Top 10 Treehouse of Horror Episodes

With Halloween almost within our grasp, there's still one thing I feel I need to discuss before all hallows eve falls upon us, that is of course, The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror. The annual Simpsons Halloween special has become embedded in the holidays tradition for over 20 years now, giving us some truly iconic segments and characters that have been quoted and referenced uncountable times. While the quality of the Treehouse of Horror may have declined in recent years, like the show in general, some of the earlier seasons had some truly terrific specials that have become staples of Halloween pop culture. So now I have decided to rank my top 10 favourite episodes of Treehouse of Horror in preparation for Halloween, but before I do that..

Honourable Mention- The Springfield Files (S8, EP10)

Technically it's not a Treehouse of Horror episode so I couldn't include it on the list, however, it would be criminal if I didn't give a mention to The Springfield Files. This legendary episode sees Homer encounter a mysterious extra terrestrial in the woods and subsequently attempt to convince his friends and family that he didn't make it up. The episode brings in guest stars David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson who reprise their X-Files roles of Mulder and Scully respectively, while the late Leonard Nimoy also pops up for yet another strange cameo as himself. The reason I've decided to give this episode a mention is simply because it used to terrify me, and many others, as a child. The alien that Homer encounters used to send chills down my spine with its high-pitched voice and glowing appearance, I sometimes used to hide when he would appear onscreen. Of course, now I can laugh at all that after having seen the episode countless times since then, but the nostalgia of myself cowering behind my hands at this particular episode makes me feel obliged to give it a shout out on the list.

Now, let's get a move on shall we?

10. Treehouse of Horror VIII (S9 EP4)

The first segment, The HΩmega Man sees Homer of all people emerge from a bomb shelter to discover he is the last man on earth, of course one of the first thing he does is dance naked in the local church. This is followed by Fly vs Fly in which Bart accidentally swaps heads with a house fly after using a teleportation device. Then in Easy Bake Coven, sees Marge being accused as a witch in Ye Olde Springfield and essentially inventing the tradition of trick r treating. The episode was supposedly controversial with the censors as the opening scene sees a Fox censor being accidentally decapitated, but thankfully the gag was kept in. Some consider this to be the last great Treehouse of Horror episode, but I disagree as there have been some genius episodes in some of the later seasons, but regardless it still is a great episode.

9. Treehouse of Horror XIII (S14 EP1)

The only post-season 10 episode on the list, and with good reason. The episode kicks off with Homer buying a new hammock only to discover its magic cloning abilities in Send in the Clones, then some gun-happy zombies invade Springfield in The Fright to Creep and Scare Harms, before finishing off with The Island of Dr. Hibbert. The concept of more than one Homer alone is quite funny, so seeing thousands of them plummet into Springfield Gorge (along with Peter Griffin) is hilarious. The true highlight however, and the reason it makes the list, is The Island of Dr. Hibbert which parodies The Island of Dr. Moreau. It's strangely unsettling seeing the usually friendly Dr. Hibbert turn evil and transform the residents of Springfield into human-animal hybrids, but it's a hilarious segment nonetheless that has some incredible character designs for the newly animalised characters. Flanders' cow-centaur creature is particularly comical, especially when he needs to be milked.

8. Treehouse of Horror VII (S8 EP1)

What a great way to kickstart season eight. We begin with The Thing and I in which Bart discovers his evil twin Hugo who has been living in the attic and feeding on fish heads his whole life, watching and waiting. Then Lisa finds herself as a god among a tiny community of bacteria in The Genesis Tub, before resident aliens Kang and Kodos disguise themselves as Bill Clinton and Bob Dole in order to run for President. While the Hugo story is a stroke of genius, and The Genesis Tub isn't bad, the real highlight of this episode is the final installment that parodies the 1996 Presidential Election. The episode is full of clever political satire and makes some nice social commentary on peoples views towards the election itself. Even after Homer exposes the alien duo, the citizens of America still have to vote for one of them in the end, resulting in Kang becoming president and enslaving humanity. As Homer firmly points out at the end of the episode however, he voted for Kodos.

7. Treehouse of Horror IX (S10 EP4)

Mama took those batteries, she took them away, mama took those batteries, size double A. This episode begins with Homer getting hair implants, unbeknownst to him that his new hair once belonged to recently deceased criminal Snake who vowed revenge against Bart before he dies. Then, in The Terror of Tiny Toon, Bart and Lisa find themselves in an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon where they learn the true dangers of cartoon violence. In the final segment, Maggie learns of her alien parentage, prompting Jerry Springer to get involved. I particularly like this episode because of its first segment Hell Toupée in which Homer, possessed by Snakes hair, attempts to kill Bart. Homer strangles Bart on a regular basis, but seeing him genuinely want to kill the boy is actually somewhat unnerving and surprisingly adds a layer of tension to the segment. However, the one everyone remembers is Starship Poopers where Maggies real father is revealed to be Kang, taking the family onto the Jerry Springer show before Kang and his brother vow to kill every politician in Washington. The Simpsons weren't the only ones overjoyed with this prospect. 

6. Treehouse of Horror II (S3 EP7)

The second Treehouse of Horror episode sees Lisa, Bart, and Homer have three very strange nightmares. Lisa's nightmare involves a mysterious monkey's paw that grants four wishes, granting Maggie a new pacifier, Bart fame and fortune, world peace, and finally, a turkey sandwich that's a little bit too dry. The second segment parodies The Twilight Zone episode 'It's A Good Life' as Bart discovers strange new abilities, prompting him to turn Homer into a jack-in-the-box. Homer's nightmare then involves his brain being implanted into a robot by Mr. Burns, with naturally catastrophic results. Each segment just gets better than the last here, with Homer's nightmare being the most hilarious of the three as he continues his incompetant ways in his robotic body, much to the frustration of Mr. Burns. The wraparounds also help to tie the segments into each other nicely, making for a well-structured and memorable installment into the Treehouse of Horror tradition. It is all a dream after all.. or is it?

5. Treehouse of Horror (S2 EP3)

The first ever Treehouse of Horror, and still one of the most iconic, sees Bart, Lisa, and Maggie in their treehouse as they tell scary stories to each other. The first story entitled Bad Dream House parodies a number of haunted house films as the Simpsons move into a mysterious house that attempts to pit them against each other. Then in Hungry are the Damned, the family are abducted by aliens who they believe plan to eat them. Then the episode concludes with Lisa's rendition of Edgar Allan Poe's The Raven, pitting Homer as the protagonist, Bart as the raven, and James Earl Jones as the narrator. Being the first Treehouse of Horror episode the writers were still finding their feet in that department, but they surprisingly deliver with three excellent segments that culminate in one of the greatest Simpsons pop-culture references ever with The Raven. The episode also introduced the aliens Kang and Kodos who would become a staple of the Treehouse of Horror tradition in subsequent seasons. The misunderstanding involving their book, How to Cook For Forty Humans still remains one of the best Treehouse of Horror gags to date. 

4. Treehouse of Horror III (S4 EP5)

Killer dolls, zombies, and froghurt, the third Treehouse of Horror special really sees the annual tradition come into its own. The first segment, Clown Without Pity, sees Homer pick up a cursed Krusty doll for Bart's birthday, then Homer takes on the role of a giant ape in Kong parody King Homer. Finally, the dead begin to terrorise Springfield after Bart and Lisa attempt to resurrect their dead cat in Dial Z For Zombie. This is by far one of the most quotable Treehouse episodes, especially the first segment and Homer's encounter with the sinister shop owner (the toppings contain potassium benzoate). In fact, the 'women and seamen' quote from the King Homer segment was actually referenced in 28 Days Later, making it one of the few times in which a horror film made reference to a Simpsons episode instead of the other way around. The zombies segment is also particularly enjoyable, as the family fend off a number of zombified celebrities and Springfield residents alike. I still have no idea why Shakespeare was buried in Springfield cemetery however, but it's best not to ask these questions at the end of the day.

