“Bonfires burning bright
Pumpkin faces in the night
I remember Halloween”
The Misfits “Halloween” (Legacy of Brutality, 1985)
Hello everyone, I’m currently in the beginning of my fall break and getting ready for a whole week of absolutely nothing. But since we are in October we are now in my absolute favorite time of the year, FALL! That means cooler weather, delicious eats, and HALLOWEEEN!
Now even though I’m not going to get to do a lot of what I love to do this month, (travel, the AZ State Fair, etc.) I am going to share with you some of my favorite Halloween Spooky Time things to watch. Something that I should add: not all of these are traditional horror movies. Horror is a genre I came to late in life, and it’s just really not my bag. I tend to like suspense and high creep factor, which I feel some of these have in spades. So pop some popcorn, grab a cup of apple cider, and ENJOY!
Hocus Pocus, 1993
What can I say about this film that hasn’t been said already. It’s charming and funny, and just so much fun to watch almost 30 years later. Basically, three kids have to save their town from the Sanderson sisters, who need to take the souls of children to stay young forever. It’s perfect, a classic, and just SO MUCH FUN. I like to watch this after my house has been fully decorated, and with appropriate snacks.
SEE IT: Disney+, VUDU, iTunes
The Devil’s Backbone, 2001
I freaking love Guillermo del Toro, I feel like he just has such a mastery and a wonderful eye when it comes to creating visually beautiful shots. And this ghost story set during the Spanish Civil War is so creepy and beautiful all at once. It is not a traditional horror movie, but it still has some great jump scares and really creepy imagery that will stay with you. If you like GdT, or if you just haven’t had a chance to delve into his Spanish language films, I cannot highly recommend this one enough, October would be the perfect time to watch it.
BONUS: If you love creatures, give Shape of Water a look.
SEE IT: VUDU, Amazon Prime, Youtube
Pan’s Labyrinth, 2006
Another gem from Guillermo del Toro, he actually considers this to be a spiritual sequel to The Devil’s Backbone, so I will usually turn these two into a double-feature. This gothic fairy-tale is absolutely beautiful and heartbreaking with incredible imagery amidst the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. It is in the same breath beautiful and frankly graphic, and is I think one of his finest films. This one stayed with me for days afterward, and is one I do love to watch late at night.
BONUS: Check out Mimic if you want even more creepy creatures.
SEE IT: Netflix, VUDU, Amazon Prime
The Adventures of Ichabod & Mr. Toad, 1949
Okay, so this is an absolute staple of my childhood. And fun fact: when I worked at a video store, I used to play this during EVERY single shift I had during the month of October. Ichabod Crane is in the second half of this feature, and features the dulcet voice of Bing Crosby narrating the story of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. It’s just so much fun and the next best thing to actually spending Halloween in Sleepy Hollow, NY.
BONUS: Don’t skip Mr. Toad, it’s narrated by Basil Rathbone and is just cute. Plus, it makes me think of Disneyland.
SEE IT: Disney+. VUDU, Amazon
Sleepy Hollow, 1999
Again, I almost always watch this after the Disney version, and I freaking love this movie. It is one of my favorite Tim Burton movies, and it’s just so freaking CREEPY. For me, I just love the visuals in this movie, which i feel Burton always nails the visual look of a movie even if everything else in the movie is trash. This though, is far from trash. It has some really graphic haunting imagery (Christopher Walken going full Horseman, HORRIFYING) and it’s just wonderful. I truly love this one, and it’s definitely perfect for a late night watch.
SEE IT: Netflix, Hulu, VUDU, Amazon Prime
The Dark Crystal, 1982
This is a classic of my childhood, and one that I still love even after all these years. The Jim Henson Company’s puppetry and animatronics are simply astounding, because this is a live-action movie with no visible humans on screen. I absolutely LOVE the character designs in this movie, and while it is aimed at children, younger kids may get the bejesus scared out of them.
