Spooky season is here again, and we're always searching for unique Halloween decoration ideas that will terrify our guests. When we think of Halloween, we don't just think of the pumpkins, costumes and sweet treats - we also think about rewatching our favorite horror movies.
From A Nightmare on Elm St and Friday the 13th to Scream and The Conjuring, there's nothing better than turning off the lights, grabbing the popcorn and watching a film that will give us nightmares!
Whether it's the masterful storytelling, heart-pounding suspense, or the adrenaline rush of being scared silly, there's a unique appeal in indulging in a film that promises to haunt our dreams long after the credits roll.
So, why not use our love of horror movies to inspire this year's Halloween decorations? Here is a spooktacular selection of thrilling Halloween decorations influenced by our favorite horror movies.
Zombies
Dawn of the Dead, Evil Dead Rise, Shaun of the Dead, 28 Days Later
From the classic shambling zombie hordes of George A. Romero to the sprinting, frenzied zombies of World War Z, the undead are a Halloween staple. We've all seen at least one zombie film, and many of us will have ripped some old clothes, made the iconic groan and attended a party dressed as one.
Reanimated corpses breaking free of their coffins and clawing their way out of the ground to pursue the living is a terrifying prospect. Bring that fear to your Halloween decorations with zombie-themed tricks that will terrify guests.
We love how this Halloween enthusiast has used a couple of zombie figures, an old wooden pallet and some spray paint to create a terrifying scene. It's creepy enough in the daylight, but once the sun sets, it's sure to give trick-or-treaters a good scare!
Image: Bored Panda
The Woods
Friday the 13th, The Blair Witch Project, The Cabin in the Woods, The Strangers
By day, the woods are an enchanting place where you can hike, explore and recharge amongst the natural surroundings. Then, as the sun dips below the horizon, they transform into a disorientating and eerie place where getting lost and confused is easy. And there's no telling what unseen presence is keeping an eye on you from the darkness.
Many of our favorite horror movies explore our primal fear of the woods. Heather, Mike and Josh were stalked through the wilderness by the Blair Witch and Mrs. Voorhees terrorized the counsellors of Camp Crystal Lake.
Create a spooky ambience by incorporating elements from the woods into your Halloween decorations. Utilize ghostly sound effects and dim lighting to make your guests feel like they are being watched by something sinister lurking among the trees. Add fog machines to create an otherworldly atmosphere and enhance the sense of mystery and unease. We love how, with a bit of old fabric and a lantern, this decorator has created a bone-chilling figure who can spy on guests from the garden.
Sharks
Jaws, The Shallows, The Meg, 47 Meters Down
Sharks are often overlooked at Halloween, particularly if you live many miles from the nearest large body of water. However, these powerful creatures possess an undeniable terror that can rival any other classic horror movie icon.
For many of us, Jaws is the first horror movie we ever saw - and it is a horror movie! Since then, movies like The Shallows and 47 Meters Down have reminded us of the dangers of these terrifying predators.
A study found that more of us fear sharks than public speaking and spiders. If that's the case, leave the cobweb decorations in the basement and go for something more nautical for this year. We love this Jaws-themed costume, which would be just as terrifying as a standalone decoration.
Pumpkins
Hocus Pocus, Halloween, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow
Carving a pumpkin is a great way to begin the spooky season. The jack-o-lantern is the most iconic image we think of when we imagine Halloween and they've been a key part of some of our favorite spooky movies.
Haddonfield is adorned with pumpkins as Michael Myers stalks Jamie-Lee Curtis. The same is true of Halloween Town in The Nightmare Before Christmas (released October 29th 1993, making it a Halloween film; argue amongst yourselves about that).
When it comes to pumpkins, our opinion is the more the better. One is great, two is fun, but ten is terrifying! Carve them into creepy faces, or recreate your favorite Halloween movie characters if you're feeling artistic. We love these pumpkin carvings of bats and black cats.
Monsters
Cloverfield, Alien, The Thing, Insidious
Everyone has their favorite horror movie monster: demons, xenomorphs, giant spiders. Whether it's an old-school favorite like the Gill-Man from Creature from the Black Lagoon or something more modern like A Quiet Place's Death Angels, monsters have been terrifying us on the big screen for decades.
The originals are still as scary now as they were when they were first introduced all those years ago. And as for modern monsters - there are plenty you'll need to hide from behind the sofa. We're looking at you Barbarian, It Follows and Sinister.
Ghosts, zombies and skeletons are Halloween 101. To frighten your guests, think bigger and embrace horror's most iconic monsters. We love this 8-foot pumpkin monster that will scare any trick-or-treaters brave enough to visit this house for some candy. Something this big lets your neighbors know which house on the street is THE must-visit Halloween house.
Clowns
IT, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Terrifier 2, IT (again!)
The mere sight of clowns sends shivers down our spines, whether it's Tim Curry or Bill Skarsgård's as Pennywise the Dancing Clown. With this in mind, why not transform your home into a haunted carnival or a spine-tingling funhouse for a Halloween party this year? It's the perfect way to bring the mysterious excitement of the circus to your guests.
Which horror movie is your favorite? Have any of our horror movie themed decorating ideas inspired you for this Halloween? Let us know in the comments below…
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