Halloween is my favorite time of year (maybe because I was born during the spooky season) There is something about the thrill of a good scare that makes the season come alive But it's not just the costumes and haunted houses that set the mood, it's the Halloween movies

While many people associate horror with pure terror and jittery moments, I believe the genre offers much more than scares Horror can be thought-provoking, deeply emotional, even artistic, and touch on themes of survival and the human condition It is a shame that horror is not more recognized outside of the “scary” label

Nevertheless, we know that horror is not for everyone Some people have a hard time being scared or disturbed and shy away from the genre For this reason, we have included a few thriller-leaning films in our list of five new movies added to Prime Video

So whether you're looking for something bone-chilling or a little unsettling, there's something for everyone this Halloween Here are the films to watch on streaming services this month

“The Thing” is one of my favorite horror films, mostly due to its amazing practical effects (seriously, it was very good for its time) It's a movie I rewatch every Halloween, and I'm grateful for this time of year, for it entertains and scares me

Directed by John Carpenter, this sci-fi horror takes place on an isolated research station in Antarctica The plot revolves around a group of American scientists who encounter a shape-shifting alien that can assimilate and perfectly mimic other creatures Upon discovering the remains of a mysteriously destroyed Norwegian camp, they bring back what they believe to be the remains of the strange creature They soon realize that this “thing” is not dead, but can mimic any living creature, making it impossible to tell who is still human

As paranoia and distrust grows within the group, led by helicopter pilot RJ McCready (Kurt Russell), the scientists must figure out how to stop the aliens before they wipe them out The tension in the film stems primarily from the fear of the unknown and the inability to trust anyone, making it a must-see this Halloween

Watch it now on Prime Video

One of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen is The Witch If you want to be truly disturbed on Halloween night, feast your eyes on this masterpiece of a film Be warned, however, it gets dark

“The Witch” is set in 17th century New England and follows a Puritan family who have been expelled from the colonies and forced to live on the edge of a remote forest The family consists of parents William (Ralph Ineson) and Catherine (Kate Dickey), teenage daughter Thomasin (Anya Taylor-Joy), son Caleb (Harvey Scrimshaw), twins Mercy (Ellie Gringer) and Jonas (Lucas Dawson), and baby Samuel, comprise the group

Soon after settling into their new lives, strange and frightening events begin to occur When baby Samuel mysteriously disappears while in the care of Thomasin, the family begins to believe that they are either cursed or preyed upon by a witch who lives in the nearby woods As paranoia and religious fervor grow, the family begins to turn on each other, especially Thomasine, who is the brunt of suspicion from her mother The horror is bleak and eerie, and the sense of dread grows as supernatural and human fears collide Just don't expect to get a good night's sleep after watching it

Watch it now on Prime Video

Fans of Stephen King's films, especially The Shining, will enjoy the modern sequel, Doctor Sleep Decades later, the film follows Danny (Ewan McGregor), now an adult, as he struggles with the childhood trauma he experienced at the haunted Overlook Hotel

Danny, who has a psychic ability known as “The Shining,” struggles with alcoholism and the aftereffects of trauma He eventually finds peace in a small town, where he connects with Abra (Kylie Karan), a girl who also has The Shining and even stronger powers When a cult called True Knot, led by Rose of the Hat (Rebecca Ferguson), begins hunting children with the Shining for immortality, Danny and Abra must confront their past and band together to stop the cult

There were some uncomfortable parts of this film, but I couldn't look away It's one of those disturbing horror stories that might make you feel sick for a few days, especially when the psychological drama builds up throughout

Watch it now on Prime Video

“Silence of the Lambs” is back on streaming services after disappearing in July This is a very welcome development, given that it is one of the best crime thrillers of all time I include it on this list because the horror elements are so strong that the opening scenes are disturbing as soon as they begin

This intense thriller follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) as she interviews Dr Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a highly intelligent psychiatrist and cannibalistic serial killer who is incarcerated The FBI learns that Lecter is currently working with a young woman named hoped he would provide insight into the mind of another serial killer known as Buffalo Bill, who is currently abducting and murdering young women

Sterling seeks Lecter's help in catching Buffalo Bill, but she must make good use of Lecter's complex and manipulative nature Through their chilling conversation, Lecter reveals clues about Buffalo Bill's true identity, while at the same time exploring Sterling's own past and weaknesses The Silence of the Lambs is perfect for those who aren't into full-blown horror, but still want a disturbing experience this Halloween

Watch it now on Prime Video

Closing out this list had to be a classic horror comedy that feels like a Halloween party gone wrong Killer Klowns From Outer Space is crazy fun and centers on a bizarre invasion of Earth by extraterrestrial clowns from outer space (spelled “klowns”)

Similar to traditional circus performers, but with a sinister twist, the clowns arrive in colorful spaceships shaped like circus tents The story unfolds in a small town, where their arrival is initially put away as a harmless spectacle They use oversized, ridiculous weapons like popcorn guns and cotton candy cocoons to ensnare their victims

A group of teenagers, including protagonists Mike (Grant Kramer) and Debbie (Suzanne Snyder), must band together to save the town and its residents from the clown's clutches Yes, it sounds totally crazy, and after seeing this for the first time, it felt like a fever dream But for those who enjoy slapstick humor and quirky special effects during Halloween, it's a great laugh Clowning has never been so deadly

Watch it now on Prime Video