Halloween movies I recommend
I'm no cinephile, but I like these films.
Hey ghoulfriends! It’s October, which means holidays are on my mind. Which means it’s time to revive this blog!
What better way to kick it off than with my recommendations for great Halloween movies that I love, and think you should watch?!
A few notes before we begin: first, I excluded a lot of straight-up horror films. While they’re great and totally worth a watch during Spoopy Season, I wanted this list to feel more like a Halloween-specific list. That said, there are a few. Also, I kept this to movies. (Want TV? Hang tight.)
Two, please do your research regarding content warnings before diving into any of these entries. I’ve tried to make notes about what jumps out in my memory, but some of these I haven’t rewatched again this year, so I may be forgetting something big.
Finally, if it seems like I’ve left something GLARINGLY OBVIOUS off this list… bad news, kid. Either I haven’t seen it orrrr… maybe I don’t really like it all that much. I’m so sorry. Feel free to yell at me in the comments.
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
Family, Comedy, Cartoon, Cute
If this is meant to be a list of movies you must watch every Halloween, I’m putting this bad boy on the list first. It won’t feel like Halloween to me without an appearance from the Great Pumpkin or the Red Baron. From the iconic music to the horrors of “I got a rock,” it’s comfort food in a month of frequent spooks and scares.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Claymation, Fantasy, Ghoulish, Nearly a musical, Santa
I happen to fall on the “it’s a Christmas movie, John McClane” side of the debate here. That said, I feel myself emotionally kicking in the front door of fall when the first strains of “This is Halloween” blare from my tv set, so lets call it an October-thru-December movie. It’s meant to be a family flick, but younger children might find some of the imagery a little too scary.
Scream (1996)
Teen, Slasher, Comedy (imo), Icon, Serial Killer
I talk way too highly of this franchise, but hear me out: these movies are ICONIC. I truly believe they changed the game in teen and horror films. While some parts are more than a little cliché by now, it’s actually kinda well-earned. If you cruise through the full franchise, Randy’s rules for surviving horror movies are such a wink. Obviously, there is gore.
Scary Movie (2000)
Teen, Comedy, Slasher, Icon, Serial Killer
In much the same way Scream changed the playing field for teen horror, its send-up made spoofs a little more of an art for a brief, shining moment. It absolutely wrecked teen movies of the 90s with lots of love – and a sometimes awesome eye for detail. Drugs, sex and “edgy” (read: tasteless, offensive, hurtful) comedy are rife here, so check your content warnings first.
The Addams Family Values (1993)
Comedy, Icon
Don’t hate me for picking only one for this list. They’re both perfection. There is no better casting for any movies made on God’s green earth, full stop. That said, the second one edges out the first for two reasons. First, it’s a movie that’s perfect viewing any time of year, but it manages to be perfect for both Halloween AND Thanksgiving. Secondly… Debbie.
Ernest Scared Stupid (1997)
Comedy, Trolls, Family
You know i’ve got to shout out a hometown boy. If you weren’t exposed to Ernest in the 1990s, he was a very earnest (ha) blue collar guy with an odd voice who got into lots of good-natured hijinks. Like, there’s a snot gag. Let that steer you on whether you’ll see this.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Comedy, Fantasy, Family, Witches
Did you really think I could, in good conscience, leave this one off the list?! I love this movie! I love everything about this movie! From yabbos to striped tights, witches to over-the-top town Halloween dances, I love it all. A few scenes might be too scary for younger children. And just a fair warning: if your kid watches this, they MIGHT ask their second grade teacher how to spell “virgin.”
Beetlejuice (1988)
Dark, Comedy, Gross, Death
Another brilliantly-cast movie. Tim Burton’s signature twisted imagery is in full effect on this one. Huge mood. Many vibe. If you haven’t seen it, go now.
The Halloween Tree (1993)
Animated, Family
I won’t lie: this feels like one your teacher would’ve rolled the black cart in for. It leans a hair educational. We won’t hold that against this charming cartoon. Kids get schooled on what their costumes mean.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Comedy, Ghosts
Now I’m recommending this version and not the remake because I feel like the remake has one too many winks and nods back to this version. So if you haven’t seen it, it’s kind of necessary viewing. Yes, there’s a lot of carrots in this stew. But it’s
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Comedy, Musical, LGBTQ+
Many movies claim to have cult-hit status. This one more or less defined the term. A vamping transsexual from the planet Transylvania, nerds in their underwear, a very toned Frankenstein’s monster, Meat Loaf giving his name a whole new meaning… this flick has got it all. And some pretty catchy tunes to boot.
The Craft (1996)
Teen, Drama, Horror, Witches
Teenage girls form a coven. Teenage drama ensues. It sounds limp, but this movie is better than its premise. The visuals are surprising and arresting.
