With Fall Break approaching, many of us are going to have lots of time with our hands. If you are anything like me, you will spend it in a dark room watching movies. In preparation for this I have compiled a list of the best five Halloween movies to watch this fall break, whether by yourself or with friends, and you are guaranteed to have a great time doing it!

#5 The ‘Burbs

In this movie we see Tom Hanks play Ray Peterson who is taking time off from his busy job in the suburbs. After getting suspicious of his neighbors down the street, he suspects they are murderers. Peterson gets a gang of neighbors to save the cul-de-sac. This movie has an engaging story, a fun star-studded cast, and it’s a great pick to watch with some friends.

#4 Psycho

This movie is a classic of the horror genre. It follows Secretary Marion Crane as she runs from the law. When she stumbles upon the Bates Motel she meets the highly-strung Norman Bates, who may be more than he seems. This movie is worth watching because of how influential it is. The amount of pop culture references in other movies and shows that are direct inspirations of Psycho is mind-blowing.  It has gone on to inspire countless other classic movies. If you haven’t seen it, it is worth watching at least once.

#3 The Corpse Bride

This is a great Tim Burton movie and it is often the forgotten brother of The Nightmare Before Christmas. In a beautiful stop-motion animation style, the movie follows Victor and Victoria. Their two families have placed them in an arranged marriage. Victor, who is nervous, gets dragged into the land of the dead where he meets a corpse bride. Victor must get back above ground before Victoria marries the villainous, Barkis Bittern. It’s a fun little movie that is perfect for this spooky season.

#2 Silence of the Lambs

This is my personal favorite horror movie of all time. It follows Clarice Starling, a student at the FBI Academy. Starling has to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a cannibalistic psychiatrist. She believes that he can help the FBI solve a case of murders by a new serial killer, Buffalo Bill. It is suspenseful, creepy, and downright disturbing. But, it is also brilliant. It is a must watch if you are a fan of horror or crime.  Even if you’re not, it’s a landmark film of both genres.

#1 Young Frankenstein

This is a spoof of classic horror movies. It follows the classic Frankenstein formula, where a scientist inherits his grandfather’s castle and reanimates a creature. What makes it so great is that it blends the classic horror movies of the 1920s with: brilliant comedy, strong performances, a Stellar cast and brilliant production value. Overall it is just great and there is no movie like it. If you are going to watch any movie this fall break, have it be this one.