My October Movie Picks: Frights, Spells & Cozy Chills

It’s the first day of the month of October! If you’re like me, this is the day—or month—you’ve longed for, especially after a gruesomely hot and humid summer. I hope your summer was filled with fun family time, memories made with friends, and incredible trips. But now, let’s get to the real fun.

If you’re like me, you’ve decked out your home with pumpkins, wreaths, and scented candles; stayed warm outside with a fire pit; started creating comforting meals; lined up those cozy sweaters in your closet—although the weather can play tricks on us this time of year—and started appreciating nature’s changing colors, from bright greens to burnt orange, deep red, and earthy brown.

While many, myself included, love all these things that scream fall, it’s also because it’s “spooky season.” The unique costumes, kids trick-or-treating, and parties with friends—there is a lot to enjoy. Halloween is also loved for the eerie elements that bring an adrenaline rush. Frightening haunted houses, dark ghost tours, and disturbing stories offer an escape from reality.

And I love all of it. If it sends shivers down my spine, it screams perfect for me. Perhaps, though, my absolute favorite thing to do this time of year is get comfortable on the couch in my jammies with my blanket and binge-watch Halloween movies.

Scary movies are totally my thing, but I’m also drawn to anything with a touch of Halloween, a bit of magic or imagination, or that wraps you in the warmth of autumn.

From comedic paranormal romance to darkly humorous movies that are gory and possibly emotionally scarring, take a look at my October watchlist below.

So whether you’re craving a bone-chilling thriller that’ll have you double-checking the locks, a quirky comedy with just the right dash of dark humor, or a magical tale that glows like candlelight in a pumpkin—this lineup casts a wide spell. There’s something here for every kind of curious soul.

Now tell me—what do you love to watch when the nights grow longer and the air turns crisp? Do you lean into the creepy, the cozy, or a mix of both? Drop your favorites in the comments… if you dare.