Let’s be real, October just wouldn’t be the same without a solid Halloween movie marathon. Bone-chilling frights or cuddly spooky atmosphere, there’s something special about lowering the lights, getting the popcorn out, and letting the mood envelop you. Halloween movies are a worldwide phenomenon, half fright night, half nostalgia fest, and every nation has its go-tos. So, which films truly dominate screens across the world when spooky season hits? Let’s dive into the 10 most-watched Halloween movies worldwide, from animated gems to terrifying classics and maybe even a few surprises.
10. Kiki’s Delivery Service
A soft witch and her chatty cat may not yell “Halloween horror,” but Kiki’s Delivery Service is evidence that all October staples don’t have to be scary. Hayao Miyazaki’s tale of a young witch discovering her place in the world is packed with heart, charm, and a pinch of magic, and thus making it a seasonal favorite film throughout the U.S. and worldwide. At times, a broomstick and some hope are all the Halloween cheer you can handle.
9. Scooby-Doo
Ruh-roh! The whole world’s beloved mystery-busting gang has been unmasking boogeymen for decades, and lo and behold, their ghostly-but-goofy escapades still attract record-breaking Halloween crowds. You don’t need blood and ghouls to have a fantastic Halloween vibe; all it takes is a good dog, a van, and lots of Scooby Snacks.
8. Coraline
If button eyes don’t haunt your dreams after watching Coraline, you’re made of stronger stuff than most. This stop-motion masterpiece perfectly balances eerie tension and childlike wonder. It’s a go-to pick for families who want a Halloween movie that’s creepy enough to thrill but still safe for younger viewers.
7. The Sixth Sense
Few films have left their mark on pop culture like The Sixth Sense. From its eerie atmosphere to that mind-blowing plot twist, it’s no wonder this ghostly thriller continues to reign supreme over Halloween marathons globally. Just don’t forget you may begin to see dead people, too.
6. What We Do in the Shadows
Who makes vampires frightening? Taika Waititi’s humorous mockumentary turns the genre on its ear, tracking a cohort of undead housemates as they battle contemporary life. It’s wry, silly, and endlessly quotable, the ideal Halloween viewing when you’d prefer to laugh rather than scream.
5. Insidious
For fans of true jump scares, Insidious is still one of the scariest contemporary horror movies to experience. Its unsettling sound design and spooky atmosphere make it a must-recommend choice for viewers who love pushing their nerves to the limit and possibly leaving a nightlight on afterwards.
4. Donnie Darko
Half-time-travel thriller, half psychological brain-twister, Donnie Darko deserves its cult following as an offbeat Halloween classic. Between the disturbing rabbit and the eerie score, it’s the sort of film that gets in your head long after the credits stop rolling, ideal for fans who enjoy their Halloween spooky rather than scary.
3. Hocus Pocus
It’s not Halloween without the Sanderson sisters. Hocus Pocus is unadulterated nostalgic fun, a combination of witchy pandemonium, 90s appeal, and singalong fun that has rendered it an international October tradition. If you grew up with it or simply stumbled upon it, there’s no doubting its enchanting, enduring appeal.
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban / Coraline (Tie)
Here’s a twofer! Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban darkens the tone of the wizarding universe, which makes it a hit come autumn. Meanwhile, Coraline (yes, again) keeps entrancing audiences from several nations around the world, demonstrating that spooky animation is a language unto its own.
1. IT
Top of the list and deservedly so is IT. Pennywise the Dancing Clown has frightened audiences worldwide, making Stephen King’s horror-fiction creature the most viewed Halloween movie in the world. The 2017 remake alone dominated charts in more than 50 nations. Safe to say, IT made coulrophobia go global.
Not everyone, however, gets to watch these movies the same way. Globally, horror movies have frequently had to fight against censorship. In Britain during the 1980s, the phenomenon of the so-called “video nasties” resulted in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and The Evil Dead, among others, being banned as classics. Portugal’s repressive Estado Novo regime once withheld all but a handful of horror releases, and in China, movie directors are still required to rationalize the supernatural with “scientific” plot devices such as ghosts manifesting as hallucinations or gas escapes.
So why do we continue hitting play on these frightening favorites every year? Perhaps it’s the comfortable rush of adrenaline, a way to face our fears without an exit from the couch. Perhaps it’s nostalgia, or the happiness of screaming (and laughing) with those we care about. Whatever the cause, these 10 movies have earned their place in Halloween lore as the perfect combination of scares, thrills, and a dash of movie magic to send us through the season.