By Lila Simmons
Scary movies are an essential to the month of October. Getting in the Halloween spirit with a spooky movie is one of the most classic activities in the book. From family-friendly classics, to classic horror films, this diverse array of movies is sure to set the tone for this Halloween holiday, whether you watch just one, or a few of them.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) – This animated, comedy, classic is perfect to watch with your family, to get a light hearted sense of the Halloween spirit. The movie follows the adventures of Jack Skellington, and his new discoveries.
The Conjuring (2013)– If you’re in for a real scare this season, The Conjuring is a classic supernatural horror film sure to keep you thoroughly engaged. Based on Ed and Lorraine Warren’s most famous paranormal investigations, the Conjuring franchise is full of jump scares and twists. If you enjoy the storyline, The Conjuring 2, and 3 will also be of interest to you. .
A Quiet Place (2018)-Starring John Kraskini and Emily Blunt, this post-apocalyptic science fiction horror film is surely a must watch. Forced to live in silence, the family lives in fear of getting hunted by monsters if they make a sound. If you love suspense and jumps, this ones for you. Check out the sequel for the continuation of this captivating story.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)– This feel-good Halloween story is a must watch for people of all ages. Based upon the Peanuts comic strips, the story follows the peanut kid’s Halloween celebrations, and their discoveries of The Great Pumpkin.
The Addams Family (1991) – This film follows the lives of the quirky, mischievous Addams family, and their silly interactions with someone posing to be a relative of the family. This movie franchise is based upon characters originally created in a 1938 comic, and have since then been accredited as some of the most classic symbols of Halooween.
Scream (1996)- A classic murder mystery, slasher movie franchise. It consists of 6 films, following the various stories of masked murderers and their victims. The Ghostface killer mask originated from the Scream franchise, and has since become one of the most known Halloween costumes.
Hocus Pocus (1993)- A Halloween fantasy comedy movie that is sure to be a family favorite. This Disney movie follows the lives of three rather entertaining witches and their adventures in Salem, Massachusetts with a new friend. This classic comedy is sure to be a fan favorite.
Insidious (2010)- Insidious is sure to disrupt your sleep patterns for a night or two after watching. If classic horror movies are your thing, this is certainly the movie series for you. Full of horrifying scares, the plot follows a family who’s been haunted by spirits.
Coraline (2009)- This is one of my personal favorite movies of all time. The spooky storyline sets the tone for the holiday in the best way. The movie follows the life of a young, curious girl named Coraline, and her discovery of a parallel life to her own. The discovery is appealing at first, but as Coraline dives deeper into the universe, it’s spookier then it may seem.
Halloween (1978)- Perhaps the most classic Halloween horror story of them all- John Carpenter’s Halloween. This slasher franchise follows the life of the infamous Michael Myers and his life as a vicious killer. This film is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.
Hopefully one of these classic Halloween movies will help you properly get in the spirit. Surely this list has something for everyone ranging from avid thrill seekers to a moment of comedy relief. May your Halloween be filled with bone-chilling frights and ghoulish delight. Happy Halloween!