Over 100 Spooky Movies Are Playing at Bay Area Theaters in October — and Here They Are
For those of us who love horror movies, the run-up to October can be one big exercise in anticipation.
But when the so-called Spooky Season actually hits, keeping track of all the spooky screenings happening in the Bay Area — and there are a lot of them — can get cumbersome. Or worse, you only learn about them after they’ve passed.
So like a Final Girl with a Google Doc, I’m taking a stand — and have drawn together this list of all the horror and horror-adjacent movie screenings I can find at independent theaters around the Bay Area this October, for your browsing and purchasing pleasure.
From movie marathons, film festivals and screenings with drag shows to Halloween classics from the 1970s and ’80s, screenings on Oct. 31 itself and scary-ish movies that might be suitable for older children — they’re all below (all 100+ of them), and I’ll keep adding more as I find them.
This list focuses on repertory screenings of older movies happening around the Bay Area this month, so I haven’t included new horror releases like “Resident Evil” and “Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma.” But if you’re a true horrorhead, you’ll have seen those already.
Lastly, lots of these screenings are selling out already, so snag your tickets early to avoid missing out.
Jump straight to:
- Screenings with live performances
- Spooky movies that could work for kids
- Movies screening on Halloween itself
- The ’70s and ’80s horror canon
- Where to watch pre-1955 horror in October
- Scary movies on a boat (seriously)
Horror marathons and film festivals
Lots on offer this year, and I’m especially intrigued by the International Vampire Film Festival at the historic — and maybe definitely haunted? — Balboa Theater, with vamp flicks from around the world spanning the decades.
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m.
“A night of homegrown short films and Halloweeny spookiness” — plus a costume contest.
“Dismember the Alamo” movie marathons
- Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco: Saturday, Oct. 10, 3 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair, Santa Clara: Saturday, Oct. 24, 3 p.m.
“Prepare for at least four blood-soaked films” at these Alamo movie marathons, with the final lineup kept secret until the day of the screening.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 17, starts 11:30 a.m.
A seven-movie lineup, presented by the Super Shangri-La Show
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
“Short dance film works by Bay Area artists exploring themes of horror, thrill, comedy and everything in between.”
Spooky screenings with live performances
These events would be a particularly fun way to get into the Halloween mood with any friends that aren’t necessarily horror obsessives. The Roxie’s screening of “The Craft” with live drag (and a happy hour beforehand) looks especially fun, and the SFJAZZ “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” showing at Grace Cathedral with live organ accompaniment would be wildly atmospheric for the night before Halloween.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Presented as part of the Girlie Movie Club, with drag by Dot Comme
4 Star Theater, San Francisco
Friday, Oct. 23, 8 p.m.
Presented by folkYEAH!
The Roxie, San Francisco
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 9:15 p.m.
Drag show by Mary Vice, preceded by a happy hour at Dalva at 8 p.m.
Grace Cathedral
Friday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m.
Presented by SFJAZZ: Composer and organist Dorothy Papadakos accompanies the silent film classic starring John Barrymore on Grace Cathedral’s historic 7,500-pipe organ.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
A screening accompanied by a live performance (read more on that actually works.)
A truly uncategorizable one-off event
Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.
Yes: For $350, you can sleep over in the building that acted as the location for Woodsboro High School in Wes Craven’s 1996 classic Scream, to celebrate the movie’s 30th anniversary this year. Organizers say a) you won’t be allowed out of the building once you’re locked in for the night, b) you shouldn’t plan on actually sleeping and c) they won’t be doing this again, ever. Read the overnighter FAQ if you’re tempted.
Some family-friendly (and friendlier) spooky movies
Your child’s mileage will vary on how spooky they can handle, naturally. You could also check out the Roxie’s Floating Features screenings of “Jaws” and “Hocus Pocus,” although those $50 boat screenings, while super fun, will get spendier with a family. I’m purposefully not including the Alamo Drafthouse New Mission’s screening of “Poltergeist” (1982) here because I firmly believe that many adults misremember this one as “a fun kids’ movie” and forget just how genuinely frightening it gets. But hey, if you’re secure in the knowledge that your young horrorheads are unflappable, have at it!
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Monday, Oct. 5, 9:30 p.m.
“Clue”
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
“Sundown Cinema: Beetlejuice”(free outdoor screening)
Crane Cove Park, San Francisco
Friday, Oct. 16, “just after sunset” (which should be 6:30 p.m. that night)
Lark Theater, Larkspur
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 2 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 9:30 a.m.
- Monday, Oct. 19, 6 p.m.
Vogue Theater, San Francisco
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Thursday, Oct. 22, 9:30 p.m.
“E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial” (free outdoor screening)
Thrive City Thrill-o-ween at Chase Center
Saturday, Oct. 24, event starts at 12 p.m.
Rialto Cinemas Cerrito, El Cerrito
Thursday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
Daytime movie screenings on Oct. 31
What’s better than a daytime horror movie? A daytime horror movie on Halloween itself, surely.
Saturday, Oct. 31, 1 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 1 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma (the movie location for Woodsboro High)
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2 p.m.
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
New People Theater, Japantown, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 4:45 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco: Saturday, Oct. 31, 3:45 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair, Santa Clara: Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse, Mountain View: Saturday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
Movies screening on Halloween night itself
While there’s a paucity of midnight movies on the night of Oct. 31 itself (I’ll keep looking out to update this list if I see more), this remains the #1 way to avoid trick-or-treaters: Hide all night in a movie theater. The Lark’s National Theatre Live screening of “Frankenstein” — with your pick of who plays the monster — would certainly be a very classy way to spend the night.
(Courtesy of National Theatre Live)
New Parkway, Oakland
Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m.
