If you’re reading this then you likely fall into one of two categories: either you are a horror movie junkie and want to add another flick to your watchlist. Or you are like me and have begun realizing that Fall is slipping away just as suddenly as it has arrived and you’re looking to soak up as many Halloween Vibes as possible.

Either way, there is only a little over a week left in the Spooky Season, so gather your crew, grab your pumpkin spiced latte or your hot apple cider and snuggle up on the couch because we are about to dive into some of the best Horror movies available to stream to date. We’ve also paired the flicks with Halloween-inspired snacks to really get you in the fall spirit.

To start, if you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon and binged “The Haunting of Hill House” mini-series, then stop reading and get to watching ASAP. Although not technically a movie, the series deserves a place in this ranking as it is one of the best ghost stories available. Director Mike Flanagan released the series adaptation based off of Shirley Jackson’s classic novel. The series follows the Erie events that loom over an endearing American family. As the twisting stories unravels through flashbacks and bouncing perspectives, the question is raised as to what is scarier: humanity or the afterlife?

What better to pair with a ghost-filled flick than chocolate-dipped ghost-themed strawberries? A popular recipe forum, Dish.com, identifies the ingredients as: 2 cups strawberries, 1 1/2 cups melted white chocolate, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips and 1 cup melted chocolate chips. To transform your fresh strawberries into ghosts, dip the strawberries in the white chocolate and use two mini chocolate chips for eyes. Pour your melted chocolate into a baggie and pipe your ghost’s mouth. Place your ghost to the side and let the chocolate set. Once the dessert has hardened, youcan indulge in your haunted treat! Head on over to dish.com to see the recipe in full: “Strawberry Ghosts” by Lena Abraham (2017).

Another world wind by Mike Flanagan is “Gerald’s Game.” Debuting in 2017, the movie has maintained its standing as one of the best Horror movies on Netflix thanks to the incredible acting of Carla Gugino (Jessie) and Bruce Greenwood (Gerald). The two accomplished actors play a married couple with hopes of spending a secluded weekend away to rekindled a lost romance. Their plans are quickly derailed as death, rape, greed, and trauma suffocate the weekend, hurling Jessie into a position where she must address the demons of her past.

For my ghouls over 21, TheSpruceEats.com has a Blood Red Halloween Sangria that’s to die for (see what I did there?) The recipe calls for a 750ml bottle of red wine, 1 orange, 1 lemon, 1/4 cup sugar, 2 cups ginger ale and it is recommended to add a dash of grenadine with a gummy worm garnish. Once you have gathered your ingredients, pour your wine into a pitcher. Separate your orange into wedges and squeeze the juice into the pitcher. It is recommended to de-seed the fruit and drop the juiced wedges into the mixture. Add your other ingredients and ensure your sugar is fully mixed. Once the mixture is complete, chill your pitcher and grab your favorite glass because this drink is too pretty to hide behind a plastic rim. The recipe can be found in detail at TheSpruceEats.com: “Blood Red Halloween Sangria” by Stacy Slinkard (2019).

Director David Bruckner shared “The Ritual” with the world in 2017. The film is highly praised worldwide for its stellar imagery and sound design. Cinematographer Andrew Shulkind twists the classic Horror-movie-look as he captures the stunning elements of the wilderness that surround the characters, giving a new perspective from the overly-used muggy scene present in most Horror movies to date. The movie follows four men as they venture to mourn the tragic loss of a dear friend. The men are forced to detour their route and must travel through the dark an dense woods nearby. As the haunted secrets of the woods are revealed, the hidden sins of the men begin unraveling. You don’t want to watch this thriller alone, so grab your friends and circle around this savory Pumpkin Cheese Ball.

What better comfort for a horror, thriller than a ball-shaped mound of cream cheese and a side of chips? BakingBeauty.net provides a fiesta-style recipe on their popular blog. The recipe calls for 16 oz softened Cream Cheese, 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese, 3tbs minced Onion, 1/2 cup Salsa, 1tsp Ground Cumin, 2 cups crushed Cheese Tortilla Chips and 1 green Bell Pepper stem for garnish. Combine all ingredients (except crushed chips and stem) into a mixing bowl and stir until creamy. Place the mixture onto a plastic wrap and form into a ball/pumpkin shape. Chill the mound, then remove the ball from the plastic wrapping and roll in the crushed chips. Add your stem garnish and serve with a side of Tortilla chips to watch your crew feast on the fall-inspired masterpiece! Head on over to BakingBeauty.net to see the recipe in full: “Pumpkin Cheese Ball” by Krystle Smith (2020).

