The '90s brought the world a lot of great things — boy bands, Friends, Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers — but the movies from the '90s may just be the best thing to come out of the decade, particularly those of the horror and thriller variety. Luckily, you don't have to break out your old VHS tapes because there are plenty of '90s Halloween movies to watch on Netflix so you can sufficiently freak yourself out with a heavy dose of nostalgia this October.
I hate to sound like I'm 800 years old, but man, they just don't make Halloween movies like they used to. And it seems like, for the most part, that the new movies great for Halloween are either remakes of classic thrillers and horror films or they all follow the same tired genre — here's a vampire, here's an exorcism, here's a zombie.
But the '90s really influenced the slasher flicks and the iconic horror genre. I mean, Wes Craven? That man's a genius and anything with his name on it is bound to give you chills. (Also, pretty much anything starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.)
So hop in your time machine and check out these 13 '90s Halloween movies on Netflix. (For authenticity, get yourself a house phone and jump every time it rings — that also seems to be a theme of '90s Halloween flicks.) Some are spooky horror flicks and some are heart-racing thrillers, but they are all perfect for October, a bowl of popcorn, and a beer. (And candy. Don't forget the candy.)
1'Wes Craven's New Nightmare'
It may be part of the Freddy Kreuger franchise, but Wes Craven's New Nightmare is not a continuing part of the series. Instead, the 1994 slasher flick is all about Freddy being a fictional movie villain who has come into the real world to haunt the people responsible for the films, including the cast and crew. It is creepy and frightening and it features one of the greatest movie villains of all time — you can't go wrong.
2'Sleepy Hollow'
A Tim Burton film had to make the list, right? Luckily, Netflix has one of his greatest films, Sleepy Hollow, ready to stream and make your October dreams come true. Released in 1999 and starring Johnny Depp and Christina Ricci, the film is based on the short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and stars Depp as Ichabod Crane, the constable needed to investigate the decapitating murders happening in the small town.
3'Scream 2'
I usually hate when Netflix doesn't stream the original film and only has the sequels, but when it comes to Scream 2, I don't mind one bit. The 1997 Wes Craven flick picks up a year after the first movie with Sidney at college, being terrorized by a copycat Ghostface killer. It's everything you loved about the first Scream and perfect for a '90s Halloween movie sesh.
4'The Addams Family'
OK, so The Addams Family may not be very scary, but y'all, it's one of the best '90s Halloween movies ever. On the hunt for the long-lost Uncle Fester, the Addams family deals with an impostor in their midst . . . or do they? If you've ever loved one minute of the original The Addams Family TV show, cartoon, or comic strip, you'll love this classic 1991 movie.
5'The Crow'
Totally creepy and perfect for Halloween, The Crow is a 1994 film starring Brandon Lee (his final film appearance) as Eric Draven, a rock star who comes back from the dead to avenge his death and his fiancee's rape and murder. It's a unique film with a neo-noir feel to it and it is definitely worth watching.
6'Practical Magic'
One of my absolute favorite movies is the 1998 movie, Practical Magic. Although it's heralded as a romantic comedy, it's so much more than that. It stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as two sisters who are witches with a difficult family curse to carry. From supernatural forces to demonic ex-boyfriends, it has everything you could want for a Halloween movie night.
7'Victim Of Beauty'
Also known as Nightmare In Columbia County, the 1991 film is listed on Netflix as Victim of Beauty and is a thriller from start to finish. Based on a true story, the film is about a beauty pageant winner who is stalked by a serial killer that goes as far as to torment her family and kidnap her sister. The true ordeal happened in the '80s, making this movie even more chilling to watch.
8'Blink'
There are few things scarier than not being able to see and Blink illustrates that fear beautifully. The 1994 movie is about a blind musician, Emma, who hasn't been able to see for 20 years. After a new surgery restores her vision, she starts having "vision flashes" that leave her wondering if she actually saw something or if it's just an effect of the surgery. When she sees a murder, she's not sure what she actually saw, making her a potential victim for the killer.
9'Cape Fear'
Another great thriller, Cape Fear is a 1991 film directed by Martin Scorsese starring an incredible cast, including Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, and Jessica Lange. After Max Cady serves 14 years in prison for a brutal rape, he becomes sadistic, vowing revenge on the defense attorney from his trial. It's considered a psychological thriller and will leave your heart pounding.
10'Rear Window'
Although I am normally against all remakes of classic films, 1998's Rear Window is a must see. Adapted from the original Hitchcock film, Rear Window stars Christopher Reeve as a paralyzed architect who spends most of his time spying on his neighbors. When he witnesses a murder, he contacts the police and quickly starts a cat and mouse game with the killer. Suspenseful and thrilling, it is every bit as wonderful as the original movie and just creepy enough.
11'Best Laid Plans'
Reese Witherspoon and Josh Brolin? Yes please. 1999's Best Laid Plans is a dark thriller about a man named Bryce and the scheming two people do to make sure he pays. I can't give you more than that without ruining the story for you, so just watch it. Now.
12'From Dusk Till Dawn'
OK, you can't talk about Halloween without vampires, right? From Dusk Till Dawn is a little campy, but perfect for a movie night. The 1996 movie is directed by Robert Rodriguez and stars George Clooney and Quentin Tarantino as two criminals who hide out in a cantina to discuss their next move — until they discover the cantina is a vampire den.
13'The Relic'
The Relic is a 1997 science fiction-horror film that will make you think of a spooky Night at the Museum. (In other words? It's awesome.) If you love monsters (it is Halloween after all), you'll love this film about a biological mutant getting loose at Chicago's Natural Museum of History and wreaking havoc.
