October Horror Movie Challenge 2025

I’m not sure that reviewing dozens of horror films every year is good for me. It’s not that I’m experiencing any trauma or moral dissolution from spending time in other people’s nightmares, rather that it’s changed my relationship with the genre. Now, whenever I watch a horror film, there is part of my mind picking it apart, preparing to write about it, even if I have no intention of doing so. Worse, my own experience of writing and running horror games means another bit of my brain is always analysing films for possible inspiration, or at least working out how I might tackle the same plot. All this means that it’s nearly impossible for me to watch a horror film for simple enjoyment anymore.

The upside is that I do actually enjoy analysing and writing about horror. It’s not an uncomplicated pleasure, and it does feel like work sometimes, but I still look forward to this annual horror binge every October.

Perhaps the best part is that it opens up conversations with other fans, comparing the films we’ve been watching and discussing our thoughts about them. It’s not quite the same pleasure as I used to get as a teenager, watching the scary bits with my hands half-clasped over my eyes, but maybe it would be weird if I still felt like that at my advanced age.

All of this is to say that October is nearly upon us and I am gearing up to post daily reviews once again under the flag of the October Horror Movie Challenge. I would be delighted if you joined me!

What is the October Horror Movie Challenge?

Simply, the October Horror Movie Challenge asks us to watch a horror film every day throughout the month. People have developed all sorts of variations, as people are wont to do. You might want to try picking films from various countries, subgenres and eras, or seek out those made by creators underrepresented in horror cinema. Some try to pack in as many films as their eyes will allow, while others watch whatever they can, knowing they’ll never make it to 31. Honestly, any approach is valid. The important part is watching these films and, ideally, talking about them.

The only rule I set myself is to select films I’ve not seen before. I also aim to post a full review of each one on this site, along with a post mortem at the end, in which I pick the best, worst and weirdest films of the month.

I had decided to play things more by ear this time, watching whatever film caught my fancy on any given day. When I started putting together my shortlist, however, I found myself getting so enthused that I ended up planning the whole month once again. I am weak. That said, I will probably end up changing my mind repeatedly as the month goes on.

Once again, I’m watching most of my films via streaming services. While this is mainly for my own convenience, it may also help anyone playing along at home.

For personal reasons, I had to miss the October Horror Movie Challenge for several years. I did take part in 2013, 2014 , 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024, however, and you can find my reviews from these years on this site. Maybe they’ll help you find some choice films for your own challenge.

An Open Challenge

As much fun as watching these films is, talking about them can be the best part. If you fancy joining in, I would love to hear from you. And if you have any suggestions of films I should be watching, that would also be lovely.

The main hub of discussion is The Good Friends of Jackson Elias Discord server, where we have a channel dedicated to the October Horror Movie Challenge. Alternatively, you can contact me on Bluesky, Twitter, Reddit, or by whispering into the vents around your home.

I’ll update the list below with links as I post reviews.

Heretic (USA, 2024)
The Sadness (Taiwan, 2021)
The Uninvited (USA, 1944)
The Lodge (UK/USA, 2019)
WolfCop (Canada, 2014)
Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (Czechoslovakia, 1970)
The Monkey (USA, 2025)
Sister Midnight (India/UK, 2024)
Roadgames (Australia, 1981)
Nightmare City (Italy, 1985)
Dangerous Animals (Australia, 2025)
Dead Talents Society (Taiwan, 2024)
Winterbeast (USA, 1992)
Byzantium (UK/Ireland, 2013)
The Ugly Stepsister (Norway, 2025)
A Page of Madness (Japan, 1926)
Heart Eyes (USA, 2025)
Grafted (New Zealand, 2024)
Arrebato (Spain, 1979)
Hatching (Finland, 2022)
Abigail (USA, 2024)
Ganja & Hess (USA, 1973)
The Devil’s Bath (Austria, 2025)
Pieces (Spain, 1982)
Infested (France, 2023)
Best Wishes to All (Japan, 2022)
A Cat in the Brain (Italy, 1990)
Enys Men (UK, 2022)
Creature From the Black Lagoon (USA, 1954)
Perewangan (Indonesia, 2024)
Bring Her Back (Australia, 2025)

A Final Note

If you have been drawn here by these posts, please do look around at some of our other film reviews. We also have a podcast, called The Good Friends of Jackson Elias, which occasionally covers horror films. You might find the following episodes interesting.