The leaves are changing, the temperature is (slightly) dropping, and most girls are trading in their Birkenstocks for Ugg boots. It’s Fall! And one of the best ways to get the season into full swing is Halloween, specifically Halloween movies. If real world issues or the hot weather are stopping you from getting in the spirit, here’s a list of some movies that should surely get you ready for Halloween and all the fun it brings.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (Netflix)
The Nightmare Before Christmas follows protagonist Jack Skellington leaving his home world of Halloween Town, and entering the portal to Christmas Town. He decides to take over Christmas town’s celebrations, and monstrous situations ensue. Although some might consider this a Christmas movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas most definitely relates more to Halloween. It takes place in Halloween Town, its main character is a skeleton, and all the characters are either monsters, ghouls, or goblins. This movie is a classic for any Disney fan and was the first animated film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The stop animation methods used in the film still hold up to this day and the songs in the soundtrack are very catchy. I will admit, this movie is a little tame for Halloween, but the unorthodox visuals can certainly keep anyone’s attention during the film’s 76 minute run time.
It Follows (Netflix)
This 2015 horror movie involves the story of a girl named Jay, who is stalked by a supernatural being after having sex with her boyfriend. Only she can see the supernatural being, and it can appear as anyone she knows. Although it moves slowly at a walking pace, it always knows where she is and will constantly be in pursuit of her. It will not stop until she is dead, and the only way to evade it is by passing it on to another victim. If it eventually reaches and kills her, it will pursue the last person that passed it on and continue through the cycle. Ignoring the very obvious symbolism of abstinence, the simple premise of the story provides more than enough suspense and scares to any viewer looking for a smart and sophisticated horror movie.
Jeepers Creepers (Hulu)
Jeepers Creepers features a brother and sister duo travelling home in rural Florida for their college spring break. They become targets of an unnamed demonic creature that hunts humans every twenty-third spring for twenty-three days and are chased through the isolated countryside for most of the movie. The 1938 song “Jeepers Creepers” inspired the title of this movie and is played extensively in many different iterations throughout the road chase sequences. Who knew a 1930’s jazz song could be so creepy? This movie’s blend of horror cliches and (sometimes unwanted) comedy made it an instant cult classic among fans. After its release, it broke many records for Labor Day opening weekends, and its success spawned two sequels.
The Sixth Sense (Netflix)
If you don’t like jump scares or you want more suspense, check out The Sixth Sense. This movie is about Cole, a lonely and problematic little boy that can see and talk to the dead, and his relationship with his equally troubled psychologist Malcolm Crowe, played by Bruce Willis. The chilling atmosphere throughout the film gives it an unsettling feeling that should easily cause any viewer’s adrenaline to rise. The shocking twist at the end of the film established its writer and director M. Night Shyamalan as a household name, and the movie went on to become the second highest grossing movie of the year 1999. The line, “I see dead people”, said by Cole, also reached number 44 on the American Film Institute’s list of 100 memorable movie quotes. This movie’s classical Hollywood style and intriguing ghost story make it a must see for any film fan
The Silence of the Lambs (Hulu)
Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee, must use the advice of the incarcerated Hannibal Lecter, a manipulative and cannibalistic killer, to catch another serial killer named Buffalo Bill. Although this horror-thiller doesn’t include monsters or jump scares, it is by far the creepiest on this list. Anthony Hopkins’ performance as Hannibal Lecter is downright disturbing and although he is in a cage for most of the movie, his onscreen presence is always tense and in control. This is one of the three movies to win all of the top five Academy Awards (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay) and it hasn’t been done since. This is also the only horror movie to receive the Academy Award for Best Picture. The psychological aspects of the film should capture the interest of any fan of crime shows like Law and Order: SVU or Criminal Minds, and make it one of the scariest movies ever created.
