ROUNDTABLE: Our Favorite Horror Movies

Its the most wonderful time of year - Spooky Season! With Halloween right around the corner, staff here at Je-Ree Reviews Media got together to discuss our favorite horror movies to watch for Halloween.

Aaliyah - Nightmare on Elm Street (Freddy Krueger)

1, 2………Freddy’s coming for you…………..

Hello Everybody. You better put on a fresh pot of coffee because the best horror movie is A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), directed by the late horror master Wes Craven and starring Heather Langenkamp as the badass heroine Nancy Thompson and the one and only Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger, the Dream Demon. It was tough to pick just one horror movie because 80s-90s horror movies are top-tier for me. I almost picked Craven’s other work, the Scream franchise, just for its campiness, easter eggs, and cast alone, but there is something about Freddy that always stuck out for me.

Freddy is underrated and the scariest horror villain solely based on the fact that escape seems impossible. Some horror/slasher movies can be frustrating when the characters become victims because they make idiotic decisions that are easily avoided. If you want to avoid Michael Myers, stay away from Haddonfield and from his blood relatives. Ghostface, if your name is Sidney, Gale, or Dewey, get away from me. And you still live in Woodsboro after the second and THIRD killing spree, you have a death wish. For Jason, as long as you stay away from Camp Crystal Lake, you should be fine. But for Freddy, most of the victims didn’t do anything to warrant their fate.

Freddy’s victims are chosen because of the parent's actions, who killed him (although you honestly can’t blame the parents for wanting to kill Fred). Most of them didn’t even know what was going on when they died. Freddy is literally a nightmare that kills you so brutally that when you are found, you won’t need a stretcher, you’ll need a mop. This is a dilemma because sleep is something that EVERYBODY needs and will eventually succumb to. If I was in the movie, I would last exactly three days before my body naturally shuts down and I fall asleep. But my main girl Nancy stayed up for so long that her hair started to turn white. Nancy was truly a final girl because by the time she realized what was happening and what she had to do, all her friends were gone. She was the last one and completely by herself. Not only did she have no one, but she had to deal with her parents who didn’t believe her and tried to get her to fall asleep. But in the end, Nancy was able to put a stop to Freddy……….at least for now (hence the sequels). The sleep-deprived, grieving teenage girl was able to beat the Dream Demon.

That is what makes Nancy such an amazing final girl to me. In horror movies, we all have those moments watching the movie when we scream at the screen “NO DON’T GO IN THERE!!!! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT???!!!” but while watching Elm Street, I honestly would not know what to do to get out of this situation. And the portrayals were amazing. Despite Freddy’s psychoticness, Englund made him such a joy to watch. I found Freddy equally hilarious and terrifying. And Langenkamp’s portrayal of the prepared heroine was one of the first. Craven, after having a conversation with his daughter Jessica, wanted to start showing a positive portrayal of women in his films, starting with Nancy.

Seeing a main character like Nancy, who didn't submit to male characters, was self-reliant, and in control of her sexuality, was not likely during this film’s release. Besides the incredible plot, characters, and cast, Elm Street has some iconic moments, such as the bathtub scene, Freddy coming through the wall, and of course the phone call. There is a reason why this iconic movie was Wes Craven's breakout hit. I could go on and on, but for me, A Nightmare on Elm Street is a movie I love to watch, but I would hate to be a part of.

Ashley - Scream (Ghostface)

When it comes to my favorite horror movie, there was a tug of war between Nightmare on Elm Street, It both the 90s TV miniseries and the late 2000s remake but I have to give it to the Scream series. I was initially excited to delve into a discussion about my favorite scary film, and while I appreciate the classics mentioned above I have to admit that for me nothing compares to the impact of Scream.

Released in 1996, Scream felt like a revival of the horror genre, masterfully blending suspense with a dash of self-aware comedy. Wes Craven, a true visionary in horror, crafted a film that not only terrified audiences but also redefined the genre. The cleverness of the plot, particularly the twist of having two killers, was a game-changer that caught me completely off guard.

Sydney Prescott, played brilliantly by Neve Campbell, is the quintessential final girl—strong, resilient, and relatable. She anchors the series, facing off against the enigmatic Ghostface in a way that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. While not every installment in the franchise hits the mark, they all manage to grab your attention and keep you guessing, which is a testament to the series' enduring appeal.

What truly sets Scream apart is its meta-commentary on horror tropes, cleverly playing with the audience’s expectations. The film doesn’t just scare; it makes you think about what you’re watching and how it fits into the larger landscape of horror cinema.

The reboots and sequels may have had mixed reviews, and I can honestly say that not all the films are great but you cannot help but watch because of what Scream has done for the genre. Each film invites a new generation into its world while honoring the original’s impact. I also have my issues with how the studio mistreated the former stars Jenna  Ortega and Melissa Barrera but that is a conversation for another time, but we remember.

In my eyes, Scream will always reign supreme in the horror genre, and I have Wes Craven to thank for creating a cultural phenomenon that continues to resonate today. If you haven’t watched it (or if it’s been a while), I highly recommend diving back into this iconic series.

