Aries — The Evil Dead (1981)
This film is the first in the Evil Dead trilogy directed by world-renowned director, Sam Raimi. It started in 1978 as “Within the Woods,” a short film by Raimi and his childhood friends, Bruce Campbell and Rob Tapert.
The Evil Dead was known for its equal servings of gore and humor — it’s so bad, it’s good! This has made this film and it’s younger sibling, Evil Dead II, cult classics.
Aries, you’ll be right at home with all the quick decisions and decisive actions in this film — even if they may not have been the best choices. But we do hope you never find yourself in the same situation! Running outside in the middle of a deadly storm while you’re being haunted is probably not the wisest of decisions, but who are we to judge?
We highly recommend watching this film with your best friends, so (like the true protagonist you are) while your friends scream at the jump scares, you can prove your steadfast bravery by cracking jokes at the cheesy special effects and exaggerated acting.
“She’s your girlfriend! You take care of her!”
Taurus — Dream House (2011)
I know you aren’t a huge fan of horror movies, Taurus, so you’ll be pleased to know Dream House is more of a psychological thriller. It follows the story of Will Atenton, a successful New York City publisher, who moves his wife and two young daughters out of the city to settle into a quiet New England town while he works on writing his first novel.
However, as time goes on, Will and his family’s “dream house” becomes more of a nightmare as unsettling events reveal the heinous crime that had been committed inside the house only five years earlier: A man had apparently murdered his wife and children — and this man had recently been released from the local psychiatric hospital. Now, Will and his family find teenagers performing incantations in the basement and a mysterious figure is lurking around their new home.
The twists and turns of the story will keep you so engaged that you won’t even have to worry about getting scared! You’ll want to learn the truth more than anything, and Daniel Craig’s phenomenal performance will take you along for the ride.
“We’ll do whatever it takes, okay? We’ll hire a priest… oh, a witch doctor… I don’t know. We’ll feng shui the place. It’s our house.”
Gemini — The Blair Witch Project (1999)
The Blair Witch Project is one of the most successful independent films ever made. Using the “found footage” technique, the film follows three student filmmakers attempting to make a documentary about the local legend known as the Blair Witch. The film is meant to appear as if it’s a playback of the actual found footage recovered from the camcorder belonging to the three students — they had all mysteriously disappeared into the woods and never returned.
One of the major credits to the film’s success — and one of the reasons you are so drawn to it, Gemini — is the air of mystery that surrounds it. The marketing for the film blurred the lines between fact and fiction. At screenings, “missing persons” posters of the three actors (who had used their real names in the film) were handed out, and even the actors’ IMDb pages listed them as “missing, presumed dead” until a year after the film’s release.
This film incorporates intense layers of authenticity and realism, which make it all the more terrifying. It’s shot entirely with a shaky, handheld camcorder, and almost all the scenes were improvised, prompting real reactions from the actors.
“I’m scared to close my eyes… I’m scared to open them.”
Cancer — The Uninvited (2009)
The Uninvited is a modern remake of the South Korean film, The Tale of Two Sisters (2003) (which was adapted from an old Korean folk tale, Janghwa Hongryeon jeon), and it follows the story of Anna, a young woman who has just been released from a psychiatric ward following the tragic death of her terminally-ill mother in a fire and her own suicide attempt. Anna has trouble remembering what happened the night of the fire.
Upon returning home, Anna reunites with her older sister, Alex, and is surprised and dismayed to find her father now dating her mother’s old nurse, Rachel. Haunted by dreams of her ghostly mom desperate for revenge, Anna investigates Rachel’s true motives with the help of her older sister.
This film is chalk-full of emotional turmoil and plot twists that will keep you hanging on the edge of your seat (or hiding under it!), and you’ll find yourself really feeling for the characters as you follow Anna and Alex on their quest for truth and justice.
“We survive by remembering. But sometimes we survive by forgetting.”
