What’s your favorite scary movie? Georges Méliès’ silent short “The House of the Devil” (1896) first brought scares to the silver screen, and Tod Browning and Karl Freund’s infamous “Dracula” (1931) later popularized the horror genre. Nearly a century later, cinephiles everywhere ring in the spooky season by watching and rewatching their favorite Halloween films. As the leaves start to turn and the temperatures begin to drop, nothing is better than curling up indoors and preparing for the adrenaline rush of a lifetime. Scream queens or silly witches, demons or dorky costumes: Arts & Entertainment staff hold these Halloween flicks close to their blood-pumping hearts.
‘It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown’ (1966)
While most Halloween classics center around horror, “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” is simply delightful, filled with classic moments like Charlie Brown (Peter Robbins) receiving yet another rock during trick-or-treating or Lucy Van Pelt (Sally Dryer) pulling the football away from Charlie. The dialogue is where the film truly shines. The characters speak like children but with just a hint of sophistication. Linus Van Pelt’s (Christopher Shea) hope to make the most “sincere” pumpkin patch or Charlie’s conclusion that he and Linus have “denominational differences” are just two examples of the film’s charming and witty dialogue. A sense of comfort also lies within the movie. I don’t remember when I first saw it — it feels like the film has been a part of my life forever. The beautiful soundtrack and timeless animation immediately give you a sense of security: You are returning to a Halloween classic.
— Alex Gerson, Film & TV Desk
‘Dawn of the Dead’ (1978)
George A. Romero’s “Dawn of the Dead” is the most satisfying zombie film ever made. The sequel to his cult classic “Night of the Living Dead” (1968) follows two Philadelphia SWAT team members, a traffic reporter and his girlfriend who, amid the zombie apocalypse, seek shelter in a suburban shopping mall. Watching the movie is tactically satisfying, as our heroes take inventory and organize the stores in the mall, transforming it into an efficient and well-equipped fort. Some say you need a strong stomach for “Dawn of the Dead,” and I admit it is gory, but the splattering heads and bright red blood are so obvious and handmade that the gore lands more as a comedy than violence. Plus, it satisfies my dream of occupying the dual Home Depot and Costco Wholesale 10 minutes from my house in the event of an apocalypse — I can’t be the only one, right?
— Daniel Rosen, Senior Staff Writer
‘Scream’ (1996)
A legendary bob reduced to bloody string. Hundreds of stab wounds. A television set to the head. Guts. Lots and lots of guts. “Scream” is one of the most well-known and well-memed franchises in horror movie history, and rightfully so. The clever slasher has its audience predict its every move while still providing shocking scares around each crimson-soaked corner, a masterclass in a perfectly balanced horror-comedy. You can still find the film’s infamous ghostface getup in every Spirit Halloween pop-up store, and the franchise is still going strong almost 30 years later, with a seventh film currently in development. “Scream” moves lightning-fast through its 111-minute runtime and finds comic relief in every character. The film’s script is serially smart, a maze of twists and turns that never lets a viewer breathe and never washes the knife clean. Era-spanning performances from Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and others electrify an already buzzing film with deliciously deadly screams. Integral in reforming the trope of the final girl and carrying the honor of helping to define an iconic genre, “Scream” is the epitome of pure bloody fun.
— Nathan Rubin, Arts & Entertainment Editor
‘Halloweentown’ (1998)
Lovers of Halloween understand that the festival is much more than a spooky holiday — celebrants watch the world transform into something entirely new each October. No other time of year can match the aesthetic, and director Duwayne Dunham highlights that uniqueness in “Halloweentown,” transporting viewers to a world bursting with Halloween spirit. Three siblings, Marnie Piper (Kimberly J. Brown), Dylan Piper (Joey Zimmerman) and Sophie Piper (Emily Roeske) follow their grandma, who lives a double life as a witch, into a mystical town called “Halloweentown.” Outdated graphics, terrible costumes and cheesy puns make this film as comforting as warm apple cider on a chilly autumn day. Despite being a children’s movie, people of any age can appreciate the underlying themes of self-acceptance and the importance of family in this film. For those who prefer to lean into the nostalgic aspects of Halloween, rather than the frightening ones, “Halloweentown” is perfect for you.
— Amanda Lerner, Contributing Writer
‘Twitches’ (2005)
Before “Wizards of Waverly Place” (2007-2012) enchanted Disney Channel audiences, another magical family had already charmed viewers’ hearts. The movie follows antithetical twin sisters Alex Fielding (Tia Mowry) and Camryn Barnes (Tamera Mowry), who were separated at birth on Halloween night. Upon their 21st birthday, Alex and Camryn discover each other’s existence — and the fact that they could not have grown up more differently. With a little meddling from their supernatural guardians, Alex and Camryn learn that they were born in a mystical dimension called “Coventry” to a monarch named Miranda DuBaer (Kristen Wilson). When the girls find out that their biological father sacrificed himself to protect them from an evil entity that still threatens the land, they are forced to fulfill an old prophecy and defend the kingdom from “The Darkness.”
