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This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Mass Amherst chapter.

Spooky season has arrived, so here are some must-watch movies/shows!

Black Mirror Season 3 Episode 2: Playtest

This episode of Black Mirror is a little frightening. In the episode, a man tries out a new video game tester that deals with fears. The episode itself is not too scary but the concept it deals with definitely is. There are some jump scares, but if you’re looking for something that’s entertaining and a little bit spooky, this is definitely the show for you.

Coraline

This movie is a childhood favorite of mine. Personally, I rewatch this film a few times every year when Halloween rolls around the corner. The clay-animation is brilliant and the storyline is definitely chilling. This honestly could be my favorite movie. I remember that the first time I watched it, I was in awe with how everything just looked. The other realm was so beautiful, and the idea of going into a different universe through a secret door was so cool to me. I loved how creepy the movie was yet simultaneously breathtaking. I also just loved how it did not just rely on having beautiful animation, but also a mysterious, eerie plot.

Coco

I love this movie; I’ve watched it over five times and never get tired of it. If you haven’t watched it yet, Coco is about a young boy, Miguel, that finds himself in the Land of the Dead, and he discovers the truth about his family’s past. The movie is both fun, exciting, and sad. It’s won awards like the Academy Award for Best Animated Films 2018, Golden Globe Award for Best Animated Feature Film 2018, and New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film 2017. At its core, the movie is about family, is super fun, and is filled with beautiful animation. The movie is perfect year-round, and since it centers on the afterlife, it’s also perfect to watch during this season with friends and family.

Criminal Minds Season 4 Episode 18: Omnivore

I love Criminal Minds. This episode in particular is a little extra spooky. I won’t spoil anything, but as a general overview, a serial killer made a deal to go away as long as the police stopped looking for him. However, when the officer he made the deal with passes away, the killer comes back. I love this one because it was a little different from other episodes since a serial killer came back from the past. I feel like this would be a fun episode to watch with some friends that isn’t your typical Halloween pick. 

Monsters Inc.

This movie is just adorable. It’s not necessarily scary or Halloween themed, but it’s super fun. If you aren’t into horror movies or scary movies, this one is perfect to watch with family. It still has the spirit of Halloween in it since the movie is based on monsters, but the characters in the movie are lovable.

Don’t Breathe   

I watched this movie when it first came out, and I was honestly terrified. I don’t usually get scared that easily at horror movies, but this one had my heart rate up. The movie is based on a group of friends trying to rob an old man’s house. The old man is blind, so they thought they would be able to get away with it easily, but they were very wrong. The movie does a spectacular job of keeping you alert, and you feel like you are part of the movie. When the characters try to stay silent, you end up catching yourself trying to stay as still and quiet as possible, too.

His House (coming soon on Netflix October 30 2020)

Get excited because His House hasn’t been released yet. It’s coming out this October 30th right before Halloween, and it tackles real, current issues. A couple from South Sudan come to America, but they are sent to live in a government issued home. The government claims that they must live there and cannot move, in order to see if the couple can fit in. I am very excited to see this movie because the plot is very original and unique.

Did you see some of your favorite Halloween movies on the list? 

Caitlin Lu

U Mass Amherst '23

Caitlin is studying Marketing as a sophomore, and she enjoys making youtube videos, trying a new workout class, and learning about photography.
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