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THS Fright-A-Thon is all about the celebration of Halloween season. To fully celebrate that season, it’s important to watch scary movies of all kinds, new ones, old ones, whatever. Starting today, September 1st, all the way to October 31st, there’ll be at least one, sometimes two, movies to watch. The first month in September is a celebration of the newer movies. There are those out there that love to exclaim “HORROR IS DEAD, NO ONE MAKES ORIGINAL MOVIES ANYMORE” whenever a remake or a sequel gets announced. We here at Fright-A-Thon and THS like to celebrate scary movies of all kinds, so we’ll shine a spotlight on those newer movies you might not have heard of.
However, all the classics come out to play in October—underrated movies from across horror film history. If you’re looking for gems that you might have missed out on, this is where you need to look.
That change from August 31st to September 1st signifies something. It means the leaves are changing, the air gets crisp, the heat packs it’s bags and goes away. The pumpkins and ghouls of the night come out to play. That creepy feeling at the back of your neck comes back when you look into the dark.
Without further ado, here is the 2024 Fright-A-Thon Movie Marathon.
September 1st: Abigail (2024)
Abigail is a victim of terrible marketing on Universal’s part. It didn’t get the push that it needed to succeed with audiences. It was also released at a strange time in the year for a horror movie. Those, combined with a general malaise at the box office in early 2024 sank what should have been a surefire hit. Luckily, you can watch Abigail on Peacock or on Blu-ray pretty easily. It comes from Radio Silence (the wonderful people behind Scream (2022) and Ready Or Not) and stars Melissa Barrera, Kathryn Newton, Dan Stevens, Alisha Weir, Kevin Durand, and the late Angus Cloud. If you’re in the mood for a throwback horror flick that’s also hilarious at points, Abigail is for you.
Read our review of Abigail here.
September 2nd: Destroy All Neighbors (2024)
Destroy All Neighbors is weird. It’s strange. And it’s just as awesome as that poster looks. For fans of prog-rock and Alex Winter getting in a silly costume with grotesque makeup, this one is for you. It stars Jonah Ray Rodrigues, Alex Winter, and Kiran Deol, alongside some puppets and animatronics. What happens when a neighbor from hell moves in next door? You get Destroy All Neighbors. It’s on Shudder and Blu-ray right now. If you’re any kind of creative person that’s trying to perfect your art, you’ll want to see Destroy All Neighbors.
Read our review of Destroy All Neighbors here.
September 3rd: In A Violent Nature (2024)
In A Violent Nature is a delightful premise. It’s a slasher movie, set from the perspective of the slasher, complete with dumb teenagers doing dumb things. The kills here are the main attraction, with some truly great ones sprinkled throughout. Where some people might get more mileage than I did with the film though, is the sort of arthouse aesthetic in the entire thing. The film ends in a way that you wouldn’t really expect. This one is available to rent and should be heading to Shudder at some point soon.
Read our review of In A Violent Nature here.
September 4th: The Inheritance (2024)
The Inheritance comes from the same wonderful people who wrote Soul Mates last year (Chris LaMont and Joe Russo). The movie focuses on a family of yuppies who all really kind of hate each other. You might think this is something like Knives Out or Succession, but there’s a supernatural element added in that explains how this family got all their money. Armed with an exceptional ensemble cast featuring Peyton List, Rachel Nichols, Austin Stowell, Bob Gunton, David Walton, and Briana Middleton, The Inheritance has enough scares and creature effects to satisfy any horror hound. The Inheritance is available for rental right now.
Check out our review of The Inheritance here.
September 5th: Oddity (2024)
Oddity might have slipped by some horror fans this year, but you really shouldn’t let it. It’s one of the most frightening films of the year. That creepy ass statue on the poster? It’s as scary as you think it is. The narrative structure of the film is a little strange but it makes for a more interesting mystery in the film. When night falls in the house, Oddity really hits its stride. Through it all, this is a classic ghost story that’ll keep you up at night with the lights on. You can rent Oddity right now and it’ll be available on Shudder later in the year.
Read our review of Oddity here.
September 6th: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024)
Yes, it’s the return of a classic horror-esque character in Beetlejuice. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice releases in theaters on September 6th, so you’ll have to catch it in theaters in time for Halloween season. The new film follows the daughter of Lydia Deetz, played by Jenna Ortega. It also stars Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe, Monica Bellucci, and Justin Theroux. Tim Burton is back to direct this one 30 years after the first film. We’ll have to see how it turns out.
