We are finally getting into the spirit of this spooky season. And, for the first time in what feels like forever, Halloween has finally landed on a Saturday. Unfortunately, trick-or-treating seems quite impossible as the pandemic continues. However, there are other great alternatives for celebrating Halloween. Here is a list of Halloween movie suggestions provided by members of the cinema club. 

Although horror movies are common during the spooky season, there are also some phenomenal halloween movies that are more lighthearted. Senior John Akbari suggested the following movies for people who are not big horror movie fans but who still want to get in the spirit of Halloween: 

“Hocus Pocus (1993) is, in my eyes, the quintessential Halloween movie for the whole family. It has everything you want from a Halloween movie: witches, ghosts, ghouls, zombies, and it’s actually set on the night of Halloween. It’s also appealing to almost anyone as it features comedy, music, terror, and at times heartfelt sorrow.

The Addams Family (1991) is another family-friendly Halloween essential viewing, set in the haunted house-style home of the Addams family. The family is known for their spooky nature, leading to them playing games such as “Is There a God?” where Wednesday Addams consensually ties her brother to an electric chair to see what will happen, and “Wake the Dead,” where the family explores their backyard cemetery, awakening their deceased ancestors.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) whilst definitely is not as family friendly as the previous two choices is also rollicking good fun. Despite the film featuring a wonderful performance from Tim Curry as the eccentric and mysterious Dr. Frankenfurter, the story is famous around this time because there are always theatre productions done on the night of Halloween. However, as there won’t be any productions this year, I highly recommend watching the classic film this Halloween instead.”

Of course, you can’t miss out on some Halloween horror classics, either! For the horror movie lovers, here are some suggestions from Ms. Manners: 

“Psycho (1960) needs to be on the list–Hitchcock’s use of careful editing in the infamous “shower scene” and his iconic score opened the door to the whole slasher genre–and if you’ve been able to get this far in life without having the ending spoiled for you, then you’re in for a treat.

Friday the 13th (1980) ups the gore factor–it’s very campy (which is fitting, because it’s set in a camp), and violent (Kevin Bacon’s death is…memorable), but it has a foothold in the mystery genre, too…the killer is a real person with a real motive (which can’t be said for its millions of sequels).

Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) pushed the genre into the supernatural–it’s scary and it’s fun, and the ending is awesome. Plus, you get a baby-faced Johnny Depp, in one of his first roles.

I think my all time favorite is probably Scream (1996), which is one part homage to the ’80s slasher movies, one part winking film history, one part teen rom-com, and like three parts legitimately scary horror movies. If you watch the ones I listed above before you get to Scream, you’ll find Easter Eggs for all of them–so fun!

Of course, if you don’t like your horror to be horrible, there’s the ever-charming Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), which manages to be simultaneously cute, creepy, and poignant.

Oh, last one–I’d be remiss if I didn’t give a shout out to Get Out (2017), which is scary and super unnerving, of course, but it’s smart, too. It takes the lessons spelled out by Scream, puts them in action, and places it all in the context of really compelling (but non-didactic) social commentary.”