Girls, it’s spooky season. 😈🧙🏽♀️🎃
October is almost at its end, and we all know what that means—Halloween is almost here!
To get into the spirit of the season, we’ve handpicked a selection of must-watch movies and shows with a twist—they’re all about fierce, formidable women.
After all, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.
Whether you’re a seasoned fan or dipping your toes into the genre for the first time, prepare to meet some incredible female leads who might just inspire your next Halloween costume.
Our Top 13 Women-Led Movies to Watch for a Spooktacular Halloween
From bone-chilling thrillers to dark comedies, here are 13 TV shows and movies that are perfect for a Halloween binge.
- Scream VI (2023)
Scream VI proudly showcases a predominantly female cast, with most of its lead actors being women of color, and it is proudly queer.
In this chapter, the survivors from the previous films—Sam and Tara Carpenter, along with the Meeks-Martin twins—relocate to New York City in hopes of escaping the shadows of their past. But peace is short-lived as the notorious Ghostface killer resurfaces, forcing them to confront new horrors.
The film is a thrilling blend of sisterly love, suspenseful stabbings, jaw-dropping plot twists, and dramatic fatalities, featuring a standout performance by Jenna Ortega.
If that doesn’t make you hit play, what will?
2. Carrie (2013)
Carrie White is one of those characters you can’t help but root for—even as she’s carrying out her bloody revenge. Played by Chloe Grace Moretz in the 2013 remake, Carrie tells the story of an underdog who finally snaps after enduring relentless bullying, unleashing her rage on prom night.
After getting her first period, Carrie discovers she has telekinetic powers, but instead of joy, it leads to humiliation at the hands of her bullies. With each abuse she suffers, both at home and at school, we watch her inch closer to a breaking point. And when she finally snaps, the result is terrifyingly unforgettable.
The prom scenes? Absolutely bone-chilling.
If you’re into horror with gore, vengeance, and an unforgettable heroine who takes down her oppressors, “Carrie” is a must-watch.
3. Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Jennifer’s Body is nothing short of iconic when it comes to horror-revenge films, and Megan Fox absolutely dazzles as Jennifer. Her outfits? Her acting? Chef’s kiss.
The story follows Jennifer, the popular high school “it girl” who turns into a demon-possessed predator after a boy band’s botched human sacrifice. Fueled by a dark hunger, she goes on a killing spree, targeting her male classmates and feasting on them.
Her best friend, Needy, soon realizes what’s happening and scrambles to stop Jennifer’s bloody rampage. Ever thought of yourself as a man-eater? Jennifer’s Body shows you what a real one looks like.
4. Death Becomes Her (1992)
Unlike the darker horrors on this list, Death Becomes Her is a dark comedy that dives into the madness of immortality. Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn shine as Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp, two frenemies who become full-blown enemies—and then frenemies again—in their obsessive pursuit of eternal youth.
Both Madeline and Helen are in love with the same man, Ernest Menville (Bruce Willis), and they turn to a mysterious youth-restoring potion to keep themselves forever young. But there’s a catch: while they’re immortal, their bodies don’t exactly stay intact, surviving the wildest, most absurd injuries.
With its iconic fashion moments and absurd humor, Death Becomes Her is a cult classic—and, as Vanity Fair aptly put it, a “gay cult classic.” If it’s not on your watchlist yet, sis, what are you waiting for?
5. Nanny (2022)
Nanny isn’t your typical babysitter horror—it’s something entirely different.
The story follows Aisha (Anna Diop), a Senegalese immigrant working as a nanny for a wealthy white couple, determined to save enough to bring her young son to the States.
As Aisha juggles the demands of her exploitative employers and the guilt of leaving her son behind, she begins experiencing eerie dreams rooted in Senegalese folklore. These dreams gradually bleed into her waking life, creating an unsettling atmosphere that grows more intense with each scene.
Forget jumpscares and clichés; Nanny takes a slow-burn approach, building to a twist that’s truly devastating. Make it to the finale, and I promise—it’ll leave you shaken.
6. Promising Young Woman (2020)
Promising Young Woman is a powerful twist on the classic revenge story, minus the usual bloodshed.
Cassie (Carey Mulligan) is on a mission to get justice for her best friend, Nina, who took her own life after being publicly raped by a classmate.
The film boldly critiques the systems that protect perpetrators of sexual assault, showing the lasting devastation they leave on victims. Cassie dedicates herself to exposing Nina’s rapist, Al, and his accomplices, determined to make them face the consequences.
Read Also: The Film Category is Female Rage
More thriller than horror, Promising Young Woman is chilling in its own right, as it peels back the mask on “nice” men who turn monstrous when no one’s watching. If you’re looking for something realistic, thought-provoking, and led by a fierce female protagonist, this one’s a must-watch.
