From Thirteen Ghosts to Cabin Fever: 10 Underrated Halloween Movies.
Not every Halloween movie gets the love it deserves. Beyond the big horror franchises and cult classics lies a treasure trove of underappreciated gems that mix scares, camp, and creativity. Here are 10 underrated Halloween films that deserve a spot on your watchlist, plus where you can stream them this season.
10. Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
Director: Tommy Lee Wallace
Cast: Tom Atkins, Stacey Nelkin, Dan O’Herlihy
The only entry in the franchise without Michael Myers, Halloween III tells a bizarre but chilling story of an evil corporation using Halloween masks to unleash mass chaos. Though divisive at release, it has since built a cult following for its originality.
Where to Watch: Peacock
9. Cabin Fever (2002)
Director: Eli Roth
Cast: Rider Strong, Jordan Ladd, James DeBello
A group of college friends head to a remote cabin only to face a flesh-eating virus. Roth’s debut film is equal parts gory and satirical, making it a wild ride that doesn’t get enough credit for its sharp commentary on contagion panic.
Where to Watch: Tubi (Coming Oct 15)
8. Jeepers Creepers (2001)
Director: Victor Salva
Cast: Gina Philips, Justin Long, Jonathan Breck
This horror road trip follows siblings pursued by a mysterious creature after discovering something sinister hidden along a country highway. The film’s eerie setup and terrifying monster helped it stand out from early-2000s slashers.
Where to Watch: AMC+ & Prime Video (Rental)
7. House on Haunted Hill (1999)
Director: William Malone
Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Famke Janssen, Taye Diggs, Ali Larter
In this remake of the 1959 classic, strangers are invited to spend the night in a haunted asylum for a chance at a cash prize. Gothic visuals, over-the-top scares, and campy performances make it a Halloween staple that often flies under the radar.
Where to Watch: Tubi
6. Thirteen Ghosts (2001)
Director: Steve Beck
Cast: Tony Shalhoub, Shannon Elizabeth, Matthew Lillard
A family inherits a glass mansion filled with malevolent spirits. Known for its inventive ghost designs and claustrophobic set pieces, this supernatural horror has become a cult favorite for those who love stylish scares.
Where to Watch: AMC+ & Prime Video (Rental)
5. House of 1,000 Corpses (2003)
Director: Rob Zombie
Cast: Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie
Rob Zombie’s directorial debut is a nightmarish, psychedelic blend of grindhouse horror and twisted humor. Following teens who encounter the deranged Firefly family, it has become a cult hit for its grotesque style and unapologetic violence.
Where to Watch: Cinemax & Apple TV(Rental)
4. The Craft (1996)
Director: Andrew Fleming
Cast: Robin Tunney, Fairuza Balk, Neve Campbell, Rachel True
This supernatural teen drama follows a group of high school outcasts who form a coven and discover the dangers of wielding real power. Equal parts stylish and spooky, it’s a 1990s gem that has influenced pop culture for decades.
Where to Watch: Prime Video, Tubi & Pluto
3. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)
Director: Wes Craven
Cast: Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Miko Hughes
Before Scream, Craven reinvented his own franchise by blurring the line between fiction and reality. Here, Freddy Krueger stalks the cast of A Nightmare on Elm Street in the real world, making it one of the most clever meta-horrors of the 1990s.
Where to Watch: AMC+ or Prime Video (Rental)
2. Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Director: Michael Dougherty
Cast: Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Dylan Baker
An anthology of interconnected Halloween night stories, Trick ‘r Treat weaves together werewolves, vengeful spirits, and the mischievous pumpkin-headed figure Sam. Stylishly shot and dripping with Halloween atmosphere, it’s become a cult favorite that deserves even wider recognition.
Where to Watch: Max
Where to Watch: Prime Video (rental)
1. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
Director: Stephen Chiodo
Cast: Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson
An outrageous cult classic, this film sees alien clowns invading Earth with deadly carnival weapons. Both funny and creepy, it remains one of the most imaginative and entertaining oddball horrors of the ’80s.
Where to Watch: Tubi and Prime Video
From evil masks to alien clowns, these underrated horror films remind us that the best Halloween viewing isn’t always the most obvious. This October, give these forgotten gems a chance and you might find a new favorite tradition.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
