· LUCY LOVES ME · Film
Best Horror Movies 2025: Scariest Films to Watch This Halloween
If you’re hunting for the best horror movies of 2025 or just need scary Halloween films that actually deliver, these are the titles that stuck with me. For better or worse.
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling the duvet up to your chin, arranging an unreasonable amount of snacks within arm’s reach, and settling in for a proper scary movie.
This year has been brilliant for horror. Both new releases and older gems, I have finally caught up with.
Whether you’re searching for the best horror movies 2025 has offered or looking for genuinely terrifying films to watch this Halloween, I’ve got you covered.
Here’s what’s been keeping me up at night (in the best way possible).
Weapons (2025) Review: Zach Cregger Does It Again
Best for: Fans of psychological horror with strong storytelling
After Barbarian absolutely destroyed my nerves in the best possible way, I had stupidly high expectations for Zach Cregger’s follow-up.
Weapons somehow managed to meet them. The whole missing children premise initially made me hesitate as it’s heavy subject matter, but the execution was so compelling I couldn’t look away.
Going in blind was the right call. I deliberately avoided trailers and reviews, which meant every narrative shift caught me off guard.
Cregger’s signature style of weaving together different character perspectives is on full display here, and watching how all these seemingly separate stories connect is genuinely thrilling.
The film maintains that precarious balance between horror and dark humour without tipping too far either way.
The jump scares actually work (none of that cheap nonsense), there’s enough gore to satisfy without feeling gratuitous, and the ending felt earned rather than tacked on.
Yes, there are plot holes: why wasn’t Alex under constant surveillance, given he’s the only boy in his class who hasn’t gone missing? And surely someone at the shop would question a kid buying industrial quantities of soup? But these niggles didn’t derail my enjoyment.
Sometimes you’ve just got to accept that horror logic operates on its own frequency.
Scare factor: 7/10 | Gore level: Medium | Rewatchability: High
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
The Conjuring (2013): Better Late Than Never
Best for: Anyone who claims they’ve “seen everything”—this is essential viewing.
How did I make it to 2025 without seeing this? Criminal, really. But I’ve rectified that particular oversight, and I can confirm, the hype is justified.
This is often cited as one of the best horror films of the past decade, and having finally experienced it, I completely understand why.
If you’re compiling a list of scariest horror movies of all time, The Conjuring absolutely deserves its place.
The atmosphere is suffocating in the best sense. Director James Wan knows exactly how long to hold a shot before something goes horribly wrong.
That hide-and-clap game scene? The wardrobe moment? I may have yelped. Multiple times. The jump scares are masterfully timed, never feeling cheap or predictable.
What elevates The Conjuring beyond standard haunted house fare is the introduction of Ed and Lorraine Warren.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga bring such warmth and believability to their roles that you’re immediately invested in their relationship. Their chemistry anchors the entire film, making the supernatural elements feel grounded in something real.
The demon angle was refreshing, too. I’d seen plenty of ghost stories, but having a malevolent entity that’s never human adds a different layer of terror.
I’ve since explored more of the Conjuring universe (with varying degrees of success), but the original remains unmatched.
Scare factor: 9/10 | Gore level: Low-Medium | Rewatchability: Extremely high
Where to watch: Streaming on Netflix UK.
Dangerous Animals (2025): Sharks Meet Serial Killers
Best for: Creature feature fans and thriller enthusiasts
Take my two favourite thriller subgenres: shark attacks and serial killers, and mash them together. What could possibly go wrong? (Everything, delightfully.)
Hassie Harrison plays Zephyr (genuinely one of the coolest character names I’ve encountered), a fiercely independent surfer who probably should have stayed in bed for those pancakes instead of hitting the waves at dawn.
Harrison’s performance is captivating; she brings real grit to the role without falling into tired ‘final girl’ tropes.
Jai Courtney is properly menacing. The film keeps you guessing about his intentions, and he commits fully to the unhinged energy required.
The shark sequences are impressively shot (that great white scene is stunning), though I’ll admit the ending felt slightly rushed.
After building such delicious tension throughout, it wraps up faster than I’d have liked.
Still, it’s a wild ride that delivers exactly what it promises: sharks, danger, and a protagonist you’re desperate to see survive.
Scare factor: 6/10 | Gore level: Medium-High | Rewatchability: Medium
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Heretic (2024) – Hugh Grant’s Creepiest Role Yet
Best for: Fans of slow-burn psychological horror and brilliant performances
Who knew Hugh Grant could be this unsettling? Heretic sees him playing a seemingly harmless man who invites two Mormon missionaries into his home, and what unfolds is a masterclass in psychological tension. (Fine, I’ll use that word once, but it genuinely applies here.)
This is dialogue-heavy, so if you prefer non-stop action, give it a miss. But if you appreciate a slow-burning descent into dread, it’s mesmerising.
Grant is completely in his element, all polite charm masking something far more sinister. The two young actresses playing the missionaries hold their own brilliantly against him, and the power dynamics shift constantly.
