When I’m trying to find something to watch, I have to build in at least 25 minutes of scrolling. Streaming has simplified many aspects of entertainment, but unfortunately, it hasn’t cut down on the paralyzing decision of what to watch. The same thing would happen to me years ago when browsing the shelves of my local Blockbuster (RIP).

....until the day I found the “Staff Picks” shelf. Ryan’s Pick or Stacy’s Pick was exactly what my Saturday night needed, dissolving the decision paralysis. (To this day, the “Staff Picks” method helps me pick out wine from Trader Joe’s.)

To stop the scrolling on your next movie night, we’re bringing back “Staff Picks,” scary movie style. I called on the experts around the office to give a few film recommendations for horror fans.

Add these to your Halloween watchlist on Kanopy this season!

Jen’s Picks:

King Kong featuring Jeff Bridges, Charles Grodin, and Jessica Lange
1976 | 2hr 14min

The 1976 version with a young Jeff Bridges is my favorite, but you can also find the original 1933 version on Kanopy, too. I know this could never happen...but part of me is like, maybe it could? It creeps me out. I feel that way about Jurassic Park, too.

Pearl featuring Mia Goth
2022 | 1hr 42min

The entire trilogy is great. MaXXXine, film 3, was just out in July. This is the origin story of Goth's character, Pearl. It's super twisted.

Matt’s Picks:

Chopping Mall featuring Kelli Maroney, Tony O'Dell, and Russell Todd
1986 | 1hr 16min

This one is as memorable as it is outlandish. This techno-horror from the 80s has a killer score, outlandish plot, and focuses on a thought we’ve all had: What if I stayed in a mall after it closes?

ParaNorman featuring John Goodman, Casey Affleck, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Anna Kendrick
2012 | 1hr 32min

Between being visually stunning with its stop motion, spooky fall flavor, and being genuinely funny, ParaNorman sets the perfect tone during the Halloween season.

Joe’s Picks:

Talk to Me featuring Miranda Otto, Otis Dhanji, and Sophie Wilde
2023 | 1hr 34min

Who would've thought that Australian accents, an embalmed hand, and a social media trend could turn out so ghastly? Sometimes when you talk to the dead, they don't stop talking back.

Suspiria featuring Jessica Harper, Stefania Casini, and Flavio Bucci
1977 | 1hr 38min

This is one of those classic horror movies that you likely haven't seen, but really should check out. Suzy's fancy ballet academy becomes overwrought with the sinister and supernatural (not to mention a series of grisly murders).

Let the Right One In featuring Kåre Hedebrant and Lina Leandersson
2008 | 1hr 54min

What would you do if your child was being bullied and his new best friend and would-be savior was a vampire? A charming and haunting coming-of-age story.

Gryphon’s Pick:

Annihilation featuring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tessa Thompson
2018 | 1hr 55min

The biology of horror. Science fiction where mutations are equally beautiful and world-ending. Life and death multiply.

Annie’s Pick:

78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene directed by Alexandre O. Philippe
2017 | 1hr 31min

Showering has unfortunately never been the same since watching Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. This might be why I now stick to documentaries to get my scares. This one pulls back the (shower) curtain on this influential moment and how it was a game-changer in Hollywood. The title refers to the 78 camera set-ups and 52 edits that went into this iconic horror scene.

Edwin’s Picks:

Nosferatu the Vampyre featuring Bruno Ganz, Isabelle Adjani, and Klaus Kinski
1979 | 1hr 46min

Werner Herzog’s film is an atmospheric, dread-filled, and often unexpectedly funny remake of F. W. Murnau’s classic silent film starring the wonderful Isabelle Adjani, Bruno Ganz, and everyone’s favorite lunatic, Klaus Kinski, as the starchy-faced, fanged, and world-weary, title character.

Don’t Look Now featuring Donald Sutherland, Julie Christie, and Hilary Mason
1973 | 1hr 50min

A devastating tragedy haunts the lives of a married couple in Nicolas Roeg’s stunning Don’t Look Now. Based on a Daphne Du Maurier short story, this unforgettable film (with an unforgettable ending) returns repeatedly to this central tragic event through brilliantly realized foreshadowing and recurring themes of premonition. Not your traditional horror film, but many elements of the genre are present.

Kyle’s Picks:

Possession featuring Sam Neill and Isabelle Adjani
1981 | 2hr 4min

You'll be hard pressed to find another movie that plays up the weird, the unearthly, or the incomprehensible as well as Possession. Amazing performances from Neill and Adjani.

The Wicker Man featuring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, and Diane Cilento
1973 | 1hr 41min

If you like folk horror, but think it could use more songs, this is the film for you. A top-tier Christopher Lee performance.

*Access to films may vary by library.

Browse the rest of the Fright Fest collection on Kanopy for even more scary good picks.

🎙️ Hey film buffs, have you checked out The Film Library podcast, presented by Kanopy?

Each episode features a unique guest from various corners of the industry offering listeners an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the art and craft of film. Listen wherever you get your podcasts to discover hidden gems and hear stories from behind the camera.

If you're a fan of horror and science fiction, then you're in for a treat. Join us on this episode with talented actor and director Josh Ruben to discuss his creative inspirations and the intentional social commentary in his horror projects, emphasizing the power of the outsider narrative.