10 Creepy Flicks To Get You In The Crafty Halloween Spirit
By DeAngelo Murillo
October is here and with it comes a flood of zombies, vampires, ghosts, ghouls and various other things that go bump in the night! Even better – you can craft the late night hours away while binge watching films filled of indescribable horror… without your friends and family questioning your sanity! Yup, you have come to the right place if you are in need of a good list of horror films to provide entertainment while you work away on your latest pumpkin tutorial!
I would like to add a disclaimer that horror classics such as Carrie, Exorcist, Poltergeist, Nosferatu, Night of the Living Dead, etc. are not on the list due to being so fantastically mainstream that we’ll assume you have already seen and love them as much as we do. This list is in no particular order and contains films more recent and not as well known as the classics yet are still filled of edge of your seat excitement.
As a bonus, we’ve included a DIY project for each film. Have fun! (Be careful while watching scary movies while crafting, keep it safe!)
1. Shaun Of the Dead (2004)
Shaun of the Dead takes place in modern London that focuses on Shaun, an average, lovable goof who loses his girlfriend and hinders his relationship with his mother the day before a zombie outbreak and must then fight to protect what he loves most using everyday items to defend himself. Although the setting of a zombie apocalypse automatically earns the right to be included in the horror genre, it is much more a comedy than a serious piece. If you love british humor than you’ll enjoy this film even mroe so and if you have never experienced the wonder of british humor you’ll still be in for a treat as it contains incredibly witty banter than is perfect for working on your project, laughing at the jokes and then popping your head up every so often to watch the ragtag group of survivors fend off the undead. Link to trailer.
Crafty idea: Zombie Make-Up Tutorial
2. Devil’s Carnival (2012)
Devil’s Carnival is an indie horror musical that focuses on three lost souls who died and found themselves in the Devil’s Carnival and must face their greatest of sins to see if they are able to overcome and earn the right to ascend to Heaven. Similar to Shaun of the Dead, Devil’s Carnival is less of a scare and more of an uncomfortable yet entertaining experience that will make you curious as to how the story ends and is filled with enough chaos to throw you completely off track. Admittedly, this film is not the best in terms of overall plot, character development, and even some of their songs will make you want to fast forward but the fact that it is a short 56 minute film makes it bearable. The cast is surprising as it includes Ivan L. Moody (Five Finger Death Punch), Alexa Vega (Spy Kids), Dayton Callie(Sons of Anarchy) and more hidden gems. The songs are the real gem of this film which makes it perfect for paying a majority of your attention on the task at hand and peeking at the screen in those moments when you need to take a drink of water or shake a bottle of paint. Link to trailer.
Crafty Idea: Zombie Luchador Face Paint
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D54Hm9pTHv8
3. The Mist (2007)
The Mist was originally written by Stephen King, one of the greatest horror writers of our time, that takes place in a small town where odd events occur that results in a thick mist. If only that were the end of the story, the mist conceals the true threat of this horror film as it forces the main characters to take shelter in a supermarket with other townspeople as they attempt to ride the mist out until help can arrive. This film is filled of mystery, suspense, action, and has an overall unique feel that separates it from other horror films. This is a film that may cause you to become invested in the story and may even stop your work completely during the more serious moments. If haven’t seen or heard anything about the Mist then you, my friend, are in for a treat. Link to trailer.
4. Cabin In The Woods (2012)
Cabin in the Woods is a Joss Whedon film so you know it’ll be witty, action packed, and may contain unexpected turns that will separate this film from other horror movies. The plot is fairly simply as they have five friends who go up to a cabin to relax for a weekend and then the unfortunate happens. Although it has a very B movie storyline, the characters, dialogue, and overall mystery is what makes this film golden. the horror in this film comes more so from the gore than any jump scares but is still quite entertaining. It was a bit mainstream around it’s release but I never got to see the film until years after so just in case there are others who have yet to see this film, I highly recommend it! Link to trailer.
