Some science fiction horror movies have become iconic since their release and whenever somebody mentions this genre, most people recall them. A good example is the first Alien movie from 1979. However, for every legendary movie, there are several that didn't become as iconic or didn't get positive ratings from the audience.
Not because they have nothing to offer but because they either got overshadowed by future movies or they work the best under certain circumstances. Such as watching them during Halloween. Some underrated sci-fi horror movies are perfect for Halloween thanks to their story, atmosphere, or both of these factors.
5 Abbott And Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)
If the viewers want to go back to their roots on Halloween and return to classic movies, the comedy sci-fi horror Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein is an excellent choice. It's one of the classics that aged well and continues to entertain the audience. The titular Abbott and Costello are two post office workers who get the task to deliver two boxes, containing Dracula and Frankenstein's monster. Of course, things get more complicated, especially once the Wolf Man enters the scene.
The movie manages to combine several genres and create a story that's not as frightening as it might have once been but still builds a strong atmosphere and will make those who watch it laugh. It includes several iconic horror creatures, and what makes this movie even more interesting is that it's the only time when Bela Lugosi repeated his legendary part of Dracula! The movie doesn't have as many ratings online as it would have deserved, making it the perfect piece to discover during Halloween.
4 Plan 9 From Outer Space (1959)
Ed Wood's best-known movie Plan 9 from Outer Space doesn't have impressive ratings online. Despite that, it's an enjoyable piece, as long as the audience accepts the fact that they're watching a D-list movie. The movie was made in a hurry and didn't have a high enough budget which is obvious because of the many mistakes it contains (such as graves that aren't as solid as they should be and move from side to side).
However, at its core, Plan 9 from Outer Space is a bizarre story about aliens who decide to invade Earth, and they start their plan by bringing back several people from the dead. The movie often makes no sense, but it's exactly the type of story the viewers can enjoy on Halloween, surrounded by a group of friends.
3 Frankenweenie (1984)
The story of Frankenstein's monster is notoriously known, and throughout the decades, directors adapted it in various ways. Tim Burton chose an original approach in one of his first movies, and instead of focusing on a monster man, he focused on a monster dog. More specifically, the dog Frankenweenie who dies and whose owner Victor brings him back to life. The black-and-white horror sci-fi isn't as known as the subsequent animated version Frankenweenie that premiered in 2012.
But even though it's different from the remake, it's just as worth watching, thanks to Burton's unique directing style and the fact that movies about dogs are a mainstay of cinematography. The upside is that the movie is fairly short, it runs for only 29 minutes, so it's ideal for those who want to watch a movie on Halloween but don't have the time to watch a feature film.
2 Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
Repo! The Genetic Opera is one of the science fiction horror movies that the viewers either love or hate. Directed by the Saw creator, Darren Lynn Bousman, the movie is set in a not-so-distant future where people can easily lose their internal organs if they fail to pay their loans. Based on the story's description, the movie seems like a fairly usual dark sci-fi. But what makes it different is the fact that it's also a musical!
As a result, Repo! The Genetic Opera combines violence, tension, and very dark humor with songs that will have the audience humming alongside them. Bizarre things are happening in the movie which keeps the viewers guessing what the creators will think of next. As a result, Repo! The Genetic Opera offers a unique experience that won't sit well with everyone, but those who enjoy the movie's mood, are in for a memorable Halloween movie experience.
1 Brightburn (2019)
Brightburn answers the question: What would happen if Clark Kent didn't grow up to be the heroic Superman, but a villain? This movie's Clark is called Brandon and as he discovers his powers, it becomes obvious this story won't have a happy ending for humanity. Not unless his adoptive parents figure out how to stop their son before it's too late. The movie brings the stakes higher and higher until the explosive violent finale.
It's a fresh new look at the superhero genre that still prefers to present powered people as the good guys, despite the fact that this portrayal of them does not always fit with the real world. Even though Brightburn failed to launch a series of its own (even though the final scene hints at it), it functions as a stand-alone and is a good choice for any superhero fan who wants to get scared during Halloween.