Halloween Movies

There is doubtful a better place to start than with the absolute classic, ‘Halloween’. Released in 1978¹, this horror film and its ensuing franchise have been some of the most iconic. Following the masked killer Micheal Meyers (Tony Moran) in his debut movie, any watcher is sure to be horrified by the silent stalker. As hormonal teens meet their maker over Halloween night, protagonist Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) must evade the same fate. Other major characters such as Doctor Loomis (Donald Pleasence) contribute to this movie’s truly eerie vibe, as well as an unforgettable soundtrack made by composer John Carpenter. This seminal film in slasher history may not be appropriate for everyone, however, and features gore and as well as nudity. However inappropriate for family audiences, this horror classic is still a terrifying watch.

‘Beetlejuice’, released 1988, is undeniably a pop-culture phenomenon of its time. Even now, references to this famous flick can be seen in many places. Reeking of Tim Burton’s iconic stylistic charm, this movie follows a married couple, a young girl, and it’s namesake ghoul. When the couple dies horribly and a new family moves into their house, they call upon Beetlejuice (Micheal Keaton)- but things quickly devolve. A much more comedic film, it leans heavily towards fun rather than fright. Despite this, the movie can pack a scare, especially for younger audiences- maybe don’t let a little sibling sit in. One of the most enjoyable parts of the film is the fantastic acting of its pinstriped star, who is sure to bring a laugh. Fans of ‘The Addams Family’ (the good original one) will probably enjoy this movie².

Ah, ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’, a subject of constant debate- is it truly a Halloween or Christmas movie? One answer, and the one I subscribe to- Why not both? Tim Burton’s second appearance on this list was actually directed by Tom Selick, but it still has a signature look shared by many of Burton’s films. A family movie through-and-through, not many will find fright in this film, but it is still enjoyable. The movie follows Jack Skellington (Chris Sarandon)³, king of Halloween, as he attempts to share Christmas to disastrous results. A full cast of well-voiced characters such as Sally (Catherine O’Hara) and Oogie Boogie (Ken Page) make this stop-motion movie a must-watch. Fans of ‘Coraline’ or ‘The Corpse Bride’ will enjoy it. This movie can currently be found on Disney +.

‘Men in Black’ may be a more unorthodox Halloween movie, but it is one I thoroughly enjoy each year. The action comedy follows two agents of the title organization stopping a dangerous alien and it’s sinister plot. The two leads, Agent J (Will Smith) and Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones)⁴ work extremely well together. This film has won an Oscar for best makeup, and the incredible design of the sets and more extraterrestrial characters make this clear. Nothing in this film is specific to the holiday, but the somewhat cartoonish and outlandish aliens as well as the high-speed plot make this a favourite- perhaps similar to how ‘Die-Hard’ has become a Christmas favourite for many. Heavy action and some disturbing imagery may make young children scared, but most will find this movie inoffensive.