So for the final, FINAL, part of our Halloween event, I wanted to take the time to talk about some of my favorite "Halloween" movies! Now I'll admit I haven't actually seen a lot, and many of them are ones I've watched more recently (as in the last handful of years). Even so, these are movies I really enjoy, and would recommend to just about anyone.
Also for this list I am only going to list one movie within a series, as some of these do have multiple titles, and they are not necessarily in order. I did put my favorites towards the end of the list, but the others get a bit hazy on where I'd actually place them.
10. I know what you did Last Summer
The first movie on my list isn't the best movie in the world, but I enjoy it. I know what you did Last Summer is a simple story of some teenagers being stupid at night, and accidentally hitting someone with their car. They dispose of the body and attempt to go on with their everyday life, but it doesn't take long for them to realize their secret has been exposed. Someone begins following them and attempts to pick them off one by one, as they also leave notes stating "I know what you did last summer."
I originally read the book back during high school, and the movie version is actually quite a bit different. While the novel was more of a mystery that focused on uncovering the identity of this mysterious person who "knows," the movie instead changes them into a horror movie style killer. It still works, and still has the same basic story, but I think a part of me still prefers the original book. That being said, I enjoy the movie as well, and did like the sequels. (The first one is the best though.)
9. A Nightmare on Elm Street
A Nightmare on Elm Street is NOT scary to me at all. Instead I find myself cheering on the killer and find the over the top deaths funny. Does that make me a bad person?
My friend BeamBrain used to talk about this movie all the time in school, and would also laugh about some of the crazy scenes. For anyone who hasn't seen it, Freddy Krueger is an evil man who harmed kids, but after he's killed he comes back to haunt people's dreams. Anyone he kills in a dream gets physically harmed in the real world, and that makes for some really ridiculous moments. It doesn't help that he gets some pretty cool music as he's chasing down his target! Overall it's a fun slasher flick, with some obvious jump scares near the end.
8. The Shining
The Shining is a classic, with a movie that is different from the book. While I have not read the book myself (yet), the story is interesting and full on crazy at times. It follows a man who is going through a psychotic break, and his family as they attempt to eventually escape him. Are there some jump scares? Sure. Is there a really disturbing scene in a specific hotel room? Yep. Was it scary?? Not for me. Instead, the movie was a fun watch from start to finish, with me constantly wondering what will happen next. Not reading the book meant I missed out on some context (which I later looked up), but I can see why people consider it a classic.
7. Friday the 13th
Speaking of classics. Friday the 13th is one nearly everyone has heard of. I haven't watched the entire series, but the first one is really unique.
Now days everyone knows of "horror movie killer Jason," but Friday the 13th isn't what you expect. It is a story of a group attempting to reestablish a youth camp after it had been closed due to murders. The movie then follows each member of the group as they get picked off one by one as well, and ultimately focuses on the mystery of who is doing it.
By today's standards, the death scenes really aren't anything crazy. Anyone who has played an M rated video game, has most likely seen AND done worse. (Especially if you played the Friday the 13th game.) That doesn't ruin the mystery of it all though, and knowing about Jason doesn't change a thing either. There's a reason people like the original, and I'm right there with them. It is a "fun" story of death, set within a closed circle, and a whodunit plot. What more can you ask for?
6. The Village
The Village is something that is hard to talk about without spoiling it. I first watched it in school in English class, and it has been one of my favorites ever since.
Set within the 19th century, it follows the story of a village located in the middle of the woods. Our main character is a blind girl named Ivy, who is eventually tasked with entering the very same woods. The thing is, the village isn't actually safe, and horrifying creatures exist beyond the town's limit.
It is a very unique movie by M. Night Shyamalan, with his signature style of storytelling being a major driving force. With that being said... That's all I can really say! It is a movie I really like, and I don't want to ruin it for anyone.
5. Vacancy
Never heard of it? Not surprising!
Vacancy is a movie my parents and I stumbled upon randomly one night, and watched it for "family movie night." (It's not a family movie, but it's fine!) It follows the story of a young couple who's car breaks down, and they are left with no choice but to stay at a nearby motel. Their car won't be fixed until morning, so they settle in for the night, and try to make the most of their situation.
