmakers.

Come True [2020]
Strange dreams, isolation, and the draw of somewhere to belong pull Sarah into a local sleep study. Maybe, however, the things in our head aren’t meant to be understood…

Come True is one of my more recent watches on this list, but it’s quickly risen to the top of my recommendations. Similar to the above Zombie For Sale, Come True will certainly be in my top 100 for the year, but is more likely to be in the top 10 than the top 50; I absolutely love this film. The only thing I can even vaguely compare it to in terms of “vibe” is 2011’s Drive with its synth soundtrack, gritty visuals, and sleek presentation. Come True is one that might not appeal to everyone due to its “weird” structure and slightly obtuse world building, but it is one that fans of the genre will appreciate even if they don’t walk away totally enamored. I want to do a “Top 100 of the Top 100” list in a couple years, and Come True is sure to be a strong contender even amongst the very best.

The Innocents [2021]
Kids are amazing creatures. However, that same energy, creativity, and passion that makes them so enchanting can also make them dangerous when the term “consequences” is not fully understood.

Eskil Vogt’s The Innocents is an excellent film, an incredible thriller, and an astonishing early work; it was #6 on my top 100 for last year. Vogt displays a strange and frightening tenderness in his filmmaking that isn’t really seen elsewhere in the space. Both this and his directorial debut, Blind, showcase a style so unique and strong that it’s sure to shape future filmmakers. I suppose I wouldn’t necessarily categorize this as a “horror” film, but it certainly fits the season. Who doesn’t love some wicked little kids with powers?