BONUS: The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a prequel to the movie and just won an Emmy….and was cancelled by Netflix (BOO). It was absolutely outstanding.
SEE IT: Netflix, VUDU, Amazon Prime
Labyrinth, 1986
Part of another double-feature, this is the perfect follow-up to The Dark Crystal. Another piece of my childhood, it has great special effects & puppetry which hold up extremely well, an amazing soundtrack, and it is also the movie that introduced tiny Lainey to David Bowie. This one is again aimed at families, but it too might be a bit much for young ones. However, it’s just a wonderful fantasy tale of a girl trying to get her baby brother back after asking the Goblins to take him away. And as the older sister to a younger brother, I can totally relate. Love it.
SEE IT: Amazon Prime, VUDU
The Sixth Sense, 1999
One of the things I’ve noticed with horror movies, is that they don’t necessarily have a great re-watch factor. With comedy the jokes aren’t as funny the tenth time you’ve heard them, and with horror you already know the big twists and ending. This is one I feel is still creepy after many rewatches, with non-stop suspense and jumps that still make my heart skip a beat. We know all the pop-culture references, we know all the lines, but you should still give this a go if you haven’t seen it in awhile….late at night….with all the lights off.
SEE IT: Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
The Shining, 1980
This is my brother’s favorite Kubrick movie, and it’s a classic for a reason. This is another movie that made it into the pop-culture lexicon, but even after all these years it is still creepy and shocking and wonderful. Even though it creeps me the fuck out, I have to watch it late at night in the dark, and follow it up with the Simpsons “The Shinning” (more Simpsons later).
BONUS: If disturbing is your Halloween wheel-house, than I recommend A Clockwork Orange. You will never hear “Singing in the Rain” the same way again.
SEE IT: Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
Coraline, 2009
From the director of “The Nightmare Before Christmas“, this stop-motion film based on the book by Neil Gaiman is both charming and creepy in equal parts. I absolutely love the look of this film and the character design, not to mention the style of the animation. The design of the Other-Mother and the button eyes will make you want to be extra nice to your own Mom. This is yet another late at night in the dark movie that makes October so much better. Also, this one might be intense for really little ones, but should be good for the whole family.
SEE IT: Hulu, Starz, Amazon Prime
The Nightmare Before Christmas, 1993
This is usually first in a double-feature with Coraline, and its just so freaking good. Great animation, even better music. The amount of detail that went into creating all the citizens of Halloween Town is just mind-blowing. Speaking of the music, the whole score is in a minor key UNTIL the ending when Jack and Sally are on top of the hill. The movie ends on a perfect major chord. So yeah, perfect for all ages and just think; you can watch it again in December too. Also, the overlay of the Haunted Mansion into Halloween Town at Disneyland is SPECTACULAR.
SEE IT: Disney+, Amazon, iTunes, VUDU
Beetlejuice, 1988
I love this movie so much I could just die. I love a good horror comedy and this one absolutely doesn’t disappoint. This one is a staple from my childhood, I mean I watched the cartoon as a kid, I even cosplayed as Lydia at Phoenix Comicon! I simply love the look of this movie. It’s pure Tim Burton with contrasting dark and bright visual. Also, I love the special effects and costuming as well. This movie is a regular in my all time rotation, but I love busting it out for October. It’s just perfect. It’s oh so quotable which I feel makes it especially perfect for parties or even family night if you have slightly older kiddos.
SEE IT: Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
Coco, 2017
There are no words to describe how hard I ugly cried at the end of this movie. But I feel at this point that’s to be expected from Pixar at this point. This is equal parts funny and touching, and will really just make you want to spend time with your family once it’s over. The animation is spectacular, I mean the amount of detail in this film is just astounding. There’s a scene where an office worker has pan dulce (sweet bread) on a plate and it looks freaking REAL. This is the perfect movie for a family movie night,
SEE IT: Disney+, Amazon Prime, VUDU
Children of the Corn, 1984
Fun story: The first time I saw this movie I had just had all my wisdom teeth taken out and I was high as FUCK on pain meds. It’s not gory scary, but Isaac is creepy as hell as the leader of a town full of evil children and the whole movie is just really unsettling. Also, this movie makes for really effective birth control. This is one that is somewhat dated, but still absolutely worth a look.
