There’s something so appealing about blending the polarizing aesthetics of girliness and horror. Perhaps it’s because I’m sick to death of the predominance of scary movies where most of the female characters are portrayed as victims, left for dead with a knife plunged into their heart. 

So if you’re eager to switch it up this spooky season and want to binge on some awesome female-centric fright films, don’t you worry! This list has got you covered.

Here are the best horror movies and halloween must-watches for those festive fright nights.   

The Love Witch

Okay, so my best friend and I just watched The Love Witch for the first time, and we were blown away by the vintage vibe. This movie — starring the beautiful Samantha Robinson — looks precisely as if it was shot in the 1960s/70s, due to the retro cinematography and classic Hitchcockian tropes. Hello, Janet Leigh driving down the highway on her way to Bates Motel.

The story centers around a young witch named Eileen who’s reclaiming the power in her love life. By seducing men with her beauty and charms, she’s the one to hold all the romantic (tarot) cards rather than men dominating her love affairs. 

This film is just as spooky as it is beautiful, so if you need a vintage-girly aesthetic in your life, The Love Witch is definitely for you.

Jennifer’s Body

If you haven’t seen Jennifer’s Body, girl, what are you doing with your life? Director Diablo Cody’s 2009 cult classic is the perfect mix of horror and comedy. Thanks to Megan Fox’s severely underrated comedic timing, along with the horrifying premise, you honestly won’t know whether to burst out laughing or cover your eyes in fright throughout the film.

From the soundtrack to the hilarious one-liners and Megan Fox’s unforgettable performance, this fang-tastic film will captivate you from the very first frame. Warning: Stay away from Devil’s Kettle, lest you want to be eaten alive by a succubus disguised as a teenage girl.

Corpse Bride

Next, we have Tim Burton’s unforgettable masterpiece, Corpse Bride. It’s honestly so rare that we get to see female monsters in film, so this 2005 masterpiece is a refreshing change of pace.  

Voiced to utter perfection by Helena Bonham Carter, her character Emily is a corpse bride awoken from the dead after years buried in the dirt. Watching Emily as she rediscovers the magic of moonlight is so heartwarming, you might shed a tear or two for this mischievous monster with a heart of gold.

In the film, Emily falls in love with the quirky piano virtuoso, Victor, voiced by Johnny Depp. Only problem is, he’s already engaged! Will Emily try to steal Victor away? Or will she be forced to accept her fate as “always the bridesmaid, but never the bride”? 

With the tight script, breathtaking animation, and Danny Elfman’s outstanding score, this is a movie that truly deserves all its praise. 

I Married A Witch

In the mood for a vintage Halloween love story filmed in black and white? You’re not gonna want to miss out on the 1942 film I Married a Witch, starring Veronica Lake and Fredric March. With all the bewitching Halloween vibes and the enchanting performances, this is the perfect movie to have on while munching on candy apples. 

The chemistry between lead actors Lake and March is undeniable, so if you’re in the mood to swoon this spooky season, I highly recommend this one.

Hocus Pocus

How could we not add Hocus Pocus to the list? This 1993 classic is a ghoulishly good movie to watch while carving pumpkins. It’s campy, outlandishly fun, festive, funny and genuinely frightening. I vividly remember seeing this movie as a kid, and not being able to sleep for two nights in a row cause the Sanderson sisters scared the crap outta me!

Fortunately though, as an adult, I find these witches less terrifying, and … well, how should I say, absolutely fabulous. Performances by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimi are bound to cast a spell on you from the very first scene.

Carrie

Another honorary mention is the 1976 triumph, Carrie. Based on Stephen King’s debut novel, it’s the story of a bullied high schooler who wants nothing more than to feel like a normal teenage girl. With the constant torment from her peers as well as her overly pious mother, it seems like this girl just can’t catch a friggin’ break!

When Carri’s crowned Prom Queen, we imagine that the bullying will stop. But when Carrie steps on stage into the spotlight, the popular girls douse her with buckets of pig’s blood, all hell breaks loose. 
This movie is even better than the book, thanks to Sissy Spacek’s unforgettable performance. If any movie captures female rage so precisely, it’s Carrie.

Black Swan

Black Swan has gotta be up there as one of my favorite films of all time. It’s genuinely terrifying yet shot so exquisitely. The 2010 classic by Darren Aronofsky follows Nina Sayers as she strives to master both the White Swan and the Black Swan roles in a ballet performance of Swan Lake.  

In her quest to be “perfect,” the uptight Nina has to learn to let go. But what will it take for her to finally let loose? 

Rosemary’s Baby

Based on Ira Levin’s groundbreaking thriller, Rosemary’s Baby follows Mia Farrow’s character as she attempts to have an effortless pregnancy. But a series of supernatural events lead her to believe that she’s not just carrying any old regular baby…. What exactly is going on? And will she be allowed the right to terminate the inexplicable, demonic presence in her womb? Or will societal expectations drive her to a horrific fate?

The Stepford Wives

Another horror classic based on another bestselling novel by Ira Levin. Set in the 70s, The Stepford Wives explores what happens when a progressive woman moves into a sedate town packed with traditional housewives. Like, for real — these robotic women are only passionate about their husbands, dinner recipes, and waxing the floors. 

It turns out, there’s an eerily dark secret that the men in town are using to keep the women in line as objects of desire….

The Craft

The Craft explores what happens when a group of outcasts take high school matters into their own hands…. via Witchcraft. As funny as it is spooky, you’re gonna fall in love with this cult classic.     

Rebecca

Based on Daphne Du Maurier neo-Gothic novel, Rebecca tells the tale of a man and a woman who are haunted by his ex-wife. Released in 1940, Alfred Hitchcock’s 1st American film will leave you with chills. You’ll feel as haunted as the lead couple about the mysterious Rebecca…. guaranteed.