Leo — The Craft (1996)
The Craft follows the story of a group of four teenage girls who are outcasts at their Catholic high school. It’s a story with well-rounded female characters — each unique and well fleshed-out in a way well ahead of its contemporaries in the genre — who learn the hard way that power can corrupt.
Bonnie, Rochelle, and Nancy had been labeled as witches before they ever cast a spell, because their troubled backgrounds and differences have ostracized them from their Catholic school cliques. So, when newcomer Sarah arrived on the scene displaying telekinetic abilities, the others urge her to join their coven, thus completing the circle of four and sparking their powers.
After the coven is complete, the girls discover the spells they cast actually work. They eagerly take revenge on those who’ve done them wrong and claim everything they desire, but their newfound power comes with unforeseen consequences. Will they give up their sisterhood for it all?
With four strong, badass female leads, this ’90s cult classic is sure to become one of your new favorites during spooky season!
“We are the weirdos, mister.”
Virgo — The Conjuring (2013)
The Conjuring is the first film production based on real-life events experienced by the Warren family — famous paranormal investigators, demonologists, and authors who traveled throughout the U.S. to help rid families of supernatural, demonic forces.
The story is centered around the Perron family, consisting of Roger, Caroline, and their five daughters. After moving into an old, historic farmhouse in Harrisville, Rhode Island, the family encounters a malevolent spirit who targets Caroline and terrorizes the children.
The movie explores the theme of evil vs. maternal instinct, and you may find yourself relating to Caroline’s desperation to save her children and protect her family as you watch her struggle throughout the film. Who was the accused witch who used to own the Perron’s farm? And what really happened to her children?
Fair warning, this movie is not for the faint of heart. You will embark on a white-knuckle roller coaster ride of scary, scarier, and terrifying! You’ll definitely want to watch this with a crowd of loved ones and follow it up with a lighthearted comedy to help you sleep through the night.
“Do you want to play a game of hide and clap?”
Libra — When a Stranger Calls (2006)
When a Stranger Calls explores the urban legend of the teenage babysitter being stalked and possibly murdered while she’s alone watching the children. It has been said that the original story is loosely based on the unsolved murder of 13-year-old babysitter Janett Christman in 1950s Columbia, Missouri.
In this particular case, sixteen-year-old Jill Johnson is set to babysit for the wealthy Mandrakis family in their lavish, multi-story, waterfront home. As the night goes on, Jill receives unsettling phone calls, starting with silence or heavy breathing, but later becoming threatening, saying they can see her. Granted, the house has gigantic, floor-to-ceiling windows throughout most of the home, so this really shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise. The Mandrakis probably should’ve considered investing in some curtains, but who am I to judge!
This film is a remake of the 1979 cult classic, extending the first bone-chilling twenty minutes of the original into a full feature-length film. It’s disturbing and unsettling, praying on the fears most young women have when they are home alone — and it will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat up until the very last scene.
“Sometimes he doesn’t even say anything… he just keeps on calling.”
Scorpio — The Cabin in the Woods (2012)
The Cabin in the Woods takes all the elements of classic horror tropes and flips them on their heads, but could we really expect anything less from Joss Whedon, creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? And Drew Goddard (who made his directorial debut with The Cabin in the Woods) worked with Whedon on Buffy, so you can expect something exceptional!
When it comes to characters, you’ve got the usual archetypes — the Fool (Marty), the Athlete (Curt), the Scholar (Holden), the Virgin (Dana), and the Whore (Jules) — all taking a much-needed vacation to a remote cabin in the woods. While the characters and setting are cliché, the story is anything but. This weekend getaway turns out to be not only a terrifying ordeal for these teens, but also involves them in a sinisterly orchestrated plot by an organization with extreme power.
For what ends? I’m not going to spoil it for you! The tone of this film is more of a dark comedy, and you’ll appreciate its approach to the macabre and its satirical nature.
“Okay, I’m drawing a line in the fucking sand here. Do not read the Latin.”
