24-Hour Horror Marathon Curated By Puget Sound Film Fans

SEATTLE, WA - In honor of Halloween weekend, we asked local film fans to tell us their favorite horror movie, and we've used those picks to program a 24-hour horror marathon. The list includes a mix of horror classics, lesser-known flicks, and at least one non-horror movie (which actually sounds a little terrifying).

Special thanks to all those who contributed to this list: Edmonds-based horror filmmaker Rory Veal; Paul Siple, Vivian Hua, and Christopher Day from the Northwest Film Forum; journalist Chetanya Robinson; Matt Lynch from Scarecrow; public policy activist Michael Maddux; The Stranger editorial director Dan Savage; political strategist Alex Bond; circus performer Asraiya On Fire; theater producer Charlotte Peters; Seattle Democratic Socialists of America writer and member Chris Middleman; and Microsoft program manager Carmichael Patton.

Here it is, the Seattle-area-curated 24-hour horror movie marathon:

9 a.m.
The Awakening
Since this thing starts at 9 a.m., let's kick it off with a movie that references waking up. In post-World War I England, a writer who debunks hoaxes explores rumors of a haunting at an old boarding school. Of course, she finds out this haunting isn't a hoax, and learns the startling truth about her past. (picked by Charlotte Peters)

10:30 a.m.
The Thing
If you haven't seen this very scary John Carpenter sci-fi/horror/thriller yet, you are in for a (trick or) treat, because it's incredible. There are a few Carpenter movies on this list, which makes sense since he's made some of the best horror movies of all time. "Incredibly tense thriller with wild practical effects," - Alex Bond

Noon
Day of the Dead
With the morning over, the third of George Romero's classic zombie trilogy ("Night of the Living Dead" and "Dawn of the Dead" precede it) is appropriate. "The last stand of military logic against the illogical zombie apocalypse... plus Bub (no spoilers, but a verrrry memorable character.)" - Paul Siple, Northwest Film Forum marketing director

2:30 p.m.
The Exorcist
Another classic, which happens to begin on a scorching afternoon in Northern Iraq when someone literally unearths Satan. Again, if you haven't seen this yet, consider yourself lucky that you get to experience this iconic film for the first time. "Having grown up Catholic, I wanted to take it as a superhero movie too, when I was a kid." - Chris Middleman

4:30 p.m.
28 Days Later
This pseudo-zombie movie begins in the evening when the main character wakes up in a hospital and discovers he's alone in a deserted London - well, not totally alone. "When the fabric of civility is shredded, what emerges from the tatters is frightening and sometimes, redeeming. What is worse – the zombies or the surviving humans?" - Rory Veal

6:30 p.m.
Near Dark
Sunset is coming up, so it's time for the first vampire movie of the day. This was directed by Kathryn Bigelow who would later go on to make "Zero Dark Thirty," "The Hurt Locker," and "Point Break." "It seems that vampires have always been highly romanticized, especially after the rise of the Twilight cult. But the vampires in Near Dark are nasty, degenerate visions of 20th Century blood suckers. The late Bill Paxton is over the top." - Rory Veal

8 p.m.
Exorcist II: The Heretic
By now you've had a chance to digest the masterful "The Exorcist." Now here's the 1977 follow-up, which is not that great, but has some extremely scary scenes. "It's really just weird and fascinating," - Matt Lynch

10 p.m.
Mame
OK, it's been 12 hours, you deserve a break. "Mame" is a 1974 musical starring Lucille Ball. Obviously, this isn't a horror movie, but that doesn't mean it's not horrifying. There are a couple deaths, a kidnapping, and some unfortunate, casual racism. Hopefully all the singing and Ball just being generally funny puts you in a good mood - because the next 12 hours are going to be tough. (picked by Dan Savage)

Midnight
The Cremator
The horror marathon is now in a descending phase, so that's why "The Cremator" kicks off the early-morning hours. The main character is a professional cremator, meanwhile, Nazis are knocking on his door. "A black and white descent into madness about the rise of fascism" - Christopher Day, Northest Film Forum operations manager

