The spooky season has arrived, one of our favourite times of the year as it means only one thing – horror marathons!
Although you can watch horror films at any time of the year (which of course we do), watching them during the Halloween season only elevates the experience, making the movies even more unsettling and terrifying.
And whilst there have been fewer film releases in 2020 as studios delayed their movies due to the pandemic, when it comes to horror it has been a strong year so far with plenty of fantastic chillers to watch.
So without further ado, here are the top ten best new horror films from 2020 to watch this Halloween.
10. She Dies Tomorrow
Blue Finch Films Releasing
Often described as ‘2020: The Movie’, unsettling horror She Dies Tomorrow is a strange but effective movie to watch during the current pandemic, with the feeling of anxiety, isolation and existential dread being somewhat reflective of how many of us have felt over the past months.
The film follows Kate Lyn Sheil’s Amy who believes she is going to die tomorrow, an idea that becomes contagious spreading like wildfire.
A twisted rollercoaster that refuses to conform to any of the horror genre’s stereotypes, you really do have no idea where the film is going next, which only amps up the paranoia, anxiety and tension.
You can rent or buy She Dies Tomorrow digitally now. Also check out our interview with director Amy Seimetz.
9. Get Duked!
Amazon Studios
Okay, we admit that Get Duked! is really a comedy movie, but there are more than enough horror moments in there to include it on this list of films to watch this Halloween.
A goofball comedy horror that follows in the footsteps of films like Attack The Block, this British indie set in the Scottish Highlands follows a group on lads who encounter a mysterious huntsman as they embark on The Duke Of Edinburgh challenge.
Fully embracing the weird and wonderful, there is a lot of fun to be had during its brief 87 minute runtime, including Eddie Izzard’s fantastically bizarre performance as The Duke.
You can watch Get Duked! now on Amazon Prime.
8. Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula
Next Entertainment World
2016’s zombie flick Train To Busan was a runaway success, spawning an animated prequel (Seoul Station) and now a sequel, Peninsula.
Set four years after the events of the first movie, the new movie follows a group as they attempt to retrieve a truck full of money from the wastelands of the Korean peninsula. Of course this mission doesn’t go to plan as they encounter rouge militia and plenty of zombies.
Great fun and pretty whacky, in addition to the zombie scares you would expect, there is some cracking Mad Max style action sequences and some laugh out loud moments which will keep you royally entertained.
Train To Busan Presents: Peninsula previews in cinemas this Halloween, before it opens on general release from 6th November, being available to own from 30th November. You can pre-order our exclusive steelbook here.
7. Color Out Of Space
RLJE Films
Nicolas Cage in a weird and whacky Lovecraftian horror film – need we say more to convince you that Color Out Of Space is well worth a watch this Halloween.
Cage plays a farmer whose world is turned upside down after a mysterious meteorite strikes his alpaca farm, especially since it is one which has apocalyptic consequences.
There is plenty to enjoy about this movie, from the stunning purple visuals, to Cage’s absolutely nuts performance, and the wild story which is a thoroughly entertaining ride.
Pick up the Blu-ray here.
6. I’m Thinking Of Ending Things
Netflix
Writer/director Charlie Kaufman’s psychological horror film I’m Thinking Of Ending Things is most certainly an odd beast, one of the year’s strangest releases which will leave you puzzled as to what it is all about, and what on Earth happened.
Admittedly it can be rather tough going and it certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if you do enjoy it there is much to appreciate, from Jessie Buckley’s fantastic central performance to the chilling and melancholic atmosphere.
It is best going in knowing as little as possible for the full experience, but we can promise you one thing: it will definitely mess you up.
You can watch I’m Thinking Of Ending Things now on Netflix.
5. Possessor
Signature Entertainment
Okay, so we know Possessor isn’t actually out in the UK until it is released in cinemas from 27th November, but it is too good not to be included in this list and hey, the spooky season can extend until November right?!?
Recently playing at the BFI London Film Festival where it gained many fans, the film follows Andrea Riseborough’s psychic hitwoman Tasya Vos as she hijacks her victim’s minds, manipulating them into carrying out undetectable murder-suicides.
That is until one day a victim fights back, and yeah, as the kids would say, ‘sh*t goes down’.
The movie is as good as the fascinating premise promises it will be, showing that director Brandon Cronenberg, yes, son of David, has clearly learnt well from his dad. Possessor really does have the power to boil away in your mind.
4. Host
Shudder
One of the biggest film success stories of the year is British indie horror Host, a movie made entirely during lockdown that follows a group of friends as they embark on a Zoom seance.
Quickly becoming a viral hit and described by many as one of the best horror films of recent years, it is a remarkable achievement especially considering the low budget and unique production.
It isn’t just about the gimmick though as Host delivers that all important fear factor and jump scares, maybe putting you off video calls forever.
Available to stream on Shudder, special Halloween screenings of Host are taking place at select locations on 31st October, before it is released in cinemas and on digital from 4th December.
Also check out our interview with director Rob Savage.
3. Relic
Signature Entertainment
Director Natalie Erika James’ terrific debut feature Relic is a new and inventive spin on the haunted house genre that will leave you hiding behind the sofa in fear.
Whilst it definitely delivers that all important scare factor, Relic is also rather melancholic looking at the impact of dementia on a family through a horror lens, playing on our fears of both aging and loss of memory.
Trio Emily Mortimer, Robyn Nevin and Bella Heathcote are fantastic as the family at the heart of this story, with James also marking herself out as one to watch out for in the future.
It is out in cinemas and on digital from 30th October – just in time for Halloween! Also check out our interview with director James here.
2. The Invisible Man
Universal Pictures
If you haven’t seen horror masters Blumhouse’s reimaging of the classic Invisible Man story yet, then what are you waiting for? Halloween is the perfect time for a first watch, or yet another revisit if you are already a fan.
Elisabeth Moss is outstanding as a woman who thinks she is being stalked by her abusive ex-boyfriend, believing he has somehow acquired the ability to become invisible.
Naturally you can expect plenty of jump scares and edge-of-your-seat tension, but there is much more than meets the eye with this psychological thriller, as it analyses themes including domestic abuse and the treatment of mental health.
Pick up the Blu-ray now which includes the even more brilliant extended cut.
1. Saint Maud
StudioCanal
As the tagline for Saint Maud reads, ‘your saviour is coming’, as this chilling debut film from director Rose Glass is the perfect movie to watch this Halloween.
Undoubtedly the best horror film of the year so far, this unsettling tale of a nurse who becomes dangerously obsessed with saving the soul of her patient is incredibly striking, and will stay with you long after the credits have rolled.
The haunting closing shot in particular will burn itself into your mind, coming to haunt you both night and day.
Saint Maud is in cinemas now, with our exclusive steelbook currently available for pre-order.