Read our review of Betlejuice Beetlejuice here.
September 7th: Lisa Frankenstein (2024)
Another movie on the list for these newer films that was absolutely dumped by the studio in theaters. Lisa Frankenstein comes from Zelda Williams and was written by Diablo Cody. It stars newfound scream queen Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. This is a strange one that combines a sort of alternate world ’80s aesthetic with a zombified love story. Kathryn Newton takes it to a new level with her performance and you get some surprisingly bloody moments throughout. Watch this one on Prime Video or Blu-ray.
Read our review of Lisa Frankenstein here.
September 8th: Immaculate (2024)
I know what you’re thinking. Oh, har har, a horror movie with everyone’s favorite new actress Sydney Sweeney; it’s probably terrible, right? Oh hell no. Immaculate does not f*ck around. Sydney Sweeney has wanted to do this movie even before her massive rise in popularity. She used that rise to get the movie produced and everything. Combine it with the next movie on our list and you have a completely messed up duo of religious horror flicks. You have to see immaculate to believe it. You can watch Immaculate on Hulu or Blu-ray.
Read our review of immaculate here.
September 9th: The First Omen (2024)
Adding to our double-day feature of “this movie does not f*ck around” is The First Omen. This movie flat-out should not have worked. It’s a prequel to a legendary horror movie made after multiple decades. Except, it does. It works incredibly well and Nell Tiger Free should be up for awards consideration based on her performance in this movie. Frightening doesn’t do a good enough job of describing what you’ll feel during The First Omen. Just watch it for yourself. They even made it easy to watch these two back to back, The First Omen is also streaming on Hulu.
Read our review of The First Omen here.
September 10th: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)
Do you remember the cartoon Extreme Ghostbusters? That’s a lot what Ghosbusters: Frozen Empire felt like. Sure, it has the old Ghostbusters running around, but the focus is more on the new team that’s building. The forces of good and evil get the story here, with a faction of ancient Ghostbusters, basically, getting called upon. It stars McKenna Grace, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Paul Rudd, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Kumail Nanjiani, Annie Potts, Patton Oswalt, William Atherton, and Emily Alyn Lind. This sequel actually ends up more in the terrifying side of things, especially with the monster designs. It’s a darker, more adult sequel than Ghostbusters: Afterlife ended up as. You can stream this on Netflix or watch it on Blu-ray/4K.
Read our review of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire here.
September 11th: Cuckoo (2024)
Cuckoo is still in theaters, but should be arriving on Hulu to stream at some point this Halloween season. The movie is wild. Hunter Schaefer stars alongside Dan Stevens and Jessica Henwick. Her performance drives the film from NEON. It’s got that sort of dreamy, slow-burn aesthetic and plot that seems normal on the surface but quickly unravels as the shocking secret is revealed.
September 12th: MaXXXine (2024)
MaXXXine might not be a straight-up horror movie like X was. But like the other two films in this trilogy (X and Pearl), it takes aim at a certain time in movies and runs with it. This time around MaXXXine focuses on the ’80s and particularly, the dirty, nasty, shot on video horror movies of the time. Mia Goth drives the action here like she did in the first two films of this Maxxine trilogy. It’s got some spectacular kills and just feels kind of sticky watching it. MaXXXine is available for rental now, and is heading to Blu-ray later in Halloween season.
Read our review of MaXXXine here.
September 13th: Alien: Romulus (2024)
Fede Alvarez does not miss. Alien: Romulus was saved from being dumped on Hulu without a theatrical release, and we should all be thankful that we can see this in theaters. It’s currently battling at the box office, but it’ll end up on Hulu or rental at some point during Halloween season. This isn’t just one of the best horror movies of the year, it’s one of the best movies, period. The Xenomorph in this film is a killer of the highest order. Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson steal the show as Rain and Andy. It’s mean-spirited at points, giving audiences some truly gruesome visuals. Go see this in theaters while you can.
Read our review of Alien: Romulus here.
September 14th: Arcadian (2024)
Nicolas Cage saves the world. That’s basically what Arcadian gets you in the door with. The rest of the movie is a world-weary Cage leading two of his sons through an apocalyptic landscape with horrifying monsters. The monsters are grotesque, they’re nightmare fuel. Eventually his boys mess up and the well-laid plans come crashing down. If you wanted to see Nicolas Cage as a dad leading his kids through the end of the world, that’s Arcadian. It’s available to stream on Shudder.
