Five Great Movies for Halloween

Now I want to preface this by saying these are just some of my favorite picks and what I like to watch around Halloween – by no means are these the best and only movies for Halloween or horror fans.

      1.Double Double Toil and Trouble

I chose this movie because it is from my childhood and I remember it so fondly. I still remember having a tantrum and going and hiding in my room because that’s what I always did as a kid when I was mad or upset. I would just hide out somewhere by myself and soak up all my feelings. I had the tantrum, but I knew this movie was coming on so I slowly made my way to the dining room. This way  I could secretly watch it from the living room while still being in ‘hiding’. I loved it dearly and by the end I was in the living room, no longer hiding. I guess it was kind of therapeutic for me – Olsen twins for the win!

     2. The Strangers

Now this movie is a bit different from the last one. It’s completely terrifying to me. I grew up in the country completely surrounded by cornfields. (Yes, I love/hate Children of the Corn, too) No other house, but a mile away. So, this slow type of movie with all it’s intentional silences and creepiness gets to me. Paranormal things not so much, but this is something that could actually happen. I watched this in a movie theater the first time and I was scared to drive home by myself. I still watch it at least twice a year because I think it was done perfectly. It scares me because it’s so believable and still holds even though I have watched it so many times. Definitely give this a go, if you like those kinds of movies.

    3. Cabin in the Woods

This movie is either you love it or you hate it. I completely love it and think it’s so clever. This is by no means a scary movie, it’s just well done. I don’t want to give anything away, but if you like movies that are smart and sort of self-aware you will like this. Also, if you’re a Joss Whedon fan you need to watch this. Actually, if you are a Joss Whedon fan you should have already watched this – Go Buffy!

   4. Scream series

I think of this movie kind of like a mix between the Strangers and Cabin in the Woods – obviously this film came first – it’s scary, but still so self aware. It knows it’s a horror film, if that makes sense. It’s so iconic with the phone calls and Drew Barreymore. I just really love it and it’s a story that you will always remember and care about.

 5. Hocus Pocus, Casper and Halloweentown

Yes, I know I’m cheating but I had to include these. These are essentials from my childhood. From a lot of peoples childhoods. They are just so good and in my head I group them all together anyway. Do you really need a reason to watch these? Go on, do it!

 

There are so many more I could have listed and I actually feel like I’m cutting myself short only doing five, but I could go on and on. Sometimes I like to watch movies that are bad because they make me laugh like House of Wax and Bloody Valentine. Or Halloween episodes of my favorite television shows are by far my favorite episodes this time of the year or in general. I’m also reading It right now for the first time (I watched the movie way too much as a kid and the book is scaring me too) Then I have an Agatha Christie short story set during Halloween I’m going to read after. I just love Halloween – can you tell?

Mostly, I like to either be completely terrified, amazed, laugh or feel comforted by Halloween films and movies. At least those are the kinds I seek out!

What do you like to watch?