It’s that time of year again. The air is crisp, apple cider flows plentiful, orange and yellow leaves clutter the ground and above all else; Halloween is coming.
This year looks different than any other Halloween season we have ever seen. It can be a bit difficult to feel excited about the approaching holiday with so much to worry about, but fear not. The covid-19 pandemic may make it a bit more difficult to have fun this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have any.
So grab your mask, a friend or two, and a bowl of popcorn, and get ready to watch five movies that are sure to get you in the spooky spirit (and maybe even keep you up for a night or two).
- Hereditary (2018)
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Hereditary was an Oscar nominated smash hit in 2018. It’s a bone chilling horror film with just the right amount of horror tropes to make it feel familiar, but has enough sick and twisted turns that the film feels fresh and new. The film follows The Graham family, whose grandmother has just passed away. Things begin to unravel for the family as they begin to embark on a journey to uncover the dark truth about their ancestry, one that none of them are prepared for. This movie is a nail biter, and it’s sure to leave you staring at your ceiling late at night, contemplating whatever made you want to watch it. You can watch the film for free with an Amazon Prime subscription, and pro tip: If you’re a student, there’s a six month free trial waiting for you and 50% off of the regular price when it finishes. You’re welcome.
- Gerald’s Game (2017)
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The movie adaptation of Stephen King’s, Gerald’s Game, is another hard-hitting horror piece, this time finding its home at streaming giant Netflix. Now, hear me out: This movie’s premise gets a little wild, but if you stick with it, it’s sure to give you a good jump fest. The movie takes struggling married couple, Jessie and Gerald Burlingame on a romantic get-away to rejuvenate their dying sex-life. During a kinky-game, Gerald dies, and Jessie is left handcuffed to a bed, with no one there to save her. Crazy right? I can assure you, things get crazier as the movie goes on, and it’s well worth the watch. It takes a step away from what you expect from a horror film, but it’s refreshing storyline is sure to leave you asking, “What did I just watch?”.
- I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998)
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Disclaimer: If you haven’t seen I Know What You Did Last Summer, turn back now to avoid any potential spoilers!
Alright, I’ll admit, compared to our last two heavy-weight titans of films, this movie feels like a joke, and if you have seen you know exactly what I mean. What’s Halloween without a few corny staples? You can’t have Halloween without this movie and it’s predecessor I Know What You Did Last Summer . With it’s star studded cast of 90’s superstars, the film is sure to keep you long enough to make it through, and those parts where you were supposed to jump, well, you’ll get a good laugh. The film picks up after the events of I Know What You Did Last Summer, and (spoiler alert) Ben is still alive and wreaking havoc on Julie’s life. Like I said, this movie is a corny staple, and I advise to go in with low expectations, but if it’s any consolation (and for me it was), the black character makes it to the end! Treat this movie more like a comedy than a horror movie, and you’ll have a great time. You can watch this one with a SHOWTIME subscription and here’s to another pro tip: If you’ve got Spotify for Students, Hulu and Showtime come with it, so enjoy. - The Witches (1990)
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I’m sure you can tell we’ve taken a step back from those bone chillers at the beginning of the list. The Witches is a film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s 1983 graphic novel by the same name, and it’s here solely for it’s nostalgic value. This one holds a special place in my heart and I haven’t gone a single Halloween season without watching it. The Witches starts when Luke, a young boy, and his grandmother, decide to stay in a hotel in England, and Luke happens to come across a convection of witches who turn him into a mouse. Luke’s grandmother, Helga, and the hotel manager, Mr. Stringer, are faced with finding out how to turn Luke into a human again. This movie is sure to put you in the Halloween spirit and even trigger some nostalgia. You can watch this one on Netflix and I sure hope it brings you as much joy as it brings me.
- The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
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My list wouldn’t be complete without this cult classic. The film starts with a couple stuck with a flat tire during a storm. Desperate to find some shelter, they stumble across the mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a transvestite scientist. The couple, Brad and Janice, meet tons of eccentric characters during their stay and through amazing dance breaks and songs, Dr. Frank-N-Furter reveals his latest creation, Rocky. The film is one of my favorites and is a staple for representation on screen for LGBTQ+ people. This another film you can’t have Halloween without and if you’re looking for a more recent adaptation, you’re in luck because Fox did one back in 2016 with Laverne Cox as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. It’s a much watch, and it’s sure to make up for some of the roller coaster rides on this list. You can catch both versions of the film on Hulu.
So there you have it, a diverse list of films to watch this Halloween. You’ve got films that’ll leave you shaking, a film for a good laugh, and two films laced with the warm welcomings of autumn nostalgia. Be sure to watch with loved ones (especially those first two, you’ll need a shoulder to cry on for those) and make sure to stay safe and healthy this Halloween!