I always have a list of films to watch throughout October, but before I know it, Halloween comes around, and I’ve seen only two or three of them. With school and work keeping me busy, a movie night seems easy to set up, but it never makes it onto my schedule. It’s a simple way to enjoy the season when you don’t have the time or money for a full autumn activity. Here are six movies that encompass everything you could want!
“Halloweentown” is definitely one of those movies I would instantly recall when someone mentioned Halloween. This movie is about Marnie and her family who find out that their grandma lives in Halloweentown with witches, vampires, and all kinds of monsters. If you grew up watching this movie, a rewatch is the perfect way to feel the spooky vibes. It’s worth rewatching because of the world it creates. The town square, the giant pumpkin, and the outfits make it feel like a place you could actually visit. It is an easy choice if you want a light, relaxed night watching something seasonal without being too scared.
“Hocus Pocus” keeps showing up on everyone’s October lists. The Sanderson sisters are fun enough to make the movie worth a repeat view every year, and the sibling arguments are among the movie’s highlights. If you’re a fan, you probably could recount the entire plot from memory, but it won’t stop you from laughing at how they handle the situation around them. This is the type of movie I would watch on a Friday night along with takeout and some friends. The movie is familiar, easily accessible, and the kind of movie people usually have opinions about. Some have a favorite sister, some remember watching it at a Halloween party, and some have never seen it. For the latter, you now get a chance to know what others are raving about.
“The Nightmare Before Christmas” is an October film in my book, but I might reclassify it as a December film when it is more convenient for me. Jack Skellington learns about Christmas and wants to introduce it to Halloween Town, which means it has value in both seasons. It’s worth watching because of the personality put into the animation. It looks like the people who made the backgrounds for this film invested a lot of time in making it weird. Along with the iconic music, it makes for a great watch when you have a couple of hours to spend.
“Coraline,” a personal favorite, is an aesthetically pleasing and disturbing movie that won’t let you look away. The new world Coraline discovers is fascinating at first, and it’s fun to watch that fascination gradually turn into horror. The stop-motion animation is what makes it so special. This movie is a guaranteed rewatch for me every Halloween. With every rewatch, I notice details I missed before, or aspects of the movie that seemed insignificant to me at the time. It is definitely one of those movies you should watch in a darkened room, with some snacks.
A good film for your watch list when you need slightly chaotic entertainment is “Beetlejuice.” The movie is unusual in its characters, costumes, and locations, and it definitely stands out among other films. This one is perfect to watch with friends who like to react to what’s on screen and talk through it before continuing.
You don’t have to go through the whole list to have a festive October. Just pick the ones you’d like to see and make plans before Halloween arrives. I’d pick one I already love, and then pick something new for the next week. The most important part is finding that time for yourself during a busy week.
