Monster movies have been around since the earliest days of the horror movie genre, but there are some true masterpieces perfect for this time of the year. Monster movies can come in all shapes and colors, with monstrous animals like Jaws or misunderstood beasts like King Kong. However, there are a certain type of monster movies perfect for the Halloween season.
These classic monster movies highlight the terror of these monsters and really lean into the horror genre. While the tones and even the type of creatures featured in these movies might differ, they are terrific spooky and thrilling examples of the monster movie done right. From classic monsters to deadly aliens, these monster movies are ideal for your Halloween watches.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
The werewolf is one of the classic monster figures of the horror genre, but there are not as many great werewolf movies as you might think. An American Werewolf in London easily ranks as the best of the bunch while also being one of the greatest horror-comedies of all time. The movie follows a young man who is attacked by a creature while backpacking in England and becomes cursed as a werewolf.
An American Werewolf in London excels where most horror-comedies fail by servicing both genre types without diminishing each other. There is a great sense of humor throughout the movie, but it never takes away from the stakes or the scares. It also features some incredible practical effects, including a brilliant werewolf transformation scene that has yet to be topped.
The Descent (2005)
Claustrophobia is a very real fear for many people, and The Descent brilliantly uses that unease then adds the added horror of monsters to it. The British movies centers around a group of female friends who take a trip exploring a cave only to find that there are terrifying creatures lurking in the darkness.
The movie makes great use of the enclosed, dark setting of the caves, adding to the intensity. The creatures are unsettling humanoid terrors that deliver more than a few excellent jump scares. However, the movie is also elevated by the great characters and a strong ensemble of female horror movie characters.
The Host (2006)
Bong Joon-ho is now seen as one of the greatest filmmakers working today, with his Best Picture winner Parasite and his recent sci-fi movie Mickey 17. However, a lot of people first came to know him with his excellent South Korean monster movie The Host. It follows a dysfunctional family that are put at the center of a monster attack.
The unique creature is a terrific creation and the early attack sequence is a thrilling set piece in the movie. The Host is also filled with dark humor, which Joon-ho excels at in most of his movies. It is also a surprisingly moving story of a flawed family brought together in the face of chaos.
Frankenstein (1931)
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is one of the most influential horror stories of all time and has been adapted countless times. With Guillermo del Toro’s version now in theaters, it is the perfect time to revisit the original movie that shapes the pop culture image of Frankenstein’s monster. It is the tale of humanity’s hubris as a reckless scientist seeks to create life.
While the monster is one of the iconic horror movie figures, the 1931 movie presents this tragic and misunderstood creation. Bela Lugosi delivers a stunning performance in the role, imbuing the monster with so much emotion. It is also the movie that helped launch the Universal Monsters franchise.
Alien (1979)
Si-fi horror has been around before 1979, but Ridley Scott’s Alien certainly took the genre out of B-movie territory and showed how brilliant these movies could be. The tale of a crew in deep space who battle a deadly and ruthless extraterrestrial aboard their ship also created one of the most terrifying movie monsters of all time.
The xenomorph is a unique and chilling creature design, with each stage of its metamorphosis more deadly than the last. Scott maintains an intense and gripping mood throughout that leaves audiences on the edge of their seats. The Alien franchise is still going strong today, but the original still remains the best.
The Thing (1982)
While it owes a lot to Alien, The Thing stands on its own as the greatest horror monster movie and a perfect Halloween treat. John Carpenter also uses an isolated setting (the frozen tundra of Antarctica) and an even deadliest and more resilient alien monster. This otherworldly shapeshifter targets a group of researchers in a remote facility.
The creature work in The Thing is unparalleled in cinema with some of the most impressive and grotesque practical effects ever created. It is thrilling, stomach-churning, and utterly unforgettable. The movie also makes great use of the creature’s mimicking abilities, giving the story an added tension as no one can be trusted.
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