If you like reading subtitles, Director Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia has the perfect psychological thriller for you. “The Platform” is a 2019 hit that follows a man named Goreng (played by Ivan Massagué). Goreng finds himself in the middle of a human experiment where subjects quickly realize that they are actually prisoners. The prisoners are trapped in a vertical prison with one cell per floor and two prisoners. A single platform travels from the top floor to the bottom, transporting the entire day’s food ration for each prisoner. As the platform travels downward, the supplies are lessened more and more, leaving the bottom floors with scraps. With starvation plaguing the prisoners, Goreng must find a way to escape. The movie follows his journey through the prison’s levels as each floor reveals a new dark layer to the human psyche. While the lowest levels rarely see any more than scraps from the moving platform, the highest floors are supplied with a banquet worthy for Kings.

We’ve found a recipe that will keep your belly full as the out-of-this world feast is consumed by the actors. Trendy food forum, CupCakeDiariesBlog.com, highlights a Halloween Chicken and Pasta Skewer Recipe. The ingredients include: 1 pack Tyson Chicken Strips, 1 pack Hillshire Farm Lit’l Smokies Smoked Sausages, 1 cup Brown Sugar, 2 cups Barbecue Sauce, 1 20oz package Cheese Tortellini, 2 cups Cheddar Cheese, 36 6-inch Skewers and 36 plastic Spider Rings. Combine the brown sugar and barbecue sauce and pour the mixture over the smoked sausages inside a crock-pot. Cook for 2-3 hours. Cook the chicken and the pasta tortellini as the package instructs. Cut the cooked chicken into bite-sized chunks. After the meat is prepared, run your cheese, chicken, sausage, and pasta through the skewer and add the spider ring as garnish. These portable snacks are sure to satisfy every taste-bud. Find the recipe in full at CupCakeDiariesBlog.com: “Halloween Chicken and Pasta Skewers” by Allie Miller (2016).

Adapted from the Stephen King sensation, “1922” depicts the story of a man that is haunted by the ghosts of his past. The story follows a farmer and is set in…. you guessed it: 1922. Viewers are instantly aware that the main character, Thomas Jane (played by Wilfred James) is plagued with demons from an unknown, yet seemingly horrifying, crime from his past. The movie maintains the horror and creepiness that one can expect from Stephen King. As paranoia continues to grow within the heart of Thomas Jane, Viewers are clued into more and more details from the demons that lurk behind closed doors.

If you’re over 21, enjoy a Bloody Mary from CookingAndKate.com while you watch. The recipe calls for 4 cups Tomato Juice, 1 cup Vodka, 1 Cucumber, 1/3 cup distilled Vinegar, 1tsp Celery Seed, 1tsp Worcestershire Sauce, 1/2tsp Hot Sauce, 1tsp Black Pepper, 2 Garlic Cloves, 1/4tsp Salt and optional garnishes. First, combine the ingredients in a blender. Then, stir in salt and pepper to taste. Finally, pour your drink into your most sophisticated glass like the trendy Halloween fanatic you are. The recipe and list of optional garnishes can be found in full at CookieAndKate.com: “Homemade Bloody Marys” by Kathryne (2018).

A few other scary flicks to consider include: “The Haunting of Bly Manor” with Director Mike Flanagan. The miniseries is associated with “The Haunting of Hillhouse” yet the stories are not connected. Also, a popular feature to consider is “Crison Peak” with Director Guillermo del Toro. The film is a Gothic romance featuring stars such as Tom Hiddleston and Jessica Chastain. The “Fear Street” Trilogy is available on Netflix. The three-part movie series is an adaptation of books from R.L. Stine. Delish.com features countless recipes on their site if you’re looking for even more spooky treats. The article can be found on their site titled, “45 Spooky Eats For A Grown-Up Halloween Party” and is written by Sienna Livermore, Madison Flager, and Dora Villarosa (2021).

Now, go get your Halloween on and soak up all the scary vibes you can before the Holidays take over.