3. Treehouse of Horror VI (S7 EP6)

After stealing Lard Lad's colossal doughnut, the statue comes to life and chases Homer down, along with a number of other statues and mascots across town in Attack of the 50 Foot Eyesores. Then, Groundskeeper Willie takes a page out of Freddy Krueger's book after being accidentally killed one grim Smarch day in Nightmare on Evergreen Terrace. Finally, in perhaps the most groundbreaking Treehouse of Horror segment, Homer enters a mysterious new dimension where everything is in 3D in Homer^{3. 
The third segment has since become iconic for its use of 3D animation, remember this would have been pretty new stuff by 1995 standards, especially for television. Also, the final scene where Homer enters our world is still one of the highlights of the show as a whole. It's one of the more clever treehouse of horror segments, and while it may not be as macabre as some of the others on the list, it's balanced out by the other two spooky segments in this episode. Notable highlights include a musical performance by Paul Anka (the real one, for all you Gilmore Girls fans), and one of the shows most important messages: do not touch willie.}

2. Treehouse of Horror IV (S5 EP5)

How far would you go for a doughnut? This episodes first segment, The Devil and Homer Simpson sees Homer go to hell and back after selling his soul to the devil in return for a doughnut. Oh and also, in a clever twist, the devil is revealed to be Ned Flanders himself. In the next segment that parodies Twilight Zone episode 'Terror at 20,000 Feet', Bart tries to prove to his peers that there is a malevolent gremlin on the side of the school bus attempting to sabotage their journey. All before Bart Simpson's Dracula, a segment that pits Mr. Burns as the vampire king himself and the Simpsons family as his unsuspecting prey. I'm a big fan of vampire fiction and the final installment is one of the best Dracula parodies since Abbot & Costello Meet Frankenstein, with the segment making reference to the likes of Bram Stoker's Dracula, Salem's Lot and surprisingly, A Charlie Brown Christmas. I particularly love the scene with vampire Burns' shadow. By far the funniest segment however is the first, with Homer literally selling his soul for a doughnut, even more hilarious is his ultimate 'punishment' in hell. As well as that, the casting of Flanders as the devil was a stroke of pure genius and it's a pleasure to see the usually friendly neighbouroony don the iconic horns and hooves. He may not get Homer's soul in the end, but he meets a much worse fate in the middle segment. A consistently funny and marvelously morbid Halloween special, but there's still one more that just about tops it..

1. Treehouse of Horror V (S6 EP6)

I've got a gut feeling Uter's around here somewhere. After all, isn't there a little Uter in all of us? In fact, you might say we just ate Uter, and he's in our stomach right now! That's right, fifth times the charm, the best Treehouse of Horror episode in my opinion is number 5. We begin with The Shinning (shh, you wanna get sued?), a Shining parody that sees Homer and the family mind Mr. Burns' mansion over the winter season. However, a lack of television and alcohol soon makes Homer..something something. The second segment Time and Punishment sees Homer go on a bizarre adventure through time after inadvertently turning his toaster into a time machine while trying to fix it. Finally, the staff of Springfield Elementary obtain a taste for human flesh in the grizzly Nightmare Cafeteria. This is by far the most consistent Treehouse of Horror episode, with each segment being just as hilarious and as creative as the last. It's got countless memorable gags such as Willie dying tragically in each segment, and the shocking revelation of the doughnut rain that Homer unfortunately misses. The episode has a laugh a minute and some of the most iconic quotes in Treehouse of Horror history, most notably Principal Skinner's intention to literally eat Bart's shorts. It's funny, it's morbid, it's consistent, it's the pinnacle of Simpsons Halloween hijinx and a must watch every Halloween season. Can't murder now, eating.

So there you have it that's my top 10 Treehouse of Horror episodes. What's your favourite episode/segment? If you're interested in more Halloween content you can read some of my previous posts from this month, or in general, I tend to talk about horror a lot on here. I probably won't have another post for a couple of weeks due to holidays and college work, so until next time, have a safe and spooky Halloween, and always remember if you ever go back in time, don't step on anything. 

Halloween Nostalgia

Remember Halloween as a kid? Dressing up, collecting sweets from house to house, passing all of the marvelously macabre decorations along the way, there was nothing quite like it. As the years have gone by we tend to not dress up as much, and the sweets are usually replaced with cans, but when Halloween does come around it's hard not to reflect on that childhood nostalgia we associate with the holiday. One of my favourite things about Halloween as a kid however, was watching all of the spooky stuff they'd show on tele. From films, to tv specials, to the obligatory omnibus of Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror episodes, there was plenty of family-friendly Halloween entertainment on offer. So now I feel like it's an appropriate time to look back on some of those classic Halloween-themed films that I, and I'm sure most of you used to adore as a kid. I'm hoping I won't be the only one to remember some of these.

Halloweentown (1998)

One of the most obvious choices, Halloweentown was a Disney Channel Original Movie that saw a group of kids follow their grandmother to a strange town where monsters and ghosts of all sorts lived together in peace. The idea of a town where every day is Halloween was music to my ears as a child (and probably still now), so watching these three kids get to explore and experience this strange new town was the ultimate treat. Packed full of friendly monsters such as Benny the skeletal taxi driver (Rino Romano), Halloweentown would have been the ultimate dream destination for any child as obsessed with the holiday as myself which is why the film was so appealing. Halloweentown is the ultimate kid-friendly Halloween film that should be a rite of passage for any six year old with a penchant for all things ghoulish. It also marks a memorable and warm performance from the late Debbie Reynolds as the children's witchy grandmother Agatha Cromwell, this is one of the films I will always remember her for.

Spooky House (2002)

Okay, I don't know if anyone else remembers this film, I've yet to find anyone else who does but if you do I applaud you. The film stars Ben Kingsley as a reclusive magician who befriends a group of children after breaking into his house, and helps them combat the nasty bullies who make their lives hell. The titular 'spooky house' in which Kingsley's character Zamboni resides, is rigged with numerous magic tricks, illusions, and secret rooms, making it reminiscent of a carnival funhouse. It's a really fun film and a true underdog tale, teaming this likeable bunch of misfits up with a mysterious magicians in order to get back at the bullies and their criminal boss played by Mercedes Ruehl. However, amidst all of the wacky and macabre thrills, it's quite a compelling film as well and Kingsley works wonderfully with the young actors, especially Matt Weinberg who plays Max. I haven't seen it in forever, but simply writing about and recalling Spooky House makes me want to go off and watch it right now.

Monster House (2006)

The most recent entry on the list, being only 11 years old, Monster House is nonetheless a true Halloween classic that is as equally fun as it is scary. I'm not messing, it can be pretty frightening for a kids film and is one of the best ways for younger kids to begin their journey into the world of horror. The film follows two friends DJ (Mitchell Musso) and Chowder (Sam Lerner) who become obsessed with an old house across the street after the owner seemingly passes away. They join forces with preppy school-girl Jenny (Spencer Locke) in order to enter the monster house and discover its secrets. Monster House is a truly unique film in both its animation style and its plot, expanding on the haunted house trope in a fresh manner. There are some really chilling moments, especially for a kids film, such as DJ's dream about the house and some of the parts where the house tried to lure in its victims. However, the humor balances out the chills and the young voice actors did a great job of bringing a layer of personality to their respective characters. At its heart however, Monster House is a love story, and the ultimate twist is a compelling, and quite sad one actually. Monster House can be enjoyed no matter what age you are.