Moons - Train to Busan

Picking a favorite horror movie was surprisingly difficult. It came down to films that hold a very special place of terror in my childhood psyche. Back when my older siblings used to let me watch old school horror and thriller flicks I had no business seeing as a youngling—The Exorcist (1973), Salem’s Lot (1979), Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), and Candyman (1992) to name but a few. Each one had kid-me too terrified to even go to bed on my own. I was convinced Freddy Krueger was lurking behind every corner to stab me with his knife-fingers. Or that Daniel Robitaille (the Candyman) was hanging around behind the bathroom mirror. Don’t even talk to me about Linda Blair’s 360-degree turning head and gooey, green projectile puking skills. 

So, I decided to pick a horror movie that while not “scary” in the most straightforward sense, holds a dear place in my heart. I often feel the very best horror is the kind that sets intimate human dramas or broader social-psychological commentary against the backdrop of some cataclysmic, horrifying moment. Striking the balance can be hard. You want to scare people, build compelling characters, of whom at least 2-3 go through some sort of arc, and not come off as preachy and sanctimonious while you’re at it. One of the best to ever strike that balance to glorious, terrifying, heartbreaking effect is Yeon Sang-ho’s 2016 action horror film, Train to Busan. No matter how many times I watch this one, I find myself affected. I get carried away by the taut tension of the first act. Captivated by the evolving father-daughter dynamic at the film’s heart, along with the other characters, alliances, and relationships to which the audience is introduced as the story unfolds. The physicality of the zombies is also brilliantly done. As a lifelong hater of fast-moving athletic zombies (seriously, they are living-dead, why are they all sprinting like Usain Bolt on crack?)—I forgive Train to Busan because the pure terror these zombie hordes evoke as our endearing core survivor group dwindles really does work. And, I won’t spoil things, but there are few films that can make me cry as noisily as this one does. 

Given that I’ve watched it at least once a year since I first saw it, I have no doubt that it’s the right choice. If you’re into deadly zombie stories that pack an emotional, relatable and thought-provoking punch, this is the one for you.

KAE - Blair Witch Project

Not truly being a super fan of the scary movie genre, saying I have a fav would be a stretch. But, if there is one that stands out as one the best ever crafted, it would be The Blair Witch Project. A groundbreaking work in the horror genre, the film could no doubt stand atop the Mount Rushmore of the greatest of all time. 

First released in 1999, this decidedly creepy feature, landmark in its styling, became an instant cult classic, as much for its technique as it did for its content. From the first-person camcorder filming to the ambiguous final scene, the film unfolds more like a documentary rather than a horror film. Almost 25 years later, I am not entirely convinced it didn’t actually happen. For sure, it was something that had not been experienced on film up until that point, and probably never truly will ever again. 

Blair Witch follows a group of three student filmmakers—Heather, Josh, and Mike—who embark on a journey to document the local legend of the Blair Witch, a mysterious figure said to haunt the woods of rural Maryland. Determined to uncover the truth behind the urban myth, the ambitious trio venture into the dense, eerie forest, armed only with hand-held cameras, and, a somewhat naive sense of adventure. Into the woods to hunt a witch? Really? What suspension of reality makes that ever a good idea?

As the amateur filmmakers navigate the dark woods, they encounter unsettling signs of the witch's presence—strange symbols, eerie sounds in the night, and this growing tension among themselves. What begins as an exciting exploration quickly devolves into a harrowing experience as the trio become increasingly disoriented and lost. The overgrown woods, once the central backdrop for their documentary, transforms into a tangled maze filled with unseen horrors. As fear and paranoia set in, a crack in the group's unity emerges, revealing deep-seated fears and insecurities. 

The level of fear the film conjures, comes, in part, from this had-to-be-there feel of “found footage” cinematography. The technique gives this grainy, sense of realism and immediacy, drawing you to feel like you are part of the events as they unfold. Couple that with the performances, said to be fully improvised, of the only three people to appear on screen, and there is believability to the characters' experiences. It made their fear, our fear, and their desperation real and relatable. 

Instead of relying on the slasher gore of today’s horror films, with jump scares, the unseen buried in the basement, and creepy burn victims with knives for hands, Blair Witch and its effects uses psychological warfare to invade your psyche and make you question almost everything you are seeing on screen — seriously, you saw what was wrapped in the cloth, right? Recalling it even now, the mind never truly lets you settle on a definitive answer. Watching the characters’ descent into paranoia, through the shaky lens of a camcorder, you are pulled along for ride and left with this immense sense of dread that just seems to linger the longer you watch. 

Je-Ree - Michael Myers (Halloween)

Is a scary move list complete if it doesn't mention the OG Michael Myers the Halloween stalker. This was tough for me because my actual favorite killer is Chucky but I consider Child's Play a comedy and it makes me laugh. Especially the original. Then I thought, there's Jason in the Friday the 13th franchise but he never really scared me. Paranormal Activity (the first one) was creepy but does not compare to the man that started it all.

That music, screaming teenagers, hello scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis and that white mask. Yup Michael Myers has haunted my dreams every since I saw the first one. We won't talk about the remakes because how do you say Laurie is not his sister. Booooo! We are sticking with original canon and those original films (minus the third one). That slow menacing walk and heavy breathing. The man is super human and cannot die. He just wants to kill teenagers, adults too but most teens.

Again, the original Halloween is iconic for so many reasons—the haunting score, the chilling atmosphere, and of course, that unforgettable mask. Michael embodies the essence of slasher horror, with his slow, methodical stalking and the eerie calmness that contrasts with his brutal actions.

Something about him just sends a chill and I love to put on Halloween on Halloween!

Did your favorite make the list? Drop a comment!