Tis’ the season for horror! With Halloween right around the corner, you may be looking for some fun stuff to celebrate. It’s no secret that one of the best ways to enjoy Halloween is by heading to a haunted house attraction. To get the most scare for your buck, you should get in the mood by watching some great horror movies. This Halloween, watch one of these classic horror films to amp yourself up before visiting a haunted house.
The Blair Witch Project
A personal favorite, The Blair Witch Project trades out blood and gore for pure psychological terror. The film, released in 1999, depicts a group of people heading into the woods to make a documentary on the ‘blair witch.’ By using a shaky camera and a home-movie aesthetic, the film presents itself as ‘behind-the-scenes’ of a real documentary that goes horribly wrong. During the time of the film’s release, it was marketed as ‘real found footage.’
While today’s audience would quickly realize this trick, in 1999 not many people could go on the internet and quickly debunk the claim. The power of The Blair Witch Project goes far beyond the gimmick of a faux-documentary as it blends together the stressful paranoia of being lost with the unknown of the supernatural and witchcraft. Although you never see the ‘Blair Witch’ throughout the entirety of the film, it is one of those horror movies that truly sticks with you.
Rosemary’s Baby
1968’s Rosemary’s Baby works along the same ‘less is more’ approach to horror as The Blair Witch Project. While many horror movies rely on special effects and jump scares, Rosemary’s Baby uses unsettling creepiness to penetrate the mind. The story follows a married couple who recently moved into a new apartment. The husband quickly befriends some local tenants who are high-class, but terribly creepy. The entire film depicts a progressively more obvious conspiracy against the pregnant wife who doesn’t trust her husband’s new friends. You soon find that these ‘friends’ have dark plans for her baby and a taste for the occult.
Scream
If you are looking for horror movies that are more approachable, Scream is a great option. This 1996 teen slasher-film follows a young woman who was traumatized by the murder of her mother. The horror continues years later when she finds herself in the middle of a sick ‘game’ that involves scary movies. Scream not only supplies its fair share of blood and jump scares, but it’s an interesting satire of horror films in general. The 90s teens must use the logic they see in horror movies in order to escape their own situation. Also, if you love 90s nostalgia, there is no better horror movie to watch.
The Shining
This horror film released in 1980 will go down as one of the most well-made and terrifying films in history. Based off of Stephen King’s famous novel, The Shining is about a struggling writer who takes a job as a hotel caretaker for the winter. Played by Jack Nicholson, ‘Jack Torrance’ brings along his wife and young son to live in a hotel whose previous caretaker went insane and viciously murdered his family. Sounds like a great place to live right?
As the film progresses, both Jack and his son experience more and more encounters with the supernatural. While these spirits horrify the boy, Jack becomes slowly seduced and begins identifying with the previous, murderous caretaker. However, The Shining is so much more than typical horror movies. The director, Stanley Kubrick, is a filmmaking legend who weaves together a chilling tale with some of the most creative and intriguing shots imaginable. Horror fanatics and film buffs alike will surely fall in love with this film.
Horror Movies – Just A Prelude
13th Hour brings horror movies to life with a haunted house that you won’t soon forget. This month is filled to the brim with screams, shrieks, and terror that you can’t find in theaters. Are you in the mood for a more challenging thrill? We have unique and thrilling escape rooms just for you. Join us to learn why we are ranked one of America’s best haunted houses.