When Halloween lands on a weekend, it opens up an entire day for spooky celebrations, marathon viewings, and deep dives into genre pop culture. Rather than reaching for standard holiday slashers, the editorial team behind io9 has curated a personal list of films they are revisiting this season, trading mainstream picks for atmospheric classics and cult favorites.
For Jen Lennon, the choice falls on John Carpenter's 1982 masterpiece, The Thing. Despite its chilly Antarctic setting and intense paranoia, the film remains a standout favorite due to its enduring practical visual effects and Ennio Morricone's atmospheric score. Meanwhile, Cheryl Eddy is leaning into deliberately sleazy territory with the 1980 Italian import Alien Terror, also known as Alien 2: On Earth, embracing the low-budget charm and poorly dubbed dialogue.
Deep cuts continue with Isaiah Colbert steering friends toward Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s 2001 techno-horror film, Pulse. The movie stands out for its uniquely unnerving atmosphere and haunting cinematography that leaves a lasting impression on modern viewers. Rounding out the selections, Germain Lussier is revisiting The Blair Witch Project. Beyond the nostalgia of early internet-era marketing and its legendary $27,000 budget, the film continues to captivate audiences as physical media editions bring renewed attention to the found-footage landmark.
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