Five must-watch new horror classics to watch for Halloween week

It's now officially Halloween season with the spookiest day of the year nearly upon us.

For many of us horror movie and fright fans it is the best week of the year and time to dig out all the old classics and be wary of things that go bump in the night.

Of course there is always going to be room for the classics such as Halloween (1978), Friday 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street because what would this time of year be without a dose of Michael Myers, Jason Voorhies and Freddy Krueger?

But if you are looking to give yourself some new nightmares this year it can be hard finding something good from the massive list of remakes, sequels and average new movies released every year at this time.

Most feel almost thrown together and without any original thought behind them as they churned out safe in the knowledge that scary movies, or so called scary movies, will do well at Halloween.

But fear not we have took the time to put together the ultimate list of must-watch modern classics that stand head and shoulders above the rest.

If you haven't seen these yet, or even if you have, dig them out and get watching this week to get yourself in the mood for the big day.

Fear Street

We start off with Fear Street, a brilliant three-part anthology series set in three different times but brought together by a truly original story in the same small town.

An excellent cast of young actors take us through each story, set in 1994, 1974 and finally 1666, with a nostalgic nod to the fashion, music and general vibe of each generation.

It's a teen-slasher with a supernatural twist that takes you on an amazing journey through the decades and scary enough to have you double checking you've locked your door at night.

When yet another serial killer targets Shadyville a group of young friends have to fight to survive and as they dig deeper into the incidents they unveil a horrifying history that goes back hundreds of years to when a woman accused of being a witch was murdered.

Following in the footsteps of 80s type horrors it can be quite raunchy and gruesome but also doesn't take itself to seriously and is also good fun in parts.

Scream 5 and Scream VI

It may seem weird to some to see good old ghost face in a list of modern classics but the most recent two Scream movies have been a massive return to form and shot in the arm for the franchise.

Like a lot of Scream fans, you might have been turned off by the underwhelming sequels of 3 and 4 and all the 'Stab film' nonsense (4 is slightly better than 3 due mostly to a scene stealing performance from Emma Roberts but the original cast and characters had gone a bit stale and felt like they were there just for the sake of it at times).

5 and 6 just feel a lot more fresher, particularly six that takes the story away from Woodsboro is set in New York City and probably the most original since the first one was released in the 90s.

Jenna Ortega, as Tara Carpenter, is great (as always) as the main protagonist taking over from Neve Campbell's Sydney Prescott but the shining light of the new cast is Melissa Barrera who is simply outstanding as Tara's sister Sam.

If you liked the original then the recent two are worth a watch, especially six which is just a great movie full of suspense and jumps, with a great cast and great setting.

Midnight Mass

Midnight Mass is a Netflix original series rather than a film but is truly one of the most unique and enthralling horror productions in decades.

A gripping story that makes it almost impossible to turn off once you have started and you'll get through all seven episodes in no time.

The theme is very dark and gothic with a supernatural undertone while also retaining a very realistic feel thanks to a brilliant setting, cast and storyline.

It follows the story of a young man returns to his isolated hometown, hoping to rebuild his life after serving four years in prison.

He arrives at the same time as a mysterious, charismatic young priest who begins to revitalise the town's flagging faith.

But as mysterious events begin to befall the small town the community are left terrified.

One to watch with the lights on.

American Horror Story 1984

We all know American Horror Story can be a bit hit and miss, with some series' being excellent and some almost unwatchable.

1984 has been easily the best of the last five or six years with a perfect mix of fear, fun and nostalgia.

With a massive nod to Friday 13th it is based on a summer camp just outside Los Angeles that has recently reopened after a massacre 14 years prior.

Perfect casting, as is so common for AHS, the brilliant Emma Roberts is the main protagonist in the series that is drenched in 80s references and culture.

The setting and storyline are also brilliant and another one you won't want to stop watching once you start.

Creepy, mysterious, full of suspense, gruesome and sexy if you are going to watch one American Horror Story series this year, then make it this one.

X

Released in 2022, X follows a filmmaking crew and cast that are trying to make an adult movie at a reclusive place in the deep south of Texas.

But their plans are halted when the elderly hosts find them and try to kill them.

Another one that stars the very likeable Jenna Ortega alongside the likes of Mia Goth, Brittany Snow and rapper Kid Cudi.

It is a fresh spin on the classic slasher formula, with Ti West going back to his horror roots with great success.