It’s that time of year again. A time for pumpkin spice, autumn leaves, cosy nights in and, most importantly, Halloween. Ghosts, psycho killers and clown costumes galore — that’s right, folks, it’s spooky season once more! And what better way to set the mood than a scary movie marathon? But if you’re totally lost for inspiration, fear not — here is a top ten list to help you get into the October festivities.

Two Jack O’lantern Lamps. Image by Toni Cuenca on Pexels.

10. Scream

Start with the classics, right? It doesn’t exactly set your pulse racing with fright; but there’s something about Courteney Cox and parody psycho killers that just screams ‘Halloween vibes’. Although I must admit, some are considerably more ‘ropey’ than others — so maybe skip Scream 2 and 3 on your next watch!

9. IT

Call me Charli XCX, because I love IT! Stephen King’s daring ‘Dilogy’ of clownish horror movies have become an instant must-watch for every spooky season. Although, I just confess, I find the concept of Pennywise the dancing clown more funny than frightening (or maybe that’s just me?). But, all things considered, isn’t facetious murder and tongue-in-cheek jump scares half of what Halloween is all about?

8. Scary Movie

Speaking of not taking things seriously, Scary Movie is the perfect Halloween ‘trashy’ film that makes for perfect October viewing. Let’s be honest, as a film critic, the Scary Movie franchise is pretty terrible. But as a casual viewer looking for a bit of dark humour on the night before Halloween, this might be the franchise for you. Although, pre-warning: some of the jokes haven’t exactly aged well!

Photography of Cat at Full Moon. Image by Pixabay on Pexels.

7. Hocus Pocus

In keeping with the comedy genre, we have the Sanderson sisters: three witches resurrected in modern-day Salem. Following three teenagers and their skirmish with Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy) and Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), Hocus Pocus is a hilarious fantasy of slapstick comedy and iconic singing performances (Bette Midler’s delivery of ‘I Put a Spell on You’ being a particular highlight!)

6. Corpse Bride

Has romance left you feeling dead inside? If so, perhaps you’ll relate to this one. Victor, our protagonist, gets tongue-tied when practising his wedding vows, and accidentally ends up wed to a skeleton. Indeed, it’s as creepy as it sounds. There’s just something about Tim Burton stop-motion animation that captures the true vibe of spooky season. It may not be as widely known as Burton’s The Nightmare before Christmas, but take my word for it — Corpse Bride is not one to be missed.

5. Death Becomes Her

While we’re on the subject of being dead inside, why not give this one a go? In this fantasy comedy, Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn go head-to-head in a battle to preserve their youth. But after drinking a magic potion that promises the gift of eternal life, our protagonists experience some pretty strange side-effects. It’s fun, it’s amusing, and it’s a little bit weird – perfect for your next Halloween movie binge.

Ghosts in a Greenhouse. Image by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.

4. The Addam’s Family / The Addam’s Family Values

The soundtrack is instantly recognisable; the characters are unmistakable; the movie’s dark humour practically screams ‘Halloween’ — this is The Addam’s Family. In two supernatural black comedy movies, set in a gothic mansion, we come to love each member of the family individually. From Gomez’s ardour, to Wednesday’s impassivity, coupled with Morticia’s stony elegance and Fester’s deranged smile – these are just a few of the characters you will come to know. It’s a rollercoaster of a ride, but a rewarding one. There’s nothing quite like it.

3. Halloween

But if you’re looking for something to quicken your pulse, perhaps this slasher film will do the trick. Starring Jamie Lee Curtis as our protagonist, Laurie Strode, we find her being stalked by psycho killer Michael Myers. With an eerie soundtrack and suspenseful opening, this movie will surely provide the fright for a chilling Halloween movie night.

2. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Is it a Christmas film? Is it a Halloween film? Who cares? It’s both! For our second Tim Burton stop-motion selection, we have the iconic and beloved The Nightmare Before Christmas. As Jack Skellington, the King of Halloween, fights to take over the holiday season, it’s no surprise that viewers are won over too.

1. Mean Girls

Yes, you read that right — Mean Girls is a Halloween film. With October 3rd being dubbed officially as “Mean Girls Day”, and a large portion of the movie being set during costume party season, it’s no wonder why this naughties comedy classic is included on spooky-season marathons. It may not be the most terrifying film out there (although Regina can, at times, be a little scary), it certainly captures the vibe of the season. So fetch!

Jack O’lantern on Green Grass during Night Time. Image by Intricate Explorer on Pexels.

So that concludes our movie list: my work here is done. And now, I suppose, there’s nothing else to do but to wish you all a Happy Halloween! 

Feature image by Daisy Anderson on Pexels.