While the weather might not have any hints of fall, it is officially spooky season. Halloween is just around the corner and what better way to get into the spirit of the season, than watching horror movies?

With that in mind, we have curated a list of five films that will send shivers down your spine, riddle you with questions and strike terror in your heart, for this Halloween.

Hereditary
Director Ari Aster is known for delving into eerie locations in his works, which beautifully pair with the numerous gory sequences that follow. Other than the dreamlike imagery and outstanding acting, at its heart, "Hereditary" is a family drama that will resonate with many individuals who grew up in dysfunctional homes.

Instead of relying on jump scares or other clichés of the horror genre, it builds up gradually to what the audience learns will be the Graham family's inevitable end. Both the physical invocation of a demon and emotional manipulation among family members are explored in this story with bone-chilling twists.

Toni Collette's acting and portrayal of the ironies and agonies of motherhood only leaves the audience wondering how she prepared for such a role. This is one of the rare contemporary horror films that is so disturbing, it will recur in your memory every night, as you try to drift off to sleep.

Orphan
If you want to be plunged further into the recess of horror, you should definitely watch "Orphan". The film does not need to be dark to create an unsettling atmosphere and establish a macabre mood. Suspense and trepidation mounts as we learn the truth about the eponymous orphan.

While she is adopted by a kind-hearted couple, she chooses to taunt the mother while being incredibly nice to the father. Traps are set in a manner which slowly develops the story and prepares the audience for one of the most unpredictable and ingenious twists that culminates into an unforgettable production.

X
Writer and director of "X," Ti West has a knack for striking the ideal harmony between murky and trashy in a horror film. In this slasher thriller, he offers gory entertainment, retro costumes and a suspenseful score that is reminiscent of quintessential 1970's horror films. West also takes the time to develop each character in a clever way, so that all of them leave an imprint on your mind.

The film's editing and superb cinematography take it from being an excellent story, to a movie that might be shown in film schools. While it incorporates themes and clichés common to the horror genre, it still manages to forge a fairly novel concept. "X" is a terrifying descent into madness, not shying away from delivering a gut punch through its blatant decadence and hedonism. Don't watch it if your horror preferences stick to the traditional lane.

Black Phone
Based on a Joe Hill short story of the same name, this film is likely to frighten even the most seasoned horror aficionados. Starring Ethan Hawke as a child-abducting killer known as 'The Grabber', "Black Phone" fuses a supernatural plot with a narrative about bullying, abuse, and family.

Siblings Finney and Gwen find their own supernatural ways to outsmart The Grabber when Finney is imprisoned within a soundproof cellar where he can communicate with the ghosts of The Grabber's prior victims. Despite his attempts to flee, Finney's time in the cellar seems to be one continuous period of fear. It was refreshing to watch that, despite Gwen being the braver and smarter sibling, Finney's triumphs are his own. As the situation facing young Finney looks more and more dismal, the story draws you even further to the edge of your seat.

Corpse Bride

Tim Burton is the pioneer of dark, gothic and whimsical cinema. "Corpse Bride" does not stray away from these themes, and in fact, meshes into a sweet love story. The irony that plays in this film is that the world we live in is bitter and constricting, while the world of our characters exudes comfort and warmth.

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are one of my favorite duos, who elevate this already visually visceral and animated film. It is unusual to see an animated film deal with murder, death, and other ominous subjects. However, the film beautifully balances eeriness and childlike wonder. The corpses are garishly comical, not disgusting and awful. This is one of the least scary and most delightful films on this list. So, this one is a definite pick if you want something that is a mix of sweet and spooky.