Halloween is a time of carved pumpkins, eerie tales, and costumes. It’s no wonder this haunting holiday has been the backdrop for numerous films. As we enter fall, there’s no better time to get your spooky spirit ready for Halloween.
Here are 10 films to start the spooky season off right. Enjoy this mix of classic horror, grown-up hijinks, and family-friendly tales.
Halloween (1978)
In the small town of Haddonfield, escaped mental patient Michael Myers returns home and targets babysitter Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) on Halloween night. This was Jamie Lee Curtis’ breakout role. It’s a creepy classic that defines the holiday horror genre.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
After accidentally resurrecting three witch sisters on Halloween night in Salem, a group of kids led by Max (Omri Katz), must prevent them from becoming immortal. Bette Midler (Beaches), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City), and Kathy Najimy (Sister Act)Â star as the bewitching trio. This family-friendly feature is perfect for Halloween prep!
Trick ‘r Treat (2007)
Trick ‘r Treat (2007) is an anthology film that weaves together multiple Halloween night stories in a small town. The stories are all tied together by the mysterious character, Sam (Quinn Lord). It explores the rules and traditions of Halloween in darkly comedic ways.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
In The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Jack Skellington (Danny Elfman), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town stumbles upon Christmas Town. He’s shocked by the warm, tingly feeling the town brings him and attempts to bring Christmas to Halloween Town. This stop-motion animated film by Tim Burton (Frankenweenie) celebrates both Halloween and Christmas.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Set in October, Donnie Darko (2001) follows the titular character Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal). He meets a mysterious figure in a rabbit costume named Frank, leading to a series of eerie and supernatural events culminating on Halloween night.
Casper (1995)
A young girl, Kat (Christina Ricci), and her widower father (Bill Pullman) move into a haunted mansion. There, she befriends Casper (Malachi Pearson), the friendly ghost. Halloween serves as a pivotal backdrop to the film’s climax.
The Crow (1994)
On Devil’s Night, the night before Halloween, Eric Draven (Brandon Lee) is resurrected to avenge his and his fiancée’s murders. The dark, atmospheric mood of The Crow (1994) blends elements of romance, action, and horror.
Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)
The lovably goofy Ernest (Jim Varney) accidentally unleashes an ancient troll on Halloween in Ernest Scared Stupid (1991). He must then find a way to stop the creature from turning kids into wooden dolls.
Tales of Halloween (2015)
A horror anthology movie, this film offers ten stories set on Halloween night in a suburban town. Witches, ghosts, aliens, and other spooky entities intertwine in these short tales, providing a variety of scares and laughs. Tales of Halloween (2015) is the perfect way to prepare for the scary season ahead.
Halloweentown (1998)
In Halloweentown (1998), young Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown) discovers she comes from a family of witches. She sneaks off to Halloweentown with her grandmother Aggie (Debbie Reynolds). This otherworldly place is where supernatural beings live out their lives in peace, separate from the mortal world. However, Marnie soon learns of a looming threat in the town and must tap into her newfound powers to save both Halloweentown and her family. This film has fall vibes written all over it.
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