As the Halloween season is here, October is the perfect month to sink one’s teeth into horror movies. However, when it comes to selecting a scary movie, there are thousands of choices on store shelves. Although I haven’t seen every single horror movie ever created, I have compiled a list of basic suggestions to help you in your search for the perfect scare.

If ghosts and hauntings are your favorite Halloween topic, you may be haunted by the stories in “Paranormal Activity” and “The Haunting in Connecticut.” Both films contain an aspect that could make the stories seem plausible to some viewers, such as the home video-like manner in which “Paranormal Activity” was filmed. “The Haunting in Connecticut” is said to be based on true events. Of course, it all depends on if you believe in paranormal beings. The movie also has a preceding documentary by The Discovery Channel titled “A Haunting in Connecticut.”

As the years go by, popular items from the past come back into the light for a new generation.

Horror movies are no exception to this occurrence. Three different horror movie franchises have endured remakes to add to their filmography list: “Friday the 13th,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and “Halloween.”

The “Halloween” series features the masked killer Michael Myers in 10 films, two of which were directed by Rob Zombie. The franchise has sparked a new A & E Biography documentary, “Halloween: The Inside Story,” which will air Oct. 28 at 9 p.m.

The “Friday the 13th” series also features a masked killer that notoriously haunts Camp Crystal Lake. There are 12 films, including the crossover with Freddy Kruger in “Freddy vs. Jason.”

Speaking of Freddy, he sports his razor claws and Christmas sweater in nine films, eight of which are part of the “Nightmare on Elm Street” franchise.

Horror movie franchises are quite popular among the audience today, especially “Saw.”

The “Saw” movies are based on the concept of what one would do to avoid death, even if it means going through unbearable pain. It is known for the torture devices and games the characters must endure, and for Billy the puppet who could probably serve as the films’ mascot.

Six films are already out on DVD, and the final one, featured in 3D, is set to be in theatres Oct. 29.

When it comes to the horror genre, there is one name that is automatically conjured up in everyone’ s mind – Stephen King.

Most of his famous novels have been adapted to the screen. Of course, one should keep in mind the book is always better than the movie, for the most part at least.

Some Stephen King reading and viewing suggestions are “The Shining,” “Carrie,” “It,” “Misery,” and “Salem’s Lot.”

Of those films, the one that may stand out the most is “It.” “It” features an eerie clown named Pennywise as the antagonist. Although it has a PG-13 rating, this movie is considered frightening because of Pennywise. The film plays on many people’s natural phobia of clowns. After all, no one really knows what’s underneath the layers of colorful makeup.

There are still so many horror films for scary entertainment.

The ones mentioned do not even scratch the surface of what available to rent or buy. The horror categories are quite broad as well, starting out with horror comedy and working its way up to absolute terror and gore. Just remember to leave a light on if you get too scared.

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