The production design does serious work—lighting and sound effects ratchet up the unease until even innocuous objects (yes, a candle) become sources of terror. There are references to Dante’s Inferno scattered throughout, adding intellectual heft without feeling pretentious.
The film also grapples with themes of religion, control, and manipulation in genuinely thought-provoking ways.
The ending has divided audiences, admittedly. Some find it disappointing; I thought it was bold and fitting.
That final image has stuck with me months later. Also, the soundtrack will haunt you. “The Air That I Breathe” by The Hollies, Radiohead’s “Creep,” and Lana Del Rey’s “Get Free” will never sound quite the same.
Scare factor: 7/10 | Gore level: Low | Rewatchability: High (you’ll catch more details)
Where to watch: Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
IT (2017): Coming-of-Age Horror Done Right
Best for: Those who love ensemble casts and creature design that’ll haunt your dreams
There’s something special about a horror film that makes you genuinely care about the characters before terrifying them (and you).
IT nails this balance perfectly. The camaraderie between the Losers’ Club feels authentic. These kids actually seem like friends, with all the banter, loyalty, and awkward moments that entails.
You’re invested in their survival not just because Pennywise is after them, but because you want to see them grow up and escape their horrible town.
Speaking of Pennywise: Bill Skarsgård never disappoints. His performance is properly unsettling, all wrong angles and predatory energy. The way he shifts between playful and menacing in a heartbeat is brilliant.
Those jump scares are effective without feeling cheap, and there’s enough variety in the horror sequences to keep things fresh throughout the film’s runtime.
What makes IT so rewatchable (aside from the stellar cast and scares) are the Easter eggs scattered throughout.
There are references to Stephen King’s broader universe hidden everywhere, plus details you’ll miss on first viewing.
It’s silly in places, but that doesn’t diminish the fun.
The new Welcome to Derry series is coming soon, and I’m incredibly excited. If it captures even half the magic of this film (that perfect blend of coming-of-age storytelling and genuine horror) then we’re in for a treat.
There’s something about Derry’s mythology that keeps pulling you back.
Why it works: It remembers that the best horror films make you care about the people in danger. The scares hit harder when you’re emotionally invested.
Scare factor: 7/10 | Gore level: Medium | Rewatchability: Extremely high
Where to watch: Streaming on Sky Cinema and available to rent and buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Smile (2022) and Smile 2 (2024): Double the Terror
Best for: Those who love horror that gets under your skin
The trailer for the first Smile properly unnerved me when it dropped in 2022. That shot of the woman at the car window? Nightmare fuel. I’m generally wary of films that blend psychological horror with gore (still haven’t fully recovered from Se7en), so I put off watching it for ages.
Finally biting the bullet this year was worth it. Smile is relentlessly intense, following a therapist who witnesses a patient’s disturbing suicide and subsequently becomes haunted by an entity that manifests through people grinning at her.
The concept is simple but executed with real verve. Director Parker Finn understands that sustained dread often trumps explicit violence, though there’s enough of the latter to satisfy genre fans.
What makes Smile work is how it explores trauma and mental health through its supernatural lens.
The protagonist’s unraveling feels genuinely distressing rather than exploitative. The jump scares are effective, the creature design is properly disturbing, and the film maintains its oppressive atmosphere throughout.
Smile 2 continues directly from the first, shifting focus to a pop star dealing with the curse whilst preparing for a massive tour.
It expands the mythology without overexplaining, and the increased budget shows in the production values.
Both films reward viewers who appreciate horror that lingers rather than just shocks.
Pro tip: Watch both back-to-back for maximum impact. Just maybe do it during daylight hours.
Scare factor: 8/10 (both films) | Gore level: Medium-High | Rewatchability: Medium
Where to watch: Streaming on Paramount+
Joy Ride (2001): The Thriller That Feels Like Horror
Best for: Anyone who finds human villains scarier than supernatural ones (same)
Calling Joy Ride a thriller feels inadequate. This is proper horror dressed in road movie clothing.
The premise is straightforward: two brothers and a female friend embark on a cross-country drive and prank a truck driver over CB radio. Said truck driver, known only as Rusty Nail, does not take kindly to being messed with.
What follows is genuinely terrifying precisely because it feels plausible. Rusty Nail is never fully shown, which makes him infinitely more frightening.
His voice alone (provided by Ted Levine, who played Buffalo Bill in The Silence of the Lambs—make of that what you will) is enough to send shivers down your spine. Human monsters have always scared me more than supernatural ones, and Rusty Nail is nightmare incarnate.
The sense of dread pervades every scene. You’re constantly waiting for him to appear, and the film exploits that anticipation brilliantly.
Fun fact: J.J. Abrams co-wrote the screenplay, and you can see hints of his talent for tension-building throughout. This remains one of my all-time favourites, rewatchable despite knowing exactly what’s coming.
