Whether you want to watch something spooky or truly classic and hilarious this Halloween, The Lamron staff has the perfect movie for your mood. Check out our picks for the best Halloween films in history. Rosemary’s Baby (1968)
While it isn’t your typical Halloween slasher, this film will give you chills. Rosemary Woodhouse, played by Mia Farrow, and her struggling actor-husband Guy Woodhouse, played by John Cassavetes, move into an apartment in New York City. The two meet their neighbors, the Castevets, an elderly pair who is quirky but welcoming. As Rosemary distrust of the Castevets grows, Guy forms a close relationship with them and lands an acting part under suspicious circumstances. A pregnant Rosemary becomes convinced her unborn child is in danger, due to the Castevets’ unusual behavior.
Viewers will race against the clock with Rosemary as she uncovers puzzle after puzzle about the Castevets. She can trust no one, and nothing is as it seems. The film is thrilling and bizarre, and the music lends an alien, eerie quality that definitely makes one’s heart beat faster. Ultimately, the only thing we can do is watch helplessly and follow the tagline: Pray for Rosemary’s Baby.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Every Halloween, my family always watches The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “Doesn’t it make sense to watch it around Christmas because it’s all about how Jack Skellington saves Christmas?” I think the film is interchangeable for both seasons, but I personally have more of a connection to the movie at Halloween because of its dark undertones; even ABC Family shows it for Halloween.
What I love most about the movie, aside from Jack and Sally’s love story and the rush I get from watching them save the day, is the soundtrack. The songs are not only dark but also enhance the storyline in a memorable way; at least I can picture the scene in which each song is used.
As The Nightmare Before Christmas celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, I look forward to wearing my Jack Skellington hat and watching the movie on a cold and dark night. Or at least listen to the soundtrack as I procrastinate on my work.
Halloweentown (1998)
I could have easily chosen a classic slasher film or frightening ghost story, but I viewed charming throwback to childhood ritually every single year for quite some time. The Disney Channel original movie stars Debbie Reynolds as an eccentric grandmother living in the magical realm of Halloweentown, where goblins and ghouls frolic as regular citizens – and who can forget the hilarious wisecracking skeleton cabdriver Benny? It’s always a pleasure to watch Aggie and the gang take on Kalabar, the human-hating mayor of Halloweentown. He’s a recurring antagonist who appears in the sequel Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge as well. Just thinking about it makes me now, as a college student, want to go back to the days when I would curl up on the couch with my parents every Halloween season and watch this gem of a movie.
Hocus Pocus (1993)
Halloween isn’t complete without everyone’s favorite sister witches: Winifred, played by Bette Midler, Mary, played by Kathy Najimy, and Sarah, played by Sarah Jessica Parker. Their hilarious antics combined with Binx, the boy turned adorable immortal cat, and the slightly awkward young love of two heroic teenagers make Hocus Pocus a perfect Halloween move. Even after 20 years, the three witches’ quest to suck out the souls of young girls to regain their youth – while extremely creepy when it’s actually written out – is still hilarious. It has everything from 19th century flashbacks to zombies to a heart-wrenching death scene. Even if Hocus Pocus isn’t scary in the traditional sense, I’m sure it will be a Halloween comedy classic for years to come.