Then things change.
The room they are staying in has a VCR and some movies to be watched. It's not much, but it is their only form of entertainment so they pop one in. Right away they realize the movie is a horror flick however, so they stop it. But then they realize something. The bed, the furniture, and everything about the room seems familiar. That's because it is the same room they're staying in right that very moment.
From there the story evolves into that of a horror survival, and, yet again, a closed circle. Our two main characters must survive the night and escape, but that's easier said than done. While it may not be the most "original" idea, it's an entertaining movie, and one me and my parents really enjoyed.
4. The Sixth Sense
A movie I have heard of for a good chunk of my life was The Sixth Sense. I knew it was about a kid, played by Haley Joel Osment, who could see ghosts, but that's really all I was told. I remember my family telling me how scary it was, especially the scene with some lady who turns around, and that's actually what kept me from watching it. Well after many MANY years of avoiding it I eventually sat down and watched it... And it was amazing.
To say it's a movie about a kid who sees dead people isn't exactly the whole story. It's actually about a man who's job it is it help said kid, and the other experiences encountered along the way. It is an interesting story, and despite being spoiled on one of the plot twists years ago, is still a really good and surprising movie. Those who watch it a second time will realize more things than the first, and the whole thing is really well thought out. Again, it isn't scary per say, but there are a few jump scares, and the subject matter itself is on the creepy side. The scariest moment for me was actually a residual haunting, where a boy asks our main character a question. I don't want to ruin it, but it surprised me!
That being said, I really love the movie, and recommend it to everyone who hasn't watched it.
3. Halloween Town II: Kalabar's Revenge
I'll admit, I knew NOTHING about Halloween Town until I met my wife. I didn't know it existed, as I never had Disney Channel, and the name itself doesn't necessarily tell me anything about it. It is a town that likes Halloween? Nope, not at all. (Well, not really at least.)
The original Halloween Town was actually one of the first movies me and my wife watched together. We paused it because my grandma called because she hit her head (thankfully she was fine), but when we got back to my house we continued watching it. To put it simply, it's about a young girl named Marnie who learns of another world filled with "monsters" from her grandmother. She and her family come from a long line of witches, and despite her mom's protest, she enters the world of Halloween Town along with her little sister, and non-believing brother.
Although the original movie is a good movie on its own, I like Halloween Town II: Kalabar's Revenge a lot more. The characters are slightly older now, the universe has been established, and the story is able to go in a different direction thanks to all of this. This time around Marnie accidently puts Halloween Town in danger, and must reenter the world along side her grandmother to set things right. It is a fun follow up to the original, with Halloween Town 3 also being a pretty solid entry. (It's just I think Halloween Town 2 beats it out for me by just a little.)
Fun Fact: My wife owns a print of the above picture signed by Kimberly J. Brown, aka, Marnie herself!
2. Casper
A childhood favorite, and also the first movie I've ever seen at a drive in theater. The original live action Casper movie is a classic, and I love it. Casper himself is a great character (little kid me wished I could fly and pass through walls), and the overall story of the main character Kat and her dad James discovering real ghosts is a fun one. While one might think the story would focus on Casper himself more than anything, the reality is that this movie has multiple plot lines going on, and they all get tied together pretty nicely in the end. From who Casper is, to who his uncles are, and the personal story of Kat and her father; it has a lot going for it, without ever getting convoluted.
I actually like this movie better than the original cartoon series, but it sparked my love for the character in general. Follow up CGI movies were fun as well, but nothing will ever beat this one for me.
1. Hocus Pocus
Yet another one I owe to my wife! I had heard of Hocus Pocus before, but I didn't know what it was. I remember seeing some clips of it on TV from time to time, but it was always in the middle of the movie and I had no idea what was going on! So when I first met my wife, she invited me to go see Hocus Pocus with her at the drive in theater (the very same one where I had seen Casper as a kid). It was (and still is) one of her favorite movies, and it was one of the many she couldn't believe I hadn't seen. (Along with many others...) And well, what can I say? My favorite part of the movie was when the announcer guy spent way too long speaking over the movie to let us know the snack bar was closing.
