Fall has finally arrived in what seems like the blink of an eye. The leaves are changing, the temperature is dropping and winter is right around the corner. Before it passes by, you might be trying to get the most out of what the season has to offer, like pumpkin carving, corn mazes, haunted houses and my personal favorite: scary movies.

Whether you love them or hate them, this time of the year is perfect for watching classic horror films. The brisk air may make you want to curl up under a blanket late at night and muster enough bravery to hit the play button.

There are so many to choose from that I’d like to help out. Here are five movies perfect for the Halloween season.

5. “Halloween” (1978)

This film is an absolute classic. Released in 1978, this movie kicked off one of the most successful horror franchises to date. The film follows a notorious killer, Michael Meyers, as he returns to his hometown, where chaos ensues. 

The suspenseful music and well-crafted filming make for an overall thrilling viewing experience. A remake was shot in 2007, but nothing compares to the original that helped redefine a genre.

4. “The Babadook” (2014)

Released just last year, this film is flat-out freaky. The filmmakers don’t rely on cheap effects to scare you. 

A woman and her son live quiet lives before a mysterious book enters their household. The book is graphic and depicts horrible things which, over time, actually begin haunt them. This movie will make you cover your eyes more than jump. Watch out for the Babadook.

3. “The Shining” (1980)

Based on Stephen King’s book of the same name, the story is chock-full of ingredients that mix for the perfect horror film. 

The movie employs effects that countless horror films after it have only hoped to copy and imitate. Jack Nicholson plays a strong lead as Jack Torrance, who adds significantly to the drama. Can the Torrance family survive an entire winter locked in a remote haunted hotel? Good luck finding out.

2. “It Follows” (2014)

In a genre where filmmakers bet it all on tricks to scare with little focus on story, this film finds a strong balance between the two aspects. The story is very unique and crafted in a way that is both scary and fascinating. 

When a young girl has a chance hookup with her crush at school, her life takes a dramatic turn. After, she inexplicably endures people following her and trying to kill her — the problem is that nobody else around her can see them. 

Where many horror films make you look away, “It Follows” will keep you watching as the young woman struggles to figure out what is going on and how she will ever get out of the situation alive.

1. “The Conjuring” (2013)

This is a truly masterful gem to watch for guaranteed suspense and horror. 

“The Conjuring” is about a family who moves into an old haunted house. The plot sounds like so many other horror films, but nothing quite gets you scared like this one. 

As the movie progresses, so does the intensity of the haunting, and the stakes escalate to extremely high levels. The acting is well done, the story is written to keep you engaged and the horror is brilliantly threaded throughout.   

So whatever your tastes in films are, take advantage of the featured horror movies all over television stations and streaming sites these next few days. 

Whether you are brave enough to watch them on your own or only watching with friends, Halloween movies are truly a thrilling and challenging experience. We are in the final days of the season so you better hurry … if you dare.