Searching for movies to watch during the Halloween season can often be a harrowing experience, as there are multiple different ways movie watchers could go about this. Path one would be a typical horror slasher, the second would be a more traditional Halloween movie with supernatural beings like witches or vampires, and the third would be a kiddy, animated Halloween movie. These are three completely different categories, and watching the wrong one could make or break a fall night. This list will feature the top five movies that radiate Halloween feelings and fall energy. 

5. It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)

The Great Pumpkin is at the number five spot on this list. The movie follows Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang as they embark on meeting the Great Pumpkin, attending a Halloween party, and going trick-or-treating. As a lover of the Peanuts from a young age, I found this film to be an integral part of my childhood as did many others. The jazzy score, vibrant colors, and simple yet detailed animation help to give this movie the cozy, warm feeling that the autumnal season should have. This movie is perfect for all ages to enjoy and easily takes viewers back to the good old days of dressing up and trick-or-treating. There are some areas where the flick lacks compared to the others on the list, such as only being twenty-five minutes long and not having as good of an audio quality, but the nostalgic feeling this movie creates makes up for its minor flaws. The sheer amusement, joy, and nostalgia radiating from this movie make it a Halloween staple. 

4. Coraline (2009)

This stop-motion picture follows Coraline Jones and her journey through navigating what lies behind a small door in her wall. After watching this as a child, I was petrified, but it has quickly become one of my favorite movies for the spooky season. I love how the movie is juxtaposed; it is a colorful, animated movie with a dark plot and sinister undertones. Coraline’s journey and character development are refreshing to see in an animated film, and I deeply appreciate how much thought was put into this. In addition to being a great Halloween flick, it’s a perfect starter movie for anyone who wants to get into dark, eerie horror movies. The suspenseful music, claymation, and creepy button-eyed characters give the movie a feeling of uncertainty that lingers until the end. The best time to watch this would be on a dark, stormy day, preferably with the lights out to really amp up the frightening feeling this movie summons. 

3. Beetlejuice (1988)

“It’s showtime” is one of the most iconic lines in film history, and this movie is no different. It follows the Maitland family,  who hires a demon to rid their house of its new owners. Even though the story is not set during fall or Halloween, I would still consider this a Halloween movie because it deals with death and has spooky creatures, including a “bio-exorcist.” The movie utilizes animation, which while a bit cheap-looking, adds an uncanny touch. The scenes are visually aesthetic, using colors to distinguish between the mortal world and the Nether world. Unlike the typical serious, gruesome Halloween movie, this combines humor and scariness very well. Betelgeuse, who is visually disturbing and scary to look at, is also able to crack hilarious one-liners. This film has balance, not only focusing on one element but effectively uniting the two to create an iconic, horror comedy classic beloved by many. 

2. Hocus Pocus (1993)

Directed by Kenny Ortega, Hocus Pocus follows the Sanderson Sisters on their way to becoming mortal again after being hanged during the Salem Witch Trials 300 years earlier. The three antagonists are mysterious and spooky, perfect for this type of movie. The setting of Salem, Massachusetts is a major element of this movie, as it is a town that celebrates fall, and especially Halloween, very seriously. Along with this, the clothes are what make this movie feel so special. The witches dress in traditional 1600s dresses with corsets and capes in darker, autumnal colors like deep oranges and dark greens. The outfits worn by characters like Max Dennison and Allison Watts are simple, yet purposeful as well, as they wear sweaters, combat boots, and dark jeans creating the ultimate 90s fall look. Hocus Pocus should be looked at as an exemplary model of what a Halloween movie should be because it contains all of the elements that make up a perfect fall flick: a homey atmosphere, scary creatures, suspense, and mischievous fun. 

1. Scream (1996)

At the #1 spot on my list is Wes Craven’s Scream. Craven is a professional when it comes to horror movies, making it no surprise that one of his best movies made it to the top spot. The plot takes place one year after the death of Sidney Prescott’s mother, and a masked killer goes on a mass killing spree in her small town. This is the quintessential horror film because it is satirical and makes fun of certain stereotypes that horror movies are often tethered to. That being said, the movie is well-rounded with characters, feelings, and a great atmosphere. The town where the story takes place is lined with tight streets, small shops, and large trees with fall leaves giving the movie a cozy, autumnal feeling. Each scene varies significantly in mood, so you could be laughing one moment and then gasping for air after a jump-scare by Ghostface. The gore and true horror of this movie, from the mass amount of blood to the gruesome killings, give it the ultimate scary Halloween feeling. Scream is bone-chillingly phenomenal and should be watched on All Hallow’s Eve for a good scare.

Happy movie-watching!