Read our review of Arcadian here.
September 15th: A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
Did A Quiet Place need a prequel showing off what happened to the world when it went quiet? Yes and no. Most of the time these types of prequels only seem to muddy things up with more explanations of terrifying creatures. However, A Quiet Place: Day One does so with two excellent performances from Joseph Quinn and Lupita Nyong’o. The movie is equally tense and frightening, but doesn’t quite get to the point of the first film. It’s still worth your watch and is available on rental and streaming on Paramount+.
Read our review of A Quiet Place: Day One here.
September 16th: Longlegs (2024)
Was Longlegs scary? That’s the question plenty of scary movie fans asked themselves when the film released earlier this year. It really depends on your type of terror, if you’re afraid of deeply unsettling and unnerving scenes, then yes, it is. Make no mistake though, this isn’t a Skinamarink situation where you either love it or deeply hate it. Longlegs is still a great movie. Maika Monroe and Nicolas Cage go head to head for horror supremacy and we all win because of it. You can rent Longlegs right now or wait for the Blu-ray.
Read our review of Longlegs here.
September 17th: The Strangers: Chapter 1 (2024)
Here’s another movie that begs the question of whether or not it needed a prequel. Does it make The Strangers more scary to know less about them? Probably. But The Strangers Chapter 1 comes from Renny Harlin, who is an inspiration of a filmmaker. Seriously, go look up his career, he’s done things that most directors wouldn’t dream of. He convinced a studio to give him money for an Exorcist prequel, WHILE they were filming an Exorcist prequel. The Strangers Chapter 1 might have some characters that make boneheaded decisions, but that’s horror movies, after all. If they made great decisions, we wouldn’t have a movie. You can rent The Strangers Chapter 1 or wait for the Blu-ray.
Read our review of The Strangers Chapter 1 here.
September 18th: Late Night With The Devil (2024)
I remember seeing the trailer for Late Night With The Devil for the first time. I knew I was in. Luckily, the movie is also smashing. David Dastmalchian goes through an entire Halloween broadcast of a late night show that has some exceptionally strange things happen. It centers around a girl who was raised in a satanic cult and ancient demons. Trust me, it’s one of the best and most inventive horror movies of the year. Dastmalchian steals the show, but this is a hell of a cast all around. You can own Late Night With The Devil on Blu-ray or 4K UHD, rent it, or stream it on Shudder.
Read our review of Late Night With The Devil here.
September 19th: Brooklyn 45 (2023)
What happens when you get together with some lifelong friends and the literal ghosts of your past come to life? The friends gather to support their friend in a time of need, but end up needing each other more. Brooklyn 45 spins a thread of mystery all the way to the end. It gets more and more insane, and ends up as a movie you need to see, to believe. You can stream Brooklyn 45 on Shudder.
September 20th: Godzilla Minus One (2023)
Does Godzilla Minus One count as a horror movie? I don’t know, have you watched the movie? Godzilla is terrifying in this film. Entire cities are destroyed, lives are taken, the monster made from the atomic bombs is as frightening as ever. If you haven’t watched Godzilla Minus One, it was busy rampaging at the box office at the beginning of the year, but its finally arriving on Blu-ray and 4K UHD later this year.
Read our review of Godzilla Minus One here.
September 21st: Evil Dead Rise (2023)
The best horror movie of 2023 was mean-spirited, gross, icky, gooey, and just all kinds of violent. It also happened to kick a metric ton of ass. Add that all together and you get Evil Dead Rise. The action moves from the wilderness to a condemned apartment building in Los Angeles. A different tome of the Necronomicon is opened and read, and boom, you’ve got deadites. Alyssa Sutherland gives a performance as the Maggot Mommy that’ll make you turn your head at points. She’s that good and delightfully evil as the film goes on. If you enjoyed Fede Alvarez’s take on Evil Dead, this is a bit more like that, than the original films. You can stream Evil Dead Rise on Max or buy the Blu-ray.
Read our review of Evil Dead Rise here.
