5 Classic Horror Films for Halloween

5. Suspiria (1977) Directed by Dario Argento, rated R, 98 minutes

Suspiria is an extremely stylish and wonderfully colorful Italian horror film about a new student at a prestigious ballet school who finds out the school is run by a coven of witches. Director Dario Argento is a master of lighting and style, and in Suspiria he crafts a visually arresting and incredibly orchestrated film. From the first terrifying death to the tense finale, Suspiria is creepy and dazzling film. You'll like it if: You like Italian cinema, films about witches or Deep Red.

4. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Directed by Wes Craven, rated R, 91 minutes

A Nightmare on Elm Street is a brilliantly original and thoroughly unsettling low budget film about a group of teenagers haunted in their dreams by a scarred madman, and if they die in their dreams they die in real life. The premise sets up a disconcerting feeling of never knowing what's real and what's a dream, and Freddy Krueger is a memorably demented antagonist. A Nightmare on Elm Street is an imaginative and eerie film that's filled with memorable images and characters. You'll like it if: You like supernatural horror, Friday the 13th or Candyman.

3. Psycho (1960) Directed by Alfred Hitchcock,rated R, 109 minutes

Psycho is a massively influential and truly frightening proto-slasher about a young woman who steals $40,000 from her work, goes on the run and ends up staying at the Bates Motel with a slightly odd proprietor and his mother. Anthony Perkins delivers one of the most hair-raising performances ever, and creates a strangely likable but creepy character. Director Alfred Hitchcock knows exactly how to effect the audience, filling the film shocking moments and beautifully crafted scenes. Psycho is deceptively simple film, in which each moment is skillfully done and brilliantly suspenseful. You'll like it if: You like Hitchcock's films, Night of the Hunter or Les diaboliques.

2. Halloween (1978) Directed by John Carpenter, rated R, 91 minutes

Halloween is a subtly effective and undeniably scary independent film about a babysitter who is stalked on Halloween by a psychotic murder that escaped from a mental institution. Director John Carpenter's films are always visually stunning and Carpenter also provides one of the most recognizable and spooky scores of all time. Halloween is the quintessential slasher, that's so tightly made, every moment builds towards the terrifying ending. You'll like it if: You like slashers, Black Christmas or Suspiria.

1. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) Directed by Tobe Hooper, rated R, 83 minutes

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a brutal, gritty and absolutely horrifying low budget masterpiece about a group of friends visiting one of their grandpa's old houses in Texas, who are hunted by a chainsaw wielding madman. Contrary to what the name suggests, the film isn't very gory at all, but instead builds suspense perfectly and has some of the most shocking and deranged characters ever put on film. The cinematography is nothing short of amazing, perfectly capturing the madness and depravity in each scene. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre doesn't slow down or let you relax at any moment, everything just build and builds, exuding grotesque horrors until the brilliantly realized ending. You'll like it if: You like gritty horror films, independent film or Halloween.