Why it still holds up: The fear of being stalked by someone you’ve angered never gets old. Plus, it’s a reminder that sometimes the scariest horror films don’t need ghosts or demons.
Scare factor: 8/10 | Gore level: Low | Rewatchability: Extremely high
Where to watch: Streaming on Disney.
Crawl (2019): Gators in a Hurricane
Best for: Creature feature addicts looking for pure adrenaline
After exhausting the shark movie catalogue, we’ve pivoted to alligators and crocodiles.
Crawl delivers exactly what you want from this subgenre: a young woman trapped in her flooding family home during a hurricane, with hungry gators circling.
Director Alexandre Aja keeps things lean and mean—there’s no padding here, just relentless tension.
Kaya Scodelario gives a committed performance as Haley, who’s trying to rescue her father whilst avoiding becoming reptile dinner.
The creature effects are excellent, the action sequences are brutal and believable, and the film never overstays its welcome at a tight 87 minutes.
It’s proper edge-of-your-seat stuff, enhanced by claustrophobic cinematography that makes you feel every inch of that cramped crawl space.
Plus, there’s something uniquely terrifying about water-based predators combined with a natural disaster. Two threats for the price of one.
Perfect for: A Friday night when you want something intense but not too emotionally draining.
Scare factor: 7/10 | Gore level: Medium-High | Rewatchability: High
Where to watch: Streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Companion (2025): Don’t Watch the Trailer
Best for: Viewers who love a good twist and fresh takes on familiar tropes
Going in cold is essential for Companion. Seriously, avoid the trailer at all costs as it reveals far too much.
What I can tell you is that Jack Quaid continues his streak of reliable, engaging performances, and the female lead (Sophie Thatcher) is exceptional.
The film feels refreshingly modern in its approach to familiar genre territory. There’s a twist that actually works—rare in an era where everyone thinks they can predict every plot development.
The script is sharp, the pacing is tight, and it manages to balance horror elements with genuine humour without undermining either.
It’s the kind of film that reminds you why going in blind can be such a joy. Let it surprise you.
Scare factor: 6/10 | Gore level: Medium | Rewatchability: High (different experience second time)
Where to watch: Available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997 and 2025): Old vs New
Best for: 90s slasher nostalgia vs modern horror curiosity
The original I Know What You Did Last Summer is endlessly rewatchable. Yes, it’s dated in places, but there’s something comforting about its 90s slasher sensibilities.
The cast is stacked (pre-fame Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr.), the hook-wielding killer is genuinely menacing, and it captures that specific late-90s aesthetic perfectly.
The 2025 version is… fine. Entertaining enough whilst you’re watching, but ultimately frustrating.
The twist completely undermines what made the original work. And whilst I typically hate when horror films end abruptly after the killer reveal (give us some closure!), the new version’s ending—survivors casually eating and chatting on the beach—felt absurdly contrived. Like someone ticked a box marked “happy ending” without considering whether it made any sense.
Stick with the original for rewatches, but the new one’s worth a single viewing if you’re curious.
Scare factor: 6/10 (original), 5/10 (remake) | Gore level: Medium (both) | Rewatchability: High (original), Low (remake)
Where to watch: Both available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.
Quick Fire Horror Picks by Mood
If you want: Classic supernatural scares ? The Conjuring
If you want: Clever storytelling ? Weapons or Companion
If you want: Creature chaos ? Crawl or Dangerous Animals
If you want: Psychological dread ? Heretic or Smile
If you want: Pure suspense ? Joy Ride
If you want: Group dynamics and coming-of-age vibes ? IT
If you want: Something that’ll haunt you for days ? Smile 1 & 2
The Horror Misses: Films That Didn’t Quite Hit
Not every horror film can be a winner, and I’ve sat through my share of disappointments this year.
Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016) was perfectly decent—great period setting, solid performances—but it didn’t leave me wanting to revisit it.
Heart Eyes (2025) was silly fun until that utterly baffling killer reveal ruined everything.
The Monkey (2025) was far too gory even for my tastes; I couldn’t finish it.
Wolf Man (2025) offered an interesting take on werewolf mythology with gorgeous cinematography, but the pacing dragged.
Prom Night (1980), supposedly a slasher classic, was shockingly dull—definitely doesn’t hold up.
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021) was watchable but lacked the horror punch of the earlier films.
And Sinister (2012), whilst undeniably scary and atmospheric, was so bleak and slow-burning that I had no interest in watching the sequels.
Can’t love them all, can you?
What Are You Watching This Halloween?
There’s still time before Halloween to catch up on any you’ve missed. Just remember: snacks are mandatory, a duvet is essential, and turning off your phone is non-negotiable.
What horror films have you discovered this year? Any hidden gems I’ve missed? I’m always on the hunt for the next film that’ll properly terrify me, so drop your recommendations below.
And if you’ve seen any of these, I’d love to know whether we’re on the same wavelength or if you think I’ve lost the plot entirely.
Happy viewing. Sleep well, if you can.