September 22nd: It’s A Wonderful Knife (2023)
It’s A Wonderful Knife comes from Michael Kennedy, who also wrote Freaky. Both movies will make you question why you didn’t think of the idea first. However, It’s A Wonderful Knife asks the question of what would happen if Jimmy Stewart was actually a murderer in that original Frank Capra classic. The kills here are pretty nice and you get an exceptional sh*t-eating grin performance from Justin Long. Jane Widdop and Jess McLeod are both excellent in this holiday slasher. Watch this one on Shudder, rental, or grab the Blu-ray.
Read our review of It’s A Wonderful Knife here.
September 23rd: No One Will Save You (2023)
No One Will Save You was kind of dumped on Hulu without much fanfare. Like a lot of the 20th Century Films movies that Disney acquired in that merger, it didn’t have much press behind it. However, the movie brings together alien home invasion (literally) and a silent film. That silent addition of the film, much like A Quiet Place, makes the film that much more terrifying. Kaitlin Dever carries the entire film, battling aliens and seemingly finding her place in the world. It’s a wonderful watch. You can stream it on Hulu.
Read our review of No One Will Save You here.
September 24th: Renfield (2023)
The unofficial theme of the 2024 Fright-A-Thon movie marathon might just be “movies that the studio stupidly dumped with no fanfare to die a slow death at the box office.” Renfield was another of those movies. It has an exceptional premise: what happens if Dracula and Renfield survive the events of the novel, and Nicolas Cage plays Dracula? The movie is balls to the wall action, hilarity, and just an all-around good time. Nicholas Hoult is perfect as Renfield and obviously Cage does an amazing job as Dracula. If you didn’t catch this one, it’s streaming on Peacock or on Blu-ray.
Read our review of Renfield here.
September 25th: Scream VI (2023)
Scream VI was much hyped after the excellent Scream (2022). Radio Silence returned to direct the film, continuing the storyline from the last film. Sam and Tara Carpenter are in college now, and a new Ghostface rises to kill them and their friends. There’s no Neve Campbell, because Spyglass Media couldn’t pony up the money for her, but you get some great work from Courteney Cox, Hayden Panettiere, and the rest of the cast. This one is just as bloody, violent, and hard-hitting as the last, and even wraps up the Carpenter story nicely. They won’t be returning for Scream 7 when that releases in theaters next year. You can stream this one on Paramount+ or grab the Blu-ray.
Read our review of Scream VI here.
September 26th: Suitable Flesh (2023)
Are you a prude? Do you not like sexual scenes in your movie? What about if you add sloppy, gooey textures to those sexual scenes? If you answered yes to any of those questions, you should watch Suitable Flesh because it’s excellent. The movie from director Joe Lynch is a love letter to Stuart Gordon’s films of the ’80s and ’90s, but it still makes its own thing. Heather Graham is jaw-dropping in an almost double role, and Judah Lewis sheds whatever teeny-bopper actor skin he had before and is, quite simply, devilish. Add in Barbara Crampton, and you’ve got a modern-day horror classic. You can grab this one on Blu-ray or watch it on Shudder.
Read our review of Suitable Flesh here.
September 27th: Thanksgiving (2023)
Take the mystery element of Scream and add in a dash of Eli Roth’s trademark violence and gore effects. That’s what Thanksgiving is at its heart. This one was an absolute treat just after Halloween last year and gives us a Thanksgiving slasher to love. John Carver is an immediate slasher classic character. Patrick Dempsey, Rick Hoffman, Milo Manheim, Addison Rae, Nell Velaque, and Karen Cliche star in Thanksgiving, and you’ll be surprised just how good some of them are. It’s like every actor wanted to make the audience think they’re as suspicious as possible. You can watch this one on Netflix or grab the Blu-ray.
Read our review of Thanksgiving here.
September 28th: The Pope’s Exorcist (2023)
The Pope’s Exorcist had no right being as good as it was. The movie starring Russell Crowe as the Pope’s personal exorcist could have been overly silly. However, we ended up with a historical-based movie (Gabriele Amorth was a real person) about the International Association of Exorcists. It takes some twists and turns; all the while, Russell Crowe is chewing up scenery and riding a Vespa around town. This one is getting a sequel, and it’s well-worth a Halloween season watch. You can stream it on Netflix or grab the Blu-ray.
