Gear up for FiXT Vice President Kurtis Redden’s favorite time of the year. If you’ve worked with Kurtis long enough, you know.
Forget Christmas. Forget Easter. Forget summer fun. It’s Halloween baby.
When the shadows grow long and the night air carries an unshakable chill, true horror fans know it’s time to settle in for a night of terror. Kurtis Redden’s House of Horror is not for the faint of heart, this list of Kurtis’s favorite Halloween movies. From classic slashers to psychological thrillers, supernatural haunts, and hidden gems of the macabre, these are the films that define a season of fear. Whether you’re a die-hard horror aficionado like Kurtis or just dipping your toes into the dark, these favorites of his will make your Halloween unforgettable…
So, lights off. Door locked. Grab that blankie. From slashers to supernatural scares, Kurtis Redden’s picks are for those brave enough to watch… and hopefully survive.
Which timeless horror movies never fail to give you chills?
When I think of the true “classics” of horror, my mind always goes back to the Universal Monsters. Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, Frankenstein’s Monster—those films are foundational, and the characters have stood the test of time. I’d also say John Carpenter’s original Halloween belongs in that conversation. It’s a seasonal staple that still sets the bar for slasher horror.
What newer horror films have earned a permanent spot in your Halloween rotation?
As for what I’ve watched this year, I’ve been lucky to see some really strong modern entries: Weapons, Together, 28 Years Later, Bring Her Back, Clown in a Cornfield, and Sinners—all excellent films that prove the genre is alive and thriving.
Which over-the-top, self-aware horror movies do you love for the laughs (and screams)?
Evil Dead 2 is my favorite movie of all time. Next question.
Which movies creep you out more with tension and mind games than with gore?
If you’re after a movie that will leave you squirming with dread and full of anxiety, I can’t recommend The Coffee Table enough. Don’t look up a single thing about it—just watch. There’s also a low-budget film called Vulcanizadora. It won’t be for everyone, but once the story clicked for me it left me with a deep, gnawing sense of dread that stuck.
Which slasher or “body count” films are your guilty pleasures to watch every Halloween?
Of course, everyone knows the iconic slashers, but if you want to dig a little deeper, here are a few that often get overlooked: Intruder, The Burning, Slumber Party Massacre 2, and my personal favorite, Tourist Trap. These films don’t always get the spotlight, but they each bring something strange, creative, and unforgettable to the table.