Do you like scary movies?”

 Halloween is the perfect time of year for watching terrifying movies that make you shake out of your skin! Even though watching scary movies might seem like an essential part of Halloween, you can still enjoy the vibe of the season with some more non-scary classics for the holiday. In this article I will be writing about my personal favorite Halloween movies to watch this October. Disclaimer: Some of these films are for more mature audiences than other movies on this list. Make sure to ask your parents or a guardian if you are allowed to watch a movie on this list to ensure your viewing experience. 

• It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown – Directed by Bill Melendez 

Let’s start off the list with a classic that can almost always be found on everyone’s television during this time of year. This cartoon movie, made in 1966, stars Peter Robbins as Charlie Brown and Christopher Shea as Linus. This 25 minute long cartoon, alongside bonus content if you own the DVD, is a sweet story about the Peanuts gang celebrating Halloween, all while Linus is back at home waiting for the “Great Pumpkin,” a fake version of Santa solely believed in by Linus, to arrive to bring him treats. This is a good movie to watch to get into the Halloween mode as well as for people who aren’t as comfortable with watching scary movies. You can find this movie on Apple TV or it will air on PBS on October 24th. A great movie to watch for younger audiences during this season. 

•  Hocus Pocus – Directed by Kenny Ortega  

This 1993 film, which stars(Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, and Kathy Najimy) in the PG rated movie Hocus Pocus. A movie about a teenager named Max Dennison, played by American actor Omri Katz, who moves to Salem Massachusetts which is where the Salem witch trials originated. The kids end up exploring an abandoned mansion with his friend Allison, played by Vinessa Shaw, and his sister Dani, played by Thora Birch. Max accidentally unveils a secret coven of evil witches and it is up to him and his friends to steal the witches book of spells to stop them from becoming immortal. This movie has an excellent theme about how you’re never too young to not believe in the impossible and shows younger audiences to never give up. As well as an amazing score with spooky music that gets you into the Halloween spirit. This movie can be found on Disney plus or can be found on Freeform on October 16th at 7:45pm and on October 17th at 5:10 pm. This is an amazing movie to watch with your family and friends for an epic movie night. 

1.  Ghostbusters – Directed by Ivan Reitman 

This classic movie is about a group of scientists who lose their jobs at a university  in New York and decide to have a high tech battle with the supernatural. This is one of the greatest and most praised films of all time. At the time of its release there was a huge economic growth and employment availability plummeted causing a lot of people to be unemployed so this film really brightened everybody’s mood. Not only does this movie feature a creepy aspect to it, but it’s also a comedy! There are excellent performances by Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis and Ernie Hudson. The visual effects in this movie give it a very creepy mood as well as the soundtrack. This movie can be found on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video or can be on Freeform on October 16 from 7a/6c. This is an amazing comic relief film for fall! 

1.  The Bride of Frankenstein –  Directed by James Whale 

This 1935 film still has made an impact on the world with the countless Frankenstein bride costumes, movie references and more! Many would agree that this film is an oldie but a goodie! Even after Dr. Frankenstein has created his monster, Dr. Pretorius (played by Ernest Thesiger) has insisted that he should resume experiments but Dr Frankenstein doesn’t want to resume his old experiments. Frankenstein’s monster as we know continues to roam the streets but craves a friend to spend his time with. This film is definitely more on the creepy side of the realm, rather than the horror side. The old aspect to this film really sets an eerie vibe towards the audience as well as the music. This movie is available on the streaming service Peacock and Amazon Prime Video. If you are looking for something more vintage or more creepy, I would highly recommend this pick. 

1.  Practical Magic – Directed by Griffin Dunne 

Halloween is all about ghosts, goblins and ghouls but in this movie’s case it is all about witches! This movie I feel is very underrated and that’s why it makes this list. The plot of this movie is about two sisters, Sally (Sandra Bullock) and Gillian (Nicole Kidman) who are a part of a magical family of witches. While Gillian is on spring break her boyfriend Jimmy (Goran Visnjic) dies unexpectedly and to not risk getting caught they try to bring him back to life but unfortunately bring an evil entity along with him. You can find this movie on Apple TV or Amazon Prime Video. This is such a fun and exciting movie with incredible acting and a lot of suspense that has you on the edge of your seat. 

