As Halloween nears and students begin to look for a late night scare, many turn to horror movies to do the trick. The go-to movies tend to be the same few popular thrillers, including “Saw”, “Halloween”, “Scream”, “The Shining”, or “It”. For those looking for something they’ve never seen before, I urge you to take a chance with a few of my favorite, underrated horror films.

“Lights Out” – 2016:

The main character Rebecca, played by Teresa Palmer, spends her childhood terrified of what claimed the dark and shadows in her home. When Rebecca returns, she quickly realizes that her mentally ill mother’s “imaginary friend” has come back to prey on her little brother. The one twist? This supernatural woman can only hunt in the dark and will kill if given the opportunity. Rebecca must find a way to save her brother and herself from the wrath of the spirit.

This is a film with a more interesting plot that pulls together very well at the end. I love the unique take it has on the supernatural genre, and every part of the story line is thrilling and horrifying. This would be a great idea for those who enjoy watching a scary movie with more of a plot instead of baseless jump-scares, and also for those who are afraid of the dark.

“Us” – 2019:

A family of four, the Wilsons, return to a beachfront home where the mother, Adelaine (Lupita Nyong’o), used to go as a child. Ever since a traumatic experience that happened to her there when she was younger, she is on edge and afraid that something bad will happen again. She is proven right when attackers in masks suddenly appear in front of their home late at night. They are pursued by the attackers and eventually realize, once the masks come off, they are face to face with exact doppelgängers. 

Directed by Jordan Peele, “Us” is a mind-twisting and strange story. It leaves you with questions and surprise by the end of the story. This film is great for those that love a good plot and a complex point of view. The actors/actresses in this movie are amazing, and they portray the fear yet intelligence of the main family very well. Once I started watching, I was pulled in until the end and fell in love with the story line.

“The Babadook” – 2014:

After violently losing her husband, a mother (Essie Davis) has to take care of her young son alone. Difficulties arise when her son begins to act rash due to his fear of a monster that has been hiding around the house. After a while of believing her son was crazy, the mother begins to suspect he’s telling the truth after strange and frightening things start to happen to her.

“The Babadook” is one of the most unique horror movies I’ve seen. It portrays the topics of family issues and mental health in a new and interesting way. After watching this movie with my cousin, we found ourselves thinking about it and quoting it for hours after. With a ninety eight percent rotten tomato rating, you are bound to be on edge your whole watch.

“Terrifier 2” – 2022:

Previous movie villain, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) and a new younger girl clown begin to torment a town around the time of Halloween. They set their goals to kill a girl and her brother. On the dark, holiday night, they must fight for their lives.

A sequel to the first “Terrifier” movie, “Terrifier 2” is a gory slasher that also has hints of humor. Although I was afraid while watching this film in theaters, I found myself laughing at the stupidity of the movie and the unseriousness of Art the Clown. The character design in this movie is retro and colorful, and I found Art’s design to be over the top scary. “Terrifier 2” is a great choice for those that love bloody movies but also find joy in a laugh mid-movie.

“Sinister” – 2012:

A true-crime novel writer, husband, and father of two makes his first mistake when he moves into the house he is writing about. He is intrigued by the past murders and disappearances that have happened in the old home. After a thorough search of the house, he finds a box of films, all of which contain gruesome footage. When his kids and wife start to experience strange and paranormal things, the husband must solve the mystery and also save his family.

“Sinister” is one of my favorite horror movies of all time. It has strong story building and focuses more on the plot than the gore. It feels like you are figuring out the murders with the main character and this really brings a spooky feeling to your watch. If you are one to dislike jump-scares and love a good story line, this movie is a great paranormal film.

Whether scary movies are your favorite or your worst enemy, I urge you to try something new this Halloween. There is such a large variety of films to choose from, anyone can find their match. Keep searching for something to give you goosebumps, and remember to make the most of this spooky season.