1. Hocus Pocus (1993) dir. Kenny Ortega
This Halloween classic stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, as three witches trying to take over the town of Salem 300 years after being hanged for their witchcraft. This results in a comedy of errors and hijinks as the local children try to stop the witches from taking over the town and achieving their goal of immortality. Aided by an immortal man-turned-cat, the pre-teens go on a Halloween adventure never seen before as they only have Halloween night to stop the witch sisters. With hilarious performances by the witch trio, this Halloween comedy is the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit without relying on frights.
2. The Addams Family (1991) dir. Barry Sonnenfield
This film adaptation of the classic TV series stars Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia as Morticia and Gomez Addams, the heads of the oddball family that resides in a mansion straight out of a horror movie. However, what makes these characters and the story overall unique is there is no sense of scares in this incredibly gothic setting. This is due to the Addams family not thinking that their lives are ‘spooky’ or even odd at all. Because of this most of the humor of this film comes from the differences in culture between the Addams’ world and our own. With an assortment of kooky characters such as Uncle Fester, Lurch, Cousin It and Thing, you will be entertained throughout the whole narrative.
3. Young Frankenstein (1974) dir. Mel Brooks
This Mel Brooks film stars the late Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, the grandson of the title character in the Mary Shelley classic. Using Shelley’s novel as a loose inspiration for this film’s narrative, Wilder’s character, after much retaliation, follows in his grandfather’s footsteps and creates a monster all his own. The Monster, played by the late Peter Boyle, and his creator encounter slightly different challenges than the original monster however, such as a dance number to the Fred Astaire classic “Puttin’ on the Ritz.” This classic spoof is among the best examples of Brooks’ genius of the genre as a whole, by creating a laugh out loud film.
4. Scooby Doo and the Witch’s Ghost (1999) dir. Jim Stenstrum
As a huge Scooby Doo fan for most of my childhood, and to be completely honest, most of my adulthood, this is by far my favorite Scooby Doo outing. A possibly haunted fairground, fall festivities, and the Hex Girls?! What more could you want on a Scooby and the gang adventure? The story follows the gang as they uncover the dark past of Oakenhaven, aided by a local writer Ben Ravencroft, voiced by the brilliant Tim Curry. As they dig deeper into the town's past, they slowly realize that they aren’t on their typical “local store owner in a mask” caper. Packed with classic Scooby Doo hijinks along with the spooky “Hex Girls” song that is bound to get stuck in your head after one watch, this Scooby Doo mystery is the best choice for Halloween.
5. Shaun of the Dead (2004) dir. Edgar Wright
This Simon Pegg classic hits its target of spoofing the zombie movie genre with a red ink pen. A zany comedy with just enough British humor that is doesn’t scare off American audiences, Shaun of the Dead follows Shaun, a man stuck in a job he hates, who decides one day to win back his ex-girlfriend. But unfortunately for Shaun, that day is the same day of the beginning of a zombie outbreak. Now with this jurassic complication to his plan, he must protect his ex, his mother, and all the people tied to them, whether he wants to do the latter or not. Aided by his best friend, Ed, played by Nick Frost, this hilarious take on the zombie genre is a crazy ride from start to finish.
Already seen this film? Then you should check out the rest of this trilogy! Titled “The Three Flavors Cornetto Trilogy” these films all star Simon Pegg and Nick Frost and are directed by Edgar Wright: “Hot Fuzz,” a film about a small town and the dark truth they are hiding. And “The World’s End,” a film about a group of friends who try to finish a bar crawl while keeping ahead of the supernatural elements that follow them.
