By Jacqueline Ayala, Social Media Editor
The time of dark, scary nights is coming this Saturday. And whether it’s a party, trick-or-treating, or just a regular night for you, there is always time to get into the spooky spirit and watch a Halloween movie… or ten. Personally, I’m all for a scary movie to get in the mood for this holiday. As long as it’s not clowns, I’m all for the paranormal or slasher films most people think of when it comes to Halloween. We’ve done stories on horror films, fall-themed movies, and some of my favorite romcoms for Valentine’s Day; so why not some fun, Halloween-themed movies to really get in the spirit? You know what they say: all is calm, all is fright.
The Haunted Mansion (2003)
Maybe I’m a sucker for the paranormal, but The Haunted Mansion perfectly brings spooky fun while staying family-friendly. The inspiration came from the famous Disneyland ride of the same name, but this movie takes a comedic turn on the ride. The Evers family gets stuck at Gracey Manor in a thunderstorm, and there’s some unwanted, ghoulish guests. It’s the perfect light horror movie for the little ones or those who simply don’t want to get jump-scared!
Hocus Pocus
This is, after all, a list of iconic Halloween movies, so of course I had to put in Hocus Pocus. Witches, magic, and a fun take on the Salem Witch Trials — you can’t forget this classic for the season. If you have an even bigger urge for the Hocus Pocus feels, there is Hocus Pocus 2 if you want to have a small marathon. I confess I haven’t seen the second one, but I can vouch for the original one. Three sisters, a virgin boy who accidentally summons them, and a really creepy spellbook. You seriously can’t miss out on this classic.
Practical Magic
The perfect movie for you and your friends, Practical Magic shows the beauty of sisterhood mixed with magic. This movie includes the iconic combination of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman playing the Owens sisters who try to hide from their magical ancestry. You can’t escape your lineage, but you can embrace it, which is what these sisters do. Practical Magic 2 has also recently hit the box office, so it’s the perfect time for a rewatch of the first one!
Corpse Bride
More so for vibes than Halloween-based, Corpse Bride is not only a well-known costume, but it’s a beautifully heartbreaking story with Tim Burton’s iconic stop-motion and design. A misunderstanding gets the male lead, Victor, in trouble when he accidentally marries himself to a murdered bride who has fallen for him.
Monster High: Ghouls Rule
Out of all of the Monster High franchise, Monster High: Ghouls Rule is the perfect movie for Halloween. It puts humans in the role of being the scary ones instead of the monsters, and it’s a light-hearted childhood movie you can never get tired of. I may be a bit biased because Monster High was a huge part of my childhood, but a Halloween movie with no scares and a good moral can be just what you need for a fun night in. So get with your ghoul friends and embrace the Halloween nostalgia!
The Nightmare Before Christmas
Another Tim Burton movie? Yes… he is, after all, the king of Halloween. You can debate me if The Nightmare Before Christmas is a Halloween or Christmas movie, but in this case, it is one for the spooky season. We can discuss this again as the Christmas season rolls around. What Christmas movies kidnap Mr. Santa Claus? Jack Skellington becomes obsessed with Christmas after discovering the holiday, despite being the Pumpkin King of Halloweenland. He may have good intentions, but he has some villainous ways to go about them. Seriously, this movie can go either way: full-out Halloween or completely Christmas.
Coraline
Coraline is one of my favorite creepy movies to watch and has been since I was a little girl. When a young girl, Coraline, finds a door that leads to a new, better version of her life, she learns everything there is not what it seems. It may not be made for Halloween, but it certainly gives the perfect creepy vibes to lead into the holiday.
Frankenweenie
Okay, this is the last Burton film on the list. What if Victor Frankenstein had brought something back to life before the Creature? Little Victor is an outsider and a lover of science. When his dog Sparky dies, he successfully brings him back to life, and all is well… until people find out the truth. If you want to have a Halloween movie marathon night, watch Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride, and The Nightmare Before Christmas in that order. Kinda weird how it all aligns, right?
Five Nights at Freddy’s
We know the famous horror game from 2014; we gained a fear of animatronics, and now we can see it on the big screen! Five Nights at Freddy’s follows a similar story to the game. Our main character, Mike, is hired as a security guard and is in charge of watching over Freddy Fazbear’s Pizzeria overnight; he learns over the course of five nights that something is very off with the establishment. It brings you back to the late nights of playing the game as a kid and getting jumpscared. If you need a bit of a scarier movie, this is the one.
Obsession
To end this list, I want to bring up the 2026 film Obsession. When a lovesick guy makes a wish that his crush would “love [him] more than anyone else in the world” – it quickly starts to get twisted. But everything comes with a price, and he has to pay it. This movie knocked me off my feet with the creative storytelling, shocking jump scares, and the uncanniness of it all. Real love can’t be wished for, especially when the other person doesn’t love you back.
These movies are a variety of several perfect Halloween films you can watch. Whether you’re getting ready, waiting for the day to start, or preferring to stay in, you can always squeeze in a little bit of celebration where you see fit. Most of all, this Halloween, make sure to stay safe!
