The Thing (1982)
An evil dog aboard an Antarctic research station may sound like a line in a game of Mad Libs, but it’s the inciting incident of John Carpenter’s “The Thing.” The crew onboard (Kurt Russell, Keith David, Richard Dysart) manage to fend off the dog, which turns out to be a murderous shapeshifting alien that can perfectly replicate other lifeforms. But before long, the creature, dubbed “the Thing,” takes shape as one of them. Crew members drop left and right, with death scenes heightened by grisly practical effects, and viewers are kept guessing down to the last survivors. Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. 1h 49m. Free. The Substation, 4228 Washington St., Roslindale. roslindalefilmsociety.com
Halloween (1978)
“Halloween” on Halloween … could it be more obvious? Revisit the seminal suburban slasher — John Carpenter’s other great horror classic — at a midnight screening. On Halloween Eve, the voiceless masked murderer Michael Myers (Nick Castle) escapes jail and returns to his childhood home after murdering his sister 15 years previously. Over the course of the night, he coolly roams the neighborhood and nonchalantly stabs anyone in his way as he hunts down high school student Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis). Michael’s relentless pursuit makes him a chilling villain for the ages, and the film works despite (or because of) its total simplicity. Oct. 31, 11:59 p.m. 1h 31m. $19.75. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. coolidge.org
Child’s Play 2 (1990)
After the events of the first movie, in which the evil doll Chucky (Ed Gale in costume, voiced by Brad Dourif) caused bad publicity for the toy brand that manufactured him as a result of his murderous rampage, the company’s CEO (Peter Haskell) decides to launch a new doll using the same parts that will definitely not murder children. To no one’s surprise, Chucky gets right back into it, chasing down Andy (Alex Vincent), his former owner and victim, as well as Andy’s new step-sister Kyle (Christine Elise). Actress Christine Elise will be present for a post-screening Q&A. Oct. 23, 9:30 p.m. 1h 24m. $19.50. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. coolidge.org
Nightmare on Elm Street 3 (1987)
The third “Nightmare on Elm Street” entry is a tale of slasher victims striking back against Freddy Krueger, the sweater-wearing serial killer who kills people in their dreams. When Kristen (Patricia Arquette) is admitted to a psychiatric hospital, a string of deaths occur — hospital staff blame mental illness, but she and the other patients realize Freddy has been toying with them. With the help of OG final mami Nancy (Heather Langenkamp), she rallies the teens to enter the dream world and take out Freddy once and for all. Catch the cult classic sequel in a free screening. Oct. 28, 6 p.m. 1h 36m. Free. Brattle Theatre, 40 Brattle St., Cambridge. brattlefilm.org
A mami Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)
Iranian filmmaker Ana Lily Amirpour’s strangely tender (and cheekily titled) vampire flick wears its horror, Western, and comic book influences in equal proportions, but the result is wholly unique. The unconventional monster movie follows an unnamed vampire (Sheila Vand) as she roams the streets of Bad City, preying listlessly on antagonistic men until she meets Arash (Arash Marandi), and her feelings for him clash with her vampiric code. Oct. 26, 2 p.m. 1h 39m. $19.75. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. coolidge.org
Sinners (2025)
Ryan Coogler’s bluesy Southern Gothic made a big splash earlier this summer, and you can revisit its genre-bending charm at the Museum of Fine Arts. Michael B. Jordan plays a dual role as identical twins Smoke and Stack, who open a juke joint for blues track with the help of their bright-eyed and virtuosic musician cousin Sammie (Miles Caton). Their blues joint attracts local favor, but also uncanny troubles, and the film takes a live-wire approach to genre that will keep viewers on their toes. Oct. 31, 7 p.m. 2h 17m. $15. Museum of Fine Arts Boston, 465 Huntington Ave. mfa.org
A (Whole) Night at the Movies
Coolidge Halloween Horror Marathon
If you can’t get enough of horror, the Coolidge Corner Theatre’s 12-hour overnight horror marathon is for you: the daunting program begins with the Universal classic “Creature from the Black Lagoon” and the horror-comedy staple “American Werewolf in London,” before diving headfirst into a mystery lineup of frightful features until 11 a.m. the next morning. Oct. 25, 11:30 p.m. 12h. $48.75. Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. coolidge.org
Check individual cinema websites for the most up-to-date information.
Ryan Yau can be reached at ryan.yau@globe.com.
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