By Teresa Pavia | October 3, 2022
The first of October means Spooky Season has officially arrived -- and with it, an ever burning desire to watch as many Halloween movies as humanly possible. Here are 31 Halloween movies to watch in 31 days leading up to every goblin, ghoul and gremlin’s favorite holiday.
Hitchcock’s “Psycho” Movie Poster
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
1. (& 2) Hocus Pocus (1993) and Hocus Pocus 2 (2022):
Three witches rise from the dead on Halloween night and wreak havoc on modern day Salem, Massachusetts. Almost 30 years later, and after much discussion, the sequel to Hocus Pocus finally dropped last week.
3. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1999):
Tim Burton’s take on legendary New Yorker Washington Irving’s most recognizable piece provides enough spookiness without being totally terrifying.
4. Coraline (2009):
Though originally marketed as a kids movie, the eerie claymation and mature subject matter makes Coraline a thrilling Halloween flick.
5. Practical Magic (1998):
Practical Magic is a fun romantic comedy about sisters who happen to be witches…the one thing they have in common? Boy trouble.
6. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975):
A commercial flop when it was first released, Rocky Horror has become a cult classic musical comedy. The film embodies “camp” and its disintegrating plot will leave you partially confused yet stimulated. Bonus points if you can catch a midnight showing!
7. The Witches (1990):
The original adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book of the same name is largely unremarkable, but the opening scene describing the witches is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who has ever taken chocolate from a stranger.
8. Psycho (1960):
Alfred Hitchcock puts the Psycho in psychological thriller. Playing to the terror of anticipation in true Hitchcock fashion, this film may require a friend or two to watch with.
9. (10, 11 & 12) Halloweentown (1998), Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge (2001), Halloweentown High (2004), Return to Halloweentown (2006):
No Halloween movie masterlist would be complete without the Cromwell clan. Bouncing between the uneventful American suburbs and the otherworldly Halloweentown, these movies perfectly embody the spirit of the holiday.
13. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993):
Though some argue The Nightmare Before Christmas doubles as a Christmas movie, Jack Skellington’s tendency to gift unsuspecting children shrunken heads makes this movie an undeniable Halloween classic.
14. Ghostbusters (1984):
Following a group of recently unemployed New York City scientists, Ghostbusters gives us the classic cast of spunky characters, iconic quotes, and probably the best theme song of all time. Who ya gonna call?
15. Halloween (1978):
Horror buffs might watch the entire Halloween franchise, but the original 1978 film is credited with reinventing the slasher genre, and gifting the world with Michael Myers, one of Hollywood’s most favored and feared villains.
16. Don’t Look Under the Bed (1999):
A severely underrated Disney Channel Original Movie, Don’t Look Under the Bed captures the joy of a child’s imagination, and what can happen once we lose it.
17. The Witches of Eastwick (1987):
Featuring Jack Nicholson as Satan alongside Cher, Susan Sarandon, and Michelle Pfeiffer, The Witches of Eastwick is a perfect anti-rom com based on the 1984 novel by John Updike.
18. The Addams Family (1991):
While it is unclear whether anyone in the Addams Family is actually supernatural, it is plain that they are super weird -- and that’s what makes them so fun to watch.
19. Beetlejuice (1988):
One of Tim Burton’s first feature length films, Beetlejuice stars a young Michael Keaton, Geena Davis, Alec Baldwin, and an even younger Winona Ryder as they blur the line between the real world and the spiritual realm.
20. Carrie (1976):
Another adaptation of a classic Stephen King novel, Carrie follows a misunderstood teenage girl, and her revenge on high school bullies.
21. Little Shop of Horrors (1986):
Campy, weird, and clearly a product of its time, Little Shop of Horrors is a lighthearted movie with a talking, flesh-eating venus fly trap, an abusive dentist, and a chorus of Motown Singers.
22. (& 23) Twitches (2005), Twitches Too (2007):
Disney Channel classics Twitches and Twitches Too features Tia and Tamera Mowry as twin Witches Alex and Cam, as they navigate their newly found powers and save the kingdom of Coventry from the darkness.
24. Corpse Bride (2005):
One of Burton’s more endearing films, Corpse Bride follows Victor and Victoria as they approach their wedding day, until another woman gets in the way -- even though she’s already dead.
25. It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown (1966):
Charlie Brown holiday specials remain a fixture of any season almost 60 years later, and still evoke a powerful childhood nostalgia, as well as a strange affinity for rocks.
26. Young Frankenstein (1974):
Often called the funniest movie of all time, Young Frankenstein follows the grandson of mastermind, reanimator of life Victor Frankenstein, his determination to define himself apart from his grandfather, and to correct the pronunciation of his name.
27. Scream (1996):
Written as a parody of itself, Scream seamlessly combines comedy and horror to provide a uniquely amusing and entertaining Halloween movie.
28. Mom’s Got a Date with a Vampire (2000):
An easy going Disney Channel Original Movie, the movie follows three siblings and their attempt to get their single mom out of the house so they can attend their respective appointments. They find her date is more than he seems.
29. Nosferatu (1922):
The original monster movie, Nosferatu is the silent film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and a must watch for any film major or Halloween fanatic.
30. The Craft (1996):
Four teen girls in grunge Catholic school uniforms form a coven, and find themselves receiving everything they ever wished for…until they don’t.
31. The Shining (1980):
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s classic novel is the movie to watch during the Halloween season. Main character Jack Torrance moves his family to a haunted hotel during the off season and slowly descends into madness. Stellar performances from Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall make this movie a memorably frightening watch.
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