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble (1993)

No article about the nostalgia of the nineties and noughties would be complete without the Olsen twins. This made for TV Halloween special saw a young Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen play twins Kelly and Lynn Farmer, as they attempt to break an old family curse exacted on them by their evil aunt Agatha (Cloris Leachman). That's right, Frau Blucher herself, Cloris Leachman takes on the role of the films antagonist, an evil witch who trapped her twin sister in a mirror and cursed her family. Leachman is excellent at playing menacing roles, and her character of evil aunt Agatha is enough to give any kids nightmares. Now that I think about it, there's not a lot I remember about this film, but I do remember feeling a bit uneasy whenever Leachman was on screen. While there's not a lot that I remember about the film, I do remember that it had the Halloween vibes down to a T and was a lot creepier than some of the other similar Halloween specials of the nineties. Plus, if you're a fan of the Olsen twins, you'll be sure to enjoy seeing one of their earlier works.

Scooby-Doo! and the Witch's Ghost (1999)

I could've put any Scooby-Doo film here to be fair, but I feel like The Witch's Ghost is the one that best encapsulates the Halloween spirit. It sees Mystery Inc. head to the New England town of Oakhaven that is said to be haunted by the spirit of a witch named Sarah Ravencroft. As the gang investigate, they soon realise that not everything is as it seems in Oakhaven. Next to Wicker Man remake Zombie Island (read here for more on that), The Witch's Ghost is one of the best direct to video Scooby-Doo films and continues that idea of Mystery Inc. facing off against real supernatural threats. I've put this film on the list because of its autumnal New England setting, the falling leaves, the pumpkins, it's the perfect place to celebrate Halloween. The iconic Tim Curry also lends his voice to the character of horror novelist Ben Ravencroft, the descendant of the supposed withc the gang are hunting. As always, Curry's voice alone manages to bring a sense of charm to the character, as well as an equal sense of menace. However, the real highlight of this film is the debut of everyone's favourite animated band (sorry Gorillaz), the Hex Girls. If you don't find yourself grooving along to their tunes then you need to get a life to be honest. Halloween would not be Halloween without a little Scooby-Doo, and The Witch's Ghost is the perfect choice for this time of year.

Kenan and Kel: Two Heads Are Better Than None (2000)

If you grew up in the late 90's/early 2000's, you're bound to remember Kenan and Kel. This feature length TV film acted as a finale to the show and saw the Rockmore family, and Kel (Kel Mitchell) set off on a road trip where they encounter the legend of the malevolent headless knight. What makes this TV film so perfect is that it takes all of the humor that made Kenan and Kel so memorable, and adds elements of horror to the plot, and when I say horror I mean that people actually die in this film (albeit offscreen). However, it's done so in such a typically slapstick Kenan and Kel fashion that it's still suitable for kids. It actually holds up really well today, it's nicely paced and the elements of horror weave nicely into the plot to build this eerie atmosphere throughout, who'd have thought that Kenan and Kel would make for an excellent horror film? Kenan (Kenan Thompson) and Kel are both as hilarious as ever and the fact that this was their last ever episode makes it all the more important. From a chimp who plays Stevie Wonder, to Kel's rendition of 'one million bottles of orange soda on the wall', the film has plenty of hilariously memorable moments that make for an excellent send off to the show. Also, horror legend Michael Berryman has a role as the mute butler Chives, while regular cast member Ken Foree was already an established horror icon with parts in films such as Dawn of the Dead. The more you know.

Casper (1995)

No list about Halloween nostalgia could be complete without everybodies favourite friendly ghost getting a mention. This film sees him befriend a young girl named Kat (Christina Ricci) after she and her father Dr. James Harvey (Bill Pullman) move into the house that he and his three uncles haunt. My fondest memory of Casper however, is not the titular ghost but his three antagonistic uncles, Stretch (Joe Nipote), Stinky (Joe Alaskey) and Fatso (Brad Garrett), aka the ghostly trio. While they bullied and pestered Casper a lot, the trio are hilarious characters that act as a sort of supernatural three stooges. They still remain as some of my favourite cinematic ghosts next to Slimer and the pirate ghosts from The Fog. Looking back at Casper, I never realised how dark it actually was for a kids film, especially the idea that Casper became a ghost after tragically dying from a pneumonia attack. Yep, nothing spells spooky Halloween fun like pneumonia! Nostalgia aside however, I should not that this is also the first film to have a fully CGI character in the lead role, making it a really impressive feat for that time. Casper is a true Halloween classic and still pretty enjoyable today, also, a bit of trivia: the house in the film is the same house used in the video for 'Everybody (Backstreet's Back)', which is still a tune by the way.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

The most beautiful thing about this film is that it can be enjoyed on both Halloween and Christmas, making it the ultimate festive film. The stop-motion classic follows the pumpkin king of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), as he discovers the existence of Christmas and plans to incorporate it into next years Halloween festivities. Despite the fact that the film has become a staple of that Hot Topic emo culture, it's still a beautifully crafted piece of stop-motion animation with memorable songs and character design. Some kids might be a bit put off by the idea of Christmas being associated with the macabre, in that case, show them Black Christmas instead. It perfectly embodies that typical Burtonesque mix of wonder and weirdness, creating this gothic world full of ghosts and ghouls and introducing them to the concept of Christmas. If you've seen the film you'll know the results are horrifically hilarious. An iconic film for both the Christmas and Halloween seasons, The Nightmare Before Christmas is the perfect way to celebrate the end of Halloween and the beginning of the Christmas hype.

Hocus Pocus (1993)

Probably the most iconic film on the list, Hocus Pocus is still enjoyed religiously today by people of all ages, some come for the nostalgia while others come as first time viewers. Set in Salem, Massachusetts itself, the film follows Max (Omri Katz), his sister Dani (Thora Birch), and their neighbour Allison (Vinessa Shaw) who inadvertently resurrect a trio of evil witches who seek out their revenge against the town. The thing that makes Hocus Pocus so iconic is how well it holds up today, making it equally enjoyable now as when you were a child. The humour and seasonal atmosphere make it one of the definitive family-friendly Halloween films. Most notably however, is the Sanderson sisters themselves played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Midler is particularly enjoyable as the leader of the sisters, Winnie Sanderson, with her iconic overbite and cover of 'I Put a Spell on You', she's one of the best movie villains from our childhood. I was surprised to see that the film was so negatively received upon its release, but in the years since then it has become something of a cult classic, showing that a little nostalgia can go a long way. Hocus Pocus is, and always will be, a Halloween classic for all ages.

The Little Vampire (2000)

The film that not only sparked my love of vampire lore, but also contributed to my love of horror in general, The Little Vampire is a film that I will always hold close to my heart. Jonathan Lipnicki stars as Tony Thompson, a young boy who moves to Scotland with his family where he befriends a family of vampires. I loved everything about this film as a kid, the old house in which it's set, the gothic style of the vampires, the overall tone, it's the perfect vampire film for the younger generation. I used to watch it religiously every Halloween, knowing it almost off by heart, although now I may have forgotten a line of dialogue or two. Richard E. Grant is the real highlight as the patriarch of the Sackville-Bagg vampire family, making for an imposing yet ultimately friendly vamp who cares as much about his family as he does about drinking blood. There's also a hilarious subplot involving a farmer who discovers that his cows have been turned into vampires, forget Zombeavers, vampcows are the superior monster. It's actually not set on Halloween unlike most of the films on this list, but its gothic style and sense of humor make it an essential film for all the family to enjoy on Hallowen. In fact, I feel like it would be appropriate to revisit it some time soon.

If you're interested in some other Halloween-centric posts, have a look at some of my other articles from this month below:

-Ranking the 'Halloween' films from worst to best.

-Recapping the best horror films of 2017.

-10 underrated horror films to binge this Halloween.

10 Underrated Horror Films to Binge This Halloween

Halloween is just around the bend, so naturally I'm sure a lot of you are looking for some horror films to watch come October 31st. Of course, the classics are always a good decision, Frankenstein, The Exorcist, even Halloween itself, but if you're like me and you've seen those countless times at this stage, you might be looking for something a bit more different to watch. Well look no further, because I'm about to throw out some recommendations. The following films are a random assortment of horror films that I'm particularly fond of, and feel like a lot of you might be as well. Ranging from schlocky and silly to downright terrifying, this is a mix of various horror films each one different from the last. So if you're interested in something different, take a look at some of these.