Crafty Idea: Disturbing Doormat
5. Attack the Block (2011)
Attack the Block is technically a Sci Fi film but it is presented in a survival horror style so I have included it in the list. The plot is that a group of young misfits in South London come upon something odd and make a mistake, their actions result in their city being plagued by extraterrestrials who are in no way, shape, or form kind. This might be a personal preference but Cockney accents are incredible and this film is chalk full of them! The action is great, the characters are entertaining, the conflict is very real and holds no bars against children which I give the directors tons of props for due to most films treating children as untouchable. It’s a fresh take on the alien apocalypse as it is not the military trained, butt chin, guns blazing men and women who are the heroes but rather some young thugs who have to use their wits to combat creatures far superior than themselves. Link to trailer.
Crafty idea: Sci Fi Señorita Glowing Head
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3tOFejxPH0
6. Drag Me to Hell (2009)
In Drag Me To Hell, we have a loan officer who is caught between getting a promotion by evicting a woman from her home or or showing an old woman kindness. Unfortunately, she chooses the former and is cursed. Over the course of a few short days weird things happen out of nowhere with each new event escalating. She races to find a way out of the curse and make peace with the woman before time is up. One aspect of this film that makes it unique is the fact that the main character is an adorable female who you’d never in a million years wish anything bad upon but this one mistake has damned her and she has to deal with it. AND – my mom (Crafty Chica) loves this flick!) Link to trailer.
Crafty idea: Horror Flick Fabric Coasters
7. Let the Right One In (2008)
You know what this list lacks? Films with subtitles! Let The Right One In is a Swedish film that focuses on a shy boy who gets picked on frequently until he meets a new friend. She shows him a kindness that he has never known before and his self confidence builds up. On a totally unrelated note, weird stuff happens to the small town that turns the locals into a panic. It’s a wild ride that will cause you to have a love/hate relationship with everyone in the film. The subtitles might distract you if you are not used to reading them ut I highly encourage you to try and watch the with in it’s natural language as the actors give top notch performances which translates well to the subtitles. Link to trailer.
Crafty Idea: Zombie Doll Makeover
8. Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
Continuing our trend of subtitled films, Pan’s Labyrinth is far more odd and unnatural than horror. A young girl escapes to a fantasy world when her real world is plagued by her terrible stepfather. This movie is fantastic to watch as it focuses on being aesthetically pleasing, everything from the fantasy world to the creatures is wonderful. Even the most intimidating of monsters is visually appealing due to it’s unique nature. Although this film is in another language, it must be watched with subtitles because it is just that incredible. Link to trailer.
Craft idea: Glow in the Dark Corset Top
9. Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Alright, I broke my own rule, but I had to include Nightmare Before Christmas into this list because it is a classic film that always warms our cold, dark October hearts with it’s quirky characters and addictive songs. If you are one of the few people on this earth that has never seen this film, prepare to have your mind blown by this clay animated film. Out of all the movies on this list, these is the film that you will be able to watch, be productive, and finish with a smile on your face rather than having to still your erratically beating heart. Even if you have watched it before, watch it again! Nightmare Before Christmas always promises a great experience. Link to trailer.
Crafty idea: Furry Monster Bags
10. The Babadook (2014)
Time to get serious. The Babadook is a true horror film through and through while still being able to great film. It has a 98% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes for a very good reason. Many horror films in America relies on jump scares to snatch screams from viewers but The Babadook uses real horror of insanity, things out of the corner of your eye, scene changes, and so much more to make you wickedly uncomfortable. Personally, I put The Babadook up with the Ring seeing as I still to this day will never utter ‘Babadook’ over the phone nor will I even think to pick up a children’s book with a similar title all because of this film. Apologies for cursing but it seriously scared the shit out of me and I loved every moment of it. This may be the film that stops you from crafting so you can fully enjoy this film. Link to trailer.
Crafty idea: Blood Drip Earrings
Well there you have it, Folks! 10 films to get you in the crafty Halloween spirit! If you only have time to watch a single film I say watch Shaun of the Dead if you want comedy, The Babadook if you want a heart attack, and Nightmare Before Christmas if you want to be happier than when you started the film.
I hope you all have a great October and I know that all of your projects from here on out will be much more wonderful than the last!
DeAngelo
DeAngelo Murillo is a writer, geek-enthusiast and founder of TheGeekLyfe.com. See more of him HERE. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube!
Creepy, haven’t done scare flicks in a while but I’ll give these a shot. The first movie Shaun of dead for sure. However, I was painting some art yesterday wistening (watching+listening) to A nightmare before Christmas. Loved it..