Having half Europe going back into lockdown, I thought why not make a list of some of my favourite movies, which are not fully Halloween related. These might be films that do not in the slightest fit the Horror, Slasher or Thriller theme of the old Halloween (1978, John Carpenter) film or Nightmare on Elm Street (1984, Wes Craven).
I studied film and television and chose a module about the Horror Genre and its sub-genres, hence why I’ve watched and analysed all kinds of Horror films from The Ring (original and new), Clockwork Orange and Silence of the lambs. Personally I hate Horror. I can’t watch it without having to turn down the sound or close my eyes. (Sounds are much worse though!) but don’t get me started on gore!
Anyway here’s a list of some of my favourite Halloween movies, I like to to watch at this season of year.
1. Tim Burton’s Nightmare before Christmas (1993)
This film is argued about so much if it’a a Halloween or Christmas film and simply Tim Burton and Jack Skellington are for me both the kings of Halloween and Christmas. I defintely watch it from October through to Christmas as it simply hits the criteria on both! It is such an amazing movie and I would also definitely rwcommend watching the specific episode about this film on Props on Disney +. You get such a wonderful insight on how they worked to achieve this movie! I rate this movie a 10/10 for a Halloween worthy movie.
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Alfonso Cuarón, 2004)
Yes, this may be a weird one or obvious, but just the scenes with Hagrid’s huge pumpkins just before Buckbeack is supposed to be killed just gives pure Halloween/autumn vibes. Plus it’s one of my favourite movies of the whole franchise. Maybw some might disagree and say the first one fits most, but I could watch all the films anyway all year long. I rate this a 6/10 on my Halloween rating.
3. Stranger Things (2016)
Well, if a film isn’t enough, I’d recommend Stranger Things to get the creepy, spooky feelings going. Due to the start of first season’s thriller like componants, as we simply don’t know what’s going on what even the upside down is, Eleven is the perfect character to find a liking to. The ‘monsters’ are creepy and alien like and reminds a bit of a modern film slasher film with jump scare effects. I’d rate this 8/10 on the Halloween rating of Non-Halloween films and series.
4. Coco (Adrian Molina, Lee Unkrich, 2017)
This film doesn’t fit Halloween perse as it evolves around the Mexican tradition of the day of the Dead. Día de Muertos. This year, it is on monday 2nd November, where they remember their loved ones that have passed and celebrate life and death with family and friends. Again this might not fit Halloween exactly but fits the time frame and is an absolutly stunning film with stunning music and beautiful aesthetics. I mean the main soundtrack won an oscar and is really emotional and worth watching! I rate it a 8/10 on a personal preference to other movies I’d rather watch.
5. Twilight (Catherine Hardwicke,2008)
I actually can’t believe I am writing this, but if you do want a vampire film for Halloween, I guess you could watch one (in my opinion) of the cringiest films ever. Twilight. A girl who finds interest in a creepy mysterious mind reading guy, who is pale af (tbf everyone seems to be fair af in this film) and has his abs drawn on. (Nothing against Robert, just funny) Personally I am unsure I will be watching this ever again, but I do think it’s a good choice if you like this film to watch for Halloween. I rate it 4/10.
6. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Jim Sharman, 1975)
I cannot not put this film on the list. I wrote a whole essay about this film in my Masters and I know it probably won’t happen this year, but if you ever get a chance to join the cult, and see a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture show, don’t you dare miss out. And if you have never seen the film before, this is your chance to catch up on this cult film and get soaked into the timewarp. This film is funny, personal, freaky and a little spooky, which I love as it isn’t too much horror, but the story is absurd and costumes are simply fantastic, hence the reason dress up as characters from this film during most viewings. Would defo rate this a high 9/10.
7. Ghostbusters (Ivan Reitman ,1984)
Ok, I guess that’s almost too much Halloween-style, but I love this movie and think it’s hilarious and think the CGI is hilarious. The monsters and ghosts and the music is just a spooky comedy. It is also the perfect costume to dress up in on Halloween. It is not one of my favourites and therefore would only rate it 4/10.
8. The Haunted Mansion (Rob Minkoff, 2003)
Based on Phantom Manor in Disneyland, this film focuses on a story of a family trying to sell this mansion, that has evil spirits lurking around. Eddie Murphy can only mean one thing. Comedy. This film is hilarious and if you are a fan of the ride, watch the movie so you get more insight on what the actual story of the ride is about. Spooky funny family movie, perfect for a Halloween family movie night. Would rate this film 6/10.
9. Dark Shadows (Tim Burton, 2012)
I mean Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloë Grace Moretz, this can only be a funny Tim Burton like film. Tim Burton is simply the best gothic director and therefore King of Halloween. His films have dark atmospheres and mysterious aesthetics. Mainly black and I mean have you seen the Tim Burton challenge on tiktok that is making the rounds. Big googly eyes, pale skin and a weird, extra story. This isn’t one of my fav Tim Burton films, so I’ll rate it 7/10.
10. Little shop of Horrors (Frank Oz, 1986)
I am still dreaming of seeing this on stage somewhere. Little Shop of Horrors has a storyline involving a flower shop selling a blood thirsty plant, that sings to get food and eats humans. the question is if you will survive or start to sing along and somehow defeat Audrey II (the eating plant). Doesn’t that sound hilarious to watch and a great movie for a Halloween movie night. I rate this 6/10.
If these films were not scary or spooky enough, here’s a little list of Halloween Halloween themed ones:
- Hocus Pocus (1993)
- The Addams Family (1991)
- Beetlejuice (1988)
- Halloween (1978)
- Halloweentown (1998)
- Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
- Frankenweenie (2012)
- The Shining (1980)
- Corpse Bride (2005)
- Psycho (1960)
- Edward Scissorhands (1990)
- Shaun of the Dead (2004)
- Carrie (1976)
Hope you like any of these films
PS Call me Chrissi xxx
Call me Chrissi! 