The Lords of Salem (Rob Zombie, 2013)

What's it about?

Heidi (Sheri Moon Zombie), a radio DJ in Salem, Massachusetts, receives a mysterious record from a band named The Lords. Upon playing the record, Heidi's life begins to spiral into a surreal nightmare with strange ties to the infamous witch trials that took place in Salem hundreds of years ago. Heidi then seeks the help of prolific author Francis Matthias (Bruce Davison) in order discover the truth behind The Lords of Salem.

Why you should watch it:

What better way to kickstart your Halloween than watching a film set in Salem itself? With it's gloomy skies and streets covered with autumnal leaves, Rob Zombie has the Halloween vibes down to a T here. Using surreal dream sequences and moody atmosphere, Zombie manages to craft a film that is soaked in dread, relying moreso on imagery and atmosphere than on jump scares. Sure, it suffers from some plot holes and loose ends, but The Lords of Salem truly manages to capture that gloomy autumnal feel so closely associated with Halloween. Along with that, the visuals are on point so if you're a fan of aesthetically pleasing films then this is definitely one for you. Be warned though, the film is a bit out there, but then again, so are a lot of films on this list!

Best Bit:

Heidi's encounter with the menacing doctors.

Possession (Andrzej Zulawski, 1981)

What's it about?

After returning home from a recent mission, spy Mark (Sam Neill) begins to observe strange behaviour from his wife Anna (Isabelle Adjani). At first, he begins to suspect her of having an affair, but upon investigating he soon discovers that it's something much more sinister.

Why you should watch it:

Due to the subject matter, it's best not to watch this one with your significant other, but if you find yourself alone this Halloween then you should definitely give Possession a watch. Okay, so it's more of a psychological, mystery/thriller than horror, but don't get me wrong, it's certainly horrific. It's the type of film that keeps you guessing for quite a while before hitting you with something completely unexpected, and trust me, you won't see this films twist coming (unless you read about it on Wikipedia). At 124 minutes, it's a film that requires a fair bit of patience before getting to the payoff, but with its eerie mood and phenomenal performances from Neill and Adjani, Possession is the perfect horror for those of you who love a bit of mystery.

Best Bit:

Isabelle Adjani's bizarre breakdown in a subway station, by far one of the greatest performances in horror.

Let's Scare Jessica to Death (John D. Hancock, 1971)

What's it about?

After being released from a mental institution, Jessica (Zohra Lampert), a troubled young woman, starts anew at an old farmhouse with her husband Duncan (Barton Heyman) and friend Woody (Kevin O'Connor). Upon arriving, the trio meet a mysterious young drifter named Emily (Mariclare Costello) living in the house and decide to invite her to stay with them. However, when strange things start to happen, Jessica must cling to her sanity in order to survive.

Why you should watch it:

Let's Scare Jessica to Death is a strange, simple, and effective film that's perfect for a gloomy Halloween afternoon. The whole idea is that Jessica is experiencing strange goings on at her new home, but is unsure whether they are real, or just a symptom of her mental illness. We never quite know what's actually real or what's in Jessica's head, and the psychological elements really play off well against the isolated setting. It creates this really eerie atmosphere throughout, as though something is always watching Jessica and waiting to pounce. This allows the film to feel scary without even trying, so when it actually does try it's all the more effective. Let's Scare Jessica to Death is a chilling tale of paranoia and the supernatural, all set against the backdrop of beautiful rural Connecticut.

Best Bit:

Jessica's grave encounter by the lake.

Night of the Creeps (Fred Dekker, 1986) 

What's it about?

After a college initiation ceremony gone wrong, Chris Romero (Jason Lively) and J.C. Hooper (Steve Marshall) unwillingly unleash a horde of alien slugs upon the unsuspecting citizens of Corman University. The slugs have the power to take over human hosts, turning them into disgusting undead creatures with a taste for blood. The duo must join forces with troubled detective Ray Cameron (Tom Atkins) in order to put an end to the horror once and for all.

Why you should watch it:

Night of the Creeps is one of the most fun horror films of the 1980s'. Mixing the perfect blend of comedy and terror, the film acts as both a homage to and parody of B-movies, while also being a B-movie of sorts itself. The effects are cheesy, the dialogue is corny, but that's the whole point and it works so wonderfully. Tom Atkins who plays detective Cameron has cited it as being his favourite role of his career, and Atkins has starred in his fair share of horror films. It's 88 minutes of pure, unadultered fun that's a perfect watch for you and your mates after a few cans on Halloween night. Also, if you're a horror fan you'll probably spot the films most famous Easter egg, all of the characters surnames are also surnames of famous horror directors. The more you know.

Best Bit:

'The good news is your dates are here?'

'What's the bad news?'

'They're dead!'

Theatre of Blood (Douglas Hickox, 1973)

What's it about?

After being constantly panned by various critics, Shakespearean actor Edward Lionheart (Vincent Price) leaps into the Thames, seemingly killing himself. However, two years later, the very same critics who once panned him so harshly start dying one by one in methods identical to those from the works of Shakespeare. Has Lionheart returned to seek his revenge? In short, yes, but don't worry that's not a spoiler.

Why you should watch it:

Everyone knows who Vincent Price is, be it from his horror career, his Thriller voice cameo, or even The 13 Ghosts of Scooby Doo, he's one of the most recognisable horror icons of all time. Theatre of Blood is by far his best performance. I hated Shakespeare at school, but watching Price perform some of the bards most iconic scenes with a morbid twist is enough to make anyone a fan. From his grizzly rendition of the pound of flesh scene from The Merchant of Venice to a fiendishly funny scene in a salon, the film allows Price to fully showcase his talents, playing multiple roles that range from campy to downright sinister. It's a bizarre tale of showbiz and revenge with plenty of laughs and plenty of blood to keep everybody satisfied.

Best Bit:

Vincent Price's disco attire and afro during the salon scene.

Demons (Lamberto Bava, 1985)

What's it about?

A group of strangers are invited to a free screening at the mysterious Metropol cinema. The film that they watch involves a group of teens unearthing a mysterious mask that transforms them into demons. However, the events onscreen soon become all too real as a demonic plague begins to spread throughout the audience. With no escape from the Metropol, the remaining audience members must fight for survival.

Why you should watch it:

Demons is one of the most entertaining horror films you'll ever watch, it's got action, terror, romance, and an unreal soundtrack, it's basically got something for everyone. Using some of the most gruesome practical effects ever, the film creates these disgusting creatures that transform from human to demon. With oozing boils, sharp nails, and jagged teeth protruding from their gumlines, these demons are really horrific and their onscreen presence is enough to make you hide behind your hands. However, while you're wincing at the gore one minute, you'll find yourself laughing at some of the strange dialogue and dubbing the next, and don't even get me started on the motorcycle sequence. Gore-filled and action-packed, Demons is some of the most fun you'll ever have at the cinema without ever having to go to the cinema.

Best Bit:

Literally any time Tony the Pimp (Bobby Rhodes) opens his mouth.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 (Tobe Hooper, 1986)

What's it about?

Thirteen years after the events of the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Leatherface (Bill Johnson) and the rest of the Sawyer clan return to terrorise a radio DJ (Caroline Williams) after she airs a clip of their most recent murder. In order to survive the Sawyers, she teams up with former Texas Ranger 'Lefty' Enright (Dennis Hopper), a man with a personal vendetta against the family. Will she survive Leatherface and co?

