“Halloween” (1978) – Jamie Lee Curtis establishes herself as the scream to be reckoned with! Honestly, who would have guessed that an old William Shatner/Captain Kirk mask, painted white, could inspire more horror than his rendition of “Mr. Tambourine Man”?

“The Exorcist” (1973) – The movie that made me stay out of my attic for a year and throw away my recipe for pea soup. Demonic possession is one of those subjects that can inspire ongoing trauma. Just look at Linda Blair’s career! (It will make your head spin!)

“Dawn of the Dead” (1978) – Banned in 17 countries, this film has some of the goriest scenes ever committed to film. If that isn’t recommendation enough, then, let me just say..”ZOMBIES!” Still not scary enough? This movie is…. (dun, dun, dun) a SEQUEL!!!!!

“Invasion of the Body Snatchers” (1978) – Much creepier than the 1956 original, this movie made the term “Pod People” a part of Americana. And honestly…any movie that makes Donald Sutherland look like this picture gets my vote for seriously creepy!

“The Thing” (1982) – Possibly the scariest movie of all time. This movie combines the absolute worst possible scenarios: a small group stationed in Antarctica (really…where are you going to run?), being stalked by a shape-shifting alien, and knowing that one of your buddies has to be that alien.

So, pick out your movie. Pop the corn. Grab a friend. Buy a nightlight. Enjoy!