As we celebrate Halloween in a global pandemic, events surrounding the annual holiday are going to look very different this year. As an alternative, here is a list of some of the best Halloween movies to get you through this spooky season…
Believe it or not, some of the best Halloween movies of all time aren’t all necessarily scary! You have some that are more family friendly, some classics and some that are too scary you may need a pillow glued to you throughout to hide behind.
Scream
Released in 1996, Scream follows the life of Sidney Prescott, a high school student in California who suddenly becomes the target of a mysterious killer. The murderer – AKA “Ghostface” – continues to murder people throughout the film, and Sidney begins to think all these murders are linked together, is it just left to work out who the murderer is…
Scream stars Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Drew Barrymore, Neve Campbell and many more. The 1996 hit is a comedic yet scary slasher movie that was popular with audiences at the time of release, and continues to be a hit with modern audiences, making it the perfect film for this Halloween.
Hocus Pocus
For Disney fans out there, the 1993 classic Hocus Pocus will prove popular this ghostly time of the year. The fantasy comedy horror sees three witches resurrected after 300 years (long time to hold a grudge) to commit revenge – after being executed for practicing dark witchcraft.
All is well until new boy in town Max begins to explore an abandoned house with his sister Dani and their friend Allison. Whilst there, he accidentally releases these three witches and all hell is let loose. With the help of a magical cat, the three must steal the witches spell book to stop them from entering the present day.
Based on the Roald Dahl classic The Witches, this film stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Salem Withces who sought out to haunt your dreams…
Hocus Pocus remains a favourite amongst all ages, therefore making it a classic.
Beetlejuice
Directed by Tim Burton and released in 1988, Beetlejuice follows a fatal car accident, seeing couple Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die. Being a Tim Burton film, the unusual is expected as Barbara and Adam come back to haunt their own country residence and are unable to leave it.
After their deaths, new family the Deetzes (Catherine O’Hara and Jeffrey Jones) and their daughter (Winona Ryder) move into their house and the couple set to haunt the house so the new family leave. Their efforts to try and drive the new family out attracts the attention of Beetlejuice whose “help” would make sure they leave the residence. However, the help of Beetlejuice leads to dangerous times ahead of the family…
Like the other additions on this list, Beetlejuice sees a star-studded cast including Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, Winona Ryder as young Lydia, Alec Baldwin as Adam and Geena Davis as Barbara.
The film also remains a classic – as a part of the Tim Burton collection – and is one that must be watched this Halloween weekend.
The Exorcist
The Exorcist is the oldest horror film on this list – after being released in 1973. Youngster Regan starts to display unusual behaviour after playing with a Ouija board. The 12-year old’s mother Chris – an actress – decides to take the matter into her own hands when her daughter becomes out of control. As a result, she decides to consult two priests and it is discovered Regan is possessed by demons…
If you are going to call yourself a true fan of the horror genre, then you must have seen The Exorcist. The Oscar winning supernatural horror is not for the faint hearted, but if you are looking for an unnerving horror this Halloween night, here it is…
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
For the musical lovers out there, the 1975 crazy classic – starring the likes of Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Meat Loaf – sees newly engaged couple Brad and Janet decide to go thank the man who initiated their relationship, Dr Scott.
One night they become stranded on a stormy night and are left deserted at a near by castle belonging to the strange and unusual Frank-N-Furter – the crazy transvestite. All is normal for the pair until they step upon the castle…
The Rocky Horror Picture Show remains a cult classic with a great soundtrack – including the infamous “Time Warp”. If you are looking for a sing along this Halloween, this film is the one for you!
Although Halloween will not be the same this year, this list of films still provides you with some great entertainment to get you through the spookiest night of the year!
By Katie Green
Feature image: History.com