Practical Magic (1998)
Drama, Romance, Witches
Seaside witches open a botanical hair and body care shop. They live in a huge Victorian house and walk around town wrapped in shawls, carrying parasols. They have pancakes in the garden and spit at the locals. Honestly, this is the life we all wish to lead. It’s all well and good until a shitty ex accidentally ends up a little bit dead. Great cast, darling story, Midnight Margaritas.
Death Becomes Her (1992)
Dark Comedy, Horror, Death, Zombies?
Do I need to say much more than Meryl Streep, Goldie Hawn, Bruce Willis and Isabella Rosselini? Okay, how about Goldie and Meryl are frenemies who take their rivalry to the next level: immortality? This one is hilarious and morbid. And everyone looks absolutely incredible.
Creepshow (1982)
Comedy (imo), Horror, Anthology
Directed by George A. Romero, this has a consistent style that feels super pulpy. It’s pretty hammy in places, but that makes it great Netflix ‘n Chill fodder.
Bram Stoker’s Dracula (1992)
Drama, Horror, Romance, Vampires
I will grant you that the accents are laugh-inducing, at best. That said? The visuals will make you forget. Francis Ford Coppola infused this movie with so much sex appeal, blood and RED (seriously, that bat armor?) that all the other versions of this movie left on the cutting room floor. And nothing says “Halloween” like the OG vampire.
Young Frankenstein (1974)
Comedy, Horror, Monster, Frankenstein, Soft-shoe
When a spoof is one of the best-loved retellings of a story, you know it’s good. Gene Wilder, Madelin Kahn, Marty Feldman, Peter Boyle, Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr… incredible. Intentionally shot in black and white, this Mel Brooks joint is beautiful and hilarious.
Candyman (1992)
Horror, Slasher, Serial Killer
I haven’t seen the sequel yet. But even if it manages to be better, this entry is still safe on this list. It’s just that dang good. Definitely check content warnings.
Clue (1985)
Comedy, Who-dunnit, Icon
This is one of the funniest movies ever made. And yeah, it’s based on the board game. It’s not particularly spooky, but it’s perfect for a stormy night with a glass of cognac (mon dieu!) Everyone in the cast is brilliant, the sets are perfect and Communism is just a red herring.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Horror, Dark Comedy, Werewolves
Two American students take a backpacking tour of Britain. What could pawssibly go wrong? This gem has jump scares and ghoulish makeup (which was so cutting-edge, it won the first ever Academy Award in that category.) It also has a few laughs that you just don’t expect.
The House on Haunted Hill (1959)
Drama, Horror, Vincent Price, Comedic skeletons, Comedy (imo)
Vincent Price and Carol Ohmart have that classic movie toxic marriage repartee that will have you smirking right along with them. With all due respect to this movie, the effects and “scares” are fairly limp to those of us in the 21st century (that gif at the top of the post? Yeah…) That said, it’s still a fantastic watch. And it lets you off the hook for the remake.
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Horror, Anthology, Dark Comedy, Serial Killer, Werewolves, Vampires, Ghosts
If you haven’t seen this and there’s any chance you might possibly like it, please watch it. From Sam Hain’s Rules of Halloween to one of Anna Paquin’s best roles, this one has it all. It’s honestly what all anthology movies aspire to be. Check your content warnings before diving in.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Dark Comedy, Teen, Rabbit, Sparkle Motion
Yes, I am a Millennial. It’s angsty weird kid fodder. But it’s very much a Halloween film. A rabbit predicts the end of the world. The Gyllenhaals fight over family dinners. Drew Barrymore has the key to everything. The Swayze is… certainly there. LOTS of content warnings on this one.
What We Do in the Shadows (2014)
Comedy, Mockumentary, Vampires, Werewolves, Not Swearwolves
If you somehow haven’t seen this gem, get moving. It’s boundlessly charming. Four vampire roommates navigate the struggles of living together while being dead. Each of the vampires represents a different vampire archetype, from Nosferatu to broody 90s bad boy.
Transylvania 6-5000 (1895)
Comedy, Frankenstein, et. al
I’ve mentioned several movies with dynamite casts, and this one makes that list. It also completely fails to live up to its cast, which is just a shame. It’s like a collection of unrelated slapstick bits that got superglued together in the dark. So why on EARTH am I recommending it? For one, you probably haven’t been forced to sit through it, so I can be your bad movie doula. But for two, if you can find it streaming for free, it’s kind of perfect for leaving on during a Halloween party. People will stop long enough to wonder why Jeff Goldblum is on their screen without feeling the need to flop down on the couch to catch the story.
The Lost Boys (1987)
Vampires, Teen, Leather
Vampires, but make it bitchin’. Vampires took a very rockstar turn in this movie. So much eye candy.
Bride of Frankenstein (1935)
Frankenstein, Horror, Icon
Of course the original is fantastic – and Karloff is a king – but I’m going with this entry in the franchise. Elsa Lanchester is absolutely stunning in this role (THESE roles, actually).
