Streaming Halloween and Horror Favorites from We Live Entertainment
As the haunting season is upon us, WeLiveEntertainment writers & fans give their favorite streaming Halloween & Horror films. Check out our list and comment with your favorites!
Mark Krawczyk: Starry Eyes, Netflix
This is a dark look at the lengths at which a young woman will go to for her big break in Hollywood. It is twisted in many ways, and the ending sticks with you. It is not action packed but a slow burn that plays with many expectations. The direction is great, and it is one of those unique horror films. It may not be for every horror fan out there, especially ones who like the action and jump scares. But if you enjoy dark, atmospheric, tension-filled movies with a bit of an odd twist, Starry Eyes should be on the list.
Spencer Moleda: The Village, Netflix
I know what you’re thinking: “THE VILLAGE? More like THE SHILLAGE, ‘cause you’d have to be bribed to recommend that shit.” Not so. In fact, the most divisive film in M. Night Shyamalan’s early catalog is, for my money, the once-maverick filmmaker’s last truly compelling work before spring-boarding pike position off the deep end. Its story of an isolated community in constant fear of a vicious unknown is, though perhaps a bit loosely-detailed, an inherently interesting one, especially as the much-maligned twist ending reveals the story’s true objective: to illustrate the fictions people create to avoid facing their deepest pains. Match that to James Newton Howard’s sweetly paranoid score, rustic cinematography by the great Roger Deakins, and one of Bryce Dallas Howard’s crowning performances, and what you have is a film that plays to all of Shyamalan’s signature strengths as a spookhouse auteur. Just don’t watch Lady in the Water afterward. Please. For your own sake.
Matt Marshall: Psycho, Netflix
Nearly 60 years after its release, ‘Psycho’ is just as effective as it was in 1960 as it is today. Alfred Hitchcock’s master class in psychological storytelling rattles you right down to the bone. While the entire film is unforgettable from start to finish, the horrific shower scene is what sticks in so many minds. Try taking a shower after watching Psycho. It’s the same nerve-wracking effect as swimming in the ocean after watching Jaws. Anthony Perkins is perfect as Norman Bates, who only a mother could love. While Psycho spawned three more sequels and a solid TV series recently on A&E, the original is a must to watch. Watching during Halloween makes the horror classic even more enjoyable.
Tony Estrada: Creep, Netflix
When it comes to found-footage horror movies, this is a genre I can’t stand because it’s normally just the same ol’ schtick with stupid dialogue, awful characters, and nothing frightening happening. Creep is possibly the best found-footage horror film I’ve seen because it does something other found-footage horror movies really fail to do. You’re only following two characters throughout this entire film yet both of these characters stand out because the performances by Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice is very believable. The film’s balance of being creepy and funny was also executed very properly. Creep earns its title, and its use of found-footage was clever — this is a film I recommend giving a try if you haven’t seen it.
Gabriel Alcantara: Train to Busan, Netflix
Alright, so Train to Busan is currently streaming on Netflix, but dude, it’s worth having in your collection. For years, South Korea has excelled in the Action and Horror genre. Korean filmmakers always find ways to take used up genre clichés and make them feel fresh and inventive. This zombie apocalyptic action-horror film is destined to be a cult classic. Throughout most of the 118 minute running time, there is hardly a moment to relax. This is one of the most action-packed, incredibly paced zombie films in recent memory, which often plays out like a disaster film. The gore level is just right, not excessive. The zombie makeup and stuntwork are pretty terrifying. The idea of being stuck on a bullet train with zombies, not knowing if there is a safe destination to go to is pretty f**king scary in itself. There are actual characters to care about instead of eagerly waiting for each one to get chomped up, with the exception of a scumbag coward who repeatedly shoves people into hordes of zombies to save himself. In the midst of all the zombie action, there’s a surprising amount of heartfelt drama – some that might wreck you. Yeah, be prepared for an insane ride you’re gonna wanna enjoy over the Halloween season. Hell, maybe even Thanksgiving.
Corinne Donnelly: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, Netflix
This highly underrated horror-comedy stars Alan Tudyk, most beloved for playing Wash (“I am a leaf on the wind!”) in Firefly and Tyler Labine, primarily known for his prolific work in television. What I love most about this film is that, much like TheCabin in the Woods (2011), it pokes fun at oversaturated horror movie tropes. While it’s not as highly produced as other movies in the genre, it boasts a talented cast, which includes relative newcomers Katrina Bowden (the film’s ‘final girl,’ in a sense) and Jesse Moss. With campy gore, exaggerated characters, and a clever and hilarious script, this movie is perfect for all film aficionados, even those people who readily admit they’re not fond of horror movies.
Sabina Graves: Housebound, Netflix
After being placed under house arrest, a young woman has to serve her time in her childhood home. After a few days with her quirky mother and the threat of an unnatural presence, she’s reminded of why she left in the first place. Gerard Johnstone wrote and directed this New Zealand indie horror flick; he’s the current scribe on Justice League Dark which is exciting because Housebound plays within so many genres. It has genuine scary moments; it’s campy, it’s funny and has great characters. Rima Te Wiata from Taikia Waititi’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople also stars!
Ashley Menzel: Beyond the Gates, Netflix
Beyond the Gates is a perfect balance of humor, horror, and adventure. It encompasses everything that was great about 80s horror movies and brings it back to a new audience to enjoy and appreciate. I have never had so much fun at a horror movie! I strongly suggest that you journey Beyond the Gates!
Daniel Rester: Night of the Living Dead (1968), Amazon Video
George A. Romero sadly passed away this July. But he left behind a legacy in the horror genre. This includes his landmark Night of the Living Dead. The film changed the zombie sub-genre forever and remains creepy and entertaining to this day; its stark cinematography and basement scene remain standout elements. I listed the film as the 8th best horror film of all time on my Top 100 Horror Films article for a reason. Even if you’re not a big horror fan, the film is still a must-see. You can check out Night of the Living Dead on Youtube and Amazon Video this Halloween season, and I highly recommend you do.
Nile Fortner: Tales of Halloween, Netflix
Much like the movie ‘Trick ‘r Treat, this is a new Halloween classic for me, and a movie I will watch every Halloween season. Ten short stories revolve around ghosts, ghouls, monsters, the devil, aliens, and ax murderers who terrorize a suburb on Halloween night. At times, the stories don’t blend well with each other and come off as cheesy. But I’m someone who likes cheese. This movie did what ‘Trick ‘r Treat’ did so well, that is it looks and truly captures the look and feel of Halloween for me. I find the segments, “Sweet Tooth,” “Trick,” “The Night Billy Raised Hell,” “Friday the 31st”, and “The Weak and the Wicked” to be the most interesting. It may not be the most frightening film to watch, but it’s a horror anthology I call a new cult classic. I can’t wait to put to pull out the chocolate peanut butter cups and the Blu-Ray disc to this movie and celebrate the spirit of Halloween.
Bryan Sudfield: The Shining, Netflix
The Shining changed my viewpoint on horror, as I wasn’t a huge advocate of it prior to my first viewing. Stanley Kubrick miraculously directs a heart-pounding, thought-provoking story based on Stephen King’s novel of the same novel. The performance of Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrence is one of film’s best and he elevates it to a whole new level, unlike anything Nicholson had done prior. With the beautiful cinematography and jaw-dropping score added to it as well, The Shining became that one horror film that hasn’t left my mind more than any other.
