Halloween 2018: Horror movies and supernatural thrillers in theaters on All Hallows’ Eve

October 1, 2018

by Carla Hay

There are numerous horror movies available to watch on TV, computers or mobile devices, but for Halloween 2018, there are a select number of horror flicks and supernatural thrillers that will be released in theaters in October.  Horror and supernatural movies released before October 2018 that should still be in theaters during the Halloween season include “The Nun” (rated PG-13); “The House With a Clock in Its Walls” (rated PG); “Hell Fest” (rated R); “The Predator” (rated R); and “Slender Man” (rated PG-13). Here are the movies that have an October 2018 release:

Information in this article is about U.S. releases.

RELEASES FOR MATURE AUDIENCES

(Movies that are rated R)

“Halloween” (2018)

Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode, the most famous target of serial killer Michael Myers’ murderous wrath. Curtis played the role in the first “Halloween” movie in 1978, the 1981 sequel “Halloween II” and in 1998’s “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later.” In the 2018 “Halloween,” Laurie once again faces off against Michael Myers, as he returns to their hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. John Carpenter, who wrote and directed the first “Halloween” movie, is not a key player in this 2018 sequel, which was directed and co-written by David Gordon Green. The 2018 “Halloween” cast also includes Nick Castle (who played Michael Myers in the first “Halloween” movie), Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, and Virginia Gardner.  The 2018 “Halloween” sequel got mostly positive reviews after its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The movie, which is rated R, opens in wide release on October 19, 2018.

“Suspiria” (2018)

This remake of Dario Argento’s 1977 horror movie is also set in the 1970s (just like the original “Suspiria”) and the concept is the same: a young American female dancer joins a dance company in Germany that is plagued by evil forces. Luca Guadagnino (Oscar-nominated producer of “Call My By Your Name”) directed this “Suspiria” remake, whose cast includes Tilda Swinton as the troupe’s artistic director; Jessica Harper, who starred in the original “Suspiria”; and Dakota Johnson, Mia Goth and Chloë Grace Moretz as members of the dance company. Radiohead’s Thom Yorke makes his debut as a film composer with this movie. “Suspiria” got divisive reviews (critics loved it or hated it) after its world premiere at the 2018 Venice International Film Festival. The movie arrives in select U.S. theaters on October 26, 2018, before getting a wider release on November 2, 2018.

FAMILY-FRIENDLY RELEASES

(Movies that are rated PG or PG-13)

“I Still See You”

In a post-apocalyptic world, the ghosts of dead people can still be seen performing activities on a repetitive loop before they disappear. When a high-school student Veronica “Roni” Calder (played Bella Thorne) receives threatening warnings from a mysterious young male ghost, she teams up with a classmate (played by Richard Harmon) to get to the bottom of the mystery. “I Still See You” also stars Dermot Mulroney as one of Roni’s school teachers. The movie is based on the novel “Break My Heart One Thousand Times” by Daniel Waters. Directed by Scott Speer, “I Still See You,” which is rated PG-13, opens in limited release on October 12, 2018. The movie is also available on demand on the same date.

“Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween”

This sequel to 2015’s “Goosebumps” doesn’t have most of the first “Goosebumps” movie’s cast, but it follows the same premise: a group of kids discover toys that come to life and often scare them after a mysterious book is opened. Based on author R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” book series, “Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween,” directed by Ari Sandel, has a cast that includes Wendi McLendon-Covey, Madison Iseman, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Caleel Harris, Chris Parnell and Ken Jeong. Jack Black has a cameo reprising his role as R.L. Stine from the first “Goosebumps” movie. “Goosebumps 2,” which is rated PG, opens in wide release on October 12, 2018.

SPECIAL RE-RELEASES

“Beetlejuice”

Tim Burton’s classic 1988 horror comedy tells the story of deceased young couple Adam and Barbara Maitland (played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis), who haunt their former home and try unsuccessfully to scare away the house’s new residents: Charles and Delia Deetz (played by Jeffrey Jones and Catherine O’Hara) and their moody teenage daughter Lydia (Winona Ryder). In desperation, the Maitlands conjur up the obnoxious ghost Betelgeuse (played by Michael Keaton) to enlist his help in terrifying the Deetz family into moving out of the house. As part of the Cinépolis Handpicked series, the Cinépolis theater chain is showing “Beetlejuice” (which is rated PG) on October 17 to celebrate the movie’s 30th anniversary.  More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

“Evil Dead 2”

Sam Raimi’s “Evil Dead 2” is a rare sequel that is considered just as good if not better than the original movie: 1981’s “The Evil Dead,” which Raimi also wrote and directed. In a plot similar to that of its predecessor, 1987’s “Evil Dead 2” has Ash Williams (played by Bruce Campbell) fighting off demons in a secluded cabin in the woods. This time, instead of reading from the Book of the Dead that conjures the evil spirits, it’s a discovered audiotape of a professor reading from the book that unleashes the horrific beasts once again. “Evil Dead 2,” which is rated R, has been given a 4K restoration and a limited re-release in select U.S. theaters, as of October 1, 2018. More information can be found here.

