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.

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5. Life is Beautiful (1997) Directed by Robert Benigni, rated PG-13, 116 minutes

Life is Beautiful is a refreshing and whimsical film about an always happy and jovial Jewish man, who, thanks to his humor, has an incredible romantic escapade, but after the rise of the Nazis, he must protect his son in a Nazi concentration camp. Robert Benigni is completely lovable and wonderfully entertaining in the lead role, and the story amazingly balances humor with drama, as the film shows the holocaust in a rather unconventional way. Life is Beautiful is a bold and unique film that's both charming and authentic. You'll like it if: You like Italian cinema, Robert Benigni or To be or Not To be.

4. Cache (2005) Directed by Michael Haneke, rated R, 117 minutes

Cache is a difficult and disturbing film about a family that is terrorized by video tapes they find at their door, with secretly taped footage of them. The police won't help since there seems to be no threat, but as the tapes get more personal, the father is forced to do something. Michael Haneke's films are always slow, but intense, and Cache is no exception, delivering some truly unnerving and shocking scenes. Cache is a thriller for adults, that uses powerful acting and disturbing writing to entertain. and challenge you. You'll like it if: You like psychological thrillers, French cinema, One Hour Photo or The Vanishing.

3. Downfall (2004) Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, rated R, 156 minutes

Downfall is a truly grim and unsettling German film in which the last secretary of Hitler tells of the last days of Nazi leader in his bunker at the end of World War II. Bruno Gaz gives a harrowing and barley sympathetic performance as Hitler, seen here as never seen before. The film doesn't spare any of the dark details in the fall of the Nazi leaders, and the film is completely unrelenting. Downfall is a difficult film to watch, as the story dips further and further into a depressing madness, but everything is brilliantly done and you won't regret watching it. You'll like it if: You like German cinema, films about WWII or The Lives of Others.

2. Amores perros (2000) Directed by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, rated R, 154 minutes

Amores perros is a moving and daunting Mexican film that tells the story of three people involved in a horrific car crash. Each story contains some love, hate, passion, regret and violence, and they're surprising balanced in quality. The film has a gritty, authentic realism to it, but it's the terribly interesting lives of the characters that make the film great. Amores perros has something for everyone: romance, shootouts, young and old characters, rich and poor characters and three great stories. You'll like it if: You like films about connected stories, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead or Babel.

1. Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) Directed by Chan-wook Park, rated R, 129 minutes

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is a brutal film that takes an unflinching look at vengeance and violence. The films is about a deaf man, who's sister needs a kidney transplant. But after he's fired, he decides to kidnap his boss's daughter to pay for the operation. Every scene is brilliantly filmed and looks amazing, and the story, though a bit hard to follow, never slows down as the vengeance gets more and more brutal. The film is a visceral experience, but it's the intense characters and absorbing story that puts Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance over the top. You'll like it if: You like Korean films, films about vengeance, Don't Look Now or Memories of Murder.

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5. Rushmore (1998) Directed by Wes Anderson, rated R, 93 minutes

Rushmore is a quirky and wonderfully odd film about a precocious teen who is a failure in academics, but is involved in innumerable extra-curricular activities at the school, and his odd love triangle with one of his teachers. Director Wes Anderson never fails to provide a unique vision and enticing story, and Jason Shwartzman offers a complex and lovable character. Rushmore is enjoyable and entertaining film that mixes many hilarious scenes with real and unusual characters. You'll like it if: You like quirky comedies, Wes Anderon's films or Big Fish.

4. Superbad (2007) Directed by Greg Mottola, rated R, 114 minutes

Superbad is a realistic, laugh out loud funny and raunchy teen comedy about two co-dependent seniors who plan to go to a party for a shot at their dream girls. Michael Cera and Jonah Hill have unbelievable chemistry as the leads, delivering likable characters and memorable lines, and the story is unendingly entertaining. Superbad is a truly brilliant teen comedy that offers a glimpse into the awkward and funny world of teens. You'll like it if: You like Judd Apatow's films, Michael Cera or Knocked up.

3. Kicking and Screaming (1995) Directed by Noah Baumbach, rated R, 96 minutes

Kicking and Screaming is an unflinchingly honest and subtly hilarious film about a group of friends who, after graduating from college, are unable to make any big decisions that would move their lives forward. The cast is perfect, filled with a lot of faces you'd recognize, and the writing is even better, filled with hilarious moments and utterly relatable characters. Kicking and Screaming is an absorbing film, filled with ridiculously funny dialogue and an honest story. You'll like it if: You like movies about college, 90's cinema or The Squid and the Whale.

2. The Graduate (1967) Directed by Mike Nichols, rated R, 105 minutes

The Graduate is an influential, hysterical and beautiful film about a recent college graduate who is trapped in an affair with Mrs. Robinson, while attempting to woo her daughter. Dustin Hoffman is the personification of loneliness and isolation, and the rest of the cast is spot on as well. Simon and Garfunkel provide some truly beautiful music to go along with the amazing writing and directing. The Graduate is unique and inspiring film that has one of the all time great endings. You'll like it if: You like romantic comedies, 60's cinema or Harold and Maude.

