It’s that time of year again—the season where horror fans honor the late Tobe Hooper by taking on the Hooptober challenge: 31 horror movies for the Halloween season. Watching 31 films in 31 days might sound impossible for most adults, which is why Hooptober officially kicks off on September 15th. That extra time gives everyone a fighting chance to complete the list.

For those new to the tradition, Hooptober was created on Letterboxd by Cinemonster 12 years ago as a way to celebrate Tobe Hooper’s legacy. Over time, it has grown into a yearly ritual that also pays tribute to many other beloved figures the horror community has lost.

If this sounds like your kind of marathon, here are the rules for Hooptober 12:

Hooptober 12 Requirements

To complete the challenge, your list must include 31 horror films that cover:

6 countries outside the US or Italy
9 different decades
5 zombie films
3 cult or conspiracy horrors
1 film from a Black director with a Black lead
1 film from a Mexican or Central American director
1 Canadian film
1 film from a former Soviet state (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan)
The most popular 1940s horror film you haven’t seen and can access
2 post-apocalyptic horror films
1 film involving dreams or a dream sequence
1 pissed-off animal film
1 silent film
4 films based on novels
1 pick from Cinemonster’s curated favorites list
1 Ernesto Gastaldi–written film
1 film from 1932
The Wizard of Oz (1939) — the first time a specific movie has been required
And, as always, 1 film directed by Tobe Hooper

Extra Credit (Optional)

Burn Witch Burn (Night of the Eagle)
German Chainsaw Massacre
Trick or Treat (1986)

Tip: One film can check off multiple requirements, so don’t stress if the list of categories looks longer than 31.

Example List For Hooptober 12

If you’re struggling to build your own watchlist, here’s my personal lineup of 31 films for this year. This will be my second time attempting Hooptober, but my first year reviewing each film casually on Letterboxd.

Last year I closed out with Halloween (1978). To keep things consistent, I’m wrapping this year with Halloween II (1981). Also, while The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is my favorite horror film and one I rewatch every year, I’m not counting it as my Hooper pick—this year that honor goes to The Mangler. Once I met all the requirements I chose back and forth between a random horror movie and an upcoming or recently released horror movie.

Here’s my Hooptober 12 list (plus the extra credit films):