“The Fog”

Writer/director John Carpenter followed up his 1978 classic horror film “Halloween” with 1980’s “The Fog,” a ghost story about a fictional seaside California town named Antonio Bay that is haunted by sinister spirits whose presence is foreshadowed by an eerie fog. The movie’s cast includes Adrienne Barbeau, Tom Atkins, Hal Holbrook and the mother-daughter duo of Janet Leigh and original “Halloween” star Jamie Lee Curtis. “Halloween” co-star Nancy Loomis, who now goes by the name Nancy Kyes, also has a role in this movie. “The Fog,” which is rated R, has received a 4K restoration and is getting a limited re-release in select U.S. theaters by Rialto Pictures, beginning on October 26, 2018. More information can be found here.

“Frankenstein” (1931)

The original “Frankenstein” movie is considered one of the all-time great horror movie classics. The story of mad scientist Dr. Victor Frankenstein and his man-made horror creature has been told on screen many times, but film historians consider the original movie version to be the best. The original “Frankenstein” movie also made Boris Karloff, who played the creature, a horror-movie icon. As part of the Cinépolis Handpicked series, the Cinépolis theater chain is showing “Frankenstein” (which is unrated) on October 16. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

“Frankenstein” (2011 National Theatre stage production)

In 2011, Fathom Events released a screening of the U.K.’s “Frankenstein” National Theatre stage production, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller switching roles as Dr. Frankenstein and his Creature in different versions of the play. Directed by Danny Boyle, this special screening (which is not rated) is getting a re-release in select U.S. cinemas on two dates: October 22 will have Miller as Dr. Frankenstein and Cumberbatch as the Creature, while October 29 will feature Cumberbatch as Dr. Frankenstein and Miller as the Creature. More information and ticket purchases are available here.

“Ghostbusters” (1984)

The original 1984 “Ghostbusters” movie is considered a horror-comedy classic. Directed by Ivan Reitman, the movie tells the story of three paranormal investigators (played by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis), their first recruit (Ernie Hudson), their socialite client (played by Sigourney Weaver), her neighbor (played by Rick Moranis), and how they stumble upon ghosts and demons in New York City. As part of the Cinépolis Handpicked series, the Cinépolis theater chain is showing “Ghostbusters” (which is rated PG) on October 9. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

“Halloween” (1978)

John Carpenter’s “Halloween” is considered one of the most influential horror movies of all time, and certainly one of the top films representing the “slasher” subgenre of horror flicks. The mask-wearing, knife-wielding, mute serial killer Michael Myers has become a much-parodied and imitated horror icon, but at the time that “Halloween” was released, many of the terror-inducing elements of this movie were considered groundbreaking. The slow-burn suspense of “Halloween,” which spawned numerous inferior sequels, can be fully appreciated on the big screen, considering that most modern “slasher” movies follow a formula of someone getting killed every 15 to 20 minutes. Jamie Lee Curtis, as teenage babysitter Laurie Strode, made her movie debut in “Halloween,” one of many horror films in which she’s had a starring role, including the 2018 movie sequel of the same name. Donald Pleasence also stars in the original “Halloween” as Myers’ psychiatric doctor, who doggedly tries to find his patient after Myers escapes from a psychiatric institution. The original 1978 “Halloween,”  which is rated R, is getting a 40th anniversary re-release, with a restored and remastered digital print, in select theaters in the U.S. and other countries.  CineLife Entertainment teamed up with Compass International Pictures and Trancas International Films for the re-release that begins for a limited time on September 27, 2018. More information can be found here. The Cinépolis theater chain is showing “Halloween” on October 30, with Squared Co photo ops and giveaways. A select number of Cinépolis locations will have director’s commentary on SoundFI devices.

“Hocus Pocus”

The supernatural comedy film “Hocus Pocus,” directed by Kenny Ortega, tells the story of three ancient sister witches (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) who are accidentally conjured up by a teenage boy (played by Omri Katz) after he and his family move from Los Angeles to Salem, Massachusetts. “Hocus Pocus,” which is rated PG, is getting a special 25th anniversary re-release at AMC Theatres from October 26 to October 31. More information and ticket purchases are available here.

