The Best Horror Films Coming To Cinemas Halloween 2015

October is upon us, the Season of the Witch draws near, and it’s almost time to hang up your synthetic cobwebs and skeletons, disembowel some pumpkins and don your costume of choice for Halloween.

But as well as dressing up, doing the Monster Mash and overloading on sugar, this is also the ideal time of year to head down the cinema for something spooky.

- Morgan Creek Will ‘Never’ Remake The Exorcist
- Animated Ghostbusters Movie Planned
- Cast of Scream, Then & Now

So, what suitably sinister delights are lined up for us on the big screen this Halloween? Here are some of the key major releases to look out for…

The Nightmare

Already hailed as one of the scariest documentaries ever made, this fact-based feature centres on the experiences of several poor souls who suffer from sleep paralysis, a condition resulting in the most terrifyingly real nightmares imaginable. It’s in limited cinemas from 9th October.

Regression

‘The Others’ director Alejandro Amenábar ventures back into the dark with Emma Watson as a traumatised young woman whose case, under the investigation of detective Ethan Hawke, points to a possible Satanic cult. Also out 9th October.

Crimson Peak

Another acclaimed filmmaker with a Gothic past, Guillermo del Toro, returns to the genre in which he made his name with what promises to be his most mature English language production to date.

Mia Wasikowska plays a novelist who marries the tall, dark and handome Tom Hiddleston and moves into his family home, but soon discovers the house holds many dark, perhaps deadly secrets. Wide release from 16th October.

The Diabolical

Reportedly adding a dash of science fiction to your classic haunted house set-up, director Alistair Legrand’s film casts Ali Larter as a single mother whose home comes under attack by supernatural entities. Having received a largely positive response at festivals such as Austin’s SXSW and London’ FrightFest, it’s in UK cinemas from the 16th.

Hotel Transylvania 2

If you’re after something more family-friendly this Halloween, why not reunite with Adam Sandler’s Drac and company? This follow-up to the 2012 animated comedy brings back all the monsters from the first movie, adds a loveable new character in Drac’s new grandson Dennis, and further develops the mixed race relationships subtext in a surprisingly thought-provoking way.

You may have caught this on previews this past weekend; otherwise it’s on wide release from the 16th.

Howl

Just in case you were holding out for a new British movie in cinemas this Halloween, fear not, as this latest film from FX master turned director Paul Hyett combines two of our greatest primal fear: a broken-down train, and werewolves. This too is out 16th October.

The Last Witch Hunter

Vin Diesel is a bit less fast but probably no less furious (not to mention rather more hirsute) in this new potential franchise-launcher in which he stars as an immortal tough guy out to vanquish evil witches in modern day New York.

Rose Leslie, Elijah Wood and Michael Caine co-star in the supernatural adventure from ‘The Crazies’ director Breck Eisner, out 21st October.

Paranormal Activity: the Ghost Dimension

One of the biggest horror franchises of the past decade comes to an end with what promises to be the most epic and outlandish entry in the series to date. It may still be found footage, but this time it’s 3D - and this time, the ghosts will be visible. Out 23rd October. Watch the trailer below.

Picture Credit: Paramount, EntertainmentOne, Metrodome, Sony, Content, Universal, Entertainment Film Distributors, Altitude