I’m not going to lie — Halloween is my favorite time of year. Crazy costumes, carving pumpkins, bowls of candy and, of course, Halloween movies. Thanksgiving gets turkey, Christmas gets music and Easter gets a basket, but Halloween joy is spread with screaming in terror at a Halloween thriller. Here’s a list of my favorite Halloween movies to celebrate the season.
“Hocus Pocus”
Double, double, toil and trouble, these three bad witches are back for more. After casting a spell to save themselves from death, the sisters are freed by teenager Max Dennison on Halloween night, 300 years later. Max, his sister Dani and their new friend Allison must save the town of Salem, Massachusetts before the sisters become immortal. Hijinks and chaos ensue. Disney’s ’90s hit is always a must on Oct. 31.
“Insidious”
In the first chapter of the “Insidious” movies, parents Josh and Renai Lambert are swept into a haunted mystery when an evil spirit possesses their comatose son. The creators of “Insidious” have their fair share of horror movie experience, having their names attached to classics like “Paranormal Activity” and “Saw.” “Insidious” is no different, and is sure to keep you on edge the entire film.
“Practical Magic”
Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman star in a story of sisters trapped in an unbreakable family curse. When Gillian (Kidman) kills her boyfriend Jimmy (Goran Visnjic), the sisters combine their magical talents to bring him back to life. But Jimmy doesn’t come back quite like before.
Dealing with heartbreak, family ties and a superstitious town, “Practical Magic” isn’t going to have the shock value of other Halloween movies, but its witchy roots are perfect for the season.
“The Exorcist”
As the adage goes: things get better with age. “The Exorcist” was given new life in 2016 as a TV series, but the 1973 movie has kept its horrific veneer the past 40 years.
Two priests attempt to save the life of a girl possessed not just by any demon, but the devil himself. Tried and true with years of critical acclaim, “The Exorcist” is perfect with the lights off and your doors locked.
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”
Finally, cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is the perfect way to add comedy into your Halloween movie mix.
When Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) are stranded in the middle of a rainstorm, they seek refuge at the castle of Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry), an alien from Transexual, Transylvania. As the night continues, Brad and Janet discover their scientist host is only the beginning of their strange night.