 “Night of the Living Dead” (1968)

George A. Romero’s zombie-invasion classic is often on people’s lists of the best horror movies of all time, and it’s considered the best of all the sequels, spinoffs and remakes that this original movie inspired. Filmed in black and white, “The Night of the Living Dead” has a plot that is simple but executed to chilling effect: A group of strangers trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse try to survive an unexpected plague of zombies. Duane Jones and Judith O’Dea were among the cast of relatively unknown actors in the film. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the movie’s release, Fathom Events,  in association with Museum of Modern Art and the George Lucas Family Foundation, are presenting a restored and remastered print of “Night of the Living Dead,” which is rated R, in select U.S. theaters on October 24 and October 25. More information and ticket purchases are available here.

“The Nightmare Before Christmas”

The 1993 animated musical “The Nightmare Before Christmas”—produced and conceived by Tim Burton and directed by Henry Selick—tells the story of Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween Town, who accidentally goes through a portal to Christmas Town.  When he returns to Halloween Town to celebrate Christmas and share  his knowledge about Christmas, chaos ensues. Danny Elfman, who wrote the film’s songs and score, provided the singing voice of Jack. The voice cast also includes Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara, William Hickey, Ken Page, Paul Reubens, Glenn Shadix, and Ed Ivory. “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is getting a 25th anniversary re-release at Regal movie theaters from October 26 to October 31.  Screenings will be available in standard 2D at all participating Regal theaters, as well as in 4DX at select locations. Regal Crown Club members who purchase tickets to the event will also receive a $5 concession combo offer, including a small popcorn and drink, while supplies last. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

“Rosemary’s Baby”

Roman Polanski’s 1968 sinister horror film tells the story of a young New York City wife named Rosemary Woodhouse (played by Mia Farrow) and her struggling actor husband Guy (played by John Cassevetes), whose joy of having their first child turns to horror when strange things start happening around them, including people they know becoming severely ill or dying. The couple’s strange neighbors Roman and Minnie Castavet (played by Sidney Blackmer and Ruth Gordon), who have a creepy interest in Rosemary’s pregnancy, might have something to do with it. As part of the Cinépolis Handpicked series, the Cinépolis theater chain is showing “Rosemary’s Baby” (which is rated R) on October 2 to celebrate the movie’s 50th anniversary.

“Spirited Away”

Hayao Miyazaki’s 2001 Japanese fantasy adventure “Spirited Away” is an Oscar-winning movie (Best Animated Feature) that tells the story of a 10-year-old girl named Chihiro Ogino who enters the spirit world after her parents are turned into pigs by a witch named Yubaba. Chihiro then works in Yubaba’s bath house to try and find a way to free her parents from the spell and get them back into the real world. Fathom Events is presenting “Spirited Away,” which is rated PG, in select U.S. theaters on October 28, 29 and 30. The October 28 and 30 screenings will be dubbed in English, while the October 29 screening will be in Japanese with English subtitles. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

“Twilight”

The vampire film series “Twilight” (based on Stephanie Meyer’s young-adult book series) evoked love/hate responses from moviegoing audiences. Rabid fans of “Twilight” loved the romance of vampire Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson) and human teenager Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart); the Cullen vampire clan’s complicated relationship with werewolves; and the battles of good versus evil. However, there was an immense backlash against “Twilight” by the time the movie series ended in 2012, with critics deriding the acting, dialogue and visual effects. And even though the “Twilight” series made Pattinson and Stewart into highly paid teen-idol celebrities (and sparked a doomed real-life romance between the two co-stars), they have since given interviews saying they dislike their “Twilight” notoriety. For people who want to remember or experience the film that started the “Twilight” movie craze, Fathom Events will have a 10th anniversary re-release of the first “Twilight” movie (which is rated PG-13 and directed by Catherine Hardwicke) in select U.S. theaters on October 21 and October 23. The screening includes a filmed introduction by Hardwicke and an exclusive sneak peek of the new special feature “Twilight Tour…10 Years Later.” More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

“Young Frankenstein”

This 1974 horror comedy is widely considered to be director Mel Brooks’ greatest film. Brooks co-wrote the “Young Frankenstein” screenplay with Gene Wilder, who stars as Frederick Frankenstein, a grandson of Victor Frankenstein, who travels to Transylvania and unwittingly creates another monster creature (played by Peter Boyle). The movie also stars Madeline Kahn, Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr, Kenneth Mars and Marty Feldman. As part of the Cinépolis Handpicked series, the Cinépolis theater chain is showing “Young Frankenstein” (which is rated PG) on October 23. More information and ticket purchases can be found here.

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