Why you should watch it:

We've all seen or at least heard of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre, but not a lot of attention is given to it's completely bonkers sequel. The late Tobe Hooper opted to make the film more of a black comedy, ditching that raw terror of the first film for a more lighthearted approach. It's still got a lot of gore, but it's got an equal amount of laughs as well. The film sees the return of Leatherface and his brother Drayton (Jim Siedow) along with the introduction of their other brother Chop Top (Bill Moseley) who was supposedly off in 'Nam during the first film. Moseley is easily the best thing about the film, stealing all of his scenes and cementing his name in the horror hall of fame for years to come. An utterly bonkers carnival of chaos, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 has just the right mix of sheer terror and campy comedy, a bit like October 31st itself.

Best Bit:

Dennis Hopper going ape with a chainsaw. 'I AM THE LORD OF THE HARVEST!'

The Blood on Satan's Claw (Piers Haggard, 1971)

What's it about?

In a rural village in 18th century England, a mysterious corpse with fur and one eye is unearthed in a recently ploughed field. Soon, strange things begin to happen around the village, and the younger villagers begin to form a sinister cult led by the seductive Angel Blake (Linda Hayden). Can anybody stop the devil himself?

Why you should watch it:

The Blood on Satan's Claw is quite a shocking film for it's time, depicting a group of teenagers doing things that they definitely shouldn't be. From assault, to human sacrifice, it's highly unsettling to watch these unspeakable acts being carried out by such young characters. This was before The Exorcist ever hit screens as well. I was not expecting this to be as shocking as it was, but low and behold it truly is a horrifying piece of folk horror that was way ahead of its time. It's got blood, it's got sex, it's got everything that made British horror cinema so appealing in the 60's and 70's. Linda Hayden is definitely the highlight, giving a charismatic performance with sinister undertones to make for an excellent villain. Although naming her character Angel was a bit on the nose, but we can forgive Piers Haggard for doing so considering how fantastic this film is.

Best Bit:

Peter (Simon Williams) has an encounter with Satan's claw itself, resulting in a bloody mess.

The House By The Cemetery (Lucio Fulci, 1981)

What's it about?

After a bizarre incident involving his ex-collegue, Norman Boyle (Paolo Malco) and his family move into an old house by the cemetery in order to continue his old friends work. However, their son Bob (Giovanni Frezza) soon begins to experience paranormal events that lead him and his family to uncover the dark secret hiding in the basement.

Why you should watch it:

Now there are a lot of reasons why you shouldn't watch this film, plot holes, questionable dubbing, the character of Bob overall, but I have to say I've got a soft spot for The House By The Cemetery. Being a Lucio Fulci film, you don't come for conventional plot development or a solid script, you come for the excessive gore and nailbiting suspense, and The House by the Cemetery does both exceedingly well. This is definitely one for the gore hounds as it's full of over the top death scenes oozing with blood and innards. In fact, if you love gore and have never seen a Fulci film before, I implore you to watch his stuff, you'll love it. It's not all gore though, as Fulci also manages to craft an extremely eerie atmosphere that makes the film all the more unsettling. From the naturalistic cinematography, to Fabio Frizzi's score, the film has plenty of elements to create a truly terrifying tone. Sure, the ending makes no sense, actually more than just the ending, but who cares. The buckets of blood and gloomy cemetery setting make this the perfect Halloween viewing.

Best Bit:

The unfortunate realtor's death. The definition of overkill.

Night of the Demons (Kevin S. Tenney, 1988)

What's it about?

On Halloween night, a group of teenagers head to the supposedly haunted Hull House for a Halloween party hosted by Angela Franklin (Amelia Kinkade). However, after taking part in a séance, they unknowingly unleash a demonic spirit from beneath the house that begins to possess them one by one.

Why you should watch it:

Night of the Demons is essential Halloween viewing. Not only is it set on Halloween, at a Halloween party, but it finds that perfect balance between horror and fun that makes Halloween such a special night. Monsters, debauchery, and apples riddled with razor-blades, this is one of the ultimate Halloween films and one of the most entertaining horrors of the late 80's. The film was not an instant classic, but with its memorable death scenes, comedic moments, and the most bizarre scene involving lipstick in cinematic history, Night of the Demons has gained cult status in the 21st century. So sit back, crack open a few cans with the lads, and enjoy one of the most entertaining films ever made about Halloween night.

Best Bit:

Angela's surreal dance scene to the darkwave sounds of Bauhaus.

So those are just some horror films that you should consider watching this Halloween or over the course of the month. They won't necessarily appeal to everyone, but if you're looking to watch something a bit different this Halloween then there's sure to be at least one or two films on the list that you'll enjoy. I'll be back soon with some more horror content, until next time!

Recapping the Best Horror Films of 2017

Well lads and ladies, October is finally here, which means it's time to look back at some of the best films that horror had to offer this year. It's safe to say that it's been an excellent year for horror, both in independent cinema and mainstream studio horror films as well. From cannibals, to killer dolls, to everybody's favourite extradimensional clown, it's definitely been an important and diverse year for horror. We've witnessed some brand new nightmare fuel, along with the return of some old favourites looking to scare us yet again, and now it's about time we recap the best of the best. So here we go, the top 10 horror films of 2017.

10. Annabelle: Creation 

It's no secret that Annabelle's first solo outing was quite shite, so naturally I wasn't too enthusiastic when news of a prequel surfaced. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Annabelle: Creation was a massive improvement over its predecessor and managed to make the iconic possessed doll scary again. Lights Out director David F. Sandberg managed to craft an engaging and surprisingly atmospheric film, that placed a lot of focus on the use of imagery and sound. Sometimes even a simple shot of the doll was enough to send shivers down ones spine, proving that Sandberg is further developing his talent for the craft. The film does incorporate a lot of jump scares, some of which felt a bit derivative, but Sandberg shows that he's been taking notes from the likes of James Wan by fitting in some equally effective ones too. Annabelle: Creation is important to the world of mainstream horror as it shows that the studio is listening. New Line clearly took on board the criticisms of the first Annabelle film and kept them in mind when developing Creation. It's nice to see certain studios learning from their mistakes and applying this knowledge to future films in order to improve on them. Annabelle: Creation was certainly the surprise horror hit of the year and I look forward to seeing what Sandberg gets up to in the future.

9. The Blackcoat's Daughter (February)

Why this film has two titles I do not know, but what I do know is that I really enjoyed it. Set in an isolated boarding school in upstate New York, the film follows two students who spend their midterm break at school. Strange things begin to happen however, and it soon becomes clear that the girls may not make it through their break. Writer-director Oz Perkins creates this really intense mood in The Blackcoat's Daughter that carries on consistently throughout. There is this constantly eerie atmosphere, present right from the beginning, that gradually builds into a crescendo of blood and chaos. Combined with the isolated, snow-capped location, the sense of dread is incredibly strong here and almost in the same vein as last years The Witch. It's not an explicitly scary film, for the most part anyway, but it gets under your skin and keeps you guessing right up until the very end. Of course, the overall twist is a bit obvious, but it's still interesting to see how it's woven into the narrative so seamlessly. The real highlight of the film however, is actress Kiernan Shipka who plays one of the main girls Kat. She manages to bring out a number of different layers to the character and truly shines in the films final act. It's not one for everyone, but if you're a fan of moody and isolated horror films then look no further than The Blackcoat's Daughter. 

