Prepare for scares with our Halloween Movies Guide

Shorter days means warm colors, falling leaves and cups of pumpkin spice lattes and apple cider. They also mean that horror movie season is upon us. What better way to kick off the fall than with jack-0-lanterns, cobwebs and spooky stories to inspire the wicked witch in us all. 2018 has no shortage of heavy horror and family-friendly Halloween movies to start the season off right.

Here’s Moviebill‘s guide to all the frightful movies haunting theaters soon:

The Nun
September 7

“The Nun” serves as prequel within Warner Bros. Pictures‘ popular “Conjuring” cinematic universe. Directed by Corin Hardy, this one specifically centers around the malevolent force presented in “The Conjuring 2.”

“The Nun” begins when the Vatican dispatches a priest with a mysterious past and a novice on the threshold of her final vows to Romania in order to investigate a nun’s suicide. There, they encounter a demonic spirit.

Star Taissa Farmiga is no stranger to horror. She is best known for playing various roles on the hit TV series “American Horror Story.” She is also the younger sister of Vera Farmiga, who stars with Patrick Wilson in the “Conjuring” films.

The Predator
September 14

For those who prefer their scares on the extraterrestrial side, Shane Black‘s “The Predator” is the Halloween movie for you. The “Predator” franchise began in 1987, followed by “Predator 2” in 1990 and a third film, “Predators” in 2010. “The Predator” marks the series’ fourth main entry, but there were also two crossover movies featuring the alien hunters: 2004’s “Alien vs. Predator” and 2007’s “AvP: Requiem”.

In the new chapter, the universe’s most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race.

It would be difficult, but the predator is also a great Halloween costume idea.

Lizzie
September 14

Looking for some real life scares? Lizzie Borden’s story began in the 19th century, but it continues today thanks to a new big screen release from director Craig William Macneill (“The Boy”) and writer Bryce Kass.

Lizzie lived under the guidance of her father Andrew Borden with her older sister Emma. Three years after the death of their own mother, Andrew remarried to Abby Gray. In 1892, Andrew and Abby were horrifically slaughtered. The police arrested Lizzie for the murder, but she was acquitted in trial.

Star Chloë Sevigny brings Lizzie back to life, starring alongside Kristen Stewart, Kim Dickens, Fiona Shaw, Denis O’Hare, and Jamey Sheridan.

A Simple Favor
September 14

If mystery gets your Halloween motor running, “A Simple Favor” may be up your alley. From “Bridesmaids” director Paul Feig, the new film follows Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a woman on the hunt to find her missing best friend Emily (Blake Lively). As Stephanie delves deeper into Emily’s past, she finds some dark and sinister secrets. Is Emily already dead? Or will Stephanie unravel the clues in time?

The House with a Clock in Its Walls
September 21

At the very core of Halloween — pulling together witches, monsters, the supernatural and pretending to be something you’re not — is magic.

“The House with a Clock in Its Walls” is chalk full of magic. An orphaned boy moves in with his uncle whom he finds out is a warlock living in a mystical house filled with wondrous things and a dreadful curse. A clock is ticking down, and no one wants to find out what happens when the hands strike zero.

With Jack Black and Cate Blanchett leading the cast, “The House with a Clock in Its Walls” should prove a great pre-Halloween viewing option.

Hellfest
September 28

If haunted mazes are a part of your Halloween tradition, “Hell Fest” might just be for you. In it, a group of friends (played by Bec Taylor-Klaus, Reign Edwards, Amy Forsyth, and Courtney Dietz) choose a horror night to spike their adrenaline levels and enjoy some “safe” scares, but how safe will they be? With everyone walking around in masks, brandishing all sorts of weapons and severed body parts, how could you tell the difference?

Venom
October 5

Sony Pictures‘ corner of the Marvel multiverse takes a monstrous turn, just in time for Halloween. From “Zombieland” director Ruben Fleischer, “Venom” stars Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock, a photographer who becomes bonded to a killer alien symbiote that drives him to hunt and kill criminals in order to fuel his insatiable hunger for human brains.

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
October 12

Halloween comes to life in a new film inspired by R.L. Stine “Goosebump” series of ghost stories for kids. All those decorations of ghosts, witches, and spiders that we put on out front lawn will break free and chase you down. Watch as three teens work together to keep Halloween limited to just one night a year.

Halloween
October 19

In 1963, Michael Meyers stabbed his older sister to death in their home in Haddonfield, Illinois. He was put in a mental institution for fifteen years, but he escaped. He returned to Haddonfield and began killing teenage babysitters. In one hunt, though, he failed. Now, Jamie Lee Curtis returns as Laurie Strode, who narrowly missed Meyers’ blade four decades ago.

Suspiria
October 26 in NY and LA // Wide November 2

A big screen remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 horror masterpiece, “Call Me By Your Name” director Luca Guadagnino’s “Suspiria” is getting an early Halloween release on October 26, but only in New York and Los Angeles. Everywhere, scary movie lovers will have to wait and check out the new film starring Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Chloe Grace Moretz and many more.

The story follows Susie Bannion (Johnson), who joins a prestigious ballet company. Soon, however, she realizes that something dark and unnatural is happening beneath the surface.

Cheryl Bauder is a contributing intern at Moviebill. She studied English Literature at California State University, Long Beach and previous wrote for 22 West Magazine, specializing in movie reviews.