Okay, that's not actually my favorite.
Hocus Pocus is a really fun movie, and not what I expected. It starts in the past where a young girl named Emily is kidnapped by a coven of witches known as the Sanderson Sisters, and is sacrificed so that they can make themselves younger again. They enchant their victims with their siren song, and that is how Emily too met her end. Of course her brother Thackery attempts to save her, but is instead cursed and turned into a cat. Eventually the towns people show up to kill the sisters, but they cast a spell and promise they will return.
Then came the 90s.
In the "modern" day, non-believer Max and his little sister Dani move to Salem, and Max has a rough time adjusting to his new life. He gets picked on, no one likes him, and he simply wants to go home. However after encountering a girl from his class named Allison on Halloween, the three go to the Sanderson Sister's old home which is now a closed down museum. Of course Max says "it's all just a bunch of hocus pocus," and lights the black flame candle, which is said to resummon the sisters if lit by a virgin.
Well, guess what? The legend was true, the sisters return, and the fate of Salem is now in the hands of Max, Dani, and Allison.
What makes this movie so fun is that we actually have two different stories going on here. Max, Dani, and Allison are the ones trying to stop the witches from hurting everyone, but who is going to believe them? Like really? They lit a candle and it turns out the legend is true? It's a struggle on their part, but thankfully they have the help of Thackery Binx (who is still a cat all these years later) who is able to guide them in their fight against the sisters. On the other hand, the sisters themselves know nothing of the modern world, and that is where their story evolves into a more "fish out of water" situation. It's funny, and there are some really creative moments showing how a witch might act today (or in the 90s). The movie takes place on Halloween, so seeing their reaction to costumes is pretty funny as well. Thanks to the "snack bar announcer guy," I initially missed out on one of the key moments in the film, but rewatching it later on made everything much more clear to me.
Overall, Hocus Pocus is a really fun film, that is also surprising to watch for the first time. Is it cheesy at times? Sure, it's the 90s. Does that make it even better though? I think so! This is the type of movie and story I love, and although it may not fully be appropriate for kids, it's still a great family movie. I recommend it for sure, and there is a reason it is at the top of my list.
Bonus: Coco
Now I couldn't just end the list without bringing up one last movie. This one isn't exactly a "Halloween" movie, but rather "The day of the Dead." It's a great movie, and sadly it got overlooked by many... Hopefully this helps spread the word, and maybe will convince at least one more person to try it? Just a warning though, it hits HARD.
Coco is about a young boy named Miguel who doesn't fully understand the importance of the Day of the Dead. Each year families remember their loved ones who have passed on, and for a single night those very same loved ones are allowed to return to be with said families. Of course those in the world of the living cannot see them, but it's comforting knowing that they are there.
The story begins with us learning about Miguel's great grandmother Coco, who's father abandoned as a kid. He's left off of the memorial of course, and Coco herself is beginning to forget him as well due to dementia. Shortly after Miguel learns of his family's connection to the great singer Ernesto De La Cruz (whom he looks up to), and realizes that De La Cruz is the great grandfather who ran away. After finding De La Cruz's guitar, Miguel is pulled into the Land of the Dead, and his adventure in the after life begins. Of course being from the Land of the Living he can't stay there, but he wants to meet his hero before returning. This is when he meets Hector, a nobody spirit who wants to return to see his family, who agrees to help Miguel if he helps him in return.
With all of this being said, I cannot spoil the movie. Ultimately it is about Miguel finally coming to appreciate his family for who they are, but there's so much more going on that tells a greater overarching story. It is wonderfully crafted, the Land of the Dead looks amazing, and the movie is filled with great music. Again, it is one that got overlooked by many, but is one that is very much worth watching. I can easily say it is one of my all time favorites from Disney, and I too was one of those people who didn't give it a second look. Like with Hocus Pocus and Halloween Town, I owe this one to my wife, and I'm so happy she introduced me to it... And that song that I'll never forget. (Okay, two songs I'll never forget!)
The End of Trick or Treat 2024:
And with that we are done people! Trick or Treat 2024 is over! I hope you enjoyed our articles during this year's spooky season! And we hope to see you again next year!
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