The five best horror films for a spooky season movie night

It's the great modern horror story - you've somehow managed to wrangle your flatmates together on the one night you're all free, but it's happened again. You've spent so much time scrolling streaming services, looking desperately for something to watch, let alone something everyone can agree on, that the group's spirits have become well and truly zombified and the night is over before it can even begin. We've all been there, so here's five great options to provide a little something for everyone, so you can prevent your flat movie night from becoming a lot more trick than treat.

Fancy a 90s American classic?

Everyone has their own definition of a classic, but you really can't go wrong with Scream (1996). An excellent satire of the slasher genre's many cliches, Scream takes us face-to-face with the 90s icon 'Ghostface' in a mystery teeming with references for classic horror movie lovers. Sidney Prescott finds herself the target of the merciless masked killer and, with a whole host of twists and turns, must uncover who she can really trust. Scream offers scares, surprises and a whole lot of funny moments, so there'll be time for laughs in-between the flat's suspect theories.

What about a newer release?

It's impossible to talk about modern horror without mentioning the masterpiece that is Sinners (2025). Taking us to Mississippi in 1932, Sinners follows two twin brothers as they attempt to open their own juke joint in the deep south, facing off against a supernatural force hunting their community. Intertwined with the supernatural are the even more horrifying realities of racism and segregation for black people in America, making for an extremely important and relevant message. Rich with music, culture and moments of sheer terror, Sinners is one you and your friends cannot miss.

Looking for a sing-along?

Get your flat's dance moves prepared for The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), where we meet Dr Frank-N-Furter and his band of eccentric characters for a night of rock music and elaborate costumes. It's a wild ride, and it happens to be the longest-running theatrical release in film history, still showing over 51 years after its release. Though largely ignored in its own time, it now has an involved cult following who recently joined together to mourn the incredibly sad passing of lead actor Tim Curry. Why not give it a try this Halloween if you've never seen it?

How about a zombie-filled British comedy?

Shaun of the Dead (2004) finds an average-joe, tired with his monotonous routine, caught in the middle of a nationwide apocalypse, where he must band together with his friends to fend off the freshly un-dead. Inevitably, the climax lands us in the most British place of all, the local pub. Absolutely hilarious and overflowing with charm and witty humour, this film will have the whole flat in stitches.

Finally, who wants a stop-motion one?

Now, I might be biased (because the fact the main characters live in my home town of Wigan is the thing that makes me most proud of the place) but does it get much better than Wallace & Gromit: Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)? The marvel of stop-motion creativity is enough to make this film a certified masterpiece but it's also just so much fun to watch now that spooky season is rolling back around. In W&G's first feature-length film, they face up against inventor Wallace's inadvertent Frankenstein-esque creation (the titular Were-Rabbit) and all the chaos that brings to their quiet community. What's not to love?