Halloween has always held a special place in my heart It's my favorite season, and I was lucky enough to be born right in the middle of all the spooky fun (maybe that's why I love it so much) But nothing sets the mood for the season like the perfect Halloween movie night

While many people associate the horror genre with mere jump scares and gore, I think horror deserves more love and appreciation Horror allows us to explore deeper themes that we might not otherwise think of, such as delving into our innermost fears or acting as a mirror to our society Sadly, this depth is often overshadowed by the genre's reputation for being purely “scary”

Of course, we understand that horror is not for everyone That's why we've compiled a list of five must-see films available on Max that cater to a variety of tastes Whether you're in the mood for a full-blown fright or a low-key suspense, these selections are guaranteed to elevate your Halloween experience

Here are the films to watch this month on the best streaming services

“The Cursed Woman” is definitely in my top 5 best horror films Everything about it is perfect: the story, the acting, the chilling soundtrack (which may play in your head for days)

James Wan's The Conjuring is based on the true story of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, played brilliantly by Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga set in the 1970s, the story follows a Rhode Island farmhouse where disturbing paranormal The story follows the Warrens who are asked to assist the Perron family when disturbing paranormal phenomena begin to occur frequently in their Rhode Island farmhouse The Warrens soon learn of the dark history of the house and its previous occupants, revealing the presence of an evil spirit that preys upon the family

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As a huge fan of vampire movies, I was eagerly awaiting “Salem's Lot,” the latest adaptation of Stephen King's classic horror novel The film is perfect for those who like their horror thrillers dark with gore, humor, and jump scares Inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula, the film is a fresh take on vampire lore while delving into the decline of small-town America

Author Ben Mears (Lewis Pullman) returns to his childhood home of Jerusalem's Lot in search of inspiration for his next novel However, he soon discovers that sinister vampires are preying on the town's inhabitants and he is haunted by nightmares Ben joins forces with the locals in a race against time to save his beloved community before it is too late

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“A Nightmare on Elm Street” is one of the classics that I always watch every year around Halloween It's sure to get you in the mood for the spooky season

This iconic slasher introduces audiences to the terrifying character of Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) The story revolves around a group of teenagers living in a quiet suburb of Elm Street who find themselves obsessed with the vengeful Freddy, who possesses terrifying abilities

When the teenagers begin to be plagued by terrifying nightmares, they realize they are being haunted by Freddy, who once killed a child before being burned alive by the townspeople The film follows Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) as she struggles to stay awake and find a way to confront Freddy in the dream world to save herself and her friends

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“IT: When You See ‘It’, It's Over” is one of those movie experiences that you will never forget I remember being utterly shocked just by the opening scene Adapted from the novel by Stephen King, the film follows a group of kids in a small town called Derry, Maine, who are part of a delinquent group called the “Losers Club” They gather to confront a malevolent entity in the form of Pennywise (Bill Skarsgård), a dancing clown

The story begins with the horrific disappearance of a young boy named Georgie (Jackson Robert Scott) As the Losers Club begins to uncover the dark history of their town, they realize that Pennywise has been preying on the children of Delhi for decades The film is about the bond between children as they confront their deepest fears and battle the evil that lurks beneath the city's surface

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“Corpse Bride” is perfect for those who want to see a light-hearted film without being scared during Halloween All of Tim Burton's films are perfect for the truly spooky season, but this one stands out It is an animated musical about the whimsical story of Victor Van Dort (Johnny Depp), a shy young man on the verge of an arranged marriage to Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson)

While practicing his wedding vows in the woods, Victor proposes to his mysterious bride, who happens to be a deceased woman named Emily (Helena Bonham Carter)

Taken to the Land of the Dead, Victor finds himself in a vibrant and colorful underground world full of quirky characters and unexpected twists and turns While navigating this strange new world, Victor must choose between his living bride Victoria and the charming but bewitching Emily, who craves love and acceptance This enchanting film will be an attractive option for those who want to enjoy the spirit of Halloween without the horror

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