September 29th: V/H/S/85 (2023)
V/H/S/85 is another entry in the long-running anthology horror series. Once they fully moved over to Shudder, the series has never been better. V/H/S/85 takes place in the vaunted ’80s, which is a hell of a decade for horror. It has segments directed by Scott Derrickson, Gigi Saul Guerrero, David Bruckner, Natasha Kermani, and Mike Nelson. You have to watch this one, it’s definitely up there with the best in the series. Check it out on Shudder or grab the Blu-ray.
September 30th: Saw X (2023)
Saw X also had no business being as good as it was. As the tenth entry in the series, you don’t know what you’re going to get. We saw Jason Voorhees go to space of all places in the tenth entry to the Friday the 13th series. Saw X goes back to basics with this film, setting it between Saw 2 and 3. Jigsaw is a broken man, getting a seemingly hail mary for his cancer treatment, except it’s all a lie. This one plays out more like a revenge-action flick than a horror movie at times, where you’re 100% behind Jigsaw giving these horrible people what they deserve. Between all of that, you get some nice reflection of his character, and loads of gore. The tenth film might just end up being the best in the series. You can stream Saw X on Hulu or grab the Blu-ray.
Read our review of Saw X here.
October 1st: Trick ‘R Treat (2007)
Now we’re into the classic movies portion of the Halloween Movie Marathon. Trick ‘R Treat is about as classic as they come for a movie released in 2007. It’s a Halloween institution. We get the rules for the holiday from Sam, and you better bet that if you don’t treat the holiday with respect, he’s gonna get you. The anthology format of the film only adds to the feeling that you get when you’re a kid around the Halloween season. This one gets better and better as the years go on, and now we just need a sequel. You can rent this one, stream it on Max, or grab the excellent Blu-ray from Scream Factory.
October 2nd: Night Of The Living Dead (1990)
Yes, you read that right, we’re suggesting the 1990 remake of Night Of The Living Dead for the Halloween marathon this year. It’s directed by the effects master Tom Savini and features horror legends like Bill Mosely, Tony Todd, and William Butler. It adds vibrant color and that early ’90s movie aesthetic for a remake that’s not as good as the original, but still well worth a watch. Characters are changed from the original film, like Barbara, who is more than just a catatonic body this time around. If you’re gonna remake a classic, at least make it your own, Savini does that here. This one is available on physical media or for rent.
October 3rd: Carnival Of Souls (1962)
There’s not too many of you out there that have seen Carnival Of Souls, unless you’re a fan of The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs. That’s where I first saw this movie and every horror fan needs to see it. Carnival of Souls is surreal, dreamy, and just has this underlying feeling of dread throughout. It was shot on location, in chronologic order, and it all shows. Herk Harvey only did one “feature film” but it was a good one. You can stream this one on Shudder.
October 4th: Effects (1979)
Here’s another one that you likely haven’t seen. Effects took a group of people working on George A. Romero’s Dawn of the Dead, and they decided to make their own movie. It has Tom Savini, and shows off some great special effects. It begins to blur the line between horror movie and movie about making movies, which is a great pairing. As the film goes on the director gets more and more evil in his intentions about making a documentary about a film shoot gone wrong. Grab the physical media release of this one from Synapse Films or Vinegar Syndrome.
October 5th: Beyond The Gates (2016)
Take Jumanji and add a VHS tape aspect to it. Beyond The Gates tells the story of two brothers coming back together after their father’s disappearance. Inventive, fun, and it has the enigmatic Barbara Crampton in it. It’s a deadly game for anyone that plays it and the brothers have to play their way out of danger and unravel the mystery of their father. This one came out in 2016 and needs more people to watch it. This one is available to rent or stream on Shudder.
October 6th: Cutting Class (1989)
That is Brad Pitt in a late ’80s slasher flick. Cutting Class is about high school student Paula Carson, who is being lusted after by two teenage boys, Dwight (Pitt) and Brian, a disturbed young man who’s recently been released from a mental hospital after the mysterious death of his father. Murders start happening, and it goes from there. This also features Roddy McDowall and Martin Mull in sizeable roles. It’s a nice slice of late-’80s slasher goodness. Grab the Blu-ray from Vinegar Syndrome or stream it on Peacock or Prime.
October 7th: The Invisible Maniac (1990)
Is The Invisible Maniac the peak of film? No. Is it a fun raunchy comedy slasher? Yes. The performances here range from terrible to serviceable, but when people are fighting the “invisible” killer, they’re actually doing a pretty good job. This one features plenty of early-’90s cliches for this type of movie. If you’re into a bit of horny horror, you can do worse on an evening than The Invisible Maniac. Grab the physical media release from Vinegar Syndrome or watch it on Plex.
