The days are growing shorter, the shadows longer; the air chills, turning the leaves varying shades of red, yellow, and brown. Overnight, decorative pumpkins, tombstones, and ghosts seemingly appear from nowhere, materializing on lawns, porches, you name it. Neighborhood kids flock to the streets, dressed as all manner of creature, character, and celebrity, in search of bountiful candies. Once more, it would seem, Halloween is upon us.

Whether you’re entertaining guests or simply killing time waiting for trick ’r treaters, no Halloween night is complete without some sort of spooky movie. With that in mind, I have painstakingly put together this list of seasonal essentials, guaranteed to have a little something for everyone.

5. Horror of Dracula (1958)

The first film on this list is an atmospheric albeit not entirely faithful adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire tale. Made by the good folks at Hammer Film Productions, this film may seem tame by today’s standards, but this was the first time Dracula had ever been seen in color, and the bright red blood was quite shocking to a late 1950’s audience. Add in stellar cinematography, a memorable score, and a charismatic performance from both Sir Christopher Lee as the titular vampire, and Peter Cushing as the vampire hunter determined to stop him, and you’ve got yourself a delightful adaptation.

4. Faust (1926)

If the last recommendation wasn’t quite “Cinema as Art” enough for you, then look no further than F.W. Murnau’s 1926 expressionist masterpiece, Faust. The camera work and set design alone make this film a work of art. However, Emil Jannings’ delightfully diabolical performance as Mephisto steals every scene he’s in. For full effect, this film is best viewed in the dead of night, with only the flicker of a candle (and your television screen) for light.

3. Dog Soldiers (2002)

Perhaps you’re in the mood for something a bit more recent? A bit more, shall we say, schlocky? Perhaps something with a bit of gratuitous violence? Dog Soldiers is your classic story of British marines who, while on a routine training exercise in the Scottish Highlands, are besieged by a pack of ravenous werewolves. Gore, suspense, and a tinge of humor (along with a generous portion of harsh language) make this a campy, cult classic.

2. The Witch (2015)

Robert Eggers’ 2015 film The Witch is deliciously unsettling. Utilizing our natural fear of the unknown, the film tells the story of an isolated Puritan family in 1630’s New England whose farmstead – nestled at the edge of a dark and ominous forest – falls prey to a witch. Beneath the film’s horror surface, it is a haunting coming of age story, featuring a breakout performance from Anya Taylor-Joy.

1. Army of Darkness (1992)

Our final film is easily the most accessible of writer/director Sam Raimi’s iconic Evil Dead series, in which our deadbeat yet charming protagonist, portrayed by Bruce Campbell, is transported back in time to the Middle Ages. He must use his wits to battle an army of dead-ites.

Camera tricks, practical effects galore, and a healthy dose of slapstick comedy make this crowd-pleaser a Halloween must.

These films can be streamed on the following platforms: 5. HBO Max; 4. Amazon Prime; 3. Starz; 2. HBO Max; 1. Peacock.