Halloween is here and if you're looking to find the best horror movies or horror games to satisfy your thirst for the macabre, then we've got you covered. The team from across TechRadar has banded together to create a series of spooky features for you to enjoy this year.
Whether you are looking for the best horror movies and shows to watch on the best streaming services, seasonal recipes to make the most of those pumpkins that aren't being used for carving or how you can use the latest AI advancements to help elevate your Halloween party, we've covered a lot of bases. We've even compiled recommendations for less scary horror movies and shows, if comedies and animation are more your thing.
We've got all the latest features, articles, opinion pieces and recommendations from across our Entertainment, Smart Home and AI teams to help you have the best Halloween yet.
Streaming
If you are celebrating Halloween this year, you'll need plenty of things to watch. Thankfully, the best streaming services are packed with options to suit all tastes, and we've put together our favorite spooky movies and TV shows to sink your teeth into.
Beyond that, we've got first-time watches and recommendations for those new to the genre, so there's some variety going on here.
The best horror movies of 2024
It's been a really great year for horror. Gem Seddon has put together the movies that she loved the most this year, including The Substance, which is the body horror everyone's talking about. And for good reason!
I watched 31 horror movies - here's the 13 that stood out
Rowan Davies watched a horror movie every day this month, but only 13 have made it onto his recommended list. Here's a healthy mix of subgenres, eras, and more, you're sure to find something you'll love on here. But if you do want to browse by specifics, we've got curated subgenre lists further down!
Terrifying slasher movies you won't want to miss
Slasher is a staple when it comes to horror, and there's plenty out there for you to dive into. Rowan Davies took a plunge into the sub-genre and found seven slasher horror movies you absolutely should not miss this Halloween season. They're all streaming across some of the biggest services, so they're easy to find! Let's hope the unsuspecting victims aren't...
Psychological horror movies for a different fright
Horror is exceptionally good at messing with peoples' minds. If that's the kind of thing that sends shivers down your spine, these seven psychological horror movies are for you. Mostly devoid of those big jumpy moments, these horrors rely on dread, tension, and mystery for the most part. Rowan Davies has collated a great list here, and it's bound to get you talking.
Sci-fi horror movies that'll surprise you
Sci-fi and horror is a match made in heaven. While the genres are versatile and seem to mash with just about anything, there's something about the "unknown" that freaks people out. Aliens, distant futures, tech that's sometimes beyond our comprehension, it's all designed to scare you and these seven sci-fi horror movies definitely will. Rowan Davies has even thrown in some body horror here for good measure.
Animated movies for a less scary option
If you love Halloween but hate scary movies, you're not alone! But there are plenty of lighter watches if you'd still like to celebrate, and Josie Watson has put together a list of 7 animated movie picks for spooky season. They're all Rotten Tomatoes approved too with over 80% on the coveted Tomatometer, so the critics agree they're great.
Horror comedies for the easily scared
Animation is a great, lighter option, but there's plenty of live-action horrors that are on the tamer side. Here, Lucy Buglass outlines the five horror comedies you should watch this Halloween if you're looking for something spooky, but not too scarring. There are more laughs than screams in here, you'll be fine.
Netflix’s secret horror codes
Thanks to the best Netflix horror codes, you can easily find titles in seconds. Whether you want a general horror overview or you want to see specific subgenres, this is a great way for you to beat the endless scrolling and head straight into the stuff you actually want!
Don't Move was a major let down for Netflix
Grace Morris was looking forward to Don't Move, but here she explains why it didn't leave her crippled with fear. She also discussed the movie further in her interview with the Don't Move creators. While surprising like the creators promised, perhaps it's not in the way we expected!
Supernatural horrors for an otherworldly scare
The supernatural is a terrifying concept. Whether it's demons, ghosts or something beyond our understanding, it's been the basis for many great horror stories over the years, and there's plenty of great titles to explore on streaming. Here, Rowan Davies shares his favorite supernatural horrors.
Gaming
If horror movies aren't immersive enough, horror gaming is the perfect option for a scarier experience. Personally, I find games scarier than going to see a movie because when you play a game, you're physically involved.
Horror is a huge genre for gaming and it comes in all shapes and sizes whether that's stealth-based games, co-ops like Dead by Daylight, or titles riddled with jumpscares. We have some great features from the gaming team, including a review of Blumhouse's debut horror game, Fear the Spotlight.
Why I won't play the Alien Isolation sequel
We found out that Alien: Isolation is getting a sequel recently, and that prompted Rob Dwiar to think about why he's not sure if he'll play it. Here, Rob reflects on his experience playing the utterly terrifying game and explains why his Ripley spent a lot of time hidden away in a cupboard (honestly, fair!). He also dives into the mechanics of the game and how they really perfected this interactive horror experience.
Red Dead Redemption's Undead Nightmare struggles on handhelds
Portable horror gaming seems like a dream (or a nightmare), but Matt Hanson noticed that Red Dead Redemption's spooky add-on still sucks on gaming handhelds. Here's why it's worth playing for a Halloween treat, but maybe do it at home instead!
Artificial Intelligence
Whether you're using Artificial Intelligence on one of the best smart speakers, the latest iPhone 16, or you've been playing around with software like ChatGPT, it seems like it's everywhere. And whether it's being helpful or its antagonized in horror movies, it's a big part of the 21st century. Our AI team have weighed in on how to use it this season, and the AI horror movie you should definitely avoid.
Trust me, don’t watch this AI horror this Halloween
AI has been used as a terrifying concept in movies, even long before it became commonplace. Just look at HAL 9000 in 2001: A Space Odyssey. Unfortunately, modern horror movie AfrAId does not explore the topic very well and one of our AI experts John-Anthony Disotto explained why in his takedown of the 2024 movie.
How ChatGPT can help you plan your Halloween
You may have heard of the various things ChatGPT can help you with, whether that's research, summarising, or language translation. But did you know it's also got a few handy features when it comes to planning a Halloween party? Here, Eric Hal Schwartz teaches you how to use the feature to eat, drink and be scary.
Smart home
One of the best things about fall is all the recipes, right? If you're planning a gathering or you just want to try out some new seasonal eats. Our Home team has put together some tips for how to make the most of your appliances this season.
Pumpkin spice is a key feature here, because it truly is the taste of fall. And if you're anything like me, you can't get enough of it!
DIY iced pumpkin spice latte
Pumpkin spice lattes are great, but it becomes an expensive treat if you're heading to your local coffee shop to get your caffeine fix. Thankfully, there's a cheap and easy solution at home, and all you need is a blender and a few ingredients. Our Homes Editor Cat Ellis shows you how to make the perfect pumpkin spice latte at home.
The vegan pumpkin cheesecake that's so good - you can't tell it is
Your blender can also make a cheesecake, once you're doing brewing up that pumpkin spiced latte. Here, Cat Ellis shows us how to make this cheesecake that's so good you can't deal it's vegan. Perfect if you're looking for a dairy free, yet still deliciously creamy treat.
Home theater
Now that you've got all your streaming recommendations, you need a good set up to watch it on. Thankfully, we've got experts who've recommended how to level up your sound system for Halloween and beyond. After all, sound design is an important part of movies and TV!
3 soundbars sure to give you an extra scare
If you're in need of a good soundbar, James Davidson's got you covered. Here, he recommends three very different soundbars that could help you to upgrade your sound system for horror movies and beyond. Don't blame us for all the jumpscares, you brought this on yourself!
