As the air gets cooler, slightly, and the leaves start to turn, slightly, the Halloween season returns to frighten and delight both children and adults.

Halloween is among my favorite holidays, and one of my favorite things to do is put on a good movie to get in the mood for the season. So, in honor of Halloween, I have curated a list of movies to watch for the month of October.

Some of them you may know, some of them are from my personal collection, and some of them are movies you were maybe too young to see when they came out in theaters.

Regardless, there is a little something for everyone, whether you are looking for something genuinely scary or something you can watch with the family.

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

I'm starting this list off with my favorite film from the classic Universal Monsters lineup. I've seen this movie about a dozen times, and it still holds up as a great monster horror film even though it came out before I even existed.

Beetlejuice  (1988)
- 1h 32m, Rated PG

This movie is the reason why "Jump in the Line (Shake, Senora)" by Harry Belafonte lives rent-free in my head.

Halloweentown (1998)
- 1h 24m, Rated G

If you grew up watching the Disney Channel, you have probably seen this movie at least once. I certainly have, and it's a fun little movie to watch with the family.

A Quiet Place (2018)
- 1h 30m, Rated PG-13

Directed by the star of our publisher's favorite comedy TV show, "A Quiet Place" is a fresh take on the post-apocalyptic subgenre of horror films and is a great watch, even when it isn't Halloween.

Frankenstein (1931)
- 1h 11m, Not Rated

This is basically a must-watch for Halloween. Even if you haven't seen this movie yet, you have seen Frankenstein's Monster in some way, whether at a costume shop or at a Halloween attraction or general lore, and it is very likely he looked like what he does in Universal's 1931 film. The fact that a movie that turns 100 in five years is still inspiring others years later says a lot about its influence on cinema and pop culture.

The Ring (2002)

This American remake of a Japanese film, which in turn is based on a novel, is one of the first true horror movies I watched and still stands as a genuinely creepy and tension-filled film. Just ignore every sequel that comes after this because they are not worth your time.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019)
- 1h 48m, Rated PG-13

I used to own the book as a kid, and the movie adaptation does a surprisingly good job at capturing what made the book so unsettling and frightening for younger audiences.

Monster House (2006)
- 1h 31m, Rated PG

I remember watching this when I was a kid, and it used to freak me out. If you are looking for a good animated film to watch for Halloween this year, "Monster House" will always be a solid choice.

The Descent (2005)
- 1h 39m, Rated R

If you are that person who complains about horror movies not being scary anymore, then I highly suggest watching "The Descent." Just don't say I didn't warn you.

Them! (1954)
- 1h 33m, Not Rated

I wanted to throw in a classic sci-fi flick, so what better choice than a movie about giant, man-eating ants that are the result of atomic tests in New Mexico? This is a solid old-school science fiction movie if you are into that kind of thing.

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

I was debating whether this would be considered a Halloween or Christmas movie, but our newsroom pretty much agreed that it's a Halloween movie. Regardless, this is a classic with some iconicly impressive stop-motion effects that everyone should watch.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
- 25m, Rated G

If you didn't watch this at least once growing up, then you never really had a childhood. Sorry, I don't make the rules.

Coraline (2009)
- 1h 55m, Rated PG

If you like "A Nightmare Before Christmas," then it is only logical to follow that up with watching "Coraline," made by the same director, Henry Selick, though it's surprising to some that it's not also a Tim Burton movie. This remains a classic of stop-motion films.

Poltergeist (1982)
- 1h 54m, Rated PG

I have consistently heard from people who grew up in the 1980s that this is one of the scariest movies. If you are into the more supernatural elements of the horror genre, this movie is right up your alley.

Night of the Living Dead (1968)
- 1h 36m, Not Rated

The movie that essentially kicked off the zombie subgenre in films, this is a staple of both the horror genre and the Halloween season, featuring the old-school slow-walking zombies. Even almost 60 years later, it remains a great watch, especially at night.

Train to Busan (2016)

Here is a modern zombie movie to show how much the genre has evolved. In the 2000s and 2010s, zombies became faster and more aggressive as plots show humanity falling apart, and this movie puts those zombies into a confined space; in this case, a train.

