Since we’re well into the Halloween season, I thought now would be a great time to share my favorite movies that help me get into the festive spirit. However, I want to focus on some of the lesser known movies so they can get their time in the spotlight.
Over the Garden Wall (2014)
This has more fall vibes than Halloween vibes, and yes, it’s a mini-series, but the final episode does take place on Halloween so…Plus, it has such great yearly rewatchability. The songs are catchy, the story is so intriguing, and I still find myself picking up on different things on every rewatch. It’s become a yearly ritual for me.
The series follows the story of two brothers who end up in a forest with no memory of how they got there or how they can get back home. On their journey to escape, they encounter many eerie, yet magical characters and creatures. Oh, also its animation style is similar to that of a classic children’s book, which I ADORE. It just screams fall. My recommendation is to start watching this towards the end of October and finish it around Thanksgiving.Â
Frankenwinee (2012)
Ok, now, this one’s a movie…
Honestly, it gives more summerween vibes, but due to it being a love letter to classic black and white monster movies (most obviously Frankenstein), it goes on the list. This one’s about a young boy who brings his dead dog back to life and must hide him from his friends and family. It’s a cute watch, and I’d definitely recommend it if you love stop-motion animation. Oh, and did I mention it’s a Tim Burton film?
Paranorman (2012)
This one’s cute, and has been a favorite of mine since I first saw it about five years ago. The film follows a young boy named Norman who’s misunderstood by his family and classmates because of his ability to speak to ghosts. His only (living) ally is another bullied boy at school, until one day a witch’s curse causes a group of zombies to rise from the ground, threatening the people in Norman’s town. Like Frankenweenie, it’s a stop-motion film, and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it if you like Coraline, as it comes from the same studio. Honestly, I recommend everything Laika has made for the Halloween and fall season.Â
Hocus Pocus 2 (2022)
Ok, hear me out, both are good. I’m a fan of the first one just like anyone else, and I know Disney is kinda in an ehh spot in terms of reboots and sequels, but I urge you to at least give this one a try.
The sequel follows a trio of highschoolers who have resurrected our favorite witchy sisters and must send them back before they can enact their revenge on Salem. The movie also does some exploration into the sisters’ pasts, which I found fairly intriguing. I would say if you liked the first one, you’ll like this one too, but I’d rather you watch it and come up with your own opinion.Â
Spookley the Square Pumpkin (2004)
Yes, I like this movie and I watch it in its entirety every year. Yes, I’m a twenty-year-old woman. It’s been my trick-or-treating pre-game movie for the past decade now (excluding last year).
The film follows a young (you guessed it), square pumpkin who is outcasted for his unusual appearance. It’s about forty-five minutes long, so it’s an easy watch. I can’t promise you’ll be into it though, unless you’re a fan of corny movies, because oh boy, does this one bring the cob.Â
Hotel Transylvania (2012)
Honestly, all the Hotel Transylvania movies are perfect for the season. But, in my opinion, this one gives off more Halloween vibes because it looks grimier in comparison to its sequels, which lean into a more 1920’s rubber hose kinda style of animation. Also, I have a bit of a bias towards it because it’s my favorite film from the quadrilogy.
The film follows Dracula as he balances his life running a hotel for monsters while keeping an unexpected human guest from his human-curious daughter who’s slowly falling for him. It’s cute and it’s fun. As a kid, I had no idea Adam Sandler voiced Dracula until he won an award for his performance during the 2013 Kids Choice Awards (which is apparently still a thing, and yes, I will be voting).
Monster HighÂ
Any Monster High movie will work (I’m not a G1 purist), but I recommend Ghouls Rule (2012) for a Halloween night watch. It just hits differently.
This film follows the Monster High gang going to the world of humans (or “normies”), to take back Halloween as a Monster holiday (or something like that. It’s been a while, and I tried reading the synopsis but there’s like five different plot lines going on). It’s still a good watch though if you like Monster High or want to get into it.
I hope you were inspired by my list, and that you have a happy Halloween!