I admit it. I’m one of those people that start planning for Halloween in August. The minute it’s September I’m getting out my decorations. Despite my excitement for pumpkins, colorful leaves and crisp fall weather, nothing holds a candle to my love of the scary and creepy during this time. In fact, I cannot wait to snuggle in and watch my favorite movies during the Halloween season. Without further adieu, here is my list of frightfully excellent movies to watch during this spooky, eerie, spine-chilling season!
Family Friendly
Trick-or-Treating. School Parties. Amazing Costumes. Oh to be a kid again! For this reason, my love of the season began early for me, so we’ll start out with some family friendly favorites of mine that I still watch today! Although this is not an all inclusive list by any means, since I could go on for days, I wrote down my top favorites I never miss. Besides, I never get tired watching them, no matter how old I get!
- Halloweentown (1998)
- It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
- Monster House (2006)
- Haunted Mansion (2003)
- The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (1949)
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
Spooky with Humor
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Horror movies are always at the top of my list of movies to watch; be that as it may, combining horror and comedy together in a movie? Oh my gosh! Can you say creative genius?! In fact, I cannot think of a better combination of two totally different genres that mesh so perfectly well with one another. Okay, I take that back. In addition to horror / comedy, horror / romance is a close second. There are few on this list that are all three! Furthermore, the following movies are so fun to watch that they are still memorable decades later.
- Shaun of the Dead (2004) *LOVE this movie!!!
- Ghostbusters (1984)
- Army of Darkness (1992)
- Sleepy Hollow (1999)
- Zombieland (2009)
- Beetlejuice (1988)
- Warm Bodies (2013)
Slasher Films
Confession time. Although I love the creepy, scary and downright terrifying, I am not a huge fan of slasher films. Blood, guts and gore are not my thing. With that said, however, I still have my list of favorite slasher movies that bring back memories of being a teen, giggling and screaming with my friends. Despite some of them being a bit on the cheesy side now, they were gloriously fun to watch and still are.
- Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Friday the 13th (1980)
- Halloween (1978) *All time favorite Halloween movie
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
- Scream (1996) *This one has humor also…but I decided to stick it here.
- Psycho (1960)
Downright Scary
I’m a complete and total horror fan, yet I’m also the person who watches scary movies through my fingers, or peeping from behind a pillow that I have in a death grip on. Why I love to torture myself in this manner is beyond me, however, I am the first to want to watch a horror movie. I tend to watch the more funny, or family oriented movies when I don’t want to give myself a heart attack before bedtime. Just the same, I have my list of horror movies that are too good and too scary not to watch over and over again. In particular, these movies never lose their eeriness, and continue to be terrifyingly scary classics.
- The Exorcist (1973)
- The Grudge (2004)
- The Ring (2003)
- The Shining (1980)
- Evil Dead (1981)
- The Descent (2005)
Zombies and Vampires
Being the nerd I am, I left what I think is the best for last. Being the ridiculously romantic that I am, vampires were always my go to spooky monster. In addition, Salem’s Lot by Stephen King was the reason I’m into horror in the first place. (By the way, he is my all time favorite author!)
Then along came my introduction to Zombies. I was behind the times, but began my obsession with them thanks to my sons. Yes, I am a Walking Dead fan too! Nothing is more panic inducing than a bunch of dead people who will either eat you or infect you! YIKES! Actually, this list is a fraction of the movies I love, but they are my top ones.
- Night of the Living Dead (1968)
- Dawn of the Dead (2004)
- 28 Days Later (2002)
- World War Z (2013)
- Fright Night (1985)
- Braum Stoker’s Dracula (2004)
- Lost Boys (1987)
- Van Helsing (2004)
Without doubt, grab a friend or loved one, pop some popcorn, and get your spooky on! I hope you check out some of these movies, and if you have a favorite not listed here, share it in the comments! In addition, if you have a favorite the was listed here, tell me why you love it! Also, have a safe and Happy Halloween!
