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Entertainment

7 Scary Movies (and Their Remakes) to Watch This Halloween

October 19, 2021

Get into the Halloween spirit by screening these classic titles and their remakes.

Halloween is the perfect time to enjoy a scary movie at home. From "Halloween" to "Friday the 13th" to "Candyman," there's nothing quite like cozying up on the couch and getting scared out of your wits by a classic horror movie. It's also fun to view a remake and see which version causes the biggest chills and thrills.

Whether you loved these movies when they came out or are watching for the first time, here are seven scary flicks — and their remakes — to catch via Cox On Demand or streaming services. And for more scary-good flicks, say "Halloween" into your Contour Voice Remote.


1. Halloween (1978/1998)


When Halloween debuted in 1978, the world was introduced to the legendary Michael Myers — and nightmares would never be the same. The plot follows the masked maniac who escapes from a mental institution and stalks female babysitter Laurie Strode, played by a young Jamie Lee Curtis in her film debut. The independent film went on to gross $70 million and spin off a total of 11 titles in the "Halloween" series, delving into Myers' back story as well as Strode's life in the future.


Released in 1998, Halloween H20, follows the grown-up Strode as she tries to change her identity and hide from the masked killer. The movie features then-teen heartthrobs Michelle Williams, and Josh Hartnett.


In 2006, the original "Halloween" cemented its status as a classic by being inducted into the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.


2. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984/2010)


When it comes to iconic horror movie antagonists, Freddy Krueger is an all-time terror. The disfigured and burned killer made his screen debut in 1984 in Wes Craven's A Nightmare on Elm Street and has caused many a nightmare since.


The film has become a mini-industry, spawning nine movies, a TV series, books, comics and Halloween costumes.


In 2010, music video director Samuel Bayer (Nirvana, Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake) and Hollywood mega-producer Michael Bay took on the story with a young cast featuring "Twilight's" Kellan Lutz and Rooney Mara.


3. Candyman (1992/2021)


Whatever you do, don't say his name five times. The original Candyman terrified movie-goers in 1992 with the story of a hooked serial killer who appears when you say his name in a mirror five times. Based on the short story "Forbidden" by Clive Barker, the movie spun off two sequels: "Candyman: Farewell to the Flesh" (1995) and "Candyman: Day of the Dead" (1999).


This year, Jordan Peele ("Get Out") penned an updated sequel to the slasher flick starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and featuring cameos from original cast members Vanessa Estelle Williams, Virginia Madsen and Tony Todd.


4. Friday the 13th (1980/2009)


This is the movie that made hockey masks a symbol of Halloween. The original Friday the 13th gave audiences a good scare with the story of the hockey mask-wearing Jason Voorhees, who allegedly drowned at Camp Crystal Lake as a boy but may be stalking a group of counselors who try to reopen the camp.


There are 12 movies in the "Friday" series, including a showdown with "Nightmare on Elm Street's" Freddy Krueger. In 2009, the original movie was rebooted and gave Jason a more comprehensive (and somewhat sympathetic) backstory.


5. The Evil Dead (1981/2013)


When a group of five college friends finds an audio tape in an isolated cabin, what's the worst that could happen? In 1981's The Evil Dead, hitting play on that tape opens up a world of demons and spirits — and mayhem and horror ensue. The original movie was so popular that it launched two sequels, video games and even comic books. In 2013, the movie was relaunched with a fresh group of coeds and earned big at the box office.


6. Child's Play (1988/2019)


What could be scary about a doll? The original Child's Play introduced horror fans to a sadistic doll named Chucky. Despite his cute exterior, he was possessed by the soul of a serial killer and went on a killing spree. The movie was remade in 2019 with a contemporary reimagining of the doll and a new cast including Aubrey Plaza, Brian Tyree Henry and Chucky being voiced by none other than Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker in "Star Wars.")


7. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974/1995)


A violent and cannibalistic killer named Leatherface terrorizes anyone who dares to roam the deserted Texas countryside in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The 1974 original launched one of the most popular horror franchises, with nine films (and a new installment reportedly streaming on Netflix by the end of 2021).


In 1995, the slasher got an update as Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation, with an all-star cast including Renée Zellweger and Matthew McConaughey.

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