Every year we see marathons and specials on a variety of TV channels focused on the spookiest holiday of the year – Halloween! As a fan of horror, candy, and costumes, I approve greatly of this trend. While I love spooky, scary, gory flicks during this time of year (ok, all year), I want to dedicate this to the movies set specifically and focused on Halloween. These movies will be sure to get you in the mood for All Hallows’ Eve!
Best
The Nightmare Before Christmas – A favorite of my childhood.. and adulthood, this film combines Halloween and Christmas into a seamless, spooky stop-motion animated classic. I have had many discussions about whether it counts as a Halloween or Christmas movie – I count it as both! What about you?
Hocus Pocus – This is the epitome of a classic Halloween film. It is eerie, funny, and filled with trick or treating Halloween goodness. I can’t think of another Halloween film that is so universally loved for its good-natured fun and incorporation of the holiday.
Halloween - It helps when you have the name of the holiday for the title of the movie, but Halloween (and its sequels) deliver on awesome slasher goodness set to the tune of All Hallows’ Eve. If you want a good, fun scare take a look at this classic.
It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown – While it might seem like just a children’s Halloween/Fall movie, you’ll be surprised how nostalgic you get from watching this animated classic. This is the perfect break from horror, slasher, party Halloween mode. Embrace the heartwarming nature of Charlie Brown, Linus, and the gang while carving pumpkins and munching on candy!
Trick ‘r Treat – Wow. This film blew me away. It is an instant Halloween classic in my mind. It follows a multitude of stories centered in one town during Halloween. Not only is it scary and suspenseful, but it is funny! You get a great variety of characters, and the stories weave together in a truly interesting way. I suggest you watch this movie even when it isn’t the Halloween season!
Worst
I wasn’t going to post a worst, but then I remembered one movie that truly gives Halloween movies a bad name. In order to prevent anyone from wasting time and watching this movie, I give you my one worst Halloween movie:
Halloweentown – Just no. Also no to Halloweentown II. Yes, they made a sequel. (facepalm)
