As the days shorten and shadows lengthen, the excitement of Halloween approaches, bringing with it a tapestry of stories woven from frightful folklore and spooky fantasies. Halloween movies have become an essential part of this tradition, providing not just thrills but also a lens through which we explore our fears, celebrate our courage, and indulge our imaginations. October 31st is right around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the spooky season than by enjoying a marathon of Halloween movies? Here are my picks for a perfect Halloween movie marathon!
Classic Horror Frights
Halloween (1978), directed by John Carpenter
This is one of my absolute favorite movies. Halloween follows Michael Myers, a silent masked killer who escapes from Smith’s Grove Sanitarium, a mental institution. 15 years after murdering his sister on Halloween night, he returns to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois, where he begins to stalk teenager Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) and her friends. As the night continues, Laurie realizes she’s in grave danger, and with the help of Dr. Samuel Loomis (Donald Pleasance) racing to stop Michael, tension escalates in this iconic horror movie that popularized the slasher genre and set the standard for horror films to come.
Did you know? Nine different actors have portrayed Michael Myers; Nick Castle and Dick Warlock are two of the many!
The Exorcist (1973), directed by William Friedkin
The Exorcist follows mother Chris MacNeil (Ellen Burstyn) whose daughter, Regan (Linda Blair), begins displaying disturbing behavior. Desperate for help, she turns to Father Karras (Jason Miller), a priest who suspects demonic possession. Teaming up with Father Merrin (Max von Sydow), they confront terrifying supernatural forces in a dramatic battle to save Regan’s soul. This film remains a haunting mainstay in horror that continues to influence the genre to this day.
Did you know? The Exorcist was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in the 1974 Oscars, including Best Picture!
Scream (1996), directed by Wes Craven
Scream is a clever satire that puts a fresh spin on slasher movies while delivering plenty of scares and suspense. The film centers around high school student Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell), who becomes the target of a masked killer known simply as Ghostface. As the body count rises in her small town, Sidney and her friends (Rose McGowan, Jamie Kennedy, Skeet Ulrich, Matthew Lillard) find themselves caught in a deadly game filled with twists and references to classic horror tropes. With a mix of humor and genuine frights, the film keeps you guessing as a first-time viewer, and with nods to horror tropes and classics prior, it provides plenty of easter eggs for horror fans to comb through.
Did you know? Wes Craven originally turned down directing Scream, some considerations for directing duties included Night of the Living Dead’s George Romero and The Evil Dead and Spider-Man’s Sam Raimi!
Friday the 13th (1980), directed by Sean S. Cunningham
In the original Friday the 13th, a group of teenage camp counselors (Adrienne King, Robbi Morgan, Kevin Bacon…) arrives at the seemingly idyllic Camp Crystal Lake, eager for a summer of fun. However, their excitement quickly turns to terror as they are stalked and murdered one by one by a mysterious killer. As the counselors struggle to uncover the truth behind the terrifying events, they discover that the vengeful plot is tied to the mysterious drowning of Jason Voorhees. With a haunting backstory and plenty of suspenseful moments, this iconic slasher film not only introduced Jason Voorhees but also established many tropes that would define the genre, setting the stage for a legendary horror franchise.
Did you know? Jason Voorhees’ iconic hockey mask doesn’t become part of his design until the third installment of the franchise!
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984), directed by Wes Craven
We’re once again revisiting Wes Craven’s works! In “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, Nancy (Heather Langenkamp) and her group of friends (Johnny Depp, Amanda Wyss, Jsu Garcia) in the titular street are haunted by terrifying dreams of a disfigured man named Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) who attacks them while they sleep. As they struggle to stay awake, they discover that Freddy is seeking revenge on the children of the people who killed him. With their lives on the line, they must confront him in the dream world before it’s too late. This film made Freddy a pop culture icon and started a seminal horror franchise.
Did you know? In one of the movie’s scenes, the fake blood used was a mixture of water and Karo syrup, which damaged many cameras and film equipment!
Spooks and Fun for the Whole Family
Hocus Pocus (1993), directed by Kenny Ortega
Hocus Pocus is a fun, spooky comedy that follows a trio of witches—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) —who are accidentally resurrected on Halloween night in Salem, Massachusetts. As they plot to steal the youth of local kids, three teens (Omri Katz, Thora Birch, and Vinessa Shaw) must team up with a magical talking black cat to stop the witches before it’s too late. Being a mix of humor, fantasy, and Halloween vibes, it’s a timeless adventure that’s solidified its place in pop culture and is perfect for the whole family!
Did you know? The animatronic cat used for Thackbery Binx was also used to play Salem in the 1996 sitcom, Sabrina the Teenage Witch!
Ghostbusters (1984): Directed by Ivan Reitman
Ghostbusters follows a trio of eccentric scientists—Peter, Ray, and Egon (Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis) —who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. When paranormal activity skyrockets, they team up to battle mischievous spirits and save the city from a supernatural threat. Packed with humor, memorable quotes, and iconic characters, this paranormal comedy blends science-fiction and supernatural elements, making it a beloved classic.
Did you know? Eddie Murphy was originally offered the role of Winston Zeddemore, but he turned it down before it ultimately went to Ernie Hudson!
Hotel Transylvania (2012): Directed by Genndy Tartakovsky
In Hotel Transylvania, Dracula (Adam Sandler) runs a luxurious hotel for monsters, shielding them from the human world. When a young human named Jonathan (Andy Samberg) stumbles upon the building. Chaos ensues as Dracula tries to protect his daughter, Mavis (Selena Gomez), from falling in love with him. With a cast of quirky monsters and hilarious misadventures, this fun animated film explores themes of love, acceptance, and the importance of embracing differences.
Did you know? Samurai Jack and Dexter’s Laboratory, two classic animated shows from the 90s, were both created by the director of Hotel Transylvania, Genndy Tartakovsky!
Coraline (2009): Directed by Henry Selick
The film Coraline follows the titular Coraline Jones (Dakota Fanning), a young girl who discovers a secret door in her new home that leads to an alternate universe. At first, this parallel world is seemingly perfect, with loving parents and endless fun. However, things take a dark turn when Coraline realizes that her Other Mother (Teri Hatcher) wants to keep her there forever. With courage and cleverness, Coraline must confront sinister forces and find her way back to her real family in this beautifully animated, creepy tale about bravery and identity.
Did you know? In the original novel by Neil Gaiman, Coraline was British. However, the film version was altered to take place in the United States; Ashland, Oregon to be specific!
A Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), directed by Henry Selick
In The Nightmare Before Christmas, Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon), the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, grows bored with the same old spooky routine. After discovering a door to Christmas Town in the Hinterlands, he becomes enchanted and decides to bring the holiday to his home. However, his well-meaning plans lead to chaos as he merges Halloween with Christmas, misunderstanding the spirit of the holiday. With catchy songs and stunning stop-motion animation, this classic film blends Halloween and Christmas in a whimsical adventure about finding one’s true passion.
Did you know? Despite the movie being mostly attributed to the legendary Tim Burton, he only wrote the original book the movie was based on and served simply as a producer!
In conclusion, as October winds down and Halloween night approaches, the allure of a themed movie marathon offers the perfect way to embrace the festive spirit. From spine-tingling horror classics like “Halloween” and “The Exorcist,” which delve deep into our primal fears, to family-friendly favorites such as “Hocus Pocus” and “Ghostbusters,” designed to tickle our funny bones while still keeping us on the edge of our seats, there’s something for every mood. Each film not only captures the essence of Halloween but also represents a unique facet of storytelling that allows us to confront our fears, celebrate whimsy, and relish in the joy of togetherness. Happy Halloween! 🎃