National Theatre Live: “Frankenstein”
Lark Theater, Larkspur
- Screening 1 (Jonny Lee Miller as creature): Saturday, Oct. 31, 5 p.m.
- Screening 2 (Benedict Cumberbatch as creature): Saturday, Oct. 31, 7:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Saturday, Oct. 31, 7:10 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Saturday, Oct. 31, 9:15 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 9:30 p.m.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 p.m.
The ’70s and ’80s horror classics
It doesn’t feel like Halloween without watching “Halloween” (1978). But there are lots of other great John Carpenter picks on offer this year around the Bay, too — if you’ve never checked out his oft-overlooked “Prince of Darkness,” I strongly advise the Opera Plaza’s screening.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 3, 7:30 p.m
New People Theater, Japantown, San Francisco
- Friday, Oct. 2, 6:30 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 3, 4 p.m.
True West Film Center, Healdsburg
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 7 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Thursday, Oct. 8, 9 p.m.
“Suspiria” (1977)
Vogue Theater, San Francisco
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Friday, Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco: Monday, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair, Santa Clara: Monday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse, Mountain View: Monday, Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Friday, Oct. 16, 10:30 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Saturday, Oct. 17, 10 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Friday, Oct. 23, 10:30 p.m.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
Friday, Oct. 23, 9 p.m.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
Friday, Oct. 23, 10:40 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Sunday, Oct. 25, 5:30 p.m.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
- Monday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m
- Tuesday, Oct. 27, 6:30 p.m
“The Thing” (1982) (double bill with “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”)
Lark Theater, Larkspur
- Monday, Oct. 26, 8:45 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 27, 8:45 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 9:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
- Tuesday, Oct. 27, 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
- Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m.
“Army of Darkness” (double bill with “Evil Dead II”)
Lark Theater, Larkspur
- Wednesday, Oct. 28, 9 p.m.
- Thursday, Oct. 29, 9 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
Friday, Oct. 30, 10 p.m.
The 1990s and 2000s horror bangers
Lots to enjoy here, and especially nice to see 1997 thrill ride “Event Horizon”’s slide into respectability with not one but two screenings around town. “Cabin in the Woods” always plays great with a crowd, too.
(Courtesy of Paramount)
Landmark Theater, Piedmont
Friday, Oct. 2, 10:30 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Saturday, Oct. 3, 3 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Tuesday, Oct. 6, 9:30 p.m.
Landmark Theater, Piedmont
Friday, Oct. 9, 10:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Friday, Oct. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Wednesday, Oct., 14, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Wednesday, Oct. 14, 7 p.m.
Landmark Theater, Piedmont
Friday, Oct. 16, 10:30 p.m.
“The Craft”
- Alamo Drafthouse Valley Fair, Santa Clara: Saturday, Oct. 17, 12:30 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse, Mountain View: Saturday, Oct. 17, 12:30 p.m.
Landmark Theater, Piedmont
Friday, Oct. 23, 10:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Friday, Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.
Landmark Theater, Piedmont
Friday, Oct. 30, 10:30 p.m.
Some less-expected spooky season fare
I especially recommend checking out one of Queer Film Theory 101’s “Daughters of Darkness” screenings, and the intriguing-looking Beautiful Nightmares series of Japanese horror at the New People Theater. If you’re trying to organize a mixed hang that includes friends that aren’t super into gnarly horror, the New Parkway’s screenings of “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Get Out” — as well as “Ed Wood” at the Vogue — would also be safe bets.
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Thursday, Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m.
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Thursday, Oct. 1, 8:50 p.m.
Vogue Theater, San Francisco
Thursday, Oct. 1, 7:30 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse, Mountain View
Sun, Oct. 4, 7 p.m. and Wed, Oct. 7, 7:15 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Friday, Oct. 9, 10:30 p.m.
New People Theater, Japantown, San Francisco
- Friday, Oct. 9, 8:20 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 10, 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 11, 4:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 7:30 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Thursday, Oct. 15, 9:30 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Thursday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Lark Theater, Larkspur
- Friday, Oct. 16, 8 p.m. (English dub)
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 6:30 p.m. (Japanese with English subtitles)
New People Theater, Japantown, San Francisco
- Friday, Oct. 16, 6:15 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Monday, Oct. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 9:30 p.m.
(Courtesy of Universal)
Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Saturday, Oct. 24, 10 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Sunday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Sunday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m.
- Alamo Drafthouse New Mission, San Francisco: Monday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
- Alamo Valley Fair, Santa Clara: Monday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.
- Alamo Mountain View, Monday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m.
Balboa Theater, San Francisco
Wednesday, Oct. 28, 7:30 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Thursday, Oct. 29, 9:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, 10:30 p.m.
Classic (i.e., “pre-1955”) horror movie screenings
The Landmark Opera Plaza is really showing up in particular this year with the classics — and a daytime horror movie is just so much fun at this time of year.
(Courtesy of Paramount)
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 3, 1 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 10, 1 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 17, 1 p.m.
New Parkway, Oakland
Sunday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m.
Roxie Theater, San Francisco
Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 24, 1 p.m.
Landmark Opera Plaza, San Francisco
Saturday, Oct. 31, 1 p.m.
Lastly, scary movies on a boat
Tickets to the Roxie Theater’s Floating Features series are resolutely Not Cheap at $50, but for that you get a top-deck ride on an impressively quiet boat around San Francisco Bay for the duration of the movie, popcorn and hot chocolate — as well as the screening itself. If it starts majorly raining, you’ll be moved below deck where the screen is smaller but you’ll be much warmer (and drier.) Spooky screenings extend into November, so you can keep the party going.
Friday, Oct. 2, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 30, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 6, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 13, 7 p.m.