Sagittarius — Haunting of Hill House (2018)
While Haunting of Hill House isn’t a movie, it’s a thrilling Netflix miniseries directed by the genius, Mike Flanagan. Hill House is the first of Flanagan’s The Haunting anthology, and believe me when I tell you, it’s one show you don’t want to miss.
The story focuses on the Crain family. Told from different family members’ perspectives, the story alternates between present-day happenings and horrifying flashbacks of Hill House in 1992, 26 years before. Each member has had their own paranormal experiences (or lack thereof), and all have unique perspectives to add to the twisting storyline.
Themes are of loss, grief, addiction, self-sacrifice, secrets, and family — and, of course, hauntings! The storytelling in this show is truly wonderful — matched only by its sister show, The Haunting of Bly Manor — weaving questions and secrets right up to the very end. If the phenomenal writing isn’t enough to draw you in, the fun of trying to spot the hundreds of “hidden ghosts” strategically placed in various shots throughout the series certainly will! Check out a roundup of the ghosts to look for here.
“Just because someone’s a good person — just because you care about them — doesn’t mean they won’t burn you.”
Capricorn — Orphan (2009)
This dark and twisted film follows Kate and John Coleman, who (after the stillborn death of their third child) decide to adopt from the local orphanage. They soon choose nine-year-old Ester to add to their family of four. However, despite her sweet and innocent demeanor, Kate begins to suspect that Ester may not be as she appears, and more and more “bad luck” involves her. As Ester’s hidden psychopathic tendencies create an even larger rift in the family, Kate tries desperately to find out the truth.
Ester is ruthless, soulless, and conniving — yet extremely clever. Her manipulative tactics can be frustrating to watch as a viewer, but that’s what makes her character so shocking! The story is twisting and bone-chilling, and the performance from twelve-year-old actress Isabelle Fuhrman received wide praise.
The film itself is original and unconventionally terrifying, and progresses along a straight but unpredictable path — which is why you would like it so much, Capricorn. It shows that we don’t need ghosts, zombies, or witches to make a horror film. Sometimes, human nature is horrifying enough!
“I’m afraid I… may have made a mistake. I think there could be something wrong with Esther.”
Aquarius — The Shining (1980)
This beloved cult-classic adapted from the Stephen King novel is right up your alley, Aquarius — and not just because the film is a cultural phenomenon that has inspired over twenty thousand memes — although that’s certainly a plus!
Another excellent psychological horror film, The Shining explores cabin fever to the extreme, alcoholism, and an intense bout of writer’s block. The plot follows Jack (an alcoholic writer with issues), his wife Wendy, and their young son, Danny.
Jack has just been offered the role of winter caretaker for the Overlook Hotel, which he later learns (the hard way) has a dark, ghostly past that torments the family the longer they stay. The hotel is closed for the season and isolated — and did I mention haunted?
The story is personal to King, who was inspired by a stay of his own at the Stanley Hotel in Colorado. He said that it was almost autobiographical, portraying his own worst fears. Maybe that’s partially what makes this film stick with you for so long after you watch it. It’s unnerving, chaotic, and arguably one of the best classic horror films ever made, making it just the movie for you!
“Some places are like people; some shine and some don’t.”
Pisces — Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
This classic slasher film is the first of many in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. Freddy Krueger, the infamous antagonist of the franchise, is an iconic horror villain who murders his victims by infiltrating their nightmares and killing them in horrible, gruesome ways that affect them in the real world. I think one of the scariest things about this movie is that it is supposed to reflect some elements from actual newspaper articles the writer and director, Wes Craven, read in the 1970s — yikes!
Nightmare’s Nancy Thompson was part of a trend started in the 1980s of horror movies with very strong female leads, which you’ll appreciate, Pisces. While, historically, female characters had mainly been victims — or very fast runners — in these 1980s slasher films, characters like Nancy would prove to be very capable protagonists.
Half taking place in dreams, this film has a lot of psychedelic qualities. It’s mystical and unique, which helps the film stand out — and stand the test of time. It’s difficult to differentiate what’s real and what’s an illusion, all the way up to the ending scene… was it all just a dream or was it real?