Lovers of the fantastic and horrific often find there’s no better time of year than the month of October to embrace all things terrifying. This is when homeowners adorn their homes with gruesome decor to get prepared for Halloween – a day of the year when it truly seems the door to the mysterious may be open. The weeks leading up to Halloween also are times when horror movies – both classic and newly released – take center stage.

Plenty of films will have viewers hiding behind their buckets of popcorn in the theater or gripping the sofa pillows at home. Here’s a look at some recent offerings in the scary movie genre.

“Five Nights at Freddy’s”: This film is a terror-filled adaptation of a popular video game. It centers around a nighttime security guard at Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza who quickly learns that the animatronic mascots of the establishment are alive and filled with malice. The movie is poised to have a PG-13 rating, so it may prove a bit too scary for younger children even if they play the video game.

“Knock at the Cabin”: M. Night Shyamalan’s newest thriller follows a small family whose vacation in the woods is interrupted by strangers who say the apocalypse is upon them unless one of the family members kills another. Dave Bautista has a standout role.

“Talk to Me”: A group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand. They quickly get hooked on the thrill of discovery, and one goes wild releasing terrifying supernatural forces.

“Evil Dead Rise”: A young aunt is stuck in an apartment complex while her sister becomes a Deadite who is determined to kill her own children. Gory scenes abound in this installment in the “Evil Dead” series.

“Infinity Pool”: A psychological horror, this movie follows a couple on a vacation as they venture outside the resort. They meet a mysterious woman who introduces the couple to a culture of hedonism, horror and violence.

“Scream VI”: This long-running slasher series gives fans another installment. The main characters have moved to New York City only to find they are pursued by another Ghostface. Some great fight scenes keep viewers engaged.

“The Nun II”: Sister Irene once again comes face-to-face with Valak, the demon nun who is responsible for murder and the spread of evil.