8. Cult of Chucky

2017 also saw the release of yet another entry to the Child's Play franchise courtesy of writer/director Don Mancini. Cult of Chucky picks up a few years after the events of Curse and follows Nica Pierce (Fiona Dourif) who now resides in a mental institution after being framed for Chucky's (Brad Dourif) murders in the previous film. Of course, everyone's favourite killer doll isn't too far behind. Child's Play is my favourite horror franchise mainly due to the fact that Don Mancini has managed to maintain a continuous narrative since the first film in 1988. There have been no remakes, no reboots, just the same story of the same killer doll for the last 30 years almost. Cult manages to act as a love letter to the franchise, taking all of its best qualities and a number of its most prolific character and tying them all together in what is by far the most bizarre Chucky film yet. In order to keep things fresh, Mancini introduces elements of psychological horror to the film, which means plenty of dream sequences and hallucinations to mess with the audiences mind. But of course, that doesn't mean things can't get a little gory every now and again, and Cult boasts a number of memorable and often shocking death scenes (look out for the window scene). The film introduces some new ideas to the Chucky mythology which fans may or may not enjoy, personally I'm still on the fence about it but if things go as planned, Mancini said he would expand upon them in a future installment. A surreal amalgamation of everything that makes the Child's Play franchise great, Cult of Chucky is one that will please fans everywhere.

7. The Transfiguration

Taking inspiration from the late George A. Romero's Martin, The Transfiguration is a very grounded vampire film set in New York city. It revolves around a troubled young boy named Milo (Eric Ruffin) who finds solace in vampire mythology, so much so that it becomes an obsession of his. However, Milo's obsession is a dangerous one, and leads him to believe that perhaps he himself is a vampire. The film is an interesting cross between indie drama and vampire film, and the two genres blend together so seamlessly to create this captivating story of obsession and grief. Milo is a very isolated boy, his interactions with other people are usually brief and he doesn't say much, he's quite a sympathetic character. That is of course, until he starts killing. The film takes the viewers sense of morality into question, daring us to get behind a character who may very well be a homicidal killer. Yet, we grow so close to Milo and learn of his troubled past, that it's difficult not to sympathise with him. Would Dracula have been any different if told from the Count's perspective? Ruffin gives an excellent performance that emphasises Milo's sense of detachment from both the real world, and from other around him. He is matched by his female co-star Chloe Levine, who plays an equally troubled girl named Sophie who moves into his building. The two share an interesting chemistry that challenges Milo's way of life and helps him to develop as a character. An enthralling and well-crafted directorial debut from Michael O'Shea, The Transfiguration will get your heart pumping one minute, only to get your tears flowing the next. 

6. IT

The highly anticipated Stephen King adaptation helmed by Mama director Andy Muschietti has already established itself as one of the most iconic films of 2017. Not only has the film quickly embedded itself into pop culture with its memorable dialogue and performances, but it has also become the highest grossing horror film ever, even beating The Exorcist. The film is the first of a two-part adaptation of King's novel of the same name and follows a group of children who face off against a shape-shifting child murderer who lives beneath their town. As a huge fan of the book, I could not wait to see how Muschietti handled the extensive source material, and I have to say I was very satisfied. While things are a bit weak in the scare department, the characters and the overall essence of the novel translate perfectly to the screen. Finn Wolfhard and Jack Dylan Grazer stand out in particular as funnyman Richie Tozier and hypochondriac Eddie Kaspbrak respectively, both sharing some of the most memorable dialogue of the film. Sophia Lillis who plays Beverly also stands out, giving a highly compelling performance that brings out the characters many layers. Of course, IT would not be complete without the monster itself, and Bill Skarsgard is absolutely terrifying in the role. Where the film fails with its jump scares, it redeems itself with a number of extremely chilling moments in which Skarsgard takes the spotlight. He proves that he was the perfect choice for the role (Sorry Tim Curry). IT is one of the few Stephen King adaptations that actually feels like a Stephen King adaptation. It encapsulates that sense of childhood nostalgia that made the book so enjoyable, through its characters and the overall tone, we can forgive it for being a little less scarier than it could have been. Roll on chapter 2.

5. It Comes At Night

There are many ways to handle the apocalypse in cinema, ranging from big-budget disaster-style films, to isolated films that rely more on suspense. It Comes at Night falls into the latter category and focuses on a small family held up in their home within the woods during a contagious outbreak. However, when another family arrive seeking shelter, things soon begin to spiral out of control. It Comes at Night is a film riddled with suspense, the isolated location and increasing sense of paranoia make it feel very reminiscent of films like John Carpenter's The Thing. Unlike The Thing, however, this film is a lot more subtle and relies more on what you don't see than what you do. Christopher Abbott takes on the role of Will, the only son of Paul (Joel Edgerton) and Sarah (Carmen Ejogo), who lives with his family in the house in the woods. Will is front and center in the story, and Abbott does a fantastic job of portraying his sense of paranoia that gradually begins to overcome him. Through dream sequences and several moments of isolation, we get a glimpse at Will's inner anguish and how it pushes him to make the choices he does throughout the film. It's a slow-burning film for sure, but the sense of extreme tension is always present, leaving the audience constantly anticipating something terrifying. While the film certainly does deliver, it's not quite in the way you'd think, which is why a lot of people seemed to be a bit let down by this film. It's not an explicit horror, it's subtle, suspenseful, and leaves you thinking once the credits begin to roll. It's the type of film that instantly makes you want to re-watch it in the hope that you'll notice a subtle detail or clue that will make the ending more clear. A Subtle and engaging film that's riddled with suspense, It Comes at Night is sure to be discussed for years to come.

4. Gerald's Game

The second Stephen King adaptation on this list, Gerald's Game tells the story of Jessie (Carla Gugino), a woman who finds herself tied to a bed with no escape after a romantic getaway with her husband Gerald (Bruce Greenwood) goes awry. Mike Flanagan proves yet again that he is definitely one of the most talented newcomers to the horror genre, crafting a film that was thought to be unfilmable. This is understandable, considering most of the film takes place in the one room with one character and the voices in her head, but Flanagan pulls it off with flying colours and crafts an immensely suspenseful film from start to finish. Flanagan manages to convey Jessie's increasingly damaged psyche, through both apparitions and flashbacks, weaving them seamlessly into the narrative so that it flows with ease. Of course, it would be criminal not to acknowledge Gugino's performance as Jessie, essentially playing two characters of both her and the voice in her head. She is a vulnerable, yet determined woman who makes use of her resourceful nature in order to survive. It's difficult not to get behind her. The film manages to blur the lines between dream and reality at times with the inclusion of a mysterious figure that visits Jessie at night, played by Twin Peaks star Carel Struycken. While his screentime is brief, Struycken manages to leave quite an impact as one of the most chilling horror characters of the year. While it is more of a thriller than anything else, Struycken's presence brings these horror elements to the story, making for an extremely eerie isolated thriller. As well as that, the film also has one of the most disgusting moments in horror of the year, I won't spoil it but you'll definitely know it when you see it. A faithful and effective King adaptation, Gerald's Game further proves that Mike Flanagan is one to be watched in the world of horror cinema.

3. Without Name

As an Irishman and a huge horror fan, it's only natural that I was extremely hyped for Irish horror film Without Name. Written by Garret Shanley and directed by Lorcan Finnegan, the film sees land surveyor Eric (Alan McKenna) set off to an ancient forest on the outskirts of Dublin in order to assess it. However, a number of strange occurences and the forests interesting mythology soon cause Eric to slowly lose his mind. Without Name is a film that makes excellent use of the natural landscape, the isolated woodland makes for the perfect location for a psychological horror. Finnegan's direction relies heavily on the landscape, using distorted visuals and lingering shots of the trees to create this underlying sense of unease throughout. The film oozes with atmosphere and burrows itself under your skin to make for a truly unnerving cinematic experience. McKenna does an excellent job of translating Eric's inner turmoil to the screen, and he becomes gradually more unhinged as the film progresses. It is a bit of a slow burner and can test your patience at times, but it all build up to a cathartic finale fuelled by paranoia and magic mushrooms. It's very reminiscent of Ben Wheatley's A Field in England, only it's a forest in Ireland. The film leaves a lot to the imagination and ends on an ambiguous note that will leave you pondering for some time afterwards. Without Name is a film that targets the senses and opts to play on them in order to mess with the audiences heads, it's a subtle, yet incredibly unsettling film that marks an impressive directorial debut from Lorcan Finnegan.

