10 things to watch for your spooky Durham film / TV night

Watching movies and series with your friends at uni is a favorite pastime for many of us. Yet, we often find ourselves endlessly searching for the perfect thing to watch. If you’re in need of some inspiration this spooky season, here’s a definitive ranking of movies and TV shows from your local film geek.

10. Twilight (movie: 2008)

For all those who prefer romance over jump scares, Twilight is the perfect option for Halloween. After all, who can say no to the Basketball scene? Or the memorable reaction of Edward whenever Bella enters the room? While it does not land high on the list of scariest movies, the vampires still make this an acceptable Halloween watch.

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy)

IMDb rating: 5.3/10

9. Monster High: Ghouls Rule! (TV film: 2012)

For all my Barbie Girlies out there, this entry is for you. Is it designed to sell toys to children? Sure. Does it have everything you want from an animated Barbie movie, from wild plot lines to cringeworthy animation? Also yes.

Where to watch: Youtube

IMDb rating: 6.2/10

8. The Conjuring (movie: 2013)

If you prefer jump scares and ghost stories, the first Conjuring movie will be right up your alley. Decent lore and some genuinely frightening scenes make it a perfect group watch.

Where to watch: Netflix

IMDb rating: 7.5/10

7. Marvel Zombies (miniseries: 2025)

Zombies deserve some attention too this year with the release of the new animated Marvel show. If you ever wanted to see your favourite Marvel hero fight in a zombie apocalypse, then you don’t want to miss the four episodes. Its length makes it perfect for a series marathon, but be careful: Don’t get too attached to your favourite heroes…

Where to watch: Disney+

IMDb rating: 7.0/10

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6. Agatha All Along (mini-series: 2024)

A newer addition to the list, the sequel show to WandaVision brings us right back to our favourite villain from the new Marvel era, Agatha Harkness, and her quest to regain her magic. If you want to dig deeper into the lore of witchcraft and love seeing Aubrey Plaza on screen, this show is for you.

Where to watch: Disney+

IMDb rating: 7.2/10

5. Scream (movie: 1996)

If you’re wanting to get into slasher movies, you can’t get around this genre-defining entry from 1996. Its self-awareness for its genre does not stop it from After almost 30 years, the plot still holds up after  and keeps you entertained right until the last minute. And did I mention that it has Courteney Cox from Friends?

Where to watch: Netflix

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

4. Fear Street (movie trilogy: 2021)

This underrated movie trilogy does not get talked about enough. Perfect for a movie marathon for Halloween. Uniting the three classic location of high school, summer camp, and New England pioneer village, it delivers to a frightening and captivating hunt for the mystery behind Shadyside. Moreover, it’s one of the few horror movies with a Sapphic couple, adding much-needed representation to the genre.

Where to watch: Netflix

IMDb rating: 6.5/10

3. The Nightmare before Christmas (movie: 1993)

A classic among Halloween movies with its iconic opening song and the unforgettable Jack Skellington, this other stop-motion picture is the ideal mixture between the spooky and the cheerful season. Thus, it is the ideal watch for Halloween itself, celebrating both the spookiest night of the year while preparing for what’s to come.

Where to watch: Disney+

IMDb rating: 7.9/10

2. Coraline (movie: 2009)

No list of Halloween movies is complete without this iconic stop-motion picture. Its art style and plot surely made an impression upon our generation and has not lost any of its magic since its release, captivating you until its last minute

Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy)

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

1. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (TV series: 2018-2020)

This one remains one of the best-suited TV series for Halloween. With its eerie atmosphere, its complex world-building straight out of hell (literally), and its charismatic cast, you’re getting right into the mood for the night. Especially the first two seasons successfully captivate you as a watcher and leave you with a sense of eeriness that you only get this time of year.

Where to watch: Netflix

IMDb rating: 7.4/10

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