To celebrate the arrival of Halloween, TIME asked attendees at the 2026 TIME100 Next Gala on Oct. 29 in New York City to share their favorite spooky films and deepest fears.
Classic and Modern Horror Picks
Several stars pointed to established horror classics for their seasonal viewing. Actor Cooper Hoffman recommended Rosemary’s Baby, while actor Dominic Sessa chose Resident Evil.
Paapa Essiedu, an actor starring in the upcoming HBO adaptation of Harry Potter, selected a modern thriller. He called Obsession terrifying, entertaining, and brilliant. Curry Barker, the breakout filmmaker behind Obsession, listed a wide range of horror favorites across generations, including A Nightmare on Elm Street, the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre, The Invisible Man, Weapons, Hereditary, and Midsommar. Barker is currently developing a new film project titled Anything But Ghosts, scheduled for release next May.
Existential Fears and Supernatural Experiences
Comedian and former Saturday Night Live cast member Chloe Fineman shared an existential perspective on fear, stating that the news, the world, and social media provide her with the most frightening viewing experience. She noted that Instagram serves as her horror movie.
Musician Conan Gray chose a cozier option, naming Practical Magic as his essential watch. Following this, TIME spoke with Joey King, who stars in the sequel Practical Magic 2, to discuss whether the iconic witchy story influenced her real-life spiritual awareness. King shared that she senses a thin veil with the afterlife and has experienced both frightening and sweet occurrences. She explained that childhood frights caused her to suppress that side of herself, though she embraces it more now. She added that while she wants to consult a medium, she remains too afraid to uncover what her future holds.
The TIME100 Next Gala was presented by Rolex, Toyota, American Airlines, Danantara, Project Management Institute, and Target.