BONUS: South Park does a GREAT parody of this movie in the episode “The Wacky Molestation Adventure”.
SEE IT: Hulu, Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
Shaun of the Dead, 2004
Zombies and British humor, it’s the perfect combo. If you want a dry-humor horror comedy than this is the one for you. It follows Shaun, who just wants to go to the Winchester, have a pint, and wait for this whole thing to blow over. It’s just so quotable and contains the most perfect use of Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” ever captured on cinema. An absolute perfect start to the Cornello Trilogy.
BONUS: You could totally watch “Hot Fuzz” after. While not horror, it is a smashing good murder mystery/action flick.
SEE IT: Hulu, Amazon Prime, iTunes, VUDU
Rosemary’s Baby, 1968
I saw this on Netflix a few years ago, and I found it so uncomfortably creepy that I slept with the lights on. It was just disturbing to me on so many levels, from the creepy imagery to the gaslighting of Rosemary by everyone around her. This would be a great one for late at night, or as birth control because y’all I felt my ovaries SHRIVEL after I watched this. Either way, it’s a classic and worth a watch.
BONUS: If you don’t want to give this a watch because Roman Polanski is a piece of shit, check out The Stepford Wives.
SEE IT: Hulu, Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
IT, 2017
My freaking brother made me watch this, and holy CHRIST it was scary. I hate clowns, but despite that I used to LOVE watching the miniseries of this in the 90’s, (with Tim Curry playing Pennywise) whenever the local station played it on random Sundays. This is truly scary, with jump scares that will make your heart drop into your butt. Also, the casting of the kids is SPOT.ON. I really need to watch Chapter Two this month.
BONUS: Rewatch the 1990 miniseries, some of it doesn’t hold up but Tim Curry steals the show as Pennywise.
SEE IT: Hulu, Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
Clue, 1985
I didn’t discover this comedy gem until college, but it quickly found its way into my all the time rotation. The cast is absolutely perfect from top to bottom, but for me I LOVE Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn the most. It’s not scary, but I feel a lovely murder mystery is absolutely spot on for the Halloween season. I also feel like if you want a great party movie, this one is so quotable and hilarious that it would be great for a get together with friends. It would also be good for a family movie night. Give this one a watch if you’ve never seen it, you won’t be disappointed.
SEE IT: Pluto TV, Amazon Prime, iTunes, VUDU
Young Frankenstein, 1974
Similar to horror movies, I find comedies sometimes difficult to rewatch. The same joke after awhile just won’t make you chuckle the same way anymore. This movie though, I still giggle hysterically every time I see the “Putting on the Ritz” scene. It is non-stop deadpan humor from start to finish and is quite possibly my favorite Mel Brooks movie PERIOD and probably one of the most quotable of his movies too. I just love it so freaking much. FUN FACT: Most of the equipment in Frankenstein’s Lab is from the original 1931 Universal Frankenstein movie. Gotta love that attention to detail! Also, this would be PERFECT for your Halloween movie night with friends or family.
SEE IT: Hulu, Starz, Amazon Prime
The Rocky Horror Picture Show, 1975
There are no words for how much I love this movie. I’ve seen shadowcasts perform it, I’ve been to sing-a-longs of it, it is just the bees knees. Fun story; at Phoenix Comicon a few years ago they had the cast (minus Tim). Waiting for the elevator at the Sheraton, the doors opened to reveal none other than Barry Bostwick. We made eye contact, and I waved. He gave me a head nod. I digress, but if you like weird as hell musicals about aliens and rock and roll, then you should absolutely give this a watch.
BONUS: If you love the music, check out “The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show” a cover album.
