Halloween feels particularly special this year. It may be one of the only celebrations we have so we might as well make it a good one. All October I watch horror films and read thriller books, and on Halloween I'll be carving pumpkins, listening to spooky playlists, and playing some scary games.
I've written about celebrating Halloween as an adult before but this year things are a little different. While some of us may be able to host a Halloween party or go on a ghost walk, most of us will be stuck indoors on All Hallows' Eve. I'm sad about not being able to participate in my usual spooky museum tours and pumpkin carving party with friends although I'm excited about spending time on indoor Hallloween activites, like rereading my favourite horror books and playing some video games.
Below I've shared my list of indoor Halloween activities, from films to games, that everyone can participate in this year, whether you're stuck indoors or not. I know being horror-struck isn't for everyone so I've tried to include options ranging from gentle thrills to terrifying surprises.
Halloween Films
Horror is a divisive genre, some people love a healthy dose of comedy to soften the jump scares, whereas others prefer a roller coaster of intense thrills and fears. If I'm honest, this list is mostly terrifying watching except for the last entry, which I think everyone would enjoy.
REC (2007)
Host (2020)
Get Out (2017)
The Witch (2015)
Hereditary (2018)
Funny Games (1997)
Cloverfield Lane (2016)
The Orphanage (2007)
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
What We Do In The Shadows (2019)
Halloween Books
A long time ago I wrote a post about the 50 scariest books of all time. I've picked my favourites books below that I've reread many times and highly recommend to anyone wanting something spooky to read. They're dark, unsettling, and perfect for a cold Halloween night.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
The Trial by Franz Kafka
The Ritual by Adam Nevill
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Pet Semetary by Stephen King
Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West by Cormac McCarthy
House Of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski
American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis
The Third Policeman by Flann O'Brien
The Handmaid's Tail by Margaret Atwood
Halloween Playlists
I've really been enjoying Spotify playlists this year and there are some excellent Halloween ones worth listening to from cheesy Halloween classics to laid back lo-fi songs. These are great to listen to while carving pumpkins or playing board games.
Halloween Video Games
There are so many great horror games to choose from, some packed with jump scares while others are purely atmospheric. I've tried to include a mix of video games from different genres so if you want to avoid not being able to sleep at night you can.
Carrion
Outlast
Amnesia
Grim Fandango
Darkwood
Subnautica
Phasmophobia
Alien: Isolation
Resident Evil 4
Doki Doki Literature Club!
Halloween Board Games
Board games are such a great way to spend time with family, friends, and house mates. Forget about those childhood classics, which everyone pretends not to hate; modern board games are excellent. I haven't had the chance to play all of these but I can highly recommend Pandemic, Mysterium, and Betrayal At House On The Hill.
Gloom
Horrified
Pandemic
Mysterium
Dead Of Winter
T.I.M.E. Stories
Mansions Of Madness
Letters From Whitechapel
Betrayal At House On The Hill
One Night Ultimate Werewolf
