10 Lesser-Known Shocktober Movies You’ve Gotta Watch

As darkness falls across the land and the midnight hour is close at hand we find ourselves in SHOCKTOBER once more! For horror fans scares are a year-round part of movies but October always means that those who want a casual thrill can also dip their toes into the bloodier side of film history. While you might be familiar with Norman Bates, Camp Crystal Lake, and Godzilla as they appear on the channel we thought we’d highlight some deeper cuts to keep the season spooky! Catch them all On Demand in October, or find the next playtimes by clicking on each title. Visit our Shocktober page to view the full collection featuring over 50 titles!

Eyes without a Face (1960)

If you’re only familiar with this title from the Billy Idol song you’re missing out on director Georges Franju’s dreamy take on the mad scientist genre. A doctor capturing women, a girl in a strange mask, and a misty mansion all make for a visually stunning and classic horror film that crosses the language barrier to chill any viewer to the bone.

The Retreat (2021)

A couple finds their lesbian cottagecore dreams become lesbian cottagecore nightmares when their missing friends and strange surroundings in their isolated retreat reveal they may not be alone. Featuring Canadian favs including Tommie-Amber Pirie and Aaron Ashmore this film will make you think twice before

The Hand (1981)

Oliver Stone and Michael Caine forged a lifelong friendship not creating Oscar-winning fare but rather this bloody fun horror film about an amputee whose severed hand may be tormenting him. Unhinged, sleazy, and miles from the classier careers of these men the film nonetheless is loads of stylish fun and deserves more than being remembered as financing Michael Caine’s bigger garage.

The Last Man on Earth (1964)

Horror Icon Vincent Price stars in this original adaptation of Richard Matheson’s classic novel I Am Legend which went on to influence zombie and vampire literature. While Omega Man and Will Smith’s adaptation might have a bigger cultural footprint, this adaptation hews closer to Matheson’s story and features a wonderful performance from Price as well as a jazzy and unusual tone.

The Blair Witch Project (1999)

While this film didn’t invent the found footage genre, its subtle scares made it an independent smash hit at the end of the 90s. Age has been surprisingly kind to the film as changing technology has given it a (god help me) vintage feel, and its improvisational performance style remains truly engrossing.

House (1977)

If you have never seen Nobuhiko Ōbayashi’s wild Japanese haunted house film you’re in for a colourful and completely original treat. Ōbayashi’s background in experimental film and advertising makes this film both visually eclectic and terrifying all at once and throws in everything but the kitchen sink with its evil pianos, demon cats, and playful severed heads.

Bride of Chucky (1998)

Chucky creator Don Mancini made the unexpected but crucial move of changing his serial killer doll series from a somewhat serious horror to an ironic and wild horror-comedy well suited to the post-Scream world of the late 90s horror boom. Jennifer Tilly’s Tiffany was the perfect addition to the Chucky mythos and we’re all excited to see what Mancini has in store with his Chucky TV series.

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

While Black Christmas gets most of the credit for being a Canadian film predicting the craze, My Bloody Valentine by director George Mihalka still managed to achieve a uniquely iconic place amongst early slashers. Shot in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia it remains a very Canadian looking and feeling film while delivering a creepy miner who’s hunting young lovers and he remains a Hollywood-worthy villain that ought to be remembered.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1985)

While Tobe Hooper’s original Chainsaw Massacre shocked audiences with its violent verisimilitude he found the only way to top himself was to go a completely different direction with the sequel and make a wild near-parody of the first film in the vein of Joe Dante’s Gremlin’s 2. Over-the-top violence, disgusting characters, and a surprisingly feminist message make this film a completely unique entry into the horror canon that is just now being reclaimed as a manic genius film.

The Cabin In The Woods (2012)

Writer-director Drew Goddard sought to make a horror film for horror fans with this canny deconstruction of tropes that sees a group of TOO stereotypical teens head for a creepy cabin in the woods where everything isn’t what it seems. If you haven’t seen this unexpected mix of horror, comedy, and science fiction you’re missing out on one of the most exhilaratingly terrifying horror parodies since Wes Craven’s Scream.