Best Films To Watch On Halloween

Mondo’s Top Ten Halloween Season Films

Written By: Spazzy
Mondo Film & Video Guide Contributor

To celebrate October (my favorite month) I thought that my new top ten list should be my favorite Halloween movies.  Just like with my Top Ten Comic Book movies, this is strictly my opinion.  Though you may be thinking completely horror-themed Halloween movies, so there may be a few surprises, but as always, I hope you enjoy the random lists of a Spazzy Fangirl, Mondo Film & Video Guide contributor.

#10 – Ernest Scared Stupid (1991)

To kick off this list, I would like to bring your attention to an classic, at least in my eyes.  Most people should know Jim Varney as Ernest P. Worrell, the lovable goof ball that always means well, but gets into a lot of trouble.  I remember, honestly, being scared stupid from the trolls that was trying to take over the world after Ernest accidentally released him.  And who can forget the wonderful performance of Eartha Kitt as Old Lady Hackmore?  It is just a fun, silly film that deserves a little more love.

#09 – Beetlejuice (1989)

Described as a comedic horror fantasty film, what little kid didn’t run around their home shouting “BeetleJuice, BeetleJuice, BeetleJuice” in hopes that he would show and epic adventures would follow? Starring an in-his-prime Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, and of course Michael Keaton as the pesky poltergeist, this film has a twisted sense of humor over ghosts, death, and how to cope being an awkward teenager. Directed by Tim Burton, you get the same weird creatures, dark vibes and humor everyone has come to expect from him.

#08 – The Blair Witch Project (1999)

Most people only seem to remember the upshot camera angle from this movie or the shaky camera while the three film students set out to search for the fabled Blair Witch.  What happens during their adventure was mysterious as well as creepy, and makes you think about camping in the middle of nowhere. I didn’t go camping for about a year after seeing the movie.  You have to admit, for only eight days of recording and a budget of just $60,000, they did a really good job of scaring the pants off of people.

#07 – Shaun Of The Dead (2004)

When I think of Halloween, I normally think of comedy horror films that can have their “BOO” moments, but also be entertaining. “Shaun of the Dead“ is a perfect example of this. Directed by Edgar Wright, this British black comedy starring, and written by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, this movie caught movie goers by surprise and was a sleeper hit and remains a cult classic.  The story centers around how Shaun’s life, which isn’t really exciting, but when you add zombies to the mix, it becomes a movie of survival, fun, and finding yourself amidst.  They way they deal with the zombies is pure comedy, at one point, they throw old records at them, including the “Batman” soundtrack. A different approach to the zombie craze, this movie is a must on my list to watch during October.

#06 – Sleepy Hollow (1999)

Based off of the story by Washington Irving, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” , this is a different twist on the old classic. Another one on the list directed by Tim Burton, this stars Johnny Depp, Christina Ricci and a plethora of other great actors, not to exclude Christopher Walken (Cow Bell), who is just the creepiest interpretation of the Headless Horseman I’ve seen.  Depp plays Ichabod Crane, who is sent to a town to try and help uncover the mystery of the Headless Horseman and why it is wreaking havoc on the small town of Sleepy Hollow. The art direction is superb and won the Oscar that year for its sets, which seem to take a life of their own at times. Watch the twists, turns and creepiness that Burton is such a pro at.  We witness betrayal, love and loss in this tale.  Perfect for Halloween time!

#05 – Drag Me To Hell (2009)

“Drag Me to Hell” is horror film written by horror alums Sam and Ivan Raimi and directed by Sam.  This movie has the classical gross vibe that Sam is so famous for in his Evil Dead franchise.  Starring Alison Lohman, Justin Long, and Lorna Raver, this is a story about a loan officer (Lohman) who makes the mistake of crossing a gypsy woman (Raver) by evicting her from her home.

What happens after is gross and vintage Raimi.  Stalking demons, talking goats, and mass amounts of vomit are only the tip of the iceberg. Lohman’s character is cursed by the gypsy with three days of relentless torture, but on the fourth, she will be dragged to hell (hence the title) to burn for eternity.  Scary, right?  This film won Best Horror Film at the Saturn awards. It is worth checking out, but I include it in my top ten Halloween films for the sheer amount of visceral imagery that Raimi delivers on.

#04 – The Nightmare On Elm Street Series (1984-2010)

Written and directed by the Master of Macabre, Wes Craven and  others, The Nightmare on Elm Street series really, has always haunted my nightmares and with good cause. Mr. Freddy Krueger with his scars and razor-gloved hands, what child who sees these movies aren’t scared to dream for a while? To me, Robert Englund will always be the best Krueger, but Jackie Earle Haley does an excellent job in the remake.  In the movies you can just tell that Englund has a great time playing the character.  Most of the movies seem more campy, dated, and fun, but when you watch them as a little kid, they certainly haunt your nightmares and leave quite the impression.

#03 – Halloween Series (1979-2009)

With Halloween as the title, how could it not make the list?  Including the classics, as well as the remakes, Halloween and Michael Myers go hand-and-hand with terror on the night meant for gathering candy.  The white mask, daunting, tall psycho killer, these movies strike fear in babysitters everywhere.  That and you have to wonder if you ever had an older brother that was institutionalized that your parents keep from you.  These movies are terrifying because there really isn’t any reason to why he is killing everyone.  Just a psychotic murderer that has escaped and hell-bent on filling the streets with murder and violence.

#02 – The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

You may be thinking this is more of a Christmas story, but I would disagree.  This is a lovely tale about the Pumpkin King, Jack Skeleton from “Halloween Town” discovering “Christmas Town” and falling in love with the holiday, even though he has some misconceptions on how it‘s really done.  What happens from this is a take of Halloween taking over Christmas and the hectic horror that follows. Directed by Henry Selick, produced by Tim Burton (who wrote the original short story in while he was in college) this is one of my all-time favorite movies.  It has everything: awe, love, loss, and music that always puts me in a good mood! This is a movie that I love watching around the holidays to get into the spirit of things.

#01 – Trick R Treat (2008)

I believe that the new mascot for Halloween NEEDS to be Sam, the little Halloween demon that will cause chaos to those that break Halloween traditions and rules.  This movie has everything a good Halloween movie needs: chockfull of WTF moments, death, destruction, dress-up, ghosts, witches, werewolves, vampires, and intertwining stories that keep you interested.  Trick R Treat grabs a hold of you and doesn’t let up even at the end. While not as popular as other horror franchises, it holds the number one spot as my favorite Halloween flick.

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