As a wise man once said, once you overcome the once-inch-tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing films.

Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)
- 1h 28m, Rated PG-13

A cult classic horror-comedy film from the 1980s, this movie is a lot of fun and features all sorts of impressive '80s special effects. Hopefully a sequel finally comes out one day.

Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922)
- 1h 21m, Not Rated

If you don't mind black and white silent films, then the original Nosferatu, an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" novel, is a must watch.

Scooby-Doo (2002)

I don't care what the critics say, this movie did numbers in my household when I was a kid, and I am confident everyone has a movie like that.

The Old Dark House (1932)
- 1h 12m, Not Rated

This is one of the best films from the pre-MPAA ratings system that Universal Studios made outside of its classic monster lineup and features some of the same production team behind those movies as well as some pretty impressive special effects for its time.

Ghostbusters (1984)
- 1h 45m, Rated PG

I loved "Ghostbusters" growing up, and this remains such a good movie that mixes both comedy and spooky supernatural elements together really well. This should be on everyone's watch list for the Halloween season.

The Fog (1980)
- 1h 29m, Rated R

When people talk about director John Carpenter, they usually bring up movies like "The Thing" or "They Live" (or another significant movie that I will get to later). Probably my favorite John Carpenter movie, though, is "The Fog," which is just a very well-made supernatural horror and mystery film.

The Haunted Mansion (2003)
- 1h 39m, Rated PG

Ignore the new one that came out a few years ago. This one starring Eddie Murphy will always have a special place in my childhood heart.

Destroy All Monsters (1968)

Going along with this list's sci-fi films, I thought I would include a Godzilla movie. If you like giant monsters beating each other up on the big stage, then "Destroy All Monsters" is the right film for you.

Lights Out (2016)
- 1h 21m, Rated PG-13

If you like suspenseful ghost films, "Lights Out" is a very well-executed film that will make you want to keep your bedroom lights on when you go to sleep at night.

The Mist (2007)
- 2h 6m, Rated R

It wouldn't be a proper Halloween movie list if I didn't include at least one Stephen King film. This movie is one of the best film adaptations of King's work, showing how paranoia and tensions rise quickly among a group that faces extreme circumstances. I suggest going into the movie completely blind if you want a truly great viewing experience.

The Blob (1958)
- 1h 22m, Not Rated

When it comes to classic sci-fi movies, I feel you can't go wrong with the original "The Blob" starring Steve McQueen, which is a great sci-fi film and popcorn flick.

Hocus Pocus (1993)
- 1h 36m, Rated PG

It also wouldn't be a Halloween movie list if I didn't mention this one. This movie is always being shown on the Disney Channel during the Halloween season, and it remains a favorite among Disney's Halloween output.

Dracula (1958)

Yes, kids, before the late, great Christopher Lee was in movies like "Star Wars" and "Lord of the Rings," he played Count Dracula across seven films, beginning with this one, and was a frequent collaborator with the British-based Hammer Films. Universal Studios helped lay the foundation for Dracula in cinema, but Hammer Films introduced him as the pop culture blood-sucking villain that we know today.

Note: This was released in the United States as "Horror of Dracula" to avoid confusion with the 1931 Universal film starring Bela Lugosi.

Trick 'R Treat (2007)
- 1h 30m, Rated R

This is one of my favorite movies to watch during the Halloween season. From the storytelling to the mix of suspense and more humorous elements, it feels very Halloweeny and will make you think twice about breaking traditions.

Halloween (1978)
- 1h 31m, Rated R

This is a no-brainer for the Halloween season. Although it wasn't the first of its kind, this movie, along with "Friday the 13th," ignited the slasher horror craze of the 1970s and 1980s. Despite what the genre has become, the original Halloween, directed by John Carpenter, is actually kind of tame in terms of graphic violence, relying more on tension and atmosphere.

If you want to be fully immersed, I suggest you start watching it on the evening of Halloween when trick-or-treaters are still roaming the streets, creating the perfect ambience as you watch the movie. By the time the movie concludes and the end credits roll, look outside your window and you will see how empty the streets are as the music plays and Michael Myers' breathing can be heard, making it seem like he is still out there, somewhere.