Movies are a must for holidays and getting festive. With Halloween right around the corner, here are eight movies to watch to get into the spooky mood.
“PSYCHO”
Rated: R
Release Date: September 8th, 1960
Psycho is about Marion Crane, a woman who stole money from her employer to run away with her boyfriend, and stops at a motel for the night. During this, she runs into the polite Norman Bates, who has a weird interest in taxidermy.
Psycho is THE classic of horror movies, never going out of fashion, and even being referenced by other horror movies.
“HOCUS POCUS”
Rated: PG
Release Date: July 16th, 1993
Hocus Pocus is a funny family movie that follows a teenage guy who has just moved to Salem. He explores an old house and awakens 3 witches who seek to become immortal by feeding on children’s souls. The kids now must steal the witch’s spell book to prevent that.
This movie is just a cute, spooky movie to watch with family.
“SCREAM”
Rated: R
Release Date: December 20th, 1996
Scream follows a teenage girl, Sidney Prescott, who, only a year after her mother’s murder, is in the center of a killing spree where they target people in her life. The killer, known as “Ghostface” keeps calling and harassing Sidney. Throughout the movie, people who you wouldn’t suspect are murdered, and a mystery is added to the story every second, making you wonder who the killer really is.
This movie is the perfect mix of horror and humor, with a great psychological twist.
“CORALINE”
Rated: PG
Release Date: February 6th, 2008
A Tim Burton classic where a little girl, Coraline, explores her house and finds a secret door. Upon entering, she discovers the door was a portal to an alternate dimension that closely mirrors her own, but in ways is better. This is until her ‘Other Mother’ and everyone else there try and keep her there forever. Then, she has to find her way back to her real home.
Coraline is a classic, cute, and somewhat scary but family-friendly movie.
“PRACTICAL MAGIC”
Rated: PG-13
Release Date: October 16th, 1998
Practical Magic is a movie where two sisters are born into a magical family, but they had avoided witchcraft all their lives. This is until one of the sisters’ husbands dies unexpectedly, which causes them to go into a crash course of hard witchcraft. But, when a policeman starts poking around, the girls struggle to resurrect him and instead an evil spirit who swears to end their whole bloodline in her husband’s place.
This movie is really good; it gives you chills and thrills the whole time, with a touch of romance and humor.
“GHOSTBUSTERS”
Rated: PG
Release Date: June 8th, 1984
Ghostbusters follows 3 guys who lose their positions at a university and decide to become ghostbusters. Eventually, hiring another, the business fighting the supernatural is booming. They stumble upon a gateway to another dimension and have to save New York City.
This movie is a cult classic and essential to watch around Halloween.
“NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS”
Rated: PG
Release Date: October 29th, 1993
Nightmare Before Christmas follows Jack Skellington, Halloweentown’s pumpkin king, as he becomes bored with the annual routine. Jack stumbles into Christmastown, discovering the bright and jolly colors and traditions, Jack plots to kidnap and become Santa Claus.
This movie is a cute holiday movie, to be enjoyed at either Halloween or Christmas, and has fun elements like romance and being a musical.
“BEETLEJUICE”
Rated: PG
Release Date: March 30th, 1988
Beetlejuice is about Barbra and Adam, who die in a car crash and haunt their old country home, unable to leave. And when the Deetzes buy the home, they attempt to scare them away without success. This attracts Beetlejuice, who quickly becomes a danger to them.
Another classic to watch, with a very unique plot.