October is finally here which means just about every TV network will be playing loads of horror movies for us to watch this month! Whether you’re a horror movie fan or not, there are always different types of horror movies classics that vary on the “spooky spectrum” for you to enjoy. Here’s a list of a few flicks (from spooky to spoopy) to get you into the spirit!
“The Exorcist” (1973)
Based on true events, “The Exorcist” is about a young girl named Regan who starts acting really strange- and by strange I mean she starts speaking unknown languages and levitating (can you say freaky?). Her mother grows worried and tries to get her some professional help ASAP. A priest comes to visit Regan and theorizes that she has been possessed by the devil. He requests to do an exorcism on the girl and the process is absolutely horrific. This is one of the most iconic and go-to horror films to watch during spooky season!
Spooky scale: 10/10
“Nightmare on Elm Street” (1984)
1, 2, Freddy’s coming for you… In this iconic slasher film directed by Wes Craven, a murderous monster by the name of Freddy Krueger goes about killing teenagers in their sleep, which results in them dying in real life. Freddy Krueger is a serial killer who has suffered some serious third degree burns all over his face and body (you’ll have to watch to find out why). He wears a glove on his right hand that has knives as fingers- his murder weapon. Nancy Thompson and her friends are being terrorized by Krueger and she tries to figure out how to get rid of him. Oh yeah, and Nancy’s boyfriend, Glen, is played by a 21-year-old Johnny Depp. If young Johnny Depp doesn’t make you want to watch the film, I don’t know what will! If you love a good scare and don’t mind gore, then this film is for you. You may not be able to sleep for a few days in fear that Freddy Krueger will appear in your dreams at night but it’s a great film to get you spooked this season! Sleep tight!
Spooky scale: 7/10
“Halloween” (1978)
In this slasher film starring Jamie Lee Curtis, a little boy named Michael Myers was only six years old when he brutally murdered his older sister on Halloween night, 1963. Fast forward 15 years later, Michael escapes the mental institution and flees back to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois. There, he starts his killing spree on October 31st, 1978. Michael Myers is known for wearing an old janitor’s jumpsuit and a creepy white mask which is the face of most Halloween meme known to date. This year on Friday, October 19th “Halloween” is coming to theaters after 40 years! The movie is continuing the journey of Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis), who now as an adult, is still trying to get her revenge and kill Michael Myers once and for all. Will she succeed? Or will Michael Myers continue to get away? If you haven’t seen “Halloween”, I highly recommend you give it a try this season! What better movie to watch on Halloween than “Halloween”?
Spooky scale: 6/10
“Scream” (1996)
What’s your favorite scary movie? Another iconic slasher film directed by Wes Craven, the first movie of the “Scream” series contains a mix of comedy, horror, and gore. A year after her mother’s death, Sidney Prescott and her friends start receiving some really strange phone calls from an anonymous caller. One by one, kids from Sidney’s school are reported dead which she later finds out has been after they had the same mysterious phone call. The killer likes to taunt his victims by asking them a series of questions which begins with the famous line “What’s your favorite scary movie?” You may recognize some familiar faces of iconic actors like Drew Barrymore, Courteney Cox, and Skeet Ulrich. After watching Scream, you’ll think twice about answering your phone…
Spooky scale: 5/10
“Beetlejuice” (1988)
Tim Burton’s “Beetlejuice” is about a married couple, Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin), who die in a car accident. They’re stuck inside their house as ghosts and attempt to scare away the next family that moves in. While trying to do so, they summon Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) and he tries to help get rid of the family. “Beetlejuice” contains lots of silliness and comedy to make the film great for the family to watch!
Spooky scale: 3/10
“Halloweentown” (1998)
A Disney Halloween classic! “Halloweentown” was the highlight of all our childhoods during the fall season. If you don’t remember here’s a recap: Marnie and her siblings sneakily follow their grandmother Aggie back to her home in Halloweentown. Roaming around the town are goblins, werewolves and other supernatural beings. Marnie then finds out she’s a witch on her 13th birthday and helps her family defeat the evil monster who is trying to take over Halloweentown. It’s not too late to watch if you haven’t seen it before!
Spooky scale: 2/10
“Hocus Pocus” (1993)
Teenager Max Dennison and his family moves to Salem, Massachusetts where he and his sister Dani come across an abandoned house. They explore the house with their friend Allison who warns them about the superstitions and myths that come with it. Not paying mind to her, Max snoops around and accidentally frees three evil witch sisters who used to live in the house! The kids then try to get rid of the witches using their spells after they had been kidnapped and almost became immortal. “Hocus Pocus” is one of the other top comedy/horror Disney films to watch before Halloween. With its iconic bop “I Put A Spell On You” and nonstop humor and quirkiness from actresses Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy you will be watching this movie even after Halloween is over! Rumor has it that a “Hocus Pocus 2” is possibly in the works. How do you feel about a sequel?