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Blog- Halloween Horror Film Countdown.

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Ileana Martinez
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar Ada Ciuca
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at NMSU chapter.

It’s finally that time of the year! The heavenly scent of pumpkin spice latte is in the air, ghoulish decor is taking over the streets and Friday night television consists of classic horror movies that get everyone excited for Halloween.

Hollywood blockbuster horror films set the standard archetype for the holiday, with famous characters such as Dracula and Frankenstein serving as the inspiration for most costumes throughout the years.

As the 31st approaches, we shouldn’t forget the classic films that helped shape Hollywood horror filmmaking into what it is today. This list revisits some oldies that demonstrate the beginning of the genre and scenes that have been replicated for years to come. After all, what better way to get into the spooky Halloween season than with some old school flicks?

These movies are easy to access for the regular college student, so there’s no excuse to not get your horror on. Here they are:

1. Monday- The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) 

The Germans pioneered many horror films- and this is a quintessential piece of their expressionist cinema. They delved into the horrific thoughts of the human mind and brought them to life in film during the 1920s.

This story takes you on an adventure alongside an insane hypnotist who uses a sleepwalking man to commit murders in a small town. The emphasis on shadows in this film creates an unnerving setting. There are many references throughout film history that go back to “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligary.” Movies such as “The Rules of Attraction” and the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” have tackled the film in their scenes. You can view this film here. 

2. Tuesday- Nosferatu (1922)

The German knowledge about the aesthetic of horror films is no joke! According to IMDB, Nosferatu was an unauthorized version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and after many copyright battles ensued, it became one of the most important horror films of all time. Vampire Count Orlok moves to a new city and brings a dark plague with him. He expresses a real interest in a new residence and the wife of his realtor, who is the only person with the power to end evil. The film is so popular, it even got referenced on SpongeBob SquarePants. You can check out the classic film here.

3. Wednesday- Frankenstein (1910)

You are hitting the books and being sucked away by essays and assignments. You need a study break. Why not watch a short horror film? Hollywood has created the idea of Frankenstein the monster, but it was Victor Frankenstein who created it. Mary Shelly’s spirit probably haunts those who believe her story was actually about a monster named Frankenstein. This short film was made in 1910 and it is only 12 minutes long. The quality of the film holds true to the beginnings of film history and  the precious story of how creating life cannot be replicated. You can watch this short here. 

4.Thursday- A Girl Walks Alone at Night (2014)

This is the first Iranian Vampire Western film ever made. The film takes place in an Iranian ghost-town. The place reeks of death and loneliness, but the people are completely unaware that there is a vampire present in the midst of it all. The film has received critical acclaim and great reviews. American horror films have created unforgettable moments, but foreign films bring in some troubling subjects that wouldn’t normally come to our minds. The film can be viewed on Netflix. 

5. Friday- Re-Animator (1985)

H.P. Lovecraft has always been the master of classic sci-fi/horror stories. This loosely based adaptation is made for scares and giggles. A new student is dedicated to discovering the mechanics of creating life and a dedicated medical student along with his girfriend gets tangled in bizzare experiments. This has become an iconic cult horror film and acclaimed as one of the best adaptations of an H.P. Lovecraft story in the history of cinema. You can view this movie on Netflix. 

6. Saturday- Night of the Living Dead (1968) 

It’s Halloween day, so why not begin with a classic? Night of the Living Dead is hailed as one of the most iconic horror films in history. The plot is simple: a group of people hide from bloodthirsty zombies in a farmhouse. With  the black and white cinemascope, this film will create the atmosphere of what Halloween is about: facing a day with fear and being surrounded by blood thirsty monsters. You can view this iconic horror film here.

As a film enthusiast who is terrified of horror films, these are relatively tame. But just in case you get uneasy- remember to turn on the lights and say to yourself “It’s only a movie!” Happy Halloween! 

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Ileana Martinez is a senior majoring in Journalism and Mass Communications at New Mexico State. She hopes to accomplish the aesthetics of becoming a great writer and aspires to become a screen writer for movies in the future. She previously attended El Paso Community College and transferred with an Associate of Arts for Journalism. There she was a radio station manager and DJ. She graduated from J.M Hanks High School with the Distinguished Achievement Program. Ileana is trilingual. She has the ability to speak English, Spanish, and French. Her dream is to travel around the world and to observe different cultures in the world. "I always thought that the more you travel, the more knowledgeable you become about the world. It could range from learning a new language or trying new dishes." Her hobbies include reading, listening to music, watching and analyzing movies, and cooking. Ileana strives to be an excellent student, daughter, sister, and friend. She has accomplished so much but craves for more achievements in her future.
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Ada Ciuca is a Journalism and Mass Communications student emphasizing in print and PR at New Mexico State University. In a perfect world, she will get to write informative articles, interview the world's most interesting people and work in fashion PR for the rest of her life. While she's at it, she'll also travel the world and learn as many languages as humanly possible. Oh, and reach her ultimate goal of shaking hands with Kevin Spacey and Anderson Cooper.