October 8th: Sleepwalkers (1992)
Mick Garris, Stephen King, Madchen Amick, and lots of cats. That’s what you need to know about Sleepwalkers. The movie brings to life Stephen King’s first story exclusively written for the screen. It even has cameos from Clive Barker, Mark Hamill, Stephen King, and Tobe Hooper. It’s sexually-charged and moody as hell. The transformation scenes are worth the price of admission alone, but if you’ve never checked out Sleepwalkers, you need to. Watch the Blu-ray from Scream Factory or rent it wherever you get your movies.
October 9th: Arachnophobia (1990)
Arachnophobia feels like it goes together with Sleepwalkers in a double feature. It features some of the best acting that you’ll ever see from a spider. It also has John Goodman absolutely tearing it up on screen alongside Jeff Daniels, Julian Sands, and Peter Jason. A local California town is taken over by spiders and it’s up to doctors and a local exterminator to annihilate the arachnid problem. If you’re scared of spiders, this one will test your mettle, but it’s definitely a fun time watching a movie. Grab the Blu-ray or rent this one.
October 10th: Manhunter (1986)
We wrote about Manhunter for the first ever Fright-A-Thon back in 2020, but the movie gets better and better the more I watch it. It might not be the *best* Hannibal Lecktor (spelled like that in this movie), but Brian Cox‘s schoolboy charm and biting wit set Anthony Hopkins up to give the performance of a lifetime in Silence of the Lambs. Michael Mann‘s directing and a haunting soundtrack make this one a perfect “early Halloween” film. You can stream this one on Prime, rent it, or track down the out-of-print Scream Factory Blu-ray.
October 11th: Terrifier 3 (2024)
Terrifier 3 sets up to be the biggest and baddest of the series so far with a theatrical release on October 11th. David Howard Thornton and Damien Leone have created a new slasher icon for a new generation of horror fans. Terrifier 2 had audiences throwing up, passing out, and running for the exits. Now Art the Clown takes on Christmas and brings his trademarked brand of violence. We’ll have to see how this one turns out when it hits theaters.
October 12th: Return Of The Living Dead III (1993)
Speaking of sequels that somewhat reinvented what the series was all about, Return Of The Living Dead 3 took the jokey, unserious tone of the first two films and adds in a dash of romance. Brian Yuzna directs this one with some exceptional gore effects and a horror performance for the ages by Melinda Clarke as Julie Walker. It’s less comedic, but just as good in a different way than the first two films. Vestron Video has an excellent Blu-ray release of this and you can rent it on AppleTV.
October 13th: Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986)
Without Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives, we wouldn’t have Scream or Wes Craven’s New Nightmare. Meta horror movies ran because this movie walked. It’s not just the best Friday the 13th sequel, it might be the best movie in the series. Jason Lives takes what made the hockey mask-wearing killer scary, and amps it up. The sequence in the third act at Camp Crystal Lake has real consequences and scares. Jason is gonna go after a bunch of kid campers, and Tommy (Thom Matthews), Megan (Jennifer Cooke), and Sheriff Garris (David Kagan) have to stop him. It injected new life into the series after the dud that was A New Beginning. This one has a stunning Blu-ray from Scream Factory and is on Max to stream.
October 14th: The Dentist (1996)
I didn’t think Corbin Bernsen could be this scary, but here we are. The dentist is already scary enough in real life, when you add in the fact that this one is a murdering psycho, it gets even scarier. Brian Yuzna directs a script from Dennis Paoli and the master of horror Stuart Gordon. Between Bernsen, Ken Foree, Earl Boen, and a young Mark Ruffalo, you have plenty of horror royalty on this film. This one has an excellent release on Blu-ray from Vestron Video and is on Shudder.
October 15th: Doctor Giggles (1992)
Larry Drake was born to play this character. It’s a shame that we didn’t get more Dr. Giggles films, because Drake is so goddamn good. A madman who thinks he’s a doctor comes out for revenge against the town that killed his father. A girl with a heart condition and a terrible step-mom gets caught in the crossfire. Dr. Giggles has some inventive kills and a medical theme, and will make you rethink heading to the doctor around Halloween time. Get the excellent 4K or Blu-ray from Scream Factory or stream it on Shudder or Prime.
