Hocus pocus, directed by Kenny Ortega, is still a Halloween favorite almost two decades later. Photo from 10tv.com
Halloween will soon be upon us and that means it’s time to pull out our favorite spooky movies and songs for the season.
According to an Instagram poll of 42 students, 92 percent = said Halloween movies do not have to be horror movies. This is clear to see if you’ve watched Halloween classics like “Hocus Pocus,” which is Halloween-themed without being a horror movie.
“Hocus Pocus,” released in 1993, is one of the movies that has come to define the Halloween movie genre. It is perfectly made for the Halloween season for people of all ages. The movie is scary without being an outright horror movie, funny for all and nostalgic for adults. “Hocus Pocus” will be a classic for a long time to come and should be introduced into the cinema hall of fame.
While people love to argue that “The Nightmare Before Christmas” is a Christmas movie, we all know that it is a Halloween movie. The macabre aesthetic of Tim Burton mixed with the look of Halloween creates a distinct style that makes this movie a classic. The visuals of this movie are just as, if not more, important than the story.
Two honorable mentions of great Halloween movies are “Coraline” and the “Halloweentown” series. These films have all the aspects of a good Halloween movie and showed up in our survey.
Though these are all Halloween classics, they aren’t horror movies. If you’re looking for a good horror movie for the Halloween season there are so many good choices.
Look no farther than “Trick r’ Treat” for a great horror movie for the season. The film is a collection of interlinked horror shorts about the rules of Halloween night. This movie is great because it is scary while still maintaining a sense of campiness and fun that Halloween movies need. This movie combines all of the types of Halloween horror into one movie; there’s a slasher, a ghost story, a campy monster story, and plenty of scares.
If you’re looking for a real jump-off-the-couch scare though, nothing can beat the original 1978 “Halloween.” Do I need to say anything more? It’s a classic and the season is in the name. Honestly, this movie perfected the slasher genre and building dread. For that reason, “Halloween” will always be a must-watch during the Halloween season.
If you’re looking for something newer this season, try watching “Suspiria” (both the 2018 and the 1977 version are must-watches), “Hereditary” or “It Follows.” These are all great twists on the classic horror movie.