Whether you chose to spasm and shout gibberish like a lunatic in the company of friends or alone like a brave fool, watching a frightening amount of horror movies around Halloween is practically a nationwide mandate at this point in our lives.

“Texas Chainsaw” (2013)

The gore scenes are intense, but surprisingly sporadic for a movie about a chainsaw-wielding psychopath, although they make up for it by adding in the charismatic, commanding presence of hip-hop artist Trey Songz. He’s not just in the soundtrack, he’s in the actual film, foolhardily entering eerie mansions, listening to Trey Songz (yes, he listens to his own music) while nonchalantly playing pool and narrowly avoiding a revving chainsaw with his friends. Halloween, chainsaws and Trey Songz: the ménage à trois of the century.

“The Strangers” (2008)

Light on gore but heavy in suspense, this ominous home invasion movie is nothing but fully personified creepiness. By the end of the night, “The Strangers” will slowly but surely transform you into a paranoid, irrational nut-job who jumps and gasps at every random noise in your apartment. It may help with your hiccups, but it’s definitely no cure for insomnia.

“The Woman in Black” (2012)

Daniel Radcliff trades Hogwarts for haunted houses and goofy-sounding spells (Leviosa?) for ghosts in this spine-chilling film. The movie is actually pretty creepy, and Radcliff is actually quite the looker without the dorky Potter glasses.

“Scream” (1996)

Classic, clever and captivating, “Scream” is a great Halloween movie that combines horror with a fun, tense whodunit mystery. In short, its “Scooby Doo” meets “Friday the 13th.”

“Paranormal Activity” (2007)

In preparation for the inevitable next installment of this haunting franchise, why not watch the original? Spoiler alert: “Paranormal Activity 6” will be a black screen, with a guy shouting “BOOGA BOO!” in a deep baritone voice, at random moments for 90 minutes.

“House at the End of the Street” (2012)

With the phenomenal Jennifer Lawrence starring in it, this horror movie is worth a watch. But while watching, one has to wonder, what’s the source of her unearthly talents? Witchcraft? Aliens? Laboratory experiments?