From I Know What You Did Last Summer to Hellraiser, there’s been no shortage of brilliant horror book-to-screen adaptations. And the last few years — and even the rest of this year — have been no exception, with plenty of horror books making the leap from the page to the screen.
Now that October is here, it’s time to dive head-first into a month-long scare-a-thon. It is nearly Hallowe’en, after all. It’s the perfect time to find your next gruesomely good scare on the big (or small) screen — or even a literary fright fest.
Here are 13 frightfully good horror books to read before watching them play out on screen:
Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff
Set in Chicago in 1954, twenty-two year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner embarks on a road trip to New England to find his missing father, Montrose. Accompanied by his Uncle George and his childhood friend Letitia, the trio encounter both mundane terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the weird tales George devours on their journey to the manor of Mr. Braithwhite — heir to the estate that owned one of Atticus’s ancestors.
At the manor, Atticus discovers his father in chains, held prisoner by a secret cabal named the Order of the Ancient Dawn. Led by Samuel Braithwhite and his son Caleb, the Order of the Ancient Dawn has gathered to orchestrate a ritual that shockingly centers on Atticus. And his one hope of salvation may be the seed of his — and the whole Turner clan’s — destruction.
Where to watch it? The book was turned into a TV series that can be watched on HBO.
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Alone in the world, Eleanor is thrilled to take Dr. Montague up on the invitations to spend the summer in the mysterious — and eerie — Hill House. They are joined by the ‘sensitive’ and artistic Theodora and Luke, the heir to the house.
What starts off as a light-hearted experiment quickly turns into their darkest nightmares, as they realise that one of them may not survive…
Where to watch it? The 1959 novel has been adapted for the screen a number of times before. Most recently, it served as the inspiration for the 10-part Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House.
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
On a trip to the South of France, an unnamed woman falls in love with the handsome widower Maxim de Winter. While his proposal comes as a surprise, she agrees to marry him; but when the two return to Manderley, a change comes over Maxim, and his new wife begins to worry.
Friendless in the isolated mansion, she realizes that she barely knows him. In every corner of every room is the phantom of his beautiful first wife, Rebecca, and the new Mrs. de Winter walks in her shadow.
Where to watch it? Armie Hammer and Lily James are set to star in the latest adaptation of the book, which lands on Netflix on October 21.
October Faction by Steve Niles and Damien Worm
The comic series followed the adventures of retired monster-hunter Frederick Allan and his family, which includes a thrill-killer, a witch, and a warlock. Because sometimes crazy is the glue that binds a family together.
Where to watch it? Netflix released a 10-episode series based on the comic series in January 2020.
Locke & Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodríguez
The comic book series follows the Locke siblings — Tyler, Kinsey and Bode — after they return to their ancestral home, Keyhouse, with their mother after the gruesome murder of their father.
Keyhouse is a place of both wonder and fear, filled with dark doors and the magic keys that open them, and also home to a malicious presence that will stop at nothing in it’s quest for the Omega Key and the unspeakable prize it unlocks.
Where to watch it? Netflix debuted a series based on the comic books back in February 2020. In even better news, a second season is already in the works.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Jake and his girlfriend are on a drive to visit his parents at their remote farm; but after dinner at the family home, things begin to get worryingly strange.
When he leaves her stranded in a snowstorm at an abandoned high school later that night, what follows is a chilling exploration of psychological frailty and the limitations of reality.
Where to watch it? I’m Thinking of Ending Things was released in select cinemas in late August. It landed on Netflix in early September.
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
The 1898 novella focuses on a governess who, caring for two children at a remote estate, becomes convinced that the grounds are haunted.
Where to watch it? The Haunting of Bly Manor, the follow-up series to Hill House, is loosely based on James’ The Turn of the Screw. It is available to watch on Netflix.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Living in the Blackwood family home with only her sister Constance and her Uncle Julian for company, Merricat just wants to preserve their delicate way of life. But ever since Constance was acquitted of murdering the rest of the family, the world isn’t leaving the Blackwoods alone.
And when cousin Charles arrives, armed with promises of friendship and a desperate need to get into the safe, Merricat must do everything in her power to protect the remaining family.
Where to watch it? You can now watch the 2019 movie on Amazon Prime and Netflix.
The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells
With his face wrapped in bandages, his eyes hidden behind dark glasses and his hands covered even indoors, the other guests at The Coach and Horses assume Griffin to be a shy accident-victim.
But the true reason for his disguise is far more chilling.
He has developed a process that has made him invisible, and is locked in a struggle to discover the antidote. Forced from the village and driven to murder, he seeks the aid of his old friend Kemp. The horror of his fate has affected his mind, however; and when Kemp refuses to help, Griffin resolves to wreak his revenge.
Where to watch it? In early 2020, a movie based on the novel — and sharing the same name — was released. You can watch it now on Amazon Prime.
The Visible Filth by Nathan Ballingrud
When Will discovers a cell phone after a violent brawl his life descends into a nightmare. Affable, charismatic and a little shallow, he’s been skating across the surface of life in a state of carefully maintained contentment.
He decides to keep the cell phone just until the owner returns and everything changes. Then the messages begin — and that changes everything.
Where to watch it? Armie Hammer and Dakota Johnson star in the screen adaptation, Wounds, which you can watch now on Hulu.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz
The iconic anthology series is full of some of the most alarming tales of horror, dark revenge, and supernatural events of all time; featuring walking corpses, dancing bones, and narrow escapes from death.
Where to watch it? The 2019 horror film is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime.
The Stand by Stephen King
First come the days of the virus. Then come the dreams. Dark dreams that warn of the coming of the dark man. The apostate of death, his worn-down boot heels tramping the night roads. The warlord of the charnel house and Prince of Evil.
His time is at hand. His empire grows in the west and the Apocalypse looms.
When a man crashes his car into a petrol station, he brings with him the foul corpses of his wife and daughter. He dies and it doesn’t take long for the virus which killed him to spread across America and the world.
Where to watch it? CBS All Access’ series based on the novel is currently scheduled to debut on December 17.
The Forbidden by Clive Barker
The short story, published in Barker’s In The Flesh, served as the basis for Candyman. It follows a university student named Helen, who is doing a thesis on graffiti. She selects a run-down estate to focus her study.
Helen notices disturbing graffiti in an abandoned building that makes references to an urban legend known as the Candyman. Eventually, her research leads her to believe it’s connected to recent murders and mutilations in the neighborhood. However, the locals are reluctant to talk about the incidents; and it isn’t long until Helen comes face-to-face with the Candyman himself…
Where to watch it? The 2020 film adaptation of this horror novel was originally scheduled to be released in June, but was pushed back. It was then scheduled for an October release before being moved to 2021.
Which horror and suspense novels are you picking up?
Header: Rebecca (Netflix)
