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“Halloweentown”
“Halloweentown” is my absolute favorite movie to watch during fall. It is an iconic Disney original; the main characters include three siblings whose mother does not allow them to celebrate Halloween. When their Grandma Aggie comes to visit on Halloween night, they secretly run away with her and discover she is a real witch from a place called Halloweentown. This movie really makes an impression because even its side characters are memorable. My favorite character is Benny, a humorous skeleton cabdriver. Watching this film would make a great movie night, as it has three sequels that are just as engaging.
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“Halloween”
“Halloween” is a classic movie for this season, especially since it’s named after the holiday. Michael Myers is one of the most famous horror movie killers. After being institutionalized for 15 years for murdering his older sister, Myers breaks out of the institution to return to his hometown on Halloween night. Between the gory murders and the infamous mask, this movie gives the perfect thrill just in time for Halloween. With several movies in the “Halloween” franchise, a movie night could be made out of these films as well. The newest edition to the franchise, “Halloween Ends,” comes out Oct. 14.
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“Monster House”
“Monster House” is a great option for an animated Halloween movie. It offers humor, thrilling scenes and even some sentimental moments. The movie follows three 13-year-olds who try to expose the house across the street as a living monster. None of the adults in their lives believe them, so they have to take matters into their own hands before the house consumes innocent trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. The back story behind the living house and its owner is a heart wrenching twist that humanizes the house. The suspense of whether the characters will defeat the house or be consumed by the house builds throughout the film.
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“Hocus Pocus”
“Hocus Pocus” is a perfect movie to watch for Halloween, especially this year because Disney+ recently released its sequel. This movie features a family moving to Salem, Massachusetts. When the eldest son explores an abandoned house, he accidentally releases three witches, the Sanderson sisters, who are on the hunt for immortality. Most importantly, the movie features a talking black cat, which is essential to most witch movies. The movie being set in Salem adds to the spooky feeling, as the town is infamously known for its witch trials. There are also humorous scenes, especially with the dynamic between the sister witches.
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“The Nightmare Before Christmas”
This animated film technically works for both Halloween and Christmas. That being said, it has become a cult classic for Halloween lovers. Jack Skellington, the pumpkin king of Hallween Town, stumbles across Christmas Town and decides he is bored of Halloween and wants to give Christmas a try. With allusions to various holiday figures, this movie is a creative blend between the contrasting holidays and there is never a dull moment. The impressive stop-motion animation draws the audience in, and the theme song “This is Halloween” will definitely be stuck in your head after watching this.