Halloween Horror Watchlist 2026: Damian Hex's Shudder Picks
By Damian Hex | More Horror
October summons Halloween, and Halloween means horror movies! I know creating the perfect watch list for the season can feel overwhelming, but fear not; this horrorhead has some scary recommendations from my favorite horror streaming service, Shudder.
Let’s start with an obvious one: John Carpenter’s Halloween (1978). This iconic film takes you to Haddonfield, Illinois, with its crunchy leaves, chilly air, and a murder or two. As a fan of both scary things and drag, I recommend The Boulet Brothers Halfway to Halloween Special and The Boulet Brothers Resurrection. Halfway to Halloween showcases a fun, campy variety show celebrating the season, while Resurrection features alternative drag artists battling it out in a Halloween-themed competition. October is meant for me.
Next is V/H/S HALLOWEEN, a 2025 anthology series where each segment tells a completely different story. If you enjoy body horror, check out Fun Size, directed by Casper Kelly. My personal favorite, Home Haunt (by Micheline Pitt-Norman and R.H. Norman), depicts a man’s haunted attraction gone horribly wrong. Or horribly right in my opinion.
As a devoted horror fanboy, I dedicate time each week during October to watch two movies or shows. It’s a commitment I happily accept. Another Shudder gem is the seven-season anthology series Tales from the Crypt. Who doesn’t love a corpse, complete with a wholesome laugh, as the host? Religious horror ranks high on my favorites list, so I def recommend Late Night with the Devil, released in 2023 by Australian brothers Colin and Cameron Cairnes. Late-night talk show host Jack Delroy (played by David Dastmalchian) encounters demonic forces and reveals dark truths. If that calls to you, and you love furry babies like dogs, try Good Boy (by Ben Leonberg). This standout film offers Indy’s (the dog’s) perspective as he cares for his ill owner, Todd (Shane Jensen). You’ll root for Indy while fearing for him as a supernatural presence invades their secluded home.
No October celebration would be complete without acknowledging witches. Enter Mother of Flies, directed by John Adams, Zelda Adams, and Toby Poser (The Adams Family). This story takes you on an uncomfortable journey through mortality as Mickey (Zelda Adams) confronts cancer and desperately seeks a cure. Her quest leads her to a witch (Tobey Poser) who offers a solution at a high price. Another witch-focused movie is Huesera: The Bone Woman (by Michelle Garza Cervera), released in Mexico in 2023. This film tackles themes like heteronormative expectations, queer identity, family, and pregnancy trauma. I love foreign horror, and if you are of Latino/Hispanic descent, this piece might resonate with you.
So far, I’ve shared eight solid recommendations, and I’ve got one last witchy movie for you: Forbidden Fruits (by Meredith Alloway). This film mixes retail girly cult drama, witchcraft, and murder. Gen Z and horror is something I didn’t know I needed. Finally, don’t miss The Boulet Brothers Dragula Season Seven. No, it’s not out yet, but it's releasing on October 27th. Get ready for thrills, chills, and plenty of drag drama. Everyone, let’s say, “Thank you, Shudder!”