2. Raw

Cannibalism has been a common element in horror cinema for years, from Ruggero Deodato's exploitative Cannibal Holocaust, to the Thomas Harris adaptations about Hannibal Lecter, there have been various approaches to the subject over the years. Raw however, takes quite a unique approach to the topic of cannibalism by placing it in the context of a coming of age drama set in a prestigious veterinary college. The film follows strict vegetarian Justine (Garance Marillier) who begins to develop a taste for meat after being forced to eat rabbit kidney as a college initiation ritual. Raw gained a lot of notoriety due to reports of people passing out during screenings, and while it does have its fair share of gratuitous violence, it's not the main focus of the film. Instead, the film focuses more on the relationship between Justine and her sister Alex (Ella Rumpf), and how they bond over their mutual love for flesh. It's a morbid, yet touching concept that uses cannibalism as a metaphor for a young womans development much like Ginger Snaps did with lycanthropy back in 2000. The violence is infrequent, surprisingly, but when it does happen it's all the more effective due to the use of practical effects that enhance all the gory details. It makes things feel a lot more real and in turn, much more disgusting. Writer/director Julia Ducournau immerses the film in such sophisticated style with help from cinematographer Ruben Impens, allowing for the appealing cinematography to juxtapose with the wonderful gore that follows. Also, that main theme by Jim Williams is tops, definitely up there with the works of John Carpenter and Goblin. Raw is a stylish and grizzly coming of age horror film with underlying themes of femininity and sisterhood, making it a captivating cannibalistic experience.

1. Get Out

Not only is Get Out the best horror film of the year, but it's also one of the most important films of the year as well. First of all, comedian turned filmmaker Jordan Peele managed to get his own artistic vision across that managed to be both critically and financially successful. This shows that the people at Blumhouse have faith in their filmmakers and are willing to take risks. More importantly however, the film highlighted the racial fears faced by the African American community today in a truly unique manner, making it a very relevant film in today's society. The story revolves around budding photographer Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), an African American man, who joins his girlfriend Rose (Allison Williams) on a visit to her white families estate. Naturally Chris has his fears of prejudice upon arrival, but little does he know that there is something much more sinister at work. With Get Out, Peele managed to craft a relevant horror film that found the perfect balance between comedy and terror. While the film is extremely unsettling, Peele knows when to ease the tension by adding a bit of humour to the formula every now and then. Having Chris as the only black man at the estate (who doesn't work for the family) highlights that sense of isolation and paranoia felt by him, and with Kaluuya's charming performance, it's easy for us to empathise with him. This raises the stakes significantly and makes the final act even more intense. What's unique about Get Out is that Peele managed to make a film about racial tensions where the antagonists aren't exactly racists. They're not white supremacists or racist rednecks, they're middle-class, white liberals who (as they state many times) would have voted for Obama. It makes things even more unsettling in a sense, as they're not explicitly threatening, it's not until the final act that we learn the true extent of their menace. Get Out is a triumph for Jordan Peele and a fantastic directorial debut, I mean what a way to break out into the horror genre. I can't even begin to imagine what he will do next.

Honourable Mentions:

A Dark Song

A film about a complex pagan ritual gone wrong.

Split

The one where James McAvoy has 23 different personalities.

Prevenge

A film about a pregnant woman whose unborn child prompts her to homicide.

A Cure For Wellness

A film about eels.. you'll see.

The Devil's Candy

A film about heavy metal, art, and the devil.

Also, I didn't include mother! on the list because I don't really see it as a horror film so it didn't think it counted.

Anyway, that's my pick for the top 10 horror films of 2017, I'd highly encourage anyone to watch them all, along with the honourable mentions that didn't quite make the list. I'll have more horror content to come within the next couple of weeks so stay tuned for that. Until next time!

Ranking the 'Halloween' Films From Worst to Best

After powering through both the Elm Street films and the Friday the 13th films, I finally got around to watching all of the Halloween films as well. Coincidentally, I finally found the time to write up this post on the first of October so that's quite fitting considering there's only 30 days left until the big day itself. For those of you who don't know, the Halloween franchise follows psychopathic killer Michael Myers who stalks the town of Haddonfield every Halloween night, slashing his way through a variety of victims over the years. Apart from Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Myers appears in every film in the franchise and has become a staple of the horror genre ever since. Now, without further ado, here is my ranking of the Halloween films from worst to best. Again, like the previous posts I will be excluding the remakes (sorry Rob Zombie), and be warned, there are mild SPOILERS ahead.

8. Halloween: Resurrection (2002)

While it can be argued that the fifth and sixth installments killed the franchise, Halloween: Resurrection makes them look just as good as the first in comparison. Coming out in a post-Scream world where horror films were more comedic and usually starred rappers, Halloween: Resurrection is one big shit stain on the franchise. Not only does it kill off Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) within the first 10 minutes, but the rest of the film is a bizarre amalgamation between reality television and slasher that just doesn't work at all. It sees a group of college students sign up for a show called Dangertainment, a reality show that sees them exploring the Myers house on Halloween night, you can guess what happens next. The characters are thinly written, the script is painfully bad, and there's just a blatant lack of respect for the franchise altogether, made clear when Laurie is killed off. I mean, there are some cool death scenes like when Michael Peeping Tom's a camera man, and it does have Busta Rhymes doing karate, but it's just a bad film overall. The tone is all over the place and at times it's just plain boring, if you thought Rob Zombie's films ruined the franchise then think again. Maybe it's a good thing that Michael Myers stayed dead this time. Trick or Treat muthafucka.

7. Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)

After being broken out of jail by a mysterious cowboy at the end of Halloween 5 (don't ask), Michael Myers returns to Haddonfield yet again several years later to continue his killing spree. The Curse of Michael Myers opted to introduce supernatural elements to the plot in order to explain Myers' immortality and penchant for killing. It is revealed that Myers carries the curse of thorn, an ancient Celtic curse that causes people to murder their family members on Halloween night. Furthermore, Myers is also being manipulated by a mysterious cult who have been controlling him since the day he was born. Yep, that's where this film goes, and it's nowhere near as interesting as it could be. The film feels severely overstuffed, trying to deal with a number of characters and tie up several plot holes all in the space of 90 minutes. Along with that, it's got some truly dodgy editing that's enough to give anyone a headache. Being the first 90's film in the franchise, Curse has a cool, grungy aesthetic that definitely inspired the later remakes, but the style can't substitute for substance here. It does have some decent performances, Donald Pleasance gives everything he can in his last outing as Dr. Sam Loomis before his unfortunate death, and Paul Rudd (yes, that Paul Rudd) is convincing enough as the grown up Tommy Doyle from the first film. There are actually two versions of this film, the original cut and the producers cut, but sitting through Curse once was enough for me so the producers cut will have to wait till I'm truly desperate for something to watch.

6. Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Halloween 5 isn't extremely terrible, nor is it very good, it's just a painfully mediocre film that brings very little to the franchise. Taking inspiration from Friday the 13th Part VII, this film introduces the concept of psychic abilities to the franchise, granting them to pre-existing character Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris). When Michael returns a year after he was seemingly killed, Loomis teams up with his young niece Jamie once again, who can now sense when Myers is about to kill somebody. Halloween 5 essentially misses everything that Halloween 4 done right and takes the franchise down a doomed road that eventually led to Curse. Instead of building upon the ending of the previous film and continue to develop the Jamie Lloyd character, the film just brings back Michael Myers yet again in a rehash of the previous entries into the franchise. Danielle Harris is an incredibly talented actress and her performance in Halloween 4 was one of the highlights, but here, most of her lines consist of her screaming 'Tina!' over and over again. A true waste of her talents. The film was supposedly shot without a finished script, and it really shows. Along with the weak script, there are some truly bizarre moments that I felt I needed to mention, these include the strange music that plays in one scene over the two goofy cops, and the character of 'Spitz' (Matthew Walker), the most annoying disposable teen in the franchise. It's just a badly made film with no thought put in whatsoever, although it does make for an interesting drinking game if you take a drink whenever Jamie screams 'Tina!', you'll be smashed by the end of it.

