As Halloween creeps up in the next few weeks, and students and kids prepare what to wear and where to go, it seems apparent that it is time to get into the festive mood.

With a lack of strong horror films being released in theaters this month, it seems as if our only option is to rewind and look back at some of the best horror films ever made. While in a decade full of unwanted sequels and remakes of past horror classics, it’s good to look back at some decades and check out what was scary then, is still scary now. From slasher to paranormal and everything in between, here are just some of the many great horror films to watch for this year’s Halloween season.

THE CONJURING

It’s hard to think of recent horror films that have lived up to the hype – movies that contain more than jump scares and gore, stories that are actually both thrilling and horrifying. The “Conjuring” became an undeniable hit when it was first released back in 2013, and the film’s success even conjured this year’s sequel, which was also a critical and commercial achievement.

The film is loosely based on life of Ed and Lorraine Warren – paranormal investigators – and their case of the Perron family, who are experiencing disturbing events at their Rhode Island home in 1971. Director James Wan applies a 70’s feel to the movie, drawing similar slow burn film editing techniques similar to “The Exorcist” or the original “Omen.” With the “Insidious” trilogy coupled with the “Saw” films, Wan has certainly proved himself to be one of the best horror directors in the business right now.

HALLOWEEN

It’s hard to leave out the film that uses the festive holiday in its own title. “Halloween” succeeds where the rest of the Michael Myers films that followed don’t. The original story of director John Carpenter’s slasher film was one of pure suspense, as Michael Myers returns home to the fictional Midwestern town of Haddonfield, Illinois, to continue his murder spree.

The 1978 film not only launched the career of Jamie Lee Curtis but also kick started seven sequels and a 2007 remake. While none have lived up to the original, the films have undoubtedly imbedded the mask of Michael Myers – which was originally a Captain Kirk mask painted white – into Halloween culture. If you’re looking for a good suspenseful slasher film to watch this Halloween season, no flick is better than John Carpenter’s original 1978 “Halloween.”

YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN

Not exactly the scariest or most thrilling film to watch this Halloween season, but Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein” is without a doubt to be watched to get into the festive spirit. The 1974 horror comedy film starring the late Gene Wilder, serves not only as a constant reminder of the talented duo of Wilder and Brooks, but also a reminder of just how fun and even silly Halloween can be.

Easily regarded as one of the best horror parodies of all time, filmed in black and white and coupled with a 1930’s style opening credits and scene transitions, the film mocks a much older generation of horror films – films like the 1931 “Dracula” and 1935 “Bride of Frankenstein” that have influenced the entire genre of movies we see today.

THE FLY

With its 80’s synthesizer soundtrack and extremely impressive practical effects and makeup, “The Fly” is one of those films that fits perfectly in the decade of which it was made. Directed by David Cronenberg, the film blends the genres of science fiction and horror into one gory and thrilling film.

Starring Jeff Goldblum as an eccentric scientist who, after one of his experiments goes wrong, slowly turns into a fly-hybrid creature. The film succeeds in taking its outlandish presence and adapting it to the reality of the world we live in. As Goldblum’s character slowly turns from man into fly, his process is not only disturbingly painful to watch but quite heartbreaking.

The film’s story is scary in its own right, but the way in which the makeup team brings the film’s main character to “life” is remarkably horrifying.

THE SHINING

It’d be impossible to have a Halloween film watch list and not include anything based off of literary horror icon Stephen King. Much like “Halloween,” “The Shining” is embedded deep into Halloween culture as it’s become a classic horror film since its debut in 1980.

Carried by the stellar and psychotic performance of Jack Nicholson, “The Shining” succeeds as a psychological horror film full of random disturbing images and scenes, and overall open-endedness. Stanley Kubrick’s horror masterpiece may not be fully comprehensible for every viewer, and it shouldn’t be, but the film is nonetheless a quality flick for this year’s Halloween season.