1. Breaking Away (1979) Directed Peter Yates, rated PG, 100 minutes

Breaking Away is an overwhelming film, that sucks you into the world of its characters and makes care for each one. The film is about four townies in a college town, who deal with their mundane and unamazing lives. Each character is carefully crafted, presenting realistic, enigmatic and amusing characters. The story is positively captivating, you can't help but be enthralled in their lives. Breaking Away is a absolutely beautiful and emotionally powerful film that is beautiful in its simplicity - you can't help but be moved by the end. You'll like it if: You like independent comedy, 70's cinema or Harold and Maude.

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5. Shock Corridor (1963) Directed by Samuel Fuller, not rated, 101 minutes

Shock Corridor is an engrossing and wonderfully pulpy thriller about a determined journalist who goes undercover into a mental institution to solve a strange murder. The films has a classic 60's feel, with fantastic, over the top characters and excellent dialogue. The film has a unique ability to suck you into the world of the journalist stuck in this nightmarish institution. Shock Corridor is a creative and confident mystery, that has a truly unforgettable ending. You'll like it if: You like cult classics, One Flew Over a Cuckoo's Nestor or Twelve Monkeys.

4. 13 Tzameti (2005) Directed by Gela Babluani, not rated, 93 minutes

13 Tzameti is a tense, subtle and original French thriller a young worker who finds a mysterious set of instructions for someone else, and decides to follow them. The film is shot in beautiful black and white and overflows with grit and tension. The story is concise and disturbing, and as the film goes on the more engrossed you become in it. 13 Tzameti is a nerve racking and memorable film that takes an interesting premise and makes an unpredictable little film. You'll like it if: You like foreign thrillers, Repulsion or Saw.

3. Punishment Park (1971) Directed by Peter Watkins, rated R, 88 minutes

Punishment Park is a dark and evocative mockumentary about a film crew following a disturbing government plan of putting hippies and dissidents into a sort of game of capture the flag in the desert, while trying to get away from soldiers. The film isn't exactly subtle, but the situation is believable and the pseudo-documentary style adds to the unsettling nature of the film. The story is thoroughly frightening and depressing, and effectively conveys a feeling of dread. Punishment Park is a smart and disturbing film that can't be easily forgotten. You'll like it if: You like political thrillers, 70's cinema or Brazil.

2. Night on Earth (1991) Directed by Jim Jarmusch, rated R, 129 minutes
Night on Earth is a hilarious and emotionally powerful independent film that covers fives stories in fives cities that all take place in taxis on one eventful night. The acting is all around perfect, and the characters are well written and engaging. Each story is entertaining, some of them are laugh out loud funny and others are tragic and touching, and the camerawork is innovative and intriguing. Night on Earth is a lovable and beautiful film that shows a handful of incredible stories from across the world. You'll like it if: You like independent film, Down by Law or Lost in Translation.

1. A Better Place (1997) Directed by Vincent Pereira, not rated, 87 minutes

A Better Place is a chilling and truly absorbing low budget film about a high school loser who becomes friends with a potentially violent outcast. Most of the acting is average, but Eion Bailey is brilliantly menacing as the violent outcast. The story is original and fascinating, and you can't help but become involved in the tragic story. The ending is immensely powerful, undeniably effective and unforgettable. A Better Place is an unpredictable and absolutely amazing film, that doesn't pull its punches. You'll like it if: You like independent film, Elephant, Zero Day or Clerks.

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5. Cemetery Man (1994) Directed by Michele Soavi, rated R, 105 minutes

Cemetery is a genuinely bizarre and wonderfully entertaining Italian zombie film about a cemetery caretaker who must kill the dead brought to his cemetery a second time, as they become the living dead after seven nights in the cemetery. The film is filled with hysterically funny scenes, and others that are just absurdly weird. The story is a little hard to follow, but in the end it comes together in an unpredictable and interesting way. Cemetery Man is a unique and incredibly intriguing film that will surely surprise you by the end. You'll like it if: You like Italian horror movies, surreal movies or The Re-Animator.

4. Scream (1996) Directed by Wes Craven, rated R, 111 minutes

Scream is horror master Wes Craven's smart and scary send up to slasher films, about a psychopathic serial killer who's stalking a group of teenagers, just like it happens in the movies. The film makes a lot of in-jokes for horror fans, and there are some genuine scares mixed in with the laughs. The story is filled with many subtly hilarious scenes, as the killer is not an unstoppable killer, but is actually rather inept at killing. In Scream, the opening scene will have you hooked, and the surprising ending will have you shocked. You'll like it if: You like parodies, Nightmare on Elm Street or Halloween.

3. Braindead aka Dead Alive (1992) Directed by Peter Jackson, rated R, 104 minutes

Braindead is the goriest film of all time. Director Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings, brings his incredible vision to zombie films. Braindead is about a shy man who, after his mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey, dies and comes back from the dead, must try to stop the zombie outbreak from going farther. The film contains a bunch of hilariously over the top characters, and some brilliant dialogue. And, the last 30 minutes contains some of the goriest and funniest scenes ever made. Braindead is rollicking and ludicrously entertaining film, that is more funny than scary or disturbing. You'll like it if: You like splatter movies, Australian cinema or The Evil Dead Trilogy.