SEE IT: Amazon Prime, iTunes, VUDU
Repo! The Genetic Opera, 2008
Speaking of weird-ass musicals, I discovered this one back when I worked at the video store. The premise, there is an epidemic of human organ failures, and GeneCo will give you money to replace said failed organs, but if you can’t make the payments then they take back the organs and it is just as bloody and gory as you think it will be. This one is high on the gross factor, but the songs are catchy and it’s just great gory fun. Also, you get to see Paris Hilton’s face fall off. Everybody wins! Also, I feel like if you have a group with a quirky taste in movies, this might be an interesting choice for movie night.
SEE IT: Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, 2007
Finishing up this trio of creepy musicals, this is probably the darkest one on the list. It’s a story about revenge, murder, and cooking people into pies. This movie is graphic, and don’t be fooled by the musical moniker, this is NOT meant for the whole family. I love how this is stylized, and it’s a wonderful adaptation of the musical by the same name from Stephen Sondheim. The cast handles the music well, and Johnny Depp & Helena Bonham Carter play against each other so well in this one. The imagery is graphic, the violence is pretty brutal, but this one is such pure fun set to an amazing score & soundtrack.
SEE IT: Pluto TV, Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
The Omen, 1976
When it comes to horror movies, you can give me scary creatures, tons of blood and gore, and I will barely bat an eye. You focus your horror around religion, and I’m fucking DONE. This movie is just so creepy, and just proof that if you take a baby from a church and convince your wife that it’s your baby and that your real baby didn’t die during birth, you deserve all the bad shit that happens to you sir. There is a remake from 2006, but if you’re going to sit with this one you should really stick with the original.
BONUS: Again, check out the South Park episode “Damien”.
SEE IT: Hulu, Starz, Cinemax, VUDU
Spritied Away, 2001
If you have never seen a Hayao Miyazaki movie before, first off, what are you even doing with your life? Second, you have been depriving yourself of not only breathtaking animation, but really complex beautiful storytelling. Chihiro and her parents are driving to their new home when they find an abandoned amusement park. This movie is fantasy in every sense of the word and an incredible work of art. While it might be a tad scary for really young kids, this would be a great pick for the whole family.
BONUS: If you want a slightly darker Miyazaki movie, I suggest Princess Mononoke, it’s has more graphic violence but the same incredible animation.
SEE IT: HBO Max, VUDU, Amazon Prime
The Corpse Bride, 2005
This movie is perfect for the whole family and would be a great companion piece to The Nightmare Before Christmas and Coraline. I love the character design and coloring of the film, and the voice casting is spot on. Also, the attention to detail is insane. I love the Danny Elfman score, particularly the piano solo that Victor plays throughout the movie. It’s just a wonderful film, equal parts spooky and funny, with an ending that always puts a smile on my face. Pass the popcorn, this should absolutely be on your Halloween playlist.
BONUS: Not enough Tim Burton on this list? Watch Frankenweenie.
SEE IT: Hulu, Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, 1990-Present
I saved the best for last, kids. The Treehouse of Horror episodes are the episodes I look forward to every year. I love sitting and watching to see what they are going to parody or satire. Last year for Halloween I showed my students “The Raven” from Episode 1, and they really enjoyed it. I’m kind of sad we’re in distance learning because I totally would have shown them another one this yea. I will definitely be marathoning these over the month.
BONUS: I highly recommend Treehouse of Horror III, IV, & V. Although to be honest the first 10 are some of the best episodes of the entire run of the show, period.
SEE IT: Disney+, Amazon Prime, VUDU, iTunes
Alright kids, it’s taken almost 4 hours to write this and I am pooped. I hope you enjoyed this list of stuff I love unabashedly during spooky season. What are your faves? Next week I’ll dive into spooky tunes, and then a throwback playlist before posting my October 2020 playlist. So stay safe out there kids, and Happy October!
Mixtape-Postcards 
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