2:30 a.m.
Prince of Darkness
Time to get surreal and Satanic. John Carpenter's bizarre 1987 movie recalls the first "Nightmare on Elm Street" movie, but adds so much more. If you're starting to get tired, this should wake you up. "It's weird, dreamlike, silly, and the imagery is creepy," - Matt Lynch

4 a.m.
Maximum Overdrive
From surreal to silly: "Maximum Overdrive" was directed by Stephen King based on one of his stories. It's about machines that suddenly spring to life (ATMs, vending machines, steamrollers) and start killing. Emilio Estevez leads a rag-tag group in fighting back against the machines with mixed results. King has admitted this is the worst adaptation of one of his stories, but it's still pretty fun. (picked by Carmichael Patton)

6:30 a.m.
Cloverfield
This is one of the better found-footage movies ever made. And, its tense finale takes place at daybreak. "With the rash of “found footage’ flicks spreading like the flu, this film is positively the best of the bunch. It has helpless Millenials, creepy outer-space creatures and true love – who could ask for more!" - Rory Veal

8 a.m.
The Blob
If you're still with us, you probably feel a little like a blob right now. This is a remake of the 1958 original about a man-eating amoeba. "The Blob is electrifying as its squishy, sentient pink-goo self - in the best '80s way ever. - Vivian Hua, Northwest Film Forum design lead

9:30 a.m.
Puppet Master
This is a weird one about a bunch of killer dolls stalking a group of psychics in a weird California bed-and-breakfast. If you like the "Chucky" movies or even "Saw," you might get a kick out of this one. (picked by Michael Maddux)

11 a.m.
Sinister
One more scare before the end of the marathon. "Sinister" deals with haunted videos (the director has said he was inspired by "The Ring") that might have been left behind by a serial killer. This movie is from the same people who gave us "Insidious" and the "Paranormal Activity" franchise. (picked by Chetanya Robinson)

1 p.m.
Warm Bodies
OK, yes, this marathon has gone over by a few hours, but we wanted to leave you with a sort-of good taste in your mouth. "Warm Bodies" is a romantic comedy, except the man in the relationship is a zombie. And ... the romance is triggered by the zombie consuming someone's brain. Have fun! (picked by Asraiya On Fire)

Don't like the sound of those movies? Here are some other recommendations that you can sub in wherever you like:

The Woman - An abusive father finds a cannibal woman wandering in the woods near his house. He captures her and tortures here while his family watches. But in the end, the woman gets revenge. Based on the novels by Jack Kethcum.

The Descent - This might be the best horror movie ever made. It's about a group of women who go on a spelunking trip in North Carolina. Deep in the cave they encounter deadly creatures and must rely on each other to survive. Don't watch if you're claustrophobic.

Inside - A legitimately terrifying French movie about a pregnant woman being stalked by a witch (the witch wants the baby). "Inside" is notorious for its brutal violence, but there are lot of other things going on. Would be a good one to follow "The Exorcist."

The Mist - An absolutely brutal, bleak Stephen King adaption. A bunch of strangers are trapped inside a grocery store because of a strange mist that has descended on their town. Inside the mist: giant killer spiders and crabs and other creatures. It has the most upsetting ending of any movie ever made.

The Wicker Man - Extremely chilling 1970s movie about an island full of pagans in search of a human to sacrifice. Christopher Lee (AKA Saruman from "The Lord of the Rings") plays the leader of the pagans.

Return of the Living Dead - Don't let the title fool you, this is a slapstick comedy disguised as a zombie movie. If you get a kick out of the The 3 Stooges, this is the horror movie for you.

Baghead - Imagine if you and your friends went to a cabin and there was a guy wearing a bag on his head hanging out in the woods nearby. That's what this horror-comedy is about, except the ending is pretty wild.

The House of the Devil - Another legitimately scary movie. It's about a satanic cult, but what's so scary about this movie is how it uses silence. The bulk of the movie focuses on a college student as she wanders, alone, through her day, eventually ending up with a weird babysitting gig in a big, creaky house.

Image via Ron Frehm/Associated Press