5. Halloween H20 (1998)

From the title I thought this was going to be some underwater Halloween adventure, but nope, apparently the H stands for Halloween while the 20 means 20 years later. Acting as a quasi-reboot of the franchise that cuts out the previous 3 films and takes place 20 years after the first 2, Halloween H20 sees the return of Laurie Strode to the franchise, now living in witness protection under and assumed name, working as a high school principal. I mean, I guess cutting out the curse of thorn nonsense was a good thing, but it made sitting through the previous 2 films even more frustrating seeing as how it just cuts them out of the continuity altogether, along with number 4. It's not a bad film overall though, it's got a lot of throwbacks to the original film, as well as some Easter eggs for horror fans in general (look out for that Janet Leigh cameo), and the cast is pretty strong. Curtis makes an excellent return to the role of Laurie Strode, further fleshing out her character 20 years on, while a young Josh Hartnett and Michelle Williams are among the supporting cast. And because this is the late 90's, rapper LL Cool J also joins the cast, reciting his erotic novels to his partner over the phone for some reason. It trims out a lot of the bullshit from the past two films and manages to make Michael Myers scary again, he is cunning and articulate just like in the earlier installments. However, at times it feels like it's trying to be more of a Scream film than a Halloween one. The tongue-in-cheek humour, the musical ques, the script, they all feel very Kevin Williams-y. It had potential to be a lot better than it ultimately was, but to be fair it is a big improvement over some of the other installments.

4. Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1998)

After the poor reception to Halloween III's attempt to make the franchise an anthology, the decision was made to bring back Michael Myers after being seemingly killed in Halloween 2, because that was the style at the time. Halloween 4 is actually one of the better sequels that manages to get a lot of things right without getting too ridiculous like later sequels would. This film introduces Jamie Lloyd to the franchise, the daughter of Laurie Strode who went into foster care after her mother was seemingly killed in a car crash. Myers awakens from a coma ten years after his initial killing spree and sets off to Haddonfield to kill Jamie and anyone else who gets in his way. Returning yet again is Donald Pleasance as Sam Loomis, who has been both physically and emotionally scarred after the events of Halloween 2. The first thing the film gets right is making it feel like it is actually Halloween, and we begin with these shots of an autumnal countryside decorated with a variety of spooky bits and bobs. It's definitely one of the most Halloween-y of the sequels. The film also boasts a number of strong performances from Pleasance, Harris, and Ellie Cornell as Jamie's foster sister Rachel. Harris was only about 11 years old at the time of filming and easily gives one of the best performances of not just the film, but the franchise itself, proving that she was born to be a scream queen. However, as much as the film attempts to replicate the original in its rather formulaic plot, it can never quite bring Carpenters signature sense of suspense back to life. It relies too heavily on trying to recreate the first film that it feels as though it's afraid to try anything new. Despite this, it's not a bad sequel and could have ended up much worse, it's a shame the later films actually did.

3. Halloween 2 (1981)

After the success of the first Halloween a sequel seemed like a no-brainer, thus Halloween 2 was born. Picking up on the same night that the first film left off, Halloween 2 continues the story of Laurie Strode, who winds up in a hospital after narrowly escaping Michael Myers. However, Myers is never too far behind her. While John Carpenter did not return to direct this entry, Dean Cudney returns as cinematographer and manages to recreate Carpenters style almost perfectly. He and director Rick Rosenthal manage to craft a film that is stylistically similar to the first. What I like about Halloween 2 is that it deals with the repercussions of the first films events and build upon them. For example, we see how Sheriff Bracket (Charles Cyphers) deals with the death of his daughter, and we get a little more insight into why Michael Myers is so intent on killing Laurie. That's right, this is the film that establishes her as Michaels sister, an interesting direction to take the franchise that works a lot better than that cult of thorn bollocks. It further develops her character and builds a stronger link between her and Michael that ultimately raises the stakes. The film also ups the gore to an extent, crafting a number of bloody death scenes in order to up the shock factor from the first film. I feel like it relies too heavily on raising the body count instead of focusing on suspense, although to be honest, it's a lot more suspenseful than the later sequels. Also as a side note, remember Ben Tramer from the first film? The fella that Laurie had a crush on? Well just wait and see how they kill him off in this one, RIP Ben.

2. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)

Surprisingly, the best of the sequels is the only one without Michael Myers. In an attempt to take the franchise in a more anthology-style direction, Halloween III followed Dr. Daniel Challis (Tom Atkins) who sets off to the mysterious town of Santa Mira to investigate the death of a patient that has ties to a mysterious toy company. I feel like the only reason this film got so much hate was the lack of Michael Myers, because overall it's a really solid horror despite its bizarre concept. Tommy Lee Wallace is a talented director and with a score from John Carpenter himself backing up the film, the suspense is quite high. Out of all the sequels it feels the most like a Carpenter film. The story is a strange mix of sci-fi and Celtic myth that somehow works, and manages to tie the titular holiday into the plot making the film a true Halloween experience. Tom Atkins is brilliant as always as Dr. Challis, but the real highlight is Irish actor Dan O'Herlihy as the sinister warlock Conal Cochran. He gives a devilishly charming performance as the films antagonist that makes the strange subject matter feel all the more terrifying. The film also boasts some truly horrific death scenes that I will not spoil, but trust me you won't soon forget them. It's a slow burning film reminiscent of John Carpenters early films that gradually builds to a surprisingly nihilistic ending that strips away any sense of hope or optimism that may have been held hitherto. Season of the Witch is by far the most misunderstood film of the franchise, and not a day goes by that I don't think about how different the franchise could have been if it had have built upon this anthology format. A lot better methinks.

1. Halloween (1978)

The original, and the best, Halloween is one of the most suspenseful and influential slasher films of all time that inspired a generation. Co-written and directed by the great John Carpenter, the film follows deranged killer Michael Myers returning to his hometown of Haddonfield after spending years in a mental institution. What can I say about this film that hasn't already been said? It's a true masterclass in suspense that takes you to the edge of your seat and never lets you leave. I saw it in the cinema last Halloween and honestly, it holds up wonderfully today and is just as effective as I imagine it would have been when it first came out. The score, the direction, Nick Castles memorable performance as Michael Myers, they all come together to make for a truly chilling slasher film that would be mimicked and imitated for years to come. It sees Donald Pleasance at his best as Dr. Loomis while kickstarting the career of Jamie Lee Curtis who would go on to become one of the most prolific scream queens in horror history. Most importantly, it has Michael Myers at his scariest. I always felt that in some of the later films Myers lacked any sense of personality, but Castle makes him this truly menacing physical presence that is ever present throughout the film. That scene where he appears to be dead, but suddenly rises up again unbeknownst to Laurie remains one of my favourite scenes in any horror film ever. Above all, it kept things simple. It didn't feel the need to over-explain Myers' motivations or try too hard to be scary, it was just a simple story about a masked killer coming home. Carpenter made horror history with Halloween, changing the genre for years to come.

So with a couple of weeks left until Halloween, why not binge watch the Halloween franchise? If you've got nothing better to watch that is, I wouldn't recommend anyone to watch Halloween: Resurrection. Give the first 4 a watch at least, and maybe H20 if you're a big Scream fan. While some of the later sequels are just plain bad, watching the Halloween franchise in full has gotten me even more excited for David Gordon Green and Danny McBride's new Halloween film next year. With John Carpenter's blessing and potential involvement, along with Jamie Lee Curtis' return, it's definitely one to look forward to and is just about a year away. Happy 1st of October dudes, let's hope this Halloween will be a spooky one.