Halloween is a time of year when everyone wants to be scared. We dress up, attend Halloween-themed parties, and go have our fortunes read (although you could consult a magic 8 ball instead), but many of us enjoy watching some spooky films to get us in the Halloween mood. So, read on for 7 films that you should watch this Halloween.
Monster House (2006)
This 2006 animated film is a cult classic and for good reason. The film follows friends DJ and Chowder, who begin to realize that their creepy neighbor’s house is haunted and decide to stop the house from terrorizing the children of their street forever. However, this film is full of feel-good family fun, but the shock twist at the end of the film will leave everyone in the room feeling emotional. A great film to watch any time of the year, but is a definite must-watch over Halloween. This film may be a bit scary for young children, but those over ten years of age will love it, and so will adults.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Everyone may be discussing this film’s hotly-anticipated sequel, which was released just earlier this month, but the original is always a great film to revisit at Halloween. Hocus Pocus focuses on the Sanderson sisters, three witches who were resurrected from the grave by three children on Halloween night. The sisters plan to steal the souls of Salem’s children in order to remain young and beautiful forever, and it is up to Max, Dani, and Alison to stop the sisters and save all of Salem.
Candyman (1992)
A more serious horror film to watch this Halloween, Candyman is a haunting, but poignant, film that reminds us of the everlasting horror of racism and slavery in the United States. The film revolves around the Candyman, a man who appears after you call his name five times and murders you without hesitation. Helen, a grad student, is researching the folklore surrounding the Candyman, but soon discovers that he is more than just an urban legend, and has to try and save the local community of Cabrini Green from his wrath.
The Witch (2015)
Would it really be Halloween if you didn’t watch a film about witches? This film is a slow starter, but it is definitely worth the watch. It focuses on a Puritan family who find themselves being harassed and stalked by a witch, and their lives slowly start to unravel as the family turn on each other. This film has a spooky atmosphere from the very beginning and is perfect to watch on a cold October evening.
Sleepy Hollow (1999)
We simply just could not make a list of the best films to watch on Halloween without including a Tim Burton film. Burton is well-known for his gothic and eccentric style of filmmaking make him a master of all things creepy and Sleepy Hollow is certainly one of his creepiest films. Based on the book, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving, it follows Johnny Depp as detective Ichabod Crane who investigates a series of murders committed in the town of Sleepy Hollow by a headless horseman. This film is full of mystery and deception and has a cast full of stars such as Christina Ricci and Christopher Walken.
Coraline (2009)
This film by Henry Selick is a great Halloween watch whether you’re twelve years old or thirty years old, and is just simply timeless. The film follows Coraline Jones, a young girl who discovers another world where her life, and everyone in it, is better. But there is one difference – everyone in this other world has buttons for eyes. Coraline thinks this other world is a dream come true, but she begins to realize that everything is not as it seems and that you should be careful what you wish for.
Jennifer’s Body (2009)
Horror-comedy can be a difficult genre to master, but Jennifer’s Body manages to do it perfectly. This film was not a box-office success at its time of release, but it has since become a cult classic. Jennifer, a high-school student, is sacrificed to a demon that takes control over her body and eats human boys. It’s up to Jennifer’s friend Needy to stop her, and what follows is mayhem and murder.