October 16th: Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022)
Sam Raimi doesn’t miss, especially with superheroes. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is 100% a horror movie and it’s also one of the best MCU movies ever. You get Benedict Cumberbatch playing multiple versions of Doctor Strange, Elizabeth Olsen going full evil witch mode, and a multiversal story that actually makes sense. The Scarlet Witch is as terrifying as they come in comic book movies. The MCU has yet to equal what Sam Raimi and Co. did on this film. Seeing a zombified Doctor Strange fly with wings made of demons is a real highlight. This one is available to stream on Disney+ and has an excellent 4K UHD release.
Read our review of Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness here.
October 17th: Ed Wood (1994)
Ed Wood the movie might not be a strict horror movie, but the movies the (in)famous director made were definitely horror flicks. This is another “movie about making movies” and it’s one of the most hopeful and joyous films on the subject. If you want to make art, just go out and do it. Who cares what people say about it, it’s your vision, your dream, your art. This might be Tim Burton’s best work as a director and features an all-star cast with Johnny Depp, Bill Murray, Sarah Jessica Parker, Martin Landau, Patricia Arquette, and more. You can rent it or grab the Blu-ray.
October 18th: Halloween Ends (2022)
Selfishly, I put this one on the list to make me finally rewatch it. It’s been two years since we’ve had the END of Halloween. Was the movie perfect? Did it send off the series in a grand fashion? Depends on who you ask. However, no matter what you think of Corey Cunningham, it does have the perfect send-off for Laurie Strode in her final face-off with Michael Myers. This one is likely on the same path as Halloween III: Season of the Witch, where people will battle over what they think of it. Obviously, I’ll have to rewatch it to get a better feel for the film. Stream this on Starz or get the Blu-ray/4K.
Read our review of Halloween Ends here.
October 19th: The Initiation (1984)
So you pledged to a fraternity or a sorority, this is usually around the time that the pledges get separated from the rest. It stars the late Clu Gulager, Vera Miles, and Daphne Zuniga. If you had to go through Pledge Week, you’ll love this one. The mall where the finale happens is unsettling and a great set piece for a horror movie. This one is streaming on ARROW or available with an excellent Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
October 20th: Freddy Vs. Jason (2003)
Surprisingly, this movie has never made one of the THS Halloween Movie Marathons. Freddy Vs. Jason was about as good as any expectations, considering it was in development for ten plus years. We finally saw two titans of horror go at it like it was an old Universal monster movie. Freddy had the dream world, Jason had Camp Crystal Lake, although there was a “winner”, we all won because we finally got this movie. It’s been quite a long time since either of these horror icons have graced our screens though. Check this one out after watching all the films in either series! It’s not streaming anywhere right now, but you can rent it or grab it in the excellent Scream Factory Friday the 13th box set.
October 21st: Dark Night Of The Scarecrow (1981)
Another Larry Drake classic, this was a TV movie. Yeah, you read that right, Dark Night Of The Scarecrow aired as a made for TV movie, and the subject matter is pretty dark. Four vigilantes murder a mentally-challenged man, and one by one, they get picked off by a mysterious scarecrow. It’s an excellent and thought-provoking film that has some really great performances, particularly by Larry Drake. it’s eerie, atmospheric, and just an all around spooky movie. It’s streaming on Peacock and Shudder and also available on Blu-ray.
October 22nd: The Slumber Party Massacre III (1990)
The Slumber Party Massacre series was ahead of its time. The third movie in the series might be the worst of the bunch, but it gave a female perspective with both the writer and director being women. That allowed for a new perspective on a male-dominated genre in slashers. The driller is back in this one, and it’s slightly derivative of other slashers with a simple premise, but it’s still worth a watch for some of the gore effects with the drill. It’s a bit of mindless fun with some mystery elements as well. You’re gonna have to track down a DVD or watch this one on YouTube.
October 23rd: Night Of The Demons III (1997)
Angela is back for one last party. The third film in the Night of the Demons series brings the party back to the Hull House with plenty of gore and demon effects. It might be a bit long in the tooth for a third film in the series, but Night of the Demons III has enough in the tank to entertain. If you enjoy the first two films, you’ll get a kick out of this one. Go out and grab the excellent Blu-ray from Scream Factory to watch this one.
October 24th: The Bride Of Frankenstein (1935)
The Bride of Frankenstein is one of my favorite movie characters ever. Somehow, from about ~5 minutes of screen time, we got one of the biggest and best horror icons ever. Universal has taken her story and ran with it for their Halloween Horror Nights house this year. Go back and check out her origins in one of the best horror sequels ever in The Bride Of Frankenstein. This one is available on DVD, Blu-ray, and 4K from Universal. it should be up on Peacock in time for Halloween season.
October 25th: Bride Of Re-Animator (1990)
Now we get to another “Bride Of”, this time the Bride of Re-Animator. This movie is just as wild, just as gorey, and just as insane as the first film. Jeffrey Combs takes Dr. Herbert West to a new level in this film. Bruce Abbott is also slightly more deranged in his love for his fallen girlfriend from the first film. It’s a shame that we didn’t get a return from Barbara Crampton in this movie, but Kathleen Kinmont does an admirable job as the Bride. Think like Bride of Frankenstein, but with more gore and insane set pieces. You can stream this on NightFlight Plus or grab the Blu-ray from Arrow Video.
October 26th: What We Do In The Shadows (2014)
Now for the mockumentary that kicked off one of the best shows on TV. What We Do In The Shadows follows a group of vampires as they go about their daily life. They deal with werewolves, night-life, and just every day problems. Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement are hilarious in this and the TV show on FX is even funnier, if that’s possible. If you’re in the mood for your horror to make you laugh, What We Do In The Shadows is the perfect remedy. You can rent this one or grab it on Blu-ray.
October 27th: I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
The child of Scream and other slashers, I Know What You Did Last Summer is the culmination of the ’90s slasher boom. What was destroyed by Scream, was reinvented with this film. It helps that it’s one of the prettiest casts ever assembled between Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Anne Heche, Ryan Phillipe, and Freddie Prinze Jr.. These four teens make the mistake of a lifetime covering up a horrible accident and are stalked by a hook-wearing slasher. This was actually written before Scream by Kevin Williamson, but came out after. Rent this one or grab it on Blu-ray.
October 28th: The Pit And The Pendulum (1991)
Our trio of really long titles comes to an end with The Pit And The Pendulum. The Spanish Inquisition-set horror flick from Stuart Gordon and Dennis Paoli. It stars Lance Henricksen and Jeffrey Combs, two horror legends. There’s plenty of bloodshed, exploding witches, and some truly exceptional art direction. If you love Stuart Gordon’s style, you’ll get a kick out of this one. Stream it on Peacock or grab the physical media release.
October 29th: Waxwork (1988)
Talk about unique horror movies. Waxwork is one gigantic set piece that will have your head turning. Director/Writer Anthony Hickox gets the most out of the budget and performances in this creepy horror flick. It stars Zach Galligan, David Warner, and features Dana Ashbrook from Twin Peaks. If you’ve ever thought about what would happen if a waxwork museum came to life, this is the movie for you. Stream it on Prime Video or grab the Blu-ray with the sequel from Vestron Video.
October 30th: WNUF Halloween Special (2013)
if you’ve noticed across the years, these last two slots don’t change. I like a good holiday tradition, and my tradition is watching the WNUF Halloween Special the day before Halloween. If you ever remember seeing local news broadcasts when you were a kid in the late ’80s or ’90s, they looked like this. It comes complete with the made-up commercials between segments. What it all adds up to is a celebration of the holiday and era on film. It’s got a sequel, the Out There Mega Tape, but nothing tops the original for Halloween spirit. Terror Vision and Vinegar Syndrome have excellent physical media releases.
October 31st: Halloween (1978)/Halloween II (1981)
Here it is, the reason for the season. You wait all year for Halloween. John Carpenter did it best with his slasher flick all the way back in 1978. It’s still one of the best examples of the genre and it’s a Halloween tradition around my house. You wait until it gets dark, grab the jack o’lanterns and sit around the TV. As the kids come and go, it only adds to the ambiance as Michael makes his rampage in Haddonfield. By the time the first film ends, the trick or treaters have dried up, and it’s time for Halloween II. As Laurie Strode is wheeled off in a different ambulance, your Halloween season ends, the spirits of the day heading back to hibernate for another year.
That’s it for the 2024 THS Fright-A-Thon Movie Marathon, did you get through all of the movies? Did you add your own?
For more on Halloween, make sure to check back to That Hashtag Show.
