Eight Spooky Films with Irish Connections to Watch this Halloween

By Lucy Murray and Lex Luddy

The clock is ticking, and the Halloween countdown has begun. It’s that time of year when the days get shorter, nights get darker, and everything gets a little spookier. There are many ways to honour the spooky season. Some would say trick-or-treating is the best activity. How about apple-bobbing? Maybe you enjoy a fancy-dress costume contest?

At Galway Pulse, we think there’s nothing better than sitting down and watching a scary film. It’s the best way to truly capture the vibe of the holiday. With so many options, we’ve compiled a list of our favourites for you to consider for your movie night – all with an Irish twist!

Each film below is connected to Ireland, whether it has Irish producers, directors, actors or scenes set in one of our much-loved towns. And if this gets you excited to embrace more themed activities ahead of 31 October, check out our guide to Halloween in Galway.

You Are Not My Mother (2021)

First up is You Are Not My Mother, a movie that will have you clinging to your popcorn box. Set in North Dublin, the movie stars Hazel Doupe, an Irish actress, as Char, whose mother goes missing and returns home completely different. Kate Dolan wrote and directed this perfectly terrifying and emotionally-charged film.

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Released in 2023, Evil Dead Rise is a scarily good movie for your must-watch list. As the fifth film in the Evil Dead franchise, the supernatural horror film is a truly fun and frightening addition. Irish director Lee Cronin takes parts of what many love about the franchise and brings a fresh take. The film follows three siblings who come across an ancient vinyl, which creates a world of trouble for the group. Be warned though; it’s not for the faint of heart, squeamish, or anyone who can’t deal with torrents of blood.

The Hole In The Ground (2019)

For cinephiles who love Lee Cronin’s work, The Hole In The Ground is another movie you need to know about. This film sets out to scare you, and it most likely will. Just as it’s titled, the film follows a mother in rural Ireland who begins to believe her son may not be who she thinks he is – and it all may be connected to a strange sinkhole near their home.

Let The Wrong One In (2021)

Let The Wrong One In is as hilarious as it is scary. The movie takes place in Dublin, filmed in various parts of the city – and is a true homage to Irish humour. This horror/comedy is the perfect watch for a laugh and follows Matt, whose life changes when his estranged older brother, Deco, is turned into a vampire.

Leprechaun (1993)

In a nod to Irish folklore, Leprechaun is a slasher-esque horror film that is sure to entertain if you love early 1990s camp. With a star-studded main cast, including an early-in-his-career Warwick Davis and a pre-Friends Jennifer Anniston, what’s not to like about this delightfully silly film? Leprechaun follows the supernatural being whose pot of gold gets stolen from him and chronicles the killing frenzy he sets out on in response. If you end up as a fan of Leprechaun, it’s your lucky day, as you can start a movie marathon by queueing up the whole series, consisting of eight films. Just be warned, they aren’t exactly the most respectful or authentic directions of Irish culture and the series quickly dives into “so bad its good” territory.

The Cured (2017)

Starring Elliot Page, Sam Keeley and Tom Vaughan-Lawlor, The Cured is an original take on a classic zombie genre. Imagine there was a cure for zombies? Well, this movie tackles this idea head-on. Set in Dublin, this dystopian post-post-apocalypse film explores what a world would look like with ‘cured’ zombies and how society discriminates against them.

Extra Ordinary (2019)

If you’re looking for a horror comedy, this one’s it! Extra Ordinary is genuinely charming, combining witty humour with spooky scenes. The movie follows Rose, an Irish driving instructor, using her paranormal talent to help save Martin’s daughter from a devilish rock star. Sounds silly? It absolutely is, but that’s what makes it so good. It also stars Will Forte in a hilarious role that highlights his improv chops built up from years on Saturday Night Live.

Stitches (2012)

Are you scared of clowns? Look away now. Following a silly prank at a 10th birthday party that kills him, Richard, better known as ‘Stitches’, comes back to life to terrorise all the kids involved. This Irish horror comedy is a hilarious watch, and its oddball story is goofy enough to make you laugh and scary enough to make you jump. It helps that the titular clown is played by a British comedian Ross Noble who adds a hilarious weirdo spin to this murderous clown.