With Halloween fast approaching (less than two weeks now!), it’s time to start getting yourself into the Halloween spirit. Below is a list of movies sure to get you feeling just a bit spooked and in the mood of Halloween.
The following movies and shows are all available to stream on Netflix, so next time you’re stumped for what to watch during Netflix & Chill, you have some spooky options.
MOVIES
Features for the kids (or the kid in you)
Animated
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman 1999
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein 2000
As a kid, these were two of my favorite films around Halloween time. And come on, who doesn’t love a gang of speaking/singing chipmunks facing off against imaginary monsters?
The Corpse Bride 2005
An engaged man accidentally marries a dead bride. Some sick musical numbers occur. Man is released from his otherworldly marriage; marries his true love. A classic Tim Burton number.
Live Action
The Addams Family 1991
A spin-off of the 1960’s TV series, the Addams family is more or less the embodiment of everyone’s dysfunctional family members, but with names like “Morticia” and “Wednesday”.
Scooby Doo 2002
Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed 2004
The world’s favorite gang of misfit teenage mystery-solving meddlers returns to the big screen in live action/early 2000’s CGI. Starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Matthew Lillard.
Magic and Musicals
Practical Magic 1998
A semi-romantic comedy about two sisters whose lives are cursed by magic. Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in their younger years.
Sweeney Todd 2007
Pies, deception, murder, and well-choreographed musical numbers set in 19th century London. Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman; directed by Tim Burton.
Truly Terrifying
Children of the Corn 1984
Psychotic, possibly possessed children murder an entire town. A Stephen King classic.
The Woman in Black 2 Angel of Death 2014
A group of schoolchildren in World War II are ushered to a rundown house in the country and inadvertently awaken an evil spirit. Starring not Daniel Radcliffe.
The Babadook 2014
An emotionally distraught toddler finds a sinister children’s book in his room. Terror ensues for his mother.
BINGE WORTHY TV SHOWS
Stranger Things 2016 1 season
Adorable, bad-ass children, alien abductions, and one of the best theme songs I’ve ever heard. Starring Winona Ryder as a strung-out single mother.
Bates Motel 2013-2015 3 seasons available
A spin-off of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 Psycho, Bates Motel follows Norma and Norman Bates as they attempt to live a quiet life in a small town in Oregon. Starring Vera Farmiga and Max Thieriot.
American Horror Story 2011-2015 5 seasons available
If you’ve yet to jump on the AHS bandwagon, now’s your chance. American urban legends come to life in SEEMINGLY unconnected storylines. Starring Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Jessica Lange (through season 4), and Lady Gaga (season 5).
Bones 2005-2016 11 seasons available
Murder, forensic science, and unbelievable sexual tension. One of Fox’s longest running TV series. Starring Emily Deschanel, David Boreanaz, TJ Thyne, Michaela Conlin, and Tamara Taylor.
Though these are not available on Netflix, if you can get your hands on a copy, these are must-sees of the Halloween season.
For fans of Tim Burton
The Nightmare Before Christmas 1993
Halloween steals Christmas. One of Tim Burton’s best works.
Coraline 2009
A beautifully done stop-motion animation film, Coraline tells the story of Coraline, her boring life, and then a seemingly better “other” world, where her other mother has buttons for eyes. Starring a young Dakota Fanning; directed by Henry Sellick. One of my personal favorite movies of all time.
Disney Channel Classics
Hocus Pocus 1993
Long slumbering witches are awoken after 300 years of a cursed sleep after a virgin lights their sacred Black Flame candle. They then proceed to terrorize Salem and search for the souls of children to steal. Includes high-quality musical numbers and a talking cat. Starring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Halloweentown 1998
Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge 2001
Halloweentown High 2004
Return to Halloweentown 2006
Adolescent shenanigans ensue in a literal town of Halloween. You’re definitely a 90s kid if you looked forward to these airing on Disney Channel in October during the Halloweentown movie marathon.
Twitches 2005
Twitches Too 2007
Twin sisters separated at birth are reunited on their twenty first birthday and discover that they are witches. Starring Tia and Tamera Mowry.
For a good scare
The Blair Witch Project 1999
Blair Witch 2016 (read my review for this recently released film here)
The birth of the legacy of found footage films and its sequel. College film students set out into the Black Hills Forest of Marilyn to debunk local legends only to never return.
Goodnight Mommy 2014
A German horror movie, which makes it doubly terrifying. Watch this with both the subtitles and the lights on.
The Exorcist 1973
A child becomes possessed by a demonic spirit and a Catholic priest is summoned to help. Perhaps one of the most iconic horror films ever. Directed by William Friedkin.
The Conjuring 2013
Annabelle 2014
The Conjuring 2 2016
With plenty of spooky movies and shows to choose from, there's sure to be one to your liking. Happy Halloween!
