10 Halloween Classics to Watch This October 

Since the creation of film and the nickelodeon theater (the predecessor to the modern movie theater), horror has been a fundamental genre with the earliest being films like Le Manoir du Diable (1896), Le Château Hanté (1897), or the more popular Nosferatu (1922). Popping on a scary movie like these can be one of the best ways to celebrate Halloween. Sadly, as we get older, it becomes harder and harder for us to keep the holiday spirit, but little traditions like watching a creepy or cozy flick might just be the best way for us to celebrate “spooky season.” For this reason, I’ve made a list of 10 Halloween classics to help us all get in the mood for the upcoming holiday. Keep in mind this whole list is based on opinion, and some of these films can be scarier than others, so viewer discretion is advised.

Image courtesy of Taste of Home

10. The Witches (1990) 

In the mood for something family-friendly but still creepy? Starring Anjelica Huston (The Addams Family), playing an ancient witch on a mission to turn all children into mice, the 1990 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Witches is a relatively new film, but notorious as part of the family-horror genre because of its eerie make-up and practical effects. If I had to describe this film, I’d say that it’s something of a nostalgic fever-dream that you’ll never forget. Rated PG for parental guidance. 

9. The Ghost and Mr. Chicken (1966) 

Still looking for something family friendly but a little less freaky? This comedy could be just what you’re looking for. In this film, Don Knotts (The Incredible Mr. Limpet) plays a cowardly reporter on a mission to win the heart of a girl, score a front-page story, and survive the night in a haunted house. I especially enjoyed this movie when I was younger, but it truly is fun for the whole family. Rated G for general audiences. 

8. The Craft (1996)

Getting into some spookier territory, we have another witch flick, this time led by actresses Robin Tunney (Empire Records) and Fairuza Balk (The Waterboy). The two play members of a teenage coven who become increasingly involved in the dark arts when the former of the two moves to a new school. In my opinion, this has all the right vibes a Halloween movie should have, but if you don’t believe me, watch it for yourself! Rated R for language and disturbing themes/imagery. 

7. The Birds (1963)

Want something not as Halloween-y but just as spooky? Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, starring Tippi Hedren (Marnie), leans further into the territory of psychological horror, following a young woman being methodically attacked by (wait for it) birds. Don’t let the PG-13 rating fool you, it truly is one of the creepiest films on this list. 

6. It’s The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! (1966)

Jumping back into something cozier and light-hearted, who can go wrong with Charlie Brown? Honestly, I think I appreciate watching this more as an 18 year old than I ever did as a kid. Viewing this as a teen has given me a better capacity to appreciate the artistry in the animation, and Vince Guaraldi’s classic themes. If you haven’t seen it before, definitely check it out, and if you haven’t watched it in a while, why not watch it with your folks this Halloween? Rated G for general audiences. 

5. Death Becomes Her (1992) 

Being another newer movie, not everyone would consider this a classic, but this will always be one for me. In this revenge comedy, Goldie Hawn (Cactus Flower) seeks to destroy the life of her former best friend, played by Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada), by seducing her husband. You might be able to imagine how things go off the rails when an elixir of life is introduced into the mix. Or maybe not. You should probably watch to find out. Rated PG-13 for language and mild gore. 

4. Return of the Living Dead (1985)

In this campy horror-comedy, Freddy, played by Thom Matthews (Friday The 13th: Part VI), and his new boss, played by James Karen (Poltergeist), accidentally release a chemical that resurrects all of the dead in Louisville, Kentucky. This unlikely pair and their ragtag group of friends must come together to fight off the impending zombie apocalypse in this cult classic. Rated R for language, nudity, and gore. Do NOT watch this if you have a weak stomach! 

3. Salem’s Lot (1979)

Originally a two-part miniseries, sitting at three hours and twenty-six minutes, the 1979 version of Salem’s Lot is undoubtedly the best adaptation of the Stephen King novel. The steady pacing of the film doesn’t leave the viewer bored and fills its time well. Known in some circles as the quintessential vampire film, it is a must-watch for any horror fan. If you have an afternoon free, why not give it a watch? Rated PG for “frightening and intense” scenes. 

2. Poltergeist (1982)

Certainly one of my favorite films on this list, Steven Spielberg’s (Jaws, Jurassic Park, E.T.) Poltergeist follows a family whose youngest daughter, Carol Anne, is being contacted by a ghost through their television, after moving to a new neighborhood. All of this escalates when Carol Anne, played by Heather O’Rourke, disappears. Not only is the story great, but the impacts of the revolutionary technique and practical effects are still seen today in modern VFX. Rated PG for parental guidance. 

1. Night of The Living Dead (1968)

Ever wondered where the idea for zombie movies came from? You can’t really ask George Romero because he’s been dead since 2017 (RIP), but if there was anyone to ask, it would be him. Now, Night of the Living Dead isn’t *technically* the first zombie movie, that would be White Zombie (1932), starring Bela Lugosi (Dracula), but Romero truly resurrected the genre and turned it into what it is today, no pun intended. Night of the Living Dead was made on a “shoestring budget,” meaning that despite its influence, it was made in its entirety with a budget of under $115,000 in total (the average cost for a film in 1968 was about 4.3 million according to the-numbers.com). It was also an incredibly controversial film because of its almost comically high levels of gore, which is exaggerated by the fact that all of the effects were made with lower-quality materials. The controversy, however, was not only because Romero turned a couple of stomachs, it was because he unintentionally created an incredibly applicable political piece that drew comparisons to American race relations. Acting as both screenwriter and director, Romero originally wrote his hero to be a white man, but ended up casting a black lead. Having a black hero on screen in a film released months after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. was particularly problematic, especially given the parallels that this drew to the political violence and riots occurring during the Jim Crow era. Despite this, it was also a symbol of hope for many, and it opened a door for many black actors and directors, changing the horror industry forever.