2. Planet Terror (2007) Directed by Robert Rodriguez, rated R, 105 minutes

Planet Terror was the better half of the utterly brilliant Grindhouse, and it's a truly unforgettable zombie film. Planet Terror is about a group of survivors who try to survive in a zombie infested world after a bio-weapon is released. The film mocks old exploitation films with a fake aged look and a hilarious low-budget atmosphere, and the story is an unsettling and exceptionally funny. The film is so wonderfully over the top and absurdly unrealistic, you can't help but enjoy it. Planet Terror is an unbelievably entertaining and indescribably fun film that keeps getting more hilarious and out of control. You'll like it if: You like zombie movies, exploitation movies, parodies, Shaun of the Dead or From Dusk Till Dawn.

1. American Psycho (2000) Directed by Mary Harron, rated R, 101 minutes

American Psycho is a deliciously satirical and delightfully dark film, set in the 80's, about a wealthy New York investment banker who's nightly bloodlust for murder begins to spill into his daytime. Christian Bale offers a truly perfect performance, creating a disgustingly lovable and really disturbing psychopath, as he delivers an unending line of laugh out loud quotes. The film has a surreal element, as you dip into the mind of a disturbed and hilariously twisted killer. The story presents some absurdly funny satire of the 80's, and the dialogue is to kill for. American Psycho is both a preposterously entertaining and meaningful film, with memorable characters and an unpredictable ending. You'll like it if: You like satirical movies, dark comedies, The Silence of the Lambs, Fight Club or The King of Comedy.

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5. Reservoir Dogs (1992) Directed by Quentin Tarantino, rated R, 99 minutes

Reservoir Dogs is a bold and stylish crime-comedy about the aftermath of a jewelry heist gone wrong, and the surviving criminals who believe one of them is working for the police. The cast, including Tim Roth, Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi and Michael Madsen, is amazing, each of them crafting authentic and likable characters. Director Quentin Tarantino delivers his trademark hilarious dialogue, dark comedy and violent shootouts. Reservoir Dogs is a wonderfully entertaining film, with a great cast, amazing writing, perfect music and inventive direction. You'll like it if: You like crime movies, 90's cinema, Quentin Tarantino's films or The Departed.

4. El Mariachi (1992) Directed by Robert Rodriguez, rated R, 81 minutes

El Mariachi is an uncommon film made on a budget of just $7,000, originally expected to be a Mexican straight-to-video flick, this cleverly written action film is just incredible. El Mariachi is about a traveling mariachi who gets mistaken for a criminal on the run from an even worse criminal, and so our mariachi ends up on the run from a gang that wants him dead. The action scenes are fairly impressive for such a tiny budget. The storyline is very engrossing and the film boasts one of the best endings ever. El Mariachi is an original and independent film with an interesting style and story. You'll like it if: You like indie thrillers, Mexican cinema, Desperado or No Country for Old Men.

3. Pi (1998) Directed by Darren Aronofsky, rated R, 84 minutes

Pi is a deeply engrossing and visually stunning sci-fi thriller about a paranoid mathematician who searches for a mathematical pattern that is true through everything in the entire world. The film's look is simply incredible, shot in high contrast black and white, the film creates a powerful mood and frightening feel. The story is not too heavy on the math to the point you don't understand what's going on, and the main character is intriguing and relatable. Pi is an odd, thrilling and thoroughly exciting film, filled with incredible and unsettling images. You'll like it if: You like weird movies, indie thrillers, A Beautiful Mind or Requiem for a Dream.

2. The Seventh Continent (1989) Directed by Michael Haneke, not rated, 104 minutes

The Seventh Continent is a shocking and truly disturbing Austrian film about a family that realizes how boring and monotonous their life is after their daughter, in an attempt to get attention from her parents, pretends to be blind. The events that follow are incredible and repulsive. Director Michael Haneke is not the type to let the viewer off the hook, as the story becomes more grim, you're there to witness it all. The Seventh Continent can be a little hard to follow, but in the end you'll be floored at the shocking turn this family takes. You'll like it if: You like disturbing movies, foreign cinema, Happiness or In Cold Blood.

1. Clerks (1994) Directed by Kevin Smith, rated R, 92 minutes

Clerks is a ridiculously funny and brilliantly written low budget indie comedy about a day in the life of two convenience store clerks, including most of their time spent not working and the complicated love life of one. The writing is nothing short of perfect, creating likable and realistic characters, as well as some of the best dialogue around. The story is a little plotless, but the film is extremely entertaining and still manages to realistically present its theme. The direction is decidedly unstylish, but is rather impressive and beautifully minimalistic. Clerks is an extremely funny film that characterizes the 90's perfectly, and above all, will entertain you. You'll like it if: You like indie comedies, slice of life movies, Judd Apatow's films, Slacker, The Big Lebowski or Superbad.