Halloween has always inspired some of the most bone-chilling films in cinematic history and this season is sure to be no exception. Here are just a few haunting classics, cult favorites, and spooky underrated gems.

The Classics:

1. Halloween-John Carpenter’s seminal slasher first released in 1978. This is the one that started it all and made Michael Myers a name to be feared. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence.

2. Night of the Living Dead-George A. Romero’s original ghoul fest released in

1968, put Pittsburgh on the horror filmmaking map. Starring Duane Jones,

Judith O’Dea and a bunch of flesh eating zombies.

3. Frankenstein-THE original monster movie. James Whale crafted this black and white masterpiece in 1931. A true benchmark for the genre.

Starring Colin Clive and the legendary Boris Karloff.

4. Dracula-Film’s most famous bloodsucker. Released the same year as

Frankenstein. Directed by Tod Browning, this one gave vampires a good name. Starring Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula.

5. Carrie-Director Brian De Palma’s frightening journey into the mind of

horror master Stephen King, released in 1976. Starring Sissy Spacek

and Piper Laurie.

Cult Favorites:

1. The Evil Dead-Sam Raimi’s original homage to evil spirits. Shot on a

shoestring budget and released in 1981. This is the one that made Bruce Campbell a star long before Burn Notice. Starring Bruce Campbell.

2. Basket Case-Perhaps director Frank Henenlotter’s most famous film, without

a doubt his most bloody. From the mind of the man who brought you Brain Damage and Frankenhooker. Released in 1982. Starring Kevin Van Hentenryck.

3. Ghoulies-Luca Berkovici’s largely forgotten horror gem. The first in a wildly

popular series from the 1980’s. Released in 1985. Starring Peter Liapis and Lisa Pelikan.

4. Carnival of Souls-Director Herk Harvey served up a true buffet of nightmares

in this underrated classic from 1962 that helped set the tone for the modern horror genre. Starring Candace Hilligoss.

5. Dead Alive-What list of cult films would be complete without Peter’s Jackson

most freighting film. Shot in Pittsburgh and Jackson’s native New Zealand. Also released to the US as Braindead in 1992. Starring Timothy Balme.

Currently in theaters:

Zombieland, Rob Zombie’s Halloween II, Jennifer’s Body, and the upcoming

SAW VI. Check local listings for showtimes.

These are only a few classics of the genre that you’ll find on TV, in theaters and at your local video store.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Arts and Life, Halloween, Special Section.
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