Halloween movie screenings in London 2021

As part of its Japan season (which runs until the end of November), the BFI has programmed a series of classic J-Horror films over the Halloween weekend by some of the pioneering directors of the genre. Prepare to be terrified by the likes of Takashi Miike’s ‘Audition’, Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s ‘Pulse’ and, of course, Hideo Nakata’s mighty ‘Ring’. If you really want to bathe yourself in fear, sign up for a bargainous double bill.

The Prince Charles Cinema always goes all-out for Halloween and this year is no different: its HorrOctober actually starts in September and ends on November 1 – that’s a super-sized month of chills. The season features old favourites such as ‘Alien’, ‘Psycho’ and ‘The Omen’ alongside newer cult classics – ‘Donnie Darko’, ‘The Craft’ – and even newer films like Julia Ducournau’s ‘Raw’. The whole thing crescendoes on October 30 with an all-nighter where you can watch five iconic horror films back to back from 8.30pm ’til dawn. See the Prince Charles Cinema website for the full programme of screenings. 

Backyard Cinema’s two immersive seasonal screening fantasias, the Winter Night Garden and the Snow Kingdom, will be invaded by all kinds of scary characters for a Halloween takeover. ’Hocus Pocus’ will play multiple times, with guest appearances from ’Scream’, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, ‘Beetlejuice’, ‘Addams Family Values’, ‘The Lost Boys’ and this year’s ‘Candyman’ reboot.

The beautiful Rivoli Ballroom – one of the last remaining ballrooms in town – is open again for its usual series of Halloween pop-up film screenings. In the days running up to fright night, it’ll be showing movies of the spooky and scary (and camp) variety, including ‘The Crow’, 2020’s ‘The Witches’, ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’, ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘The Shining’. Scroll down to the ‘dates and times’ section for full details of the film programme.

Eat, drink and be terrified this spooky season at bunhouse Bao, which hosting a bunch of frightfully good Halloween film nights at two of its London restaurants, in association with Mubi. From October 18 to November 14, Nightmare on Film Street, will see a takeover of Bao Borough and Bao Noodle Shop’s private KTV entertainment rooms. There’ll be movies and a set menu to scoff during the screening, with aubergine panko bao, curry hot dog Bao and Taiwanese fried chicken popcorn all up for grabs. Films include ‘The Love Witch’, ‘The Babadook’ and cult 1977 Japanese comedy horror ‘House’. 

For a truly haunting time, head to Balham for a number of spooky screenings and horror film-themed bottomless brunches. There’s even a huge Halloween party, too. Films that are going to show up include ‘The Omen’, ‘Get Out’, ‘Halloween (2018)’ and ‘Labyrinth’. David Bowie is scary, dammit. 

Wes Craven’s film spawned the prolific post-modern horror comedy genre and is back in selected London cinemas this Halloween to celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary.

OK, so our reviewer gave this twelfth ‘Halloween’ film one star, so this isn’t exactly a recommendation, but if you’re a completist – or you’re uncritical about your gore – seek out ‘Halloween Kills’ in a cinema near you now.