“Twitches” is a Halloween hidden gem. The effects are dated, and the greenscreens are laughable. Still, the film manages to touch on timeless themes such as coming-of-age, overcoming class differences and protecting your family — both the one you were born into and the one you choose. While “Twitches” may lack the fright factor of other Halloween favorites, it is comedic, lighthearted and nostalgic — the perfect flick to escape the horrors of everyday life.
— Safa Wahidi, Opinion Columnist
‘Monster House’ (2006)
This animated Halloween film is my all-time favorite. The image of the interior of the “Monster House” resembling a human’s mouth has not left my head since I watched it as a kid. The chandelier in the room dangling from the ceiling represents a uvula, and the human-eating haunted house could not have appeared scarier. The depiction is creative in this film, as the house embodies the movements of a living creature. The main characters, three children who encounter and try to destroy the “Monster House,” were around the same age as me when I first watched it, making me especially immersed in the horrors of the plot. The film has quite a few jump scares over the background of well-themed graphics that picture the scenery of a spooky autumn. I recommend watching “Monster House” for a fun and fearful night, experiencing a Halloween haunted house through the eyes of your younger self.
— Ellen Choi, Contributing Writer and Sponsored Content Coordinator
‘Coraline’ (2009)
No animated movie has continually captured my imagination quite like “Coraline.” While not specifically a Halloween movie — the story takes place in winter, while the original book the film is set in late summer — this stop-motion film is positively bursting with spooky energy. The plot is as riveting as it is spine-tinglingly scary, perfect for a dark October night. After Coraline Jones’ (Dakota Fanning) family moves into one floor of a dilapidated old Victorian house, the girl discovers a door to an alternate world ruled by a monster that calls itself Coraline’s “Other Mother” (Teri Hatcher). Everybody in this world has buttons for eyes, and the vivid hues contrast strongly with the quiet gray life that Coraline has become bored with.
The film has amazing music too. Oozing with the soothing cadence of a lullaby, Bruno Coulais’ soundtrack lulls the audience as Coraline explores the borders of both her new home and the “Other Mother’s” alluring world. Although the titular protagonist is distinctly unlikeable, all her aggressive sarcasm becomes almost endearing. She is alone for much of the film, and I love the way her defiant independence echoes the feeling of childhood trick-or-treating. “Coraline” is a startlingly nostalgic film that will tempt you to rewatch it year after year.
— Brigid May, Contributing Writer
‘Girl vs. Monster’ (2012)
“Girl vs. Monster” is a stand-out film from Disney Channel’s “Monstober,” the annual month-long Halloween movie marathon held from 2005 to 2016. For people who love the spooky season but hate to be spooked, this movie is the perfect watch. Directed by Stuart Gillard, “Girl vs. Monster” walks the line between producing immense second-hand embarrassment and genuine sympathy for the characters. Olivia Holt stars as Skylar Lewis, a 15-year-old girl who discovers her parents are fourth-generation monster hunters on Halloween.
According to her best friend, Skylar has always been the “girl who knows no fear.” Her progression from fearless to petrified to emboldened again is a wonderful full-circle moment perfect for this comfort film. Alongside her journey, we watch her friends Henry (Brendan Meyer) and Sadie (Kerris Dorsey) overcome their fears of locker-room talk and academic failure. For a 2012 film, the computer-generated imagery is quite impressive, especially when the monster “Deimata” (Tracy Dawson) sprouts her three gabby heads. While it may not be Oscars-worthy, “Girl vs. Monster” is a heartfelt Halloween film with great humor, an empowering message and a little horror — mostly from the fashion choices.
— Catherine Goodman, Music Desk
‘David S. Pumpkins’ (2016-present)
“David S. Pumpkins” is an annual “Saturday Night Live” skit that began in 2016 when Tom Hanks put on a $12.99 suit from Party City in an episode just before Halloween. Since his first appearance, David S. Pumpkins became a fan favorite for his bizarre, comedic twist to traditional Halloween characters. The skit storyline follows a similar narrative each time: A group of people go on a haunted ride, expecting to be scared out of their minds. Kenan Thompson is their guide, narrating the ride and building up suspense for each new actor that the guests will see. First, they think it is a normal ride until funky music comes on. A man in a cheap pumpkin-patterned costume flocked by two men in skeleton costumes arrives on the stage, introducing himself as David S. Pumpkins, to the guests’ surprise. The guests become more and more confused as the character shows up again and again while refusing to provide any information about why he is there or what the “S.” stands for. While not terrifying, the skit is comedic and shows the side of Halloween that is often obscured: the fun, friendly tradition of dressing up and having a good time. If you have a chance in the next few weeks, look up past versions of the Saturday Night Live skit!
— Jessie Satovsky, Staff Writer
