With Halloween coming up, if felt like the perfect time to compile a list of my favorite scary movies. I’m an old school fan who prefers suspense to shock, and the bravery of ordinary people in supernatural situations. And, as you’ll notice from the list, I’m a sucker for a good haunted house tale.
However, I’m a moviejunkie so I haven’t eliminated slasher movies entirely. I’ve updated the list over the years, although the movies that terrified me as a kid are still listed, since they helped shape my film critic soul. Here is my list of movies that would make for a terrific fight night marathon. They are in no particular order.

The Haunting (1963) Don’t let that horrible remake a few years back, keep you from checking out one of the best—and best acted haunted house movies of all time, starring Claire Bloom and Julie Harris.
Halloween (1978) John Carpenter’s revival of the slasher horror film still makes me jump.
The Changling (1980) George C. Scott stars in this under-the-radar haunted house flick.
The Ring (2002) The best of the horror film adaptations from Japan that makes you think of TV in a whole new light.
The Innocents (1961) Deborah Kerr is a nanny who suspects her children are being stalked by ghosts.
The Legend of Hell House (1973) The Innocents’ child star, Pamela Franklin, still has ghost problems a decade later.
The Others (2001) Nicole Kidman in the film that successfully plays tribute to The Innocents.
Carrie (1976) Even when you know the big scare is coming, it still gets you doesn’t it?
The Omen (1976) Again, don’t let the horrible remake keep you from checking out the original, which scared me more that The Exoricst.
28 Days Later (2002) The most terrifying bloody zombie movie ever!
Ghost Story (1981) Four elderly men have a secret they’ve kept buried that is about to be unleashed. With Fred Astaire.
Poltergeist (1982) Ordinary parents face extraordinary and terrifying circumstances.