Top 5 Halloween Movies

Posted by terraolsen on October 9, 2013 in Movies | Leave a comment

Top 5 Halloween Movies

By: Terra Clarke Olsen

The spooking season is upon us, which brings some of my favorite things of the year-pumpkin everything and all things Halloween! One of the best ways to spend a fall evening is watching an All Hallowes’ Eve movie, complete with warm cider. To help you get in the spirit, check out my list of Top 5 Halloween Movies:

Nightmare Before Christmas

I watch this movie all year round, but when fall hits, it is basically on repeat until Christmas. It is visually beautiful, combining the perfect amount of whimsical and creepy. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King from Halloween Town, is growing tired of celebrating Halloween and searches for something new. He stumbles upon Christmas Town and is enchanted by it right away, inspiring Jack to take over Christmas for the year. Much to Jack’s dismay, this leads to some disastrous ramifications. In addition to a touching story and fabulous visuals, the music is also superb, combining the perfect amount of haunt and whimsy, so be prepared to have it in your head all season long.

Hocus Pocus

This classic Halloween flick tells the story of three witch sisters (played by Bette Midler, Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) who steal childrens’ lives to stay young. They find themselves in modern times (aka, the 90s) and hilarity ensues. This movie has everything you need-awkward teenagers, a sassy little sister, a talking cat, and a musical number. This movie will never get old. Ever.

The Halloween Tree

Now, I might be biased with this one as it was a family tradition to watch it every year growing up (although maybe not, since it won an Emmy). The movie is based off Ray Bradbury’s book, The Halloween Tree, and in fact, Bradbury provided the narrator’s voice. In the film, you journey with a group of trick-or-treaters and their guide, Mr. Moundshroud (voiced by Leonard Nimoy), to learn about the origins of Halloween, while also chasing after their dying friends spirit. The film is creepy, fascinating, and appeals to the sci-fi nerd in me. Watch it!

Beetlejuice

Beetlejuice is both hilarious and creepy. It tells the story of ghostly newlyweds who have to wait their turn to get into Heaven, forcing them to stay in their earthly home. Soon after though, an annoying family moves in and turns their beautiful home into a gaudy mess. The couple ends up hiring Beetlejuice as freelance “bio-exorcist” to scare away the new family. Buuut Beetlejuice falls in love with their gothic teenage daughter, and trouble follows. Another Tim Burton film, I love the strangeness and visuals in this film as well.

The Addams Family

This creepy comedy tells the story of a gothic family living among ‘normal’ people. Things go awry when a con artist convinces a family that their long lost uncle, Fester, has returned. Family drama follows, as well as a touching story of family love. I love the Addams family for their sheer strangeness and eerie nature, earning it a spot on my top 5.

*You’ll notice there are no horror films on here. I am not one for horror films, so for those recommendations please check out one of LB or Meg’s articles. 🙂