1.  Halloween – Directed by John Carpenter 

I had to add this movie to the list, not only because it’s a classic scary movie and it’s one of my favorites, but also because the title literally says Halloween, so you know it is perfect for this time of year! This isn’t your typical slasher with blood and gore, but actually with more frightening jump scares due to creepy music and a terrifying villain. Halloween really sticks out from any other horror movie with excellent camera work that makes the audience have their eyes glued to the screen. Terror strikes the small town of Haddonfield as Micheal Myers returns after escaping a mental hospital for killing his older sister in 1963. There are excellent performances by Jamie Lee Curtis who plays Laurie Strode and Donald Pleasence as Dr. Loomis.  You can find this movie on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. I highly recommend this movie if you are looking for something scary and different then your standard horror movie. 

1.  Scream – Directed by Wes Craven 

This movie truly makes you want to never answer an unknown caller ever again. This is your classic slasher movie with horrifying deaths, scary jump scares and a terrifying masked killer. The reason I choose Scream for this spot is because this movie takes the basic slasher trope and makes it it’s own. It takes every cliche from other classic horror movies, or you could also say they make fun or make a parody out of other films, mixes it up and creates something totally new. The plot is very unique and ahead of its time with it’s incredible plot twist that will make your jaw drop. After Casey Becker is brutally murdered in her home, a masked killer known as Ghostface goes on a killing rampage in a small town in California with the whole town completely petrified on who might be next.  You can find this movie on most streaming services like HBO Max or Apple TV. I highly recommend this movie for those who just want a good scare or for those who are just looking to get into the spirit of Halloween. 

1.  The Sixth Sense – Directed by M. Night Shyamalan 

If you’re a fan of ghosts or Bruce Willis then this is the perfect scary movie for you. This makes the number 8 spot with it’s amazing plot and incredible casting. The movie starts off with a young Cole Sear, played by Haley Joel Osment, who gets daily visits from ghosts while Dr Malcolm Crowe, a child psychologist, attempts to figure out why Cole is having these supernatural abilities or if he is just hallucinating. The movie ends off with a startling plot twist that will make you never see this movie the same again.  The ghosts shown on screen are really creepy and terrifying as well as the amazing visual effects. If this movie sounds interesting you can find it on the streaming service Peacock, Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV. This movie is one of my favorites to watch during Halloween and I hope for many of you as well. 

1.  Psycho – Directed by Alfred Hitchcock 

Alfred Hitchcock is probably well known for his direction in movies, but especially Psycho, one of the scariest horror movies ever created. That is why I have added it to this list; it is also one of my favorite movies and it’s added suspense that is shown throughout the film like a camera catching something the main character hasn’t noticed or its classic jump scares.  As you watch you can see that Marion Crane, played by Janet Leigh, is on the lam after stealing 40,000 dollars from her work to run away with her boyfriend Sam Loomis. After traveling in a heavy rainstorm, Marion becomes very tired and turns into the Bates Motel, run by Norman Bates, who has a dark backstory. I would have to say this another oldie but a goodie. The performances done by Anthony Perkins, who plays Norman Bates, Janet Leigh and Vera Miles are spectacular and unique. You will not regret watching this horror movie, since it is one of the most acclaimed films of all time. You can find this film on the streaming services Hulu or Amazon Prime Video. 

1.   The Shining – Directed by Stanley Kubrick 

To end off this top ten Halloween Movie list we are going to talk about one of the petrifying horror movies of all time , The Shining. This is one of the more psychological horror movies on our list. The reason I love this movie so much is because of the intense, chilling aspect this movie gives off. After watching this movie you will be thinking about nothing else except for this film. There are amazing authentic performances by Jack Nicholson and Shelly Duvall. The plot starts off with Jack Torrance and his wife Wendy and his son Danny, who has psychic visions called shining, taking care of the Overlook Hotel during the off-season. During their stay, Jack is hoping to write to cure his writer’s block, but as his writing goes nowhere, he slowly starts to descend into madness, putting his whole family in danger. If this sounds interesting you can find it on Amazon Prime Video or Apple TV streaming services. If you are not a huge fan of blood and gore then this is the perfect horror movie for you, with it’s hidden meanings that make you think and it’s awe factor of unimaginable horror.