Halloweekend is approaching quickly, but do not fear! There is still time to cozy up with your girls and enjoy some Halloween movies before the spooky season comes to an end. Keep reading to find out my top picks of Halloween flicks to watch with the chicks!
1. “Hocus Pocus”
Disney’s Hocus Pocus is one of the all-time Halloween classics, loved by millions.
For readers unfamiliar with the film, Hocus Pocus follows Max (Omri Katz), an unsuspecting prankster and virgin, and the madness that unfolds after he lights an enchanted candle to impress his crush, Allison (Vinessa Shaw). The simple act resurrects the Sanderson sisters—Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy)—three 17th-century witches determined to cast a spell over Salem and steal the youth of its children to achieve immortality before sunrise.
As one of three girls, Hocus Pocus has always been a personal favorite of mine since it features three sisters. However, the movie isn’t meant to be enjoyed only by sisters. The film has the classic 2000s Disney Halloween nostalgia that friends of all ages can enjoy. It’s packed with comedic chaos as the 300-year-old sisters try to outsmart the group of unexpected heroes—Max, his sister (Thora Birch), his crush, and a magical, talking cat (Sean Murray)—in their pursuit to live forever.
I recommend it to anyone who wants to watch a fun classic with their fellow witches! Stream it now on Disney+.
2. “Practical Magic”
Are you in the mood for a supernatural fantasy that keeps you both on your toes and kicking your feet? Then, Practical Magic is the perfect movie for you!
The film focuses on the lives of two sisters, Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman), as they navigate their romantic relationships. The only problem? Nearly 400 years prior, an ancestor cursed their family coven, dooming any man who fell in love with an Owens woman to an untimely death.
After years apart, the sisters find themselves back at their childhood home, where they were raised by their eccentric, witchy aunts, Aunt Fran (Stockard Channing) and Aunt Jet (Dianne Wiest). There, they become entangled in a murder mystery investigated by Detective Gary Hallet (Aidan Quinn), whose reason for being in town is not what they assume.
While the movie has a romantic focus, I found the exploration of how far sisters will go to protect one another, all in the name of sisterhood, especially enchanting. The sisterly bond between Sally and Gillian is charming to watch unfold, and the connection among all the Owens women reminds viewers that true love isn’t only romantic; it exists within families, too.
Overall, this romantic comedy offers suspense, comedy, and a romantic buzz to keep you wanting more. You can stream Practical Magic on Tubi for free!
3. “Beastly”
Nothing captures sisterhood quite like belly-laughing together all night over unintentionally funny things. Beastly is a movie that can achieve just that. While not meant to be a comedy, the sappy retelling of Beauty and the Beast left many viewers finding humor in the cringey acting and dramatic storyline.
Starring some Hollywood favorites, including Neil Patrick Harris, Dakota Johnson, and Vanessa Hudgens, the movie explores the life of Kyle (Alex Pettyfer), an arrogant and wealthy high school pretty boy. After humiliating his classmate Kendra (Mary-Kate Olsen), she curses him to be “as ugly as his soul.” The only way to escape his unattractive fate is to find someone to fall in love with him within a year. When his father exiles him to live alone with a blind tutor (Neil Patrick Harris) and maid (LisaGay Hamilton), Kyle finds it even harder to find true love in hiding.
Viewers found Kyle’s supposed ugly appearance laughable, as the famously attractive actor from Magic Mike simply wears a bald cap and covers his abs with silver body tattoos. The plot might be unbelievable and the acting pretty bad, but that’s exactly what makes it a fun movie to poke fun at! Watch it now on Hulu or for free with ads on YouTube and form your own opinion.
4. “Jennifer’s Body”
Jennifer’s Body is a recent horror-comedy that is definitely underrated, with only a Rotten Tomatoes score of 47%. Filled with gore, body horror, unexpected comedic moments, and a long list of A-list celebrities, this movie challenges mainstream horror movies by offering a feminist twist on the monster romances audiences are used to.
Jennifer (Megan Fox) and Anita “Needy” (Amanda Seyfried) are the film’s main characters. Viewers watch as the best friends sneak out for a night at their local bar; however, their night ends prematurely when the bar tragically burns down. After they escape the fire, Needy insists on going home, but Jennifer decides to leave with the boy band scheduled to perform that night. As Needy notices her male classmates disappearing in the weeks following the fire, she suspects Jennifer is behind their killings. Her quest to uncover the truth becomes more personal when she finds out her boyfriend Chip (Johnny Simmons) is the next target in the bloody rampage.
This movie is perfect for a group of friends who love the thrill of a one-woman manhunt and all things gore. Stream Jennifer’s Body for free on Tubi now before it’s too late!
5. “Crimson Peak”
Crimson Peak stars Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain, and Tom Hiddleston in a horror romance that puts movies like Twilight and Beastly to shame. The film completely encapsulates everything I admire in a good Halloween movie: gore, supernatural elements, mystery, and, most importantly, death.
Audiences are swept away to late-19th-century Buffalo, New York, where they watch the blossoming romance between young Edith (Mia Wasikowska) and the charming businessman Sir Thomas Sharpe (Tom Hiddleston). After the couple marries, they move away to his remote gothic mansion, where Thomas’ alluring sister Lucille (Jessica Chastain) also resides. When Edith is visited by the dead every night, she attempts to unravel the mystery and dark secrets hidden in her new home, though she soon discovers these apparitions are the least of her worries.
If there’s one thing I love even more than a period-piece movie, it’s being unexpectedly frightened by a film. I watched this movie when I was about 12, completely alone, and I was genuinely caught off guard by how terrifying some of the moments were. For this reason, I ranked Beastly higher on this list, as this movie is not for the squeamish. So, be warned! If you and your friends enjoy a good horror movie with romance, then prepare to be scared! You can watch Crimson Peak now on Prime.
For Disney lovers, rom-com enjoyers, and horror fanatics, these are my top five movies you should watch with your girlfriends this weekend. Don’t want to spend money? Make sure to sign up for free trials on these streaming services, or check out these movies at a local library to save some cash. Regardless of which one you choose, grab your favorite friends and snacks, and get ready for a night of Halloween fun!