Horror movies, by and large, are my favorite genre of film. There is no other genre that can really get under your skin, excite you, or make you ponder existence in the way that horror can. However, tonight we won't really be talking too much about those kinds of horror movies. The ones that can really creep under your sheets at night and give you nightmares you'll remember for years. Tonight, we are going to talk about some fun and wild horror movies to watch and enjoy with friends for the upcoming holiday. So no unfortunately, today is not the day I'm going to talk about my love for Robert Eggers' filmography and especially his work on The Witch and Nosferatu, one day we'll get there.

The rules I put in place for this are semi-simple. What I'm going to be doing here is recommending movies I think are either underrated or haven't been given enough attention in the modern filmscape. A24 and Blumhouse may rule the horror scene now, but you'll be happy to know I do not have a film from any of their respective outputs here; instead, I wanted to focus on some personal semi-obscure favorites that'll be sure to thrill you in just the right ways this Halloween.

Savageland is probably one of the most accessible films on this list as alongside Re-Animator and Braindead, the entire film is available on YouTube to watch for free. Though of course, I do recommend renting or buying the film from online platforms or otherwise buying the film physically, as it supports the artists behind the film directly.

Savageland is a brutal film; while easily the least grotesque film here, it is by far the most disturbing. The film is a mockumentary, and its horror is displayed through photographs taken of an event that has rocked the border town of Sangre De Cristo, Arizona. Always taken at just the right moment, it leads enough to the imagination enough that it will haunt you long after you've seen it. The film is also so down-to-earth and realistically shot that you could easily mistake it for an actual documentary shot on a budget if it weren't for its zombie subject matter. I think if you want something dark that touches on some pretty real and relevant subject matter, I think Savageland is a great pick for your halloween party. It is definitely a little denser in terms of themes than the other films on this list, so take that into account if you want to use this as casual viewing with friends.

Re-Animator is one of my favorite films of all time, and for good reason, as it's probably the most "Halloween" Halloween film here, as its entire vibe feels like a local high school theater's haunted house (something I'm very familiar with). It's schlocky, gory horror fun, and really all tied together with a great central performance by Jeffrey Combs as the titular Re-Animator: Herbert West. 

The film's main plot circulates around Herbert West and his semi-willing lab assistant , Dan Cain, as West develops his secret serum that brings back the dead and the sheninagans that ensue at the university they both attend. It's essentially a riff on the classic Frankenstein story, something that the sequel "Bride of Re-Animator" would run wild with, but it has enough new elements to make the film feel entirely different. The gothic horror of Frankenstein is instead replaced with a theatrical (in the stage sense) and 80s vibe that is best encapsulated by the film's main theme. 

Just like Savageland, this film is easily accessible on YouTube and is honestly a perfect choice to watch on Halloween night, bringing as many thrills as it does pure entertainment.

Dawn of the Dead is definitely the most well known film on this list as its earned classic status in the years since its release, but I'm still surprised to this day how many people have not watched it yet. It almost feels as if Zack Snyder's 2004 remake of the film has essentially replaced it in the public conscious of today, which is a shame, as this film is vastly superior and mixes social commentary with its central conceit masterfully. While it might be passé now to equate the undead with the effects of commercialism on the American public, it is still worthwhile to go back and experience the first film to draw that comparison and its place within the zeitgeist of its day. This is not to mention the commentary on race relations in the US during the time, with its harrowing opening scene that is still shocking all these years later.

Sadly, the only true way to watch this classic is through renting or buying the film on Amazon Prime Video and it is not available on any streaming services at the moment. It's still worth the $3 to rent, though, as this film is still a great experience.

Braindead, or Dead Alive, has sort of been forgotten to time. Lost due to its place in history as coming before Peter Jackson's more defining works (those being the Lord of the Rings trilogy and King Kong), however, I would encourage you to take a look back before Jackson's main priority would be bringing large epics to life on film.

Braindead is utterly insane in the most delightful way. Like Re-Animator, it is intensely gory; however, I think the focus here is less scaring you and just grossing you out. There are multiple instances of utterly disgusting and depraved moments that will make you feel queasy; it's not Terrifier, as this film is quite a bit more playful than those films' nastier nature. But it is a straight line from Braindead to Terrifier in terms of effects work and the type of movie you can expect.

Without giving too much away, Braindead follows what happens when what is essentially a demon monkey spreads a zombie disease in a typical Australian town. It's batshit insane, and it is something that I really reccomend watching late at night as you will be asking yourself multiple times throughout "Is this real?". Yes, yes it is, and it rules.

Braindead is one of the films on this list that is also available on YouTube, so you won't have to search too hard for a place to watch the film.

Drag Me To Hell, oh Drag Me To Hell. I adore this movie. It's probably my favorite on this list. It's peak Sam Raimi and cheesy 2000s horror movies to me. Made post the disastrous Spider-Man 3, Raimi returned to his horror roots and directed the hell out of this movie. It's funny and scary in equal measure and has some light commentary on the 2008 financial crisis and the diet culture of the time.

The film follows Alison Lohman's Christine Brown after she is cursed by a witch for denying her an extension on a loan she needed to keep her house. Insanity ensues, though it's not quite as insane as Braindead. The film is essentially Raimi's take on the Final Destination series, and it injects all his signature stylistic decisions. Camera zooms, women screaming, corny dialogue, gross-out moments, and a central protagonist going crazy. It's Raimi, in my opinion, at his peak in the horror genre. It would easily end up being my favorite film if not for my undying love for Spider-Man 2.

You can watch Drag Me To Hell on HBO Max, Peacock, and Tubi.

Whatever you choose to watch for Halloween, I hope that you have a happy Halloween with friends, family, or whoever else you may be spending the holiday with. Also, don't forget about your local vampires and remember to invite them in when asked; it's rude to deny them entry.