This post has been recycled now over 3 Halloween seasons and updated for this year. Some of my favorite horror flicks that fit in perfectly with the chills you’re looking for on Halloween (not necessarily the greatest or scariest moves ever though).

Ready to be scared this Halloween? Here’s a list of some of my favorite Halloween fright flicks.

1) The Exorcist 20th Anniversary Edition * * * * out of four
The scariest and most controversy- provoking movie ever stands the test of time and surpasses all modern day horror movies with its suspense, gore, and story. Not for the faint of heart or stomach.

2) Rosemary’s Baby * * * 1/2 out of four
A purely psychological classic thriller about a woman who may be carrying Satan’s baby. It will keep you awake at night for a few days.

3) Halloween - * * * out of four
The father of all slasher movies, the film’s musical score and suspense keep it atop of the myriad of sequels and copies to come out in years since. Moves slowly sometimes, but has a thrilling final half hour.

4) Friday the 13th – * * * out of four
The series quickly went downhill after the first one, but the tale of Camp Crystal lake will frighten you and make you realize why they made so many copycats. Oddly enough, Jason Vorhees (the hockey masked killer of the series) is sans hockey mask, and only appears in the film for two minutes. Stick with the original, not the remake.

5) Saw * * * out of four
While the now yearly, Halloween tradition of somewhat silly sequels have ruined the brand, the original Saw is a great low-budget gore fest with some clever plot twists. The many torture/horror flicks that this film kicked off have also tarnished the genre, but this one’s a great Halloween watch.

6) Paranormal Activity * * * out of four
Everything the Blair Witch Project tried to be but wasn’t (i.e. scary), this little gem offers no gore, no plot, and no outright scares. But the tension that builds slowly, then quickly, will have you jumping more than any grisly scene or BOO! you can imagine. But don’t worry, they saved a good boo! or two that will have many flying out of their seats as the end unfolds. Watch it in the dark. Don’t watch it alone. And stop grabbing me so tight.

7) Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2 * * 1/2 out of four
From the director of Spider-Man, these films make absolutely no sense and are purely a showcase of outrageous gore for no point. A group of young adults is stuck in a cabin, and then people get posessed by something, and stuff starts getting cut off. Then it’s over.

Leave the lights on.

Happy Halloween from Craigo. Yes this pumpkin is supposed to say Craigo.

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Honorable Mention

Shaun of the Dead * * * out of four
While not in the traditional Halloween sense (hence omission from the main list) one of the finest homage/spoofs of all time. Hysterical at times, and truly jump out of your seat scary at others. If you get tired of all the campy horror stuff and haven’t seen this, do not miss it. An experience unto itself.

Scream * * * out of four
Sometimes we forget how semi-revolutionary this film was, both as an homage to all the great 80′s flicks that overstayed their welcome, and a pretty frightening horror flick on its own. Keeps something of a Halloween spirit, but doesn’t quite fit the bill. Included here as it is a tribute to many of the other top films listed above and does just nicely.

Dishonorable Mention

Trick ‘R Treat – * out of four stars
It has all the trappings of being the new epic standard for Halloween movies. After it was supposed to be released on Halloween but sat in limbo for years, never getting a theater unveiling, it is easy to understand why. A few intertwined stories that make no sense, a few good references to traditional Halloween garb, but overwhelmed by the sheer nonsense and purely disgusting images for no purpose that it throws at you nonstop. If you make it to the end you may never want to celebrate Halloween again. No matter what anyone tells you, this movie is a loser.