If I loved Christmas like I loved Halloween and horror movies I would probably be one of those people who has their Christmas tree up all year long. I would have It’s A Wonderful Life on in the background every day. My doorbell would sound jingle bells instead of the classic ding dong. My love of Halloween and all things scary leads me to watch an inordinate amount of scary movies. As such, I have long since depleted the reserve of the well known and popular entries in the horror genre and have had to delve into some of the lesser-known regions.
In this list, I have curated some of the more accessible and borderline popular films that you might not have seen. There are some that you might have heard about but just needed a little push to sit down and watch. Without any further ado, here is my list of the obscure scary movies you need to watch.
1. WNUF 1987 Halloween Special
This lo-fi retro-styled horror movie has the feel of a bootleg VHS recording. It centers around a late 80s local news channel’s live story of the exploration of a town’s haunted house. It is an incredible movie both for its horror and Halloween themes and the satirical elements within it. If you enjoyed the advertisements in movies like Robocop then this will be something you’ll enjoy. The movie centers around a local film crew who enters a haunted house with the help of experts as part of their Halloween night extravaganza. Without giving too much away, things don’t go as they planned.
If you’re a fan of those movies with a slow burn that doesn’t rub your face in things they want you to find scary then this is a film for you.
2. Texas Chainsaw Massacre
This one is one of the borderline entries on the list. It isn't so obscure for the horror movie geeks like me, but one for the amateur horror movie enthusiasts.
I rewatch this one every Halloween. It's become something of a tradition for me to sit down with some popcorn and a beverage to watch Leatherface do his thing.
TCM is an incredibly important film in the horror movie genre. Without it, the horror genre as we know it would not be what it is. This film managed to capture pure terror and put it on the screen.
Something that is often brought up when speaking of older horror movies or older films, in general, is whether it ‘holds up’. I haven’t devised a proper set of requirements that would allow something to qualify as still holding up, so this one is more on gut instinct. But I am of the firm belief that the Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of those films that does indeed still have the power to frighten and entertain.
3. Revenge of the Living Dead
Okay, okay, you’ve probably already seen this one but it is too good to not include on the list. If you haven’t seen it then you have tonight’s plans already figured out.
Not to be confused with the George Romero series, this film has a story and feel unto itself. It’s a perfect blend of punk and gore. Centering on a group of punks who are caught partying in a graveyard when their friend who works at a medical supply warehouse. He releases a cloud of zombifying gas that brings the dead to life, this motley crew has to do what they can to survive.
If you have never seen this movie before but love zombies, then you have just learned about one of those vaunted ‘hidden gems’ people love to talk about. Not to sound hyperbolic, but this film is ‘iconic’. If you ever wondered what the first movie was where zombies hunger for brains, this is it.
This movie helped shape the direction of the zombie genre and is an indispensable addition to any zombie movie lovers collection.
4. The Exorcist 3
The Exorcist is one of those movies that any movie lover has seen. Even if a person is not in love with the horror genre they have still probably seen it. The Exorcist 3 continues the story the way it was meant to. You don’t need to see the second film in the series to understand what is going on. Originally meant to be a stand-alone film called ‘Legion’, The Exorcist 3 centers around the detective from the first film and the friendship he had with the priest.
The Exorcist 3 has an excellent script and is full of atmosphere. Be warned though, if you are looking for a movie to throw on in the background while you do something else, this is not it. It is a film that requires, but also rewards you for giving it your attention. The script is full to the brim with witty and sharp dialogue and is truly disturbing.
If you’re ready for something that engages you and draws you in, then this is what you’ve been looking for.
One caveat though, if you want to see an exorcism then this film will disappoint. The exorcism and the ending were a result of reshoots after the studio wanted to lean more on the artistic and cultural capital accrued by the first film. If anything, try and ignore the fact it is called The Exorcist and try to watch it as a movie called ‘legion’.
5. Trick ‘R’ Treat
This anthology of spooky stories revolves around one fateful Halloween night. Think of this movie as the Halloween version of a feel-good Christmas movie where people regain their Christmas spirit. Except with Trick ‘R’ Treat, the people who have lost their Halloween spirit are swiftly punished by the spirit of Halloween itself.
If you were ever a fan of short scary stories as a kid like ‘Are you Afraid of the Dark’ or Goosebumps, then you will certainly enjoy this film.
None of the short stories within the movie linger around longer than they ought to, and all of them pack an entertaining punch.
6. Halloween 3: Season of the Witch
The Halloween franchise is anything but obscure, but the third entry in the series is one that does not have a lot of fans. I included this one because it definitely deserves more attention than it gets, and is often glanced over by horror movie fans because it does not include the hallmark character, Michael.
The plot of the film follows a doctor who tries to get to the bottom of a murder of one of his patients in the hospital which eventually takes him to a small town in California that is the home of a company called Silver Shamrock Novelties. While he is there, the intrepid doctor, who by that time is paired alongside the daughter of the man who was murdered in the hospital, and the two try to uncover the unsettling mystery of the connection between the murder victim, Silver Shamrock Novelties, and just what exactly is going on behind the walls of the small-town manufacturer.
Halloween 3 provides an experience that is markedly different from what they might be accustomed to in the franchise. If you are looking for an experience similar to the one you get from the other Halloween movies then you might not enjoy this film. But if you are looking for an interesting and unique horror movie experience then this is one you should not miss.
The biggest drawback the movie has is its title. The film might have a far greater fanbase if it was not saddled with the title Halloween.
So if you are looking for a unique horror movie watching experience and want something a little off the beaten trail, then the films I have here are definitely worth your time watching. There might be some difficulty in locating some of them as they are not easily found on the standard streaming services, but if you do I am sure you will be satisfied.