7. A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
A Quiet Place: Day One is the third installment in the Quiet Place series, taking us back to the terrifying first day of the alien invasion. In previous films, humans struggled to survive in a world overtaken by creatures with hypersensitive hearing. But this time, we’re right in the chaos of Day One.
Our main character, Sam (Lupita Nyong’o), is a terminally ill cancer patient living in a Manhattan hospice. When the invasion hits, she’s stranded with her cat, Frodo, and together they navigate the city’s devastation. Along the way, they meet Eric (Joseph Quinn), another lost survivor, and the trio embarks on a tense journey across New York, visiting places Sam has long dreamed of seeing.
If you’re after a thriller that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat, A Quiet Place: Day One is a must-watch. Between the man-eating monsters and Frodo’s antics, your heart will be racing!
8. Ready or Not (2019)
Imagine marrying the love of your life only to find out his family is completely deranged. This is exactly what happened to Grace in the dark comedy/Horror movie, Ready or Not.
On her wedding night, Grace (Samara Weaving) gets roped into a twisted game of hide-and-seek with her new in-laws, the Le Domas family. The catch? They have to find and kill her before dawn—or face deadly consequences themselves.
What follows is a bloody game as each family member goes to outrageous lengths to eliminate the new bride. But Grace isn’t about to go down without a fight, and she fights back with everything she’s got.
9. Us (2019)
Ever looked in the mirror and felt like something was staring back? Us answers that question with a chilling twist—doppelgängers are real, and they’re here to take over.
Lupita Nyong’o delivers a powerful performance as Adelaide Wilson, a mother on vacation with her family who suddenly finds herself and her loved ones under attack by their dark, twisted doubles. These doppelgängers mirror the family’s actions but reveal their deepest, darkest traits, turning the vacation into a nightmare.
The movie brilliantly explores the duality of human nature as each Wilson faces off against their own twisted reflection in a fight for survival.
Then, just when you think the nightmare is over, a final twist leaves you questioning everything.
10. Wednesday (2022)
If you haven’t watched Netflix’s Wednesday yet or are thinking of rewatching it, Halloween is the perfect excuse to do so.
This fresh take on the Addams Family centers on sixteen-year-old Wednesday Addams (Jenna Ortega) as she tackles high school life. Here, we meet a version of Wednesday we haven’t seen before—she’s got a love interest, (begrudgingly) learns the value of teamwork, and yes, she even cracks a smile now and then.
With a setting, costumes, and storyline that screams Halloween, Wednesday is a perfect binge for the season.
11. American Horror Story: Coven (2014)
“I am the next Supreme.”
Just kidding. I wish.
In Coven, badass witches and voodoo queens battle it out for survival in the heart of New Orleans, with iconic performances from Angela Bassett, Jessica Lange, and Sarah Paulson.
Ever wondered if the world would be better if women ruled? “Coven” has a dark answer. It’s a raw, brutal look at a matriarchy in all its messy, power-hungry glory. These women lie, cheat, and kill, showing us that power—especially female power—can be just as terrifying.
In “Coven,” power is female—and honestly? We’re here for it.
12. The Invitation (2022)
You lose your mom, only to discover you have a long-lost family in England. Finally, a chance to reconnect with your roots—what could possibly go wrong?
In The Invitation, just about everything!
After meeting your newly discovered cousin, you get invited to a wedding at a lavish estate. Awesome, right? But as you wait to meet the bride and groom, you realize with horror that it’s your wedding—and your mysterious groom is none other than Dracula himself.
If you’re in the mood for a wedding where “I do” quickly turns into “I hope I survive,” The Invitation is a must-watch.
13. Madam Koi Koi (2023)
The Madam Koi Koi series was highly anticipated. Anyone who went to a boarding school in Nigeria has a horror story to share, so at the time of its release, we were all hyped to see a horrific legend come to the big screen.
We’ll be honest, the first chapter kept us on our toes, while the second was a bit underwhelming. However, Omuwumi Dada brings the character of Madam Koi Koi to life as she solves the predominant issues of sexual abuse in the Malomo community. From the men in the police force (Oscar, I’m looking at you) to even boys in school, she’s ready to make an example for everyone. No one is safe from her wrath.
With the menacing Mother Superior, eerie forest, and the spine-chilling sound of her heels, Madam Koi Koi is a haunting story perfect for Halloween.
There you have it—a lineup of unforgettable women-centered movies and shows to dive into this Halloween. Whether you’re in the mood for eerie thrills, dark comedy, or fierce revenge tales, our top picks will keep you hooked and bring the spooky season to life.
So grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and get ready for